I Asked a Mechanic How To Make My Sports Car Last 300K Miles — Here’s What He Said
Written by
G. Brian Davis
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Rebekah Evans
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Most cars don’t last 300,000 and that goes doubly for sports cars. But sports cars can absolutely live that long — if given proper care.
Follow these rules to keep your roadster revving at 300,000 miles and beyond.
Replace Fluids More Often
Sports cars need more regular maintenance than “grocery gophers” because their engines run hotter. Alan Gelfand, auto mechanic with German Car Depot recommended replacing not just the oil but all mechanical fluids more often than the manufacturer timetable.
“Use premium synthetic oil for sports cars if you want them to last and don’t forget other fluid types including coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid and differential fluid,” he said.
Extra Care for the Cooling System
Again, high-performance engines run hotter than minivans and SUVs. Mechanics see more engine damage from sports cars overheating than other risks, which means you need to pay extra attention to cooling systems if you want your car to last 300,000 miles.
“Change your water pump, thermostat and coolant hoses at 60,000 miles when it will cost you $600 to $800,” explained Ryan Salata of Specialty Auto Parts USA. “It prevents the alternative — a $5,000 overheating failure in high-performance engines.”
Warm Up Your Engine
All cars benefit from warming up before driving. It allows the oil to reach full circulation and prevent extra friction and grinding.
But that rule proves even more crucial for sports cars subject to hard acceleration. “Never thrash a cold engine,” Salata added. “Always let it warm up for five minutes before nailing it.”
Minimize Abusive Driving
While you don’t need to drive your sports car like a timid octogenarian, it will last longer if you don’t abuse the crud out of it. Avoid the extreme jerky driving if you want your car to last.
“Sports cars’ life expectancy becomes much shorter when owners launch repeated redline pulls while using aggressive downshifts,” Gelfand said.
Don’t Skimp on Brakes and Steering Parts
Cheap parts won’t exactly extend the lifespan of your sports car. In particular, pay attention to replacement parts for the suspension, brakes and steering systems.
“Sports cars need components exceeding the tolerance standards of cheap aftermarket parts. Saving money on cheap parts may lower the bills now, but it will inevitably lead to more expensive repairs in the future,” Gelfand explained. These repairs could lead owners to simply give up on their sports cars entirely.
To get your ride to 300,000 miles, it needs more care than the average car. But if you take care of it, it will take care of you, continuing to offer thrills longer than its peers.
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