High Mileage Club

[jwreding]

Hi...long time lurker, first (well technically 2nd) time poster. I just thought I would share that my '96 base model with the Quad4 and 5spd just rolled over 200k. I have owned it since 140k and not really done much at all except routine maintenance, a rusted out fuel line, and a couple of front wheel bearings. I am 99% sure it is the original engine and not rebuilt.

I am still baffled by these cars. I had a brand new '06 Cobalt before this and it was already starting to have issues (backfiring, etc.) at 30k. AND it didn't even get as good of mileage (also had a 4cyl/5sp). With the Beretta, I consistently get 37-38mpg highway and high 20s in the city. I can only imagine what I'd get if I seafoam the thing (which I plan to do soon). Has anyone ever theorized as to why Berettas seem to get such ridiculous mileage, even compared to other cars with similar drivetrains? Is it related to the design/aerodynamics? I haven't been able to read every post on the board, so not sure if it's already been discussed.

I'm ticked off, though...I was hoping to snap a pic of 200 on the dot but got sidetracked during my trip and when I looked back down I was at 200,007

[heavywoody]

96's didn't come with Quad 4's... so something is amiss here.

We've got several members well into the 200K range... hell I've got an 89 GT sitting at my house with 277K on original engine and transmission. I know of one member that had 320K on his 92 3.1/auto base model, and the only reason it stopped there was because the car was hit by a semi.

[Money pit Beretta]

The Eco is a hit and miss(it can run for 200k or just 30K). Quality is the main problem, there just is not enough of it in new cars. Also many stupid ideas from GM to reduce emissions and save cost.
The loss of low end torque(the Quad has it, the Eco doesn't) is the main key. That really hurts MPG on the highway and around town. One other thing is the ultra quiet mufflers on the new cars. They are flow killers!
Hey man keep an eye on the oil. With that many miles the headgasket is ready to blow. Also you are going to need a timing chain. If that goes you will have to rebuild or get another engine.
Your Cobalt is having a coil or ICM problem. That is a common thing at anytime. Buy only GM or high end BWD(the cheap BWD stuff is junk).

[Money pit Beretta]

Oops, missed the 96. So it would be a 2.2 OHC.

[jwreding]

Sorry...I guess I showed my ignorance. I was thinking all Beretta 4cyl were the Quad. Yes this is the 2.2 and it is a 96.

The timing chain has been rattling since I bought it 60k miles ago. I plan on replacing it as part of my spring tune up. I've been trying to go easy on it because I'm aware that 200k is beyond the top end for chains.

I did actually replace the coil packs about 20k ago with AC Delco replacements.

It does use a little oil, of course, but whenever I check/change it, I don't see any goopy light brown stuff that would indicate coolant in the oil. It does have a small coolant leak so I keep an eye on that to make sure it doesn't overheat, because then I'm sure the gasket would be toast.

I haven't owned the Cobalt for 4 years now. It was probably the coil or some other ignition issue, but every time I took it to the dealer it didn't have any stored codes and they wouldn't look at it any further. But I don't care anymore, it's someone else's problem.

You mentioned a couple other examples of engines over 200-300k. It seems that the ones you referenced were v6. I wasn't aware those lasted as long as the 4cyl.

[2.2H8TA]

I've seen quite a few high mileage Berettas, most being V6's. I've had 2 base model 2.2 automatic cars, and they both blew headgaskets around 80k. 1st one I traded in with a blown headgasket, it was a '90. I traded that for a '95 with 30k on it, and drove it untill it also blew the headgasket around 80k. It warped and cracked the head, so I got a new head, and had the job done. A couple years later it went again at 127k, and I just junked it, due to major underbody rot. I'll never buy any 2.2 car again, unless it's a 5 speed. Most high mileage 2.2's I see are 5 speeds. I've been told the heat from the automatic transmission is most likely the reason for the headgasket failure. Right now, my '94 Z26 has 147k on it, and it runs just as good as my '96 with 75k on it. It's really all in how you maintain your car, if you treat it good, it will treat you good. Oh, and I did maintain the 2.2's I had, they are just garbage with an automatic behind them in my opinion.

[Money pit Beretta]

My old 90GT 3.1 was at 215k when I lost it to a red light runner. It was twice as strong as my 95 3100 with 150k.

[NJ93TY]

My 95 base (daily driver) has over 306K on it. Third trans, a few lower intake gaskets but stock bottom end.

[Thompson128]

I just rolled 100k

[wi_corsica]

I also wonder how accurate some odometers are! Something that was about 29.2 miles actual (google maps, as i have no record from the 1989) was 30.3 miles in a 1993, vs 29.6 miles in a 1992. Granted, it's not a big difference, but it will make you believe you have higher MPG than actual.

I will however say that my Dad had a 2.2 auto 93 cavalier, and got 34-36, one time 38 MPG, but he drove back roads at night and was doing a leasurely 45-50 mph.

There are around 152K on 89 2.8 GT, and ~40k on a rebuilt 2.0. Original engine blew headgasket at 208K

[#1 stunna]

88 2.8 retta base .... 220k OG engine&trans! I think im gonna snap a pic on all 2's (222,222)

[pontiecast]

1994 base 3100 - 179,608 as of today. Original engine and transmission AND original owner.

[quad4berettagtz]

My '90 GTZ has 255k on it, original engine and trans. I'm the second owner, and replaced headgasket at 185k myself. It was a GM gasket that I took out, so I'm thinking that it was either original or replaced by a dealer under warranty. Except that the strut tower had no marks on it (common when a head is changed in a Quad car), so it makes me believe I had a freak OEM headgasket last 185k...

[95BerettaBase]

My '95 Base with thethe 31000 had 284,000 on it when I sold it to DTMAce. I believe he was able to get 293,000 out of it before the motor gave out.

With proper care and maintainence, these cars can last a long time. The same goes with any other vehicle.

[themixer]

on my old 2.2 1995 base 5 speed i had 325,000km when the heater core went and me not knowing at the time split the head. It was more cost effective to get a used motor than replace the head on the car. Was a sad day, put a another 150,000km on the car before sadly it broke in 2 pieces. It always got me home.

both my cars now are very low miles I don't really drive them as much as my old daily 2.2. Always wanted V6 cars when I had the 4 cylinder, but now I miss it. On the hunt for another 4 cylinder beretta!