James and Faye Cook show off their 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Columbia Edition at their home in West Franklin Townshp. Above, left is the odometer that reads nearly 263,000 miles, more than the distance from the Earth to the moon.

WEST FRANKLIN TWP, Armstrong County — Faye Cook's job requires her to be on the road — a lot.

As a registered nurse who gives physicals for life insurance, she travels from her home to Pittsburgh, Cranberry Township, Beaver County, Mercer County and anywhere else she is needed.

Driving sometimes more than 100 miles in a day, she needed a vehicle that is dependable.

Faye and her husband James found just what they were looking for when they bought their 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Columbia Edition.

Cook said she and her husband James bought the vehicle used in 2005. It had one previous owner and about 35,000 miles.

Today the Jeep still is going strong and looking good with almost 263,000 miles on its odometer.

“I love that Jeep. It's dependable. I feel safe in it. I feel protected in it,” she said.

She said the vehicle is durable and at 12 years old, it shows little sign that it has traveled farther than the distance from the Earth to the moon.

“My patients will tell me. They compliment me on it, they say 'you have a good car there,'” she said.

Not only has it lasted a long time, the Jeep also has been tough.

“I was rear-ended on Washington Boulevard, and you couldn't even see the damage to our car. The other car was more damaged,” she said.

The Jeep's four-wheel drive also has been important in making it around the region during the winter. Cook said she had to drive on snowy roads several times last winter, but never missed an appointment.

The Jeep also is roomy and functions much like a pickup truck when its seats are folded down.

James Cook said he had heard that Jeeps made in the mid-2000s would run for an exceptionally high number of miles if properly cared for.

“They're dependable and they're rugged. You can go and go and go,” he said.

The most important thing the couple has done for the vehicle has been simply to keep close track of its maintenance schedule, like getting the oil changed every 3,000 miles and checking on tires, brakes and fluids.

The only notable repair in the Jeep's history was a gearbox replacement, he said.

They have been considering buying another Jeep for their next vehicle, hoping that the newer Jeeps will last as long and be as durable as those made about 10 years ago.

Though they have never been to the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, they said they are interested in going this year.