Long lasting "bulletproof" cars?

[Shane Lynch]

Anyone have an idea what current cars will be classed as "bulletproof" in the classifieds in the years to come. I own a Merc C250 TD and a Focus 1.8 TDDI estate which I both class as bulletproof.

Is it harder to find modern day bulletproof cars as they are now so complex, or has the improvements in tech actually increased modern cars life expectancy?

Honest John mention the new C Class when it came out he could see the C200 CDI Classic being capable of 1,000,000 miles.

Any other examples?

[JAHetfield]

Toyota Carina E and the older Avensis. Takes a lot to kill them.

[jbi]

LS400

[corvus]

Honda Accord

[LawAys]

That Toyota pick up they tried to kill on top gear seemed pretty tough.

[Shane Lynch]

What are the bulletproof cars of the future though? Maybe its petrol cars we have to look at. I can see a lot of problems with new diesel cars once they are 5-6 years old. Injectors, DMFs, DPFs. LS400 engine is a masterpiece of engineering.

[Jw Vw]

jbi said:

LS400

This.

[SD1992]

I think most modern cars (2000 onwards) should be capable of 200k+ if they are looked after properly.

My mk3 Mondeo was a 52 plate and on 90k, and it still felt as tight as a drum. I would fully expect that to go on and double its mileage no bother at all. Subframe bushes wear out, but are not THAT expensive to fix. And you can get them with the brilliant 2.5 engine... I would have a lot of faith in one of them

[Chris Peacock]

Any mid to late nineties honda.......

No oil...no water...no problem!....

[Hammerhead]

E34 BMWs.

[ajh38]

107/ C1/ Aygo. They need the odd clutch but other than that they'll go on and on and on. Resilient little things!

[Fire99]

Hammerhead said:

E34 BMWs.

V8's and later 6's can be a little fragile.
Suspension can need decent money spent now.

[jimxms]

IS200

[ironictwist]

Jw Vw said:

jbi said:

LS400

This.

Agreed Even my £500 LS400 had everything working & couldnt be faulted in any way (Apart from it boring me a bit) Stupid VFM for what it is.

[Nickyboy]

Volvo T5's

[TheEnd]

Mazda RX8

[Singh911]

I always thought the W124 Mercs were pretty bulletproof. I had a W126 coupe (500 SEC 1988) which felt like it could headbut a mountain and carry on for ever.

Nowadays? - mate has an 07 vectra estate (petrol) with 247k miles and its given him no hassles to speak of.

[Shane Lynch]

Mazda RX8. Its amazing to see a car fall from grace so quickly. Looking back at old car mags, how wrong was the motoring press. There were waiting lists, talk of strong residuals, affordability and future classic status. They now start at around banger money £1500 on ebay and a high percentage are "spares or repair".

What a lemon.

[TheEnd]

Shane Lynch said:

Mazda RX8. Its amazing to see a car fall from grace so quickly. Looking back at old car mags, how wrong was the motoring press. There were waiting lists, talk of strong residuals, affordability and future classic status. They now start at around banger money £1500 on ebay and a high percentage are "spares or repair".

What a lemon.

[crostonian]

Shane Lynch said:

Mazda RX8. Its amazing to see a car fall from grace so quickly. Looking back at old car mags, how wrong was the motoring press. There were waiting lists, talk of strong residuals, affordability and future classic status. They now start at around banger money £1500 on ebay and a high percentage are "spares or repair".

What a lemon.

Have you read this thread correctly, if you have then I'm slightly worried!

My nomination would be my current smoker, a 1999 Passat Tdi, indestructable!