Pension experiment

Originally posted by pintohoo ↑

If your Toyota continues with what history shows of Tojo's - then, it will last a long long long time and cost very little to run and keep.

From what you wrote - I would see the biggest risk would be not enough miles travelled -- cars like to be used, they need to be run regularly and run up to operating temperature.

There is a lot of talk on Rolls Royce sites about how many miles per year is the 'right' amount to keep the car in good condition - but, to keep it going as long as possible and to keep the mileage as low as possible.

I had a look at a car that ??? can't remember how old it was -- 80's I think - and a lovely car in it's day - and, it had bugger all miles on it -- I calculated that on average it had done 4o km a week in it's life - and, that included 2 trips of about 3000 kilometres --

which worked out that for most of it's life - it had done very short trips to the supermarket or doctors - and never reached operating temperature.

Then, for it's last 18 months - it basically sat still.

That car was quite possibly a huge problem waiting to happen - because cars are just like us - they don't like sitting still for long periods.

All interesting stuff.

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Oddly, I always thought I needed to take my cars on a few long trips. However, when I bought the Toyota I was told that these days that idea is defunct. My other cars took me to work and back each day and I got some mileage up on them, but my last car which I had to have prized away from me was a Mazda 121. It had less than 100,000 ks on the clock and I had owned it for 27 years.

For a while, I owned two cars, which was pretty funny for someone who now drives so little. To my horror, no-one wanted it!
No power steering, air bags, etc. Got lots of criticisms for owning such an elderly car. Nothing wrong with it, except old age and lack of features, etc etc.. lol

I live very conveniently close to two forms of transport, have friends who, when we socialise, share a car, and after 18 months I have less than 2,000 ks on the clock, lol. Still, I want to keep my car. Oh, and all shopping conveniences are so close, doesn't warrant driving as a short walk is more than likely a faster option or possibly marginally less. Last night walked with a friend to a newly opened (local) Thai restaurant and had an amazing meal - less than 5 minutes to get there!!! The local shops here are flourishing and constantly reflect the way we eat and shop these days. So that reduces the mileage. Rarely shop at Woollies or Coles these days.....

My car is Japanese built. My first car was a VW beetle and had that for over 20 years but it was about 4 or 5 years of age when I bought it!

I didn't add dental or doctor in my list either. But my insurance amount covered private health care cover and I attend a Bulk Billing doctor and that's not for the zero charge but because the doctor is a very good one.