Car companies always try to come up with the vehicle that trumps them all. Whether these companies bank on safety, power, or level of comfort, they tend to do their best to sell to as many people as possible. Some of these cars earned the reputation of being true soldiers. They're seriously reliable cars that last forever.
A myriad of terrific vehicles came to life since Ford revolutionized the way things are produced. Some of the people that changed the automotive landscape forever came up with the most durable engines ever made. Those engines are synonymous with longevity. Unlike let-downs such as Mazda's Renesis engine, these powerplants powered some of the most iconic mass-produced vehicles.
10 BMW - M50
BMW knows a thing or two when it comes to manufacturing reliable and sturdy engines. Established in 1916 with the sole purpose of joining the war effort, BMW would wait until the end of World War 2 to apply its engineering skills to civilian purposes. BMW started making a lot of noise in the 1970s. It would not be until the '80s that BMW would release its most respected units.
The M50 is among the best BMW engines ever made. Though not as iconic as the S14 and the S85, the M50 is a terrific engine. BMW offered the M50 on the selected E34s and E36s. A modified version of the M50 engine ended up in the sporty M3 E36. BMW engines of that era could go over 350,000 miles without any effort.
9 Chevrolet - Small Block 350
American car companies got body-slammed by internal and external stressors. The EPA passed several pieces of regulation during the early '70s. Around the same time, OPEC imposed an embargo on countries backing Israel during the Yum Kippur War. Oil-thirsty America was hit directly. The events triggered what is best known as the Malaise Era.
Chevy fans love to say that Ford stands for Fix Or Repair Daily. Chevy does manufacture engines that are more reliable than Ford's. LS engines are some of the most modular and easy-to-own domestic powerplants. Though not an LS, one of the Chevys in the 1 million-mile club comes with a small block 350 cu in V8 that made it to 1.29 million miles.
8 Honda - K20A
When Honda made its debut in the United States back in the late '50s and early '60s, domestic critics could not stop tearing the microscopic and grossly underpowered Japanese cars. Though more economical, American gearheads only wanted pure American-bred horsepower from a gas-guzzling machine. Things changed a lot in a little over 65 years.
Honda never claimed to make serious sports cars until recently. Though cars like the NSX were unattainable, the Accord and Civic Si would satisfy any entry-level gearhead. These engines can be modified to serious levels. When it comes to durability, Honda is well-known for its easy-to-maintain vehicles. A well-maintained Honda can reach 200,000 miles without breaking a sweat.
7 Mazda - BP-Z3
European and American car companies had a rude wake-up call when Japanese cars started conquering the market. While the Americans disregarded vehicles coming out of Japan, Europeans realized rather quickly that things were about to change for the worse. When BMW got wind of Mazda's MX-5 Miata, the Bavarian carmaker made sure to have something to rival what would become one of the best two-seat roadster ever made.
The MX-5 Miata is a legend in the JDM scene. On top of being small and sporty, the Miata seems to have been made to be modified. This is why gearheads should consider buying a Mazda Miata NB. While swapping the BP-Z3 engine for a V8 might be costly, the original engine lives up to Mazda's reputation. As long as it is not a rotary engine, everything is fine.
6 Nissan - SR20DET
To most uneducated car enthusiasts, Nissan is just a foreign brand that manufactures lukewarm sedans and crossovers. Nissan not only has several rambunctious vehicles in its catalog, it is also the creator of some of the most emblematic cars to ever come out of Japan. Nissan always made sure to equip its instant legends with remarkable engines.
Nissan manufactured numerous incredible engines over the year. With some combining both sportiness and reliability, Nissan cars became popular among petrol heads with a need for speed. From the VG30DETT found on the 300ZX to the VR38DETT, Nissan showed numerous times that coming up with great engines is still doable. A cheaper unit, the SR20DET, is widely respected among Japanese car fans.
5 Porsche - M96
Porsche is one of the most innovative car brands in the world. The German carmaker offered a functioning hybrid engine back in 1900. Nothing changed more than 100 years later. Porsche is still at the forefront of innovation. While most people know about Porsche's prowess, most piston heads are unaware that Porsche cars can last a lifetime if maintained properly.
Buying a Porsche vehicle is not something every car enthusiast can do. However, if money allows, a Porsche can be a wise investment. Porsche cars are built to last. Tom Thalmann drove his 996 Turbo to 647,000 miles. The 996 comes at best with a twin-turbocharged 3.6L M96 flat-six that pumps out 414 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. Here is why the Porsche 911 Turbo 996 is a crazy bargain.
4 Saab - B235R
Sweden is home to several successful companies. Most people would automatically think of Ikea. Sweden is also the birthplace of many carmakers such as Volvo, Koenigsegg, and Saab. Saab discontinued its car manufacturing business, but remained in business in other areas. Looking back at some Saab cars released over the last 45 years, it is fair to say that they were built to last.
Saab left a legacy of underrated sports cars when it ceased its passenger-car operations. Saab fans remember the 9-3 Viggen fondly. The turbocharged 2.3L B235R inline-four pumps out 227 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Performance was always in mind, but Saab focused on providing value to its customers. Saab cars of the early 2000s with over 500,000 miles are not uncommon at all.
3 Toyota - 3RZ-FE
Toyota started the production of all-terrain vehicles during the Korean War. The US Military needed cheaper trucks and quickly. Toyota would go on to perfect the American Jeep with what would later on become the FJ and the Land Cruiser. Other off-road vehicles, such as the Tacoma and its cousin the Hilux, benefited from the accumulation of knowledge and the constant need for improvement at Toyota.
When Toyota engines come up in a conversation, the 2JZ-GTE and 1LR-GUE are the usual suspects. Toyota did manufacture outstanding engines for its sportier cars. The Japanese carmaker also fitted its off-road vehicles with terrific engines. From the 3RZ-FE found on the earlier Tacomas to the 3UR-FE V8 installed on the luxurious Land Cruiser, Toyota's lineup contains best-selling vehicles for a reason.
2 Volkswagen - 1200cc
Movies such as The Fast And The Furious, Gone In 60 Seconds, or even James Bond, helped vehicles gained in exposure and popularity. However, not a single car received the same honors as the Volkswagen Beetle. Unlike Michael Knight's K.I.T.T, the Beetle made it to the big screen. Herbie was one of Volkswagen's most successful product placements.
While mass-produced Beetles did not fly, they sure were as modular and sturdy as Herbie. The 1,200cc found on the Beetle of the '60s can last a lifetime. Marketed as the People's car, the Beetle is easy and affordable to maintain. This is why the Volkswagen Beetle is one of the best-selling cars of all time. Volkswagen reiterated the experience with the Golf. When regularly maintained, the Volkswagen Golf can outlive the Beetle.
1 Volvo - B20D
To most domestic petrol heads, Volvo vehicles are college girl and soccer mom cars. While it is true that Volvo's XC90 is nowhere as aggressive as Dodge's Durango Hellcat, the Swedish carmaker always makes sure to market cars that can trigger a serious adrenaline rush. On top of being fun to drive, Volvo vehicles can also last several lifetimes.
Volvo cars may not be the sexiest cars on the market, but there is a clear reason why they are suburban moms' favorite. Being safe and reliable, Volvo cars showed several times that they can run forever. The Volvo car with the highest mileage in the world is a 1966 P1800 equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-four engine. With 3.3 million miles on the odometer, it is fair to say that Volvos are worth every penny.