How long should a serpentine belt last?

I have a 2000 Saturn sl2 with 19500 miles. How long do you guys figure the serpentine belt on one of these puppies should last. I don't put much mileage on the first new car I have bought in 20 years but I do drive it everyday. The wife got tired of me working on cars all the time (at about 200K I get another with 1/2 the miles) so she made me buy the extra "they do it" service plan. The last 6 oil changes have come with extra little repairs, and extra $$$! This last time the car came back to me with "fresh oil," a new serpentine belt and the same engine dust as it went in with. Once the guys have the car locked away in a "you can't see it because of Insurance Costs" room I get very financially cooperative. But enough is enough. How long should these belts last? thanks, charless

  charless

Assuming no physical damage or inappropriate chemicals have been introduced to the belt, 4 years or 60 miles is a reasonable average. Don't forget they get old not only from use but also from age.

  vwhobo