making it last forever

good article here on long term cars, with a focus on a guy that has driven his new '66 volvo p1800 *2.6M* miles.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090305/CARNEWS/303059998

it's interesting that the 2M guy changes antifreeze only every 100k miles (not to mention that his car isn't even garaged!). his car has the original body, engine block, transmission and differential; with an engine re-build @ 680k miles. front seats replaced 2x due to sun damage -- the rest is original.

salient continual car points below, on the chance the article gets struck in the future. {my comments in braces.}

Top tips from folks who keep their cars over long distances:

1. Regular oil changes are just a start. Check the owner's manual for when to replace coolant, transmission and differential lubricants, brake and steering fluids, air and fuel filters, belts and hoses.
{this one seems like a gimme -- i'm surprised it's on the list.}

2. Fix it as soon as it breaks. A worn ball joint or shock absorber may seem like no big deal at first, but keeping it on the car long-term stresses other components. Minor dings or scratches can become big rust holes. Deferred maintenance turns a survivor into a beater.
{love that last sentence.}

3. Drive gently. Frequent drag-racing starts and F1-style braking maneuvers do not enhance your car's long-term durability.

4. Budget for it. When you're done with car payments, save at least some of that cash for upkeep.
{... or maybe pay a little more up-front with a chrysler lifetime warranty and pray the fates somehow keep you in the game.}

5. Choose quality parts. You're keeping the car, so why cheap out?

6. Find a mechanic you can trust. A wrench who knows your machine inside and out is a valuable ally in keeping it going.

7. Keep records. If you wish to sell or need to make an insurance claim, records make all the difference in proving your car's true value.
{sell a long term vehicle? please.}

8. Enjoy driving! The point of all of this is that you like driving the car. If you come to regard it as and old heap you resent rather than a traveling companion on the journey, it's time to make a trade.
{there's another point here, but if you're in for the Long Term Game, you already know what it is. and if you're not, you wouldn't understand it anyway ...}