Top 3 High Mileage Heroes...Until One Blows Up! | Buy or Bust Ep. 17 

I’ve never looked at miles as something critical, especially on cars over 10 years old. It could have gotten 20k very hard miles in its first year, then sat outside in the elements to rot for the next 9. Id much prefer a daily driven, well maintained car with 200k miles than that. My eyes, ears, and nose will tell me a lot more about a car than a number on a display.

TT had a 1.8 liter, I have a Jetta with same engine and 250,000 miles and still running with original turbo, they are great engines

My pops just rolled 300k Miles on his 3.8 and I'm at 240,000 on mine. If you keep up with maintenance, the 3.8 might be slow, but it is a very reliable engine.

Not a fan of the TT, but I am crazy for that interior. But at $2400, what a great buy! And it both looks and runs good. Score!

In college I worked in the plant that built the Astro and Safari. They share a lot of parts with the S-10 trucks back then and they were liked by many for looking more like a traditional van and being decent tow vehicles. I knew many that towed boats and small campers with these and were quite happy with how they performed. To this day that was probably the coolest job I have ever had.

You guys are getting a lot of mileage out of that Wrangler for your videos! Love these Buy or Bust episodes!

My 3.8 Wrangler has been spot on reliable. I am on point with maintenance but at 125k miles I have never been stranded. Simple maintenance is all I’ve needed to do.

I think a good show idea would be "Guess the Miles" series. Could be a fun play along game. And interesting to see how good your guesses are

The TT has the 1.8L turbo engine with 5-valve technology, not a 2.0L, there was no 2.0L in the TT.

Part of the higher mileage issues that you’re seeing is because these vehicles are at an auto auction. You touched on that too. I’ve had good luck buying high mileage vehicles from private sellers.

I bought a one year old Astro Van AWD from a car rental company. I just loved it. I pulled fairly heavy trailers with it and in the snow it was nearly unstoppable. What you didn't mention is they are an old fashioned body on frame truck chassis and much more durable than the unibody vans. The 4.3 is a very durable engine. When good ones come up on the market now they are snapped up right away.

The 3.8 and 3.3 were actually fairly reliable. Just prone to oil leaks. But if maintained, they would easily run 250-300 thousand miles.

This was hilarious. Good job kase and Brendan the ending was phenomenal. Kase awesome dramatic moments bud Well done Love you both 🅰️

There are a few more mechanical differences between the base FWD TT and the quattro TT - first, the base transmission is the Tiptronic automatic; the quattro is a manual and also has twin intercoolers to bump the horsepower to 225. They added the 255hp V-6 model later (naturally aspirated 3.2liter with quattro, basically the VR6 from the VW Golf that the TT shared platform with).

It's so wonderful to see you Kase ♥️, I'm happy you did this episode with Brendan. Merry Christmas to the TFL team.

The problem with the small Audis of that time is that any real engine work (i.e. timing belt, water pump, etc....) that is part of normal wear and tear requires either completely removing the front clip and dropping the engine, which makes them expensive to keep running

I loved how Kase had his bare hand on 300k miles of farts but had to put a towel down to sit in it 😂

Wranglers have the best shimmy out there bar none! Those cupped tires look beautiful and provide a rugged ride 😎

I have driven German American and Swedish vehicles almost exclusively for 35 years. I used them mostly for commuting and maintained them by the book. All of them easily exceeded 200,000 MI and problems were few and far between and usually minor.

Absolutely amazed by the Audi😲 figured $3500 The van wasn't a shocker, but it had a long life👍

Any vehicle that is well maintained properly will last as long as you want, with few exceptions. This includes properly taking care of the paint and interior. In my close to 50 years driving and being a mechanic I've had a Ford Pinto 242k, 1984 RAM 313k, 1999 RAM 386k, 1997 Neon,227k,2007 Subaru Forester 267k. currently have a 2011 RAM 258k and a Subaru Impreza with 239k. Not a single one had any major mechanical issues other than brakes,water pump,plugs and wires and always proper fluid changes at the correct time. Never let a worn neglected 😮brake pad turn into a full blown brake system rebuild. Some of us take tremendous pride in keeping the car at is best. It's always going to be less expensive to repair a old vehicle and keep her alive than buying new! Plus it's fun and a challenge to get the high miles. Finding the parts and little tid bits. New vehicles are to expensive. Personal debt is at all time highs. When you are broke and need a car to go to work and home stop thinking about being cool or have a hot truck when you have no need for one. Stop,think and understand your need.

Good to see a glimpse of the Land Rover. I'm eagerly awaiting some 3 amigos content

Appreciate the consistent awesome content!

Someone took very good care of that Audi TT. Btw, they were 1.8T engines in both the 180hp and 225hp forms.

I can see Kase (Case?) in the big time someday making Motor Trend, Edmunds or Car & Driver videos.

Always love seeing a new entry in the Buy or Bust series, and man was that TT nice 👀

Love that TT interior! Saw one when it was first shown at the Detroit Auto Show a long time ago and I loved it then. I am a Jeep nut, but that poor Jeep looked too tired for $6k. Also love any video with Kase in it!

I thought my 210,000 miles on my 2014 Jeep wrangler was a lot 😅….til I saw this one with over 270,000m(440km)

Had an ‘89 Ford ranger w/ straight 6 4x4 & 5 speed manual & that went 288k miles on the original clutch! until the clutch went & brake lines blew all @ the same time in an emergency maneuver….it was a winter beater I used over a couple years to save my ‘04 GTO from the abuse, I almost wanted to repair it for nostalgia but didn’t make sense

This was a great video. It would have been really cool to see the GMC get pushed across the line. Like always love your guys videos.

That TT is gorgeous. I'm not a fan of the design but it's so clean and straight, I'd totally own it.

The 3.8 v6 in the jeep is one of Chryslers most tried and true motors. They weren’t the most powerful, but they were mainly used in the town and country and caravans. They can haul a family of 7 across the country, they can move a jeep as well. These motors would run forever, even with neglect. But abuse does catch up with them, ie burning oil, chattering lifters.

Anyone I've ever talked to about the Astro/ Safari vans has actually loved them. Considering they are all but forgotten by now, I'm surprised there was even one at the auction to begin with.

I love these episodes, of all the TFL shows these ar4e my favorite.

You had me at Power 🔝 Mr 🔥 & Melodramatic is Felix Unger's middle name! But really should remember a pocket square for next time, can always fit in his left back pocket. All that aside. I liked my Safari's which I had for my business as delivery vans in San Francisco. They're neat with the raised or hi-Top😂 roofs too in the conversion vans style.

Best section ever! Love the buy or bust episodes.

Cool video guys. We have a Town and Country with the 3.8 and I can only say the motor is mostly adequate. It’s pretty low miles and very reliable so far, though. We’re in the flats and soft hills in Texas and the 3.8 loves to rev out in normal driving. It’s hard to imagine one in a huge Jeep in the mountains, sheesh.

Great video guys, i love seeing these older cars at auction!

I saw the baseball glove TT in a showroom back in the day but couldn't convince Dad to buy it....

that baseball TT is a gem

I really love these shows. They always make me laugh. Thanks.

We had an Astro many years ago and it was great. Lots of memories as a kid on road trips and it took us everywhere with no drama. Also, GMs always did cup holders very well. You could fit big gulps in there no problem.

Big boy looks mad uncomfortable in that TT 😂

My 92 F250 had 679k miles frame soild, body had some replacing for rust but original engine 4.9L straight 6 and a 5 speed manual it was my dad's then I bought it from him for $200 for my first vehicle.

Need more Kase om this channel, Brendan is always great too

I drove for a taxi company with a fleet of Chrysler minivans with the 3.8 and 3.3 V6 and I have been thoroughly impressed with the drivetrains in those. Most had well over 200,000 miles and some with 300,000 miles. The one with the most had 390,000 miles on it's 3.3 and only died before 400,000 miles because of a major accident. And I promise you, they were not very well maintained. Boss was a cheapskate and while we usually changed the oil regularly, we weren't very good on topping off the oil on the oil burners. I remember hearing knocking and seeing an oil light while taking some turns, but those engines somehow kept going despite the metal on metal action.

I bought my last car at 180k miles and it was over 300k before we traded it in. The engine and gearbox were still perfect, but the driver's seat was totally shagged out, some intermittent electrical issues, and there was a lot of work to be done on bearings, seals and suspension. It would have cost about the same as I paid for it. But honestly, if someone did that work, easily another 300 000 miles.

I love that key ring at the auto auction.

Excellent episode, thank you. I liked Audi by the comfortable looking rare interior. I wonder if they've removed bench seats off the Astro/Safari mini vans?. Weigh more then living room couch. Engine plastic fuel rail is a common major problem in 4.3s. Expensive fix. Transmission slip could be low fluids.

Thank you, Brendan and Kase, from Minnesota, and on that handful when a Jeep is needed, I'd buy one pre-Stellantis. Never been known for reliability, but think it has gone downhill. Audi TT I'd buy, and 50/50 on the GMC - only as backup/weekend transportation

The GMC Safari can be lifted, rear locked, and converted to part-time 4x4.

Love this show! Keep it going!!

My Aunt had an Astro back in the days. Horible van from what I remember. She traded it in for a Saturn and things didn't get much better lol

Love the buy or bust

Hey, I have an 05 Buick LaCrosse, I did buy it with a low 61k miles but I have almost doubled the mileage in a year and a half and it's been the most reliable car I've owned

Jeep should have stuck with the straight 6 in updated variations. I'm a V8 guy but I would take that 4 liter 6 all day. Had 2 xjs with it and it was absolutely bullet proof....I will say it's dang impressive someone put 319k miles on a astro/safari..my aunt had one, rode in ones for my job and they were total pos!..they should have gotten a free new car from gm for that, lol

I’ve liked the idea of the Astro vans for years because of their towing and hauling capability, but I’ve noticed a lot of the vans I see for sale say engine runs good, bad transmission. I’m not sure that the transmissions are inherently bad, could just be these vans are often worked hard and abused. I wish something comparable were still made.

Love this series!

Growing up we had a 95 Chevy Astro that we traded off with 390,000 miles. Ran great, but the throttle would stick. We let it go in 2008 and got $400 for it.

My father has a 2010 Sahara Unlimited with the 3.8L, which has 390,000 kms with the original engine and transmission... and no oil consumption!

I would take the 3.8 over the Pentastar for durability. The only real problem was the oil consumption. Otherwise, these engines were known for being troublefree. The Pentastar has a few Achilles heels with the oil filter housing, some head issues, some cam issues, to name a few. The problem was it had to follow a much beloved engine while being in a much heavier platform when the engine hadn't received an update since '01. If they gave it a proper upgrade it certainly would have helped.

I bought my 2005 astro van for 10 bucks. I had to put a transmission but my awd van go's Everywhere.

I have been told if you get an AWD Astro or Safari you can put a S10 transfer case (direct bolt in) in it and make a true 4 wheel drive. That would make a good overlanding van.

Excellent episode!!! 😁

The Jeep 3.8 doesn’t wake up until it hits 3000 rpm. Then it feels like a turbo or VVT kicked in (though still not impressive).

I really like these videos I hope you keep doing them

I’ve just got a 2010 Ram 1500 with the hemi and 255k miles for 6.5k bucks, ok that the truck has some wear like the driver seat and some small issues on the inside but mechanically it is sound as the previous owners has done the regular maintenance on time, the engine doesn’t have the infamous hemi tick and the transmission works without issues, the only big problem the car have was the differential but they put a brand new on it

Love your content.

Love this series

Love these videos

388000km on my old 2011 ford edge still going just had original water pump change on it this summer

best series on youtube !!!!!!!!!

Audi is 1.8 litre not 2.0 and the 4wd system is called Haldex, not Haladex

Hilarious story on the GMC minivan. Having to return it in reverse . . .😂😂😂😂😂

to bad about the trasmisson on that gmc. i love the astro van

I own a 1987 bmw 325 that I bought in 97 with a around 300k miles on it. I say around because the odometer stopped working at 189k about 10yrs ago original engine and tranny and still kicking

I believe the Audi has a 1.8 engine, also in addition to the single or dual exhaust to differentiate the bigger HP, the higher HP has Quattro and the 180HP was FWD.

Think i'd prefer the 3.8 over the 3.6 the 3.8 is an old pushrod engine. Usually pushrods are simple to maintain, and if they break, it's easy to fix.

Those GMC and astro vans where owned by moms and not taken care the only reason it made it to that high of miles is because that 4.3 is a good engine and I've had 2 different s10s with it and one has 350,000 and the other one I still have is a 1997 with 320,000 and still fires up every time and drives down the highway no problem

That Audi is a bargain for $2400!

I didn't think an Audi could get past its warranty miles, mine certainly did not!

Great series. Brenden is a superstar

Great video...

Baseball glove seats are sweet! I had no idea they had that.

My buddy had a TT 1.8l and I had a 99 Astro van. He was so pissed that my van could kill him at stop light drags😅

My 2006 Dodge Charger RT has 230k on it. And my 2016 Ram 1500 5.7 has 222k on it and both are running strong!

Do you see the tire chop on those front tires of the Jeep? That front end must be coming apart.

It's not the mileage that jacked up that minivan, it's the lack of care. The correlation between the two is likely that if you don't have money to replace it, you likely don't have money to maintain it, and there lies the problem.

My wife put 250k on an 03 TT and it looked like it came off the showroom floor....and we never had a big problem with it

The TT is a 1.8

4 me it’s very important look on the odometer. If it’s over 100k kilometers and if it doesn’t fully loaded. I won’t even look at it

The van is a very simple and utilitarian vehicle. It's body looked relatively straight.. Fixing the trans is prolly cheap.. Clean the interior and you have something that'd prolly go another 100k miles.

3.3 3.8 were good engines. Short timing chain push rod engine. But it was designed for cars and mini vans.

The audi TT was 1.8T not 2.0T

Looks like that tt tops will super leak in rain. Look at side gaps

You guys need to mention the torque rating and not just hp

Keep shoulda kept the 4.0. The last good jeep was 06

Don’t be surprised at the high mileage 4.3 . Guy at work and his wife both have blazers with close to 400k . And both neglected.

I like the series!! And i kinda only like Tommy being with you . But yeah I'm getting used to the different Celebrities 😉😊

"Who owned it and how they maintained it" You forget another thing ---> Where the car was driven mostly, e.g. on highways/interstates or more builtup areas