If you buy a car that you love, you probably want it to last forever. Many cars do last for quite a number of miles these days, and the Chevrolet Corvette is one that is able to have a long life. It’s known for being both reliable and affordable, for a sports car especially. Here’s a look at how long the Chevy Corvette’s lifespan might be.

The lifespan expectations for Chevy Corvettes

According to Motor and Wheels, owners can expect their new Corvette to last for 150,000 to 200,000 miles. For most drivers, that’s probably about 10 to 13 years minimum.

In the past, sports cars were usually known for being unreliable and expensive to maintain. Owners often don’t drive them much in a bid to extend their lifespan. While reliability has been improving, the average supercar lasts for 100,000 to 150,000 miles tops. The Corvette is different, though, as long as it’s well maintained.

According to Motor and Wheels, the Corvette’s engine makes the difference, since it “uses a dry-sump lubrication system that ensures reliability even under aggressive driving.” The Corvette also has very few steel parts, so there’s little worry about rust. Its body panels include aluminum and many other parts are coated. Rust shouldn’t be a concern until after 100,000 miles.

How the lifespan of the Chevy Corvette compares

The Chevrolet Corvette’s lifespan measures up well against other supercars. The Porsche 911 Carrera S is also expected to last for 200,000 miles, but it costs nearly twice as much as a Corvette, says Motor and Wheels.

The Acura NSX is also able to last for 150,000 to 200,000 miles, but it also costs more than twice the price of the Corvette. The Jaguar F-Type has had issues with reliability, and many aren’t able to last more than 150,000 miles. The Nissan GT-R is able to last for about 100,000 to 150,000 miles, and it also costs a lot more than the Corvette.

An extreme case

One man in Florida, named Mark Blackwell, was able to use his Corvette for 18 years, putting a huge number of miles on it. Several years ago, Jalopnik profiled his 2000 Corvette that at that point in June 2016 had nearly 710,000 miles on it.

The car still had its first engine and was on its second transmission. In 2017, the car was donated to the Corvette Museum with 773,338 miles, says Road and Track.

How long your Chevy Corvette might make it

Each individual car is different and has different experiences, but you can extend the life of your Corvette with good maintenance. If you’re looking to buy a used Corvette, some model years are better than others. Motor and Wheels recommends the 2019 model year Corvette and suggests avoiding the 2005 and 2008.

In addition to routine maintenance as listed in the owner’s manual, there are a couple of tips that will help your Corvette last for a long time. Make sure to use synthetic oil in the engine, and avoid unnecessary modifications, since these can put stress on the Corvette’s parts.

Consumer Reports also suggests using recommended parts and fluids rather than cheaper ones. It’s also a good idea to learn how to inspect your own belts, hoses, and fluids for any problems so any little problems can be fixed before they become bigger ones. Keeping the inside and outside clean will also help it last as long as possible.

While 700,000 or even 200,000 miles might sound like a fantastic accomplishment, it truly is possible. Some cars have been able to hit a million miles or even two, although none has been a Corvette.