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What is the opinion on buying high mileage cars these days? By high mileage I mean over 120,000 miles. Do cars manufactured in the last few years have a lot of life left at 120k? Do buyers usually shy away past a certain number - like 125k, 150k etc.?
Well, if you want to spend less than $10k on any normal sized car, you really have no choice but go over 100k. I've never had a problem. Stay with reputable brands like Honda and Toyota.
Everyone's different. Some people think anything over 60k is 'high mileage' and wouldn't touch one with Your money. Others have no issues buying vehicles over 200/300k miles. It kinda depends on the specific vehicle. I wouldn't buy Anything, no matter the miles, without getting a qualified mechanic (independent) to give it the once over.
But, there's no reason that anything made in the last 2 decades should fail before 200k miles. Most should be able to see 300~400k miles with some basic care. How handy are you? Will you be doing the work yourself (only real way to make 'cheap' vehicles cost effective), or do you rely on mechanics?
My vehicles are 178k and 241k ~ I wouldn't sell either and expect to see double those miles by the time I'm sick of them.
Its not that total milage you need to worry about, its the average miles per year. Anything over 12-15k a year would be "high miles" I would be more intersted in a 2001 with 125,000, rather then a 2009 with 75,000 miles
Yes, tons of life. I'd also recommend Honda/Toyota. But there's nothing wrong with other car manufacturers either. There's always going to be the argument but my (insert car maker) car lasted this long.
Depends on the car. We bought a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 140k on it last year, because my wife took a job where she'd be putting 90+ miles on the car a day with her commute. We wanted her to still have a big vehicle in case of an accident, but not put miles on our other SUV.
I have had several Jeeps over the years and can fix just about anything on them, so the mileage didn't bother me, we got a great deal and now we have a good family beater car. It just went over 160k, I figure we'll keep it til 200k, or til my wife quits.
Its not that total milage you need to worry about, its the average miles per year. Anything over 12-15k a year would be "high miles" I would be more intersted in a 2001 with 125,000, rather then a 2009 with 75,000 miles
May I know why?
If a car is driven 25K a year that means most likely all miles are highway - super easy for car.
When I used to live very close to work - my car was driven very little but those were very harsh miles on engine. I drive not about 30K/year and I am sure super easy on cars.
What is the opinion on buying high mileage cars these days? By high mileage I mean over 120,000 miles. Do cars manufactured in the last few years have a lot of life left at 120k? Do buyers usually shy away past a certain number - like 125k, 150k etc.?
With you being in Cali, you can buy any high-mileage car that's still passing smog with reasonable confidence it will go quite a few more miles for you.
Most Japanese and German cars have higher-nickel blocks, I have an 87 Camry with 240K, a 92 Subie Legacy with 270K, and the 82 Scirocco that I have personally driven 200K on an engine that came to me with new rings and bearings about 20K miles before.
Keep in mind that all miles are not created equal. 100K on a car that's been mostly in San Fran is a lot more wear than 100K on one that has been driven mostly in the Inland Empire.
Also keep in mind that out beyond 200K you may be looking at cars that have had relatively recent clutch jobs, etc. So some of the big ticket infrequent maintenance/repair may have been done already, while one with say 150K may be at about end of life for the original clutch.
Don't obsess about commonly replaced wear parts like brake pads, tires, etc. Don't pay the price for a car that needs nothing for one that will soon need brakes or tires, but keep in mind the dorks who put new brakes and tires on to "fix 'er up to sell" almost always go for cheap crap, particularly the tires.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I'm still driving a 1997 Escort with 160,000 miles, and it's been less trouble than our 2002 Liberty with 90,000. There's no way to know for sure, but if you see proof of regular maintenance, and better yet know that the seller drove it mainly on the highway, it
may go a lot longer for you.
My current vehicle is a Honda van, 1995, with about 160k miles on as of today. We are the third owners. I would not hesitate to buy another Honda or Toyota with mileage in this range but then again I never pay more than $4000 for anything I drive anyway.
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