New Friend, Old Car
Odometer: 496,500
If you were to picture two vehicles with a combined age of 38 years and mileage of 870,209, what would that look like? Remember, that’s 33 times around the equator. How about this:
Once again the timeless Legends hide the years and miles with sheetmetal that withstands aging better than any anti-wrinkle cream. This evening I had the pleasure of meeting a fellow Arizonan who’s giving me a run for my money in the mileage realm. Jeff has done all the major maintenance on this 373,000-mile 1991 L sedan in Charcoal Granite Metallic for the last 10 years or so, and he recently picked it up for a fair price for his dad, Don, to use as a daily driver. Here, Jeff fires up the 3.2 liter V6 that purrs like a kitten.
In fact, it’s so quiet that we wandered over to my car and got lost in conversation and completely forgot the ’91 was running.
Don’t forget the odometer shot.
Head to head, the high mileage Legends have a chat with each other about where their vast travels have taken them.
It was a pleasure meeting Jeff and Don – an all-star duo who truly appreciate a fine car when they see one. It’s days like today that remind me that it’s more about the people than the car. I’ve met some of the finest folks in the world thanks to this old set of wheels.
I was reminded tonight about an anniversary that will be coming up in just a little over a month. It was 10/30/09 – almost exactly two years ago, that I rolled 400,000 on the Legend on my way to Las Vegas. My friends at the Acura Legend forums presented me with an etched LED plaque that to this day is the prominent feature on my kitchen counter. It’s proudly displayed as a conversation piece for any who visit my home!
Lastly, don’t forget to check out today’s feature on Liberty Mutual’s “Responsibility Project.” Drive to Five was featured in a Q&A about the merits of the “drive it ’til the wheels fall off” vehicle ownership strategy. Huge thanks to Andrea Bennett for putting together the article!
drivetofive 
September 29, 2011 at 4:08 am
You know, Acura might have a green, yellow, and red indicator for maintenance required on those older models. Did you know there is also a hidden color? Once your car hits 500,000 miles, the indicator turns black, meaning “change of vehicle required.”
September 29, 2011 at 4:30 am
Is that what happens? Maybe at 500k, confetti falls from the headliner and crepe paper flies out of the airbag compartments. Time will tell!
October 4, 2011 at 12:57 am
I can make that happen, the confetti, a cool song, everything.