(For a simple answer, scroll to the bottom.)
For starts, Japanese cars tend to have higher quality control than American cars. Also, most European cars available in the states are American owned. Korean cars are cheap in price, so you get what you pay for.
If you drive a Ford, change the oil often, don't drag race, and go for regular maintenance, the car should hold up fine. In turn, if you abuse a Toyota, the Ford will outperform.
Aside from care, another factor is the options chosen. An automatic transmission usually lasts about 100-150 thousand miles under heavier driving conditions while a manual just needs the clutch replaced every few years, in most cases. (Key word here, "most".) Crazy computers, GPS, power windows, power locks, and all those fun things don't last long either as compared to things like roll down windows.
Last factor, and probably the biggest one is the location of driving. City driving (a.k.a. "stop and go driving") works the car the most. The highway, however is where the car simply moves with the least amount of drastic motions and outside variables. Extremely hot places overheat the car easily and often, while really cold places nearly freeze all the inner liquids leading to damaging and harsh starts every morning. (If you live in one of these cold places, ALWAYS let your car start and run in Neutral for 5-10 minutes every time you start it.)
In all honesty, there are too many variables to offer a simple answer. Luck is also involved in not getting a faulty car by accident from a dealer. (Also, for best results, don't buy used unless it's from someone you know and trust, as the car may have been poorly cared for.)
SIMPLE ANSWER HERE!
1) If you drive mostly on the highway, get a Japanese car with a manual transmission and roll down windows (I recommend any Subaru in this case).
2) If you off road or drive in the city, no particular car can save you (I in turn recoment something like a Nissan Versa or Dodge Caravan just because both tend to be very COMFORTABLE, and that's all). Just buy something new, care for it, and enjoy the first 90 thousand miles, because after, things break.
P.S The BEST option realy is a diesel. They are simpler in design and more rigid, so they last. They are far more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly than even hybrids. (Seriously, check Edmunds.com Don't think all those chemicals and nasties in the batteries and parts are "pro green") In Europe they are very popular, unlike here in the states...awww Hence I didn't go in depth on this option.
drive on the highway and roll down the window??? dumbest thing I've ever heard. first of all, you will waste more gas with the window down than have the ac on going on the highway. the air will drag your car. two, it is not safe, a small rock traveling at 60 mph can damage a few eye balls.
You waste more gas with the window down than with the ac? That has the potential of being an even stupider thing to say! Maybe if like four windows are fully opened but if you only have one partially opened it doesn't create much drag . You would have to be driving a very aerodynamic car at over 80mph on a non windy day to have the ac be more efficient.
best cars to get are hondas and toyotas...300,000 miles average life
It all depends on how the car gets maintained
If maintained properly any modern car can last 10, 15, even 20 years. 15 years is about average today.
47 years.
Around 200,000 miles if maintenance is performed regularly and the car is not abused.
About 38 years
No, it has nothing to do with the life expectancy of a CD Changer.
200,000 miles if maintenance is performed regularly and the car is not abused.
Classic cars are not invented. They earn that title by surviving beyond the normal life expectancy of an average automobile.
3 to 6 years is normal range.
As any car. For as long as you can afford to maintain it.....
2 years ouch
A standard lead acid car battery lasts three to seven years.