Yearly Milage

[Boxtaboy]

I have a little different take on all this. When I first got the car, I used to put more than 5k miles a year on the car, but in later years, as it became a weekend only car, I could barely put 2k miles on it a year. Right now, I'm lucky if I can get 1k/year on it, but I'm not worried at all if I'm hurting the car in any way. When I do take it out, I always drive it enough to fully warm the engine up. Whether I put 1k or 10k miles a year, I don't care, cause I'm not concerned about who I hand the car over to when I'm done with it, I just care that when I have it, I have fun with it. Its sole purpose is to give me grins when I use it. I've got 73k miles on it now, and have had it for 16 yrs. Its still on it's original IMS.

[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by Boxtaboy

When I do take it out, I always drive it enough to fully warm the engine up.

I think this is one of the keys.

I am averaging 1,875 miles a year and agree with Boxaboy. I stay up and the fluids and maintenance and only drive it where I know I'll be getting the oil fully warmed up. I think in is the low mileage cars that sit for long periods of time and are not properly maintained or driven are an issue.

[Oldcarguy]

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

I am averaging 1,875 miles a year and agree with Boxaboy. I stay up and the fluids and maintenance and only drive it where I know I'll be getting the oil fully warmed up.

I'll probably put less than 2k miles a year on my 986. From spring-fall I'll take it out once or twice a week and in winter, it'll be weather and road conditions permitting.

For me, the key to longevity is a time based maintenance schedule and ensuring that each outing is long enough to flash off all the moisture and to exercise / lubricate everything. No short trips and no starting / idling in the garage, I'd rather it sit until I can drive one of my Catskill 'circuits'. Great driving up here, but the road surfaces are challenging due to our winters.