Buying a high mileage car Do's and Dont's.

[ALFAHOLIC]

Hi all, no its not a controvercial thread, just another one of those start up uppers that will probably evolve into a controvercial thread!

I've always had the idea of high mileage means trouble. New means no or less trouble.

How true is this? Is anything below 150 000km's considered to be o.k? What about above 150 000km???

I know various cars and makes will have various things to look at when over or under the 150 000km mark...

Is it a good buy? For any car...or should one always look passed the bargains and cough up insane amounts of money for a perceived new car?

Cheers!

 

[Budza]

A larger capacity engine should last a bit longer as it does fewer revs to go the same speed as a lower capacity engine.

My previous car, a 1.8 carb Opel got up to 310 000km. My current one (bought @130 000) is at 156 000km, seems ok though it's a 1.6i. I'll drive this into the ground to see how far it gets

 

[Gaz{M}]

Well what i've always thought is that if you can't afford a new R300 000 car, then buy a similar spec older car for R100 000, but make sure you have another R100k available for any problems in future.

Don't buy a R100 000 old version of a R300 000 car if that is all you can afford.

 

[orin76]

Well what i've always thought is that if you can't afford a new R300 000 car, then buy a similar spec older car for R100 000, but make sure you have another R100k available for any problems in future.

Don't buy a R100 000 old version of a R300 000 car if that is all you can afford.

This sounds like excellent advice.

 

[Smooth Criminal]

Depends on the type of car as well. Performance cars will in all likelihood have been driven hard during the course of it's lifespan, whereas everyday cars would be somewhat more reliable at high mileages.

 

[Fazda]

Interesting thread!

There are so many answers to this particular one, and so much depends on how the car was looked after in its first few thousand kilometers.

Ther is nothing wrong with buying a well maintained high miler. In fact I read, in some overseas magazine, that it was at times preferable to buy a high miler that had been regularly serviced and well maintained, over a low miler that had stood around for some time..also worth looking at if you, personally, are not going to push up the mileage much.

I bought my Fazda with 204 000 on the clock, BUT with a full and comprehensive service history..AND the mileage had gone up very quickly from the day she was bought (also a record of all the fuel, which showed that she seldom did less than 200 km /day). The fuel consumption is still amazing for a car that really only does short runs now ( between 6.9 and 7.2 l/100) and because most of the running was done of freeways, things like shocks are still fine.

My Wolseley was bought 5 years ago with a VERY low mileage of less than 1600 km/year, her whole life, and although she is mechanically superb due to good servicing, I have had endless problems with hydraulics and rusty fuel systems, BECAUSE she stood for so long.

Basically it's swings and roundabouts, but, as I said, high milers do not scare me.

 

[spiderz]

Depends on the car your buying. My previous Hyundai Elantra did 310 000km befor i sold it. My brothers current Golf 3 1800 did over 400 000km.

Check for full service history. Buy preferably from the 1st owner, that way you know the full history of the car. (and it's problems).

Also do your research before buying a specific model. Google for model + faults / reviews, to see what other owners complained about / found good about a specific model.

 

[ALFAHOLIC]

good nice replies guys thanks

 

[Fudzy]

I bought my Fazda ..

My Wolseley was bought 5 years ago with a ...

What are these?

WRT high mileage cars, what sort of year range are you looking at? Investigation also helps wrt what needs replacing at what intervals.

 

[Budza]

He's from Hogwarts/

Probably a type of broom??

 

[Fazda]

What are these?

WRT high mileage cars, what sort of year range are you looking at? Investigation also helps wrt what needs replacing at what intervals.

Sorry, I forget that I am dealing with people who weren't born when not all cars had airbags or cost the price of a house.

Here's the Wolseley 6/110

 

[Fudzy]

Sorry, I forget that I am dealing with people who weren't born when not all cars had airbags or cost the price of a house.

Here's the Wolseley 6/110

Lol, I'll let you know I drive a 20 year old BM so don't come with your new car nonsense. That Mozley is clean, how old is she?

 

[Fazda]

Lol, I'll let you know I drive a 20 year old BM so don't come with your new car nonsense. That Mozley is clean, how old is she?

The WOLSELEY is 42 years old and she has done 42000 miles which is the same as 67000km

 

[Fudzy]

The WOLSELEY is 42 years old and she has done 42000 miles which is the same as 67000km

Wow! on the original engine? That's some impressive mileage.

 

[Fazda]

Wow! on the original engine? That's some impressive mileage.

Yes, Wolseleys usually have new engines every oil change...

 

[Fudzy]

Yes, Wolseleys usually have new engines every oil change...

No need for the sarcasm, I know a lot of older cars that have engine replacements. I was just wondering if it was original mileage?

 

[Fazda]

No need for the sarcasm, I know a lot of older cars that have engine replacements. I was just wondering if it was original mileage?

42 000 documented miles = 1000 miles a year for 42 years.

Full records of everything.

 

[hyperian]

got a 1995 jetta 3 clx 1.8 with nearly 250k on the clock, original engine. Uses a tiny bit of oil but otherwise still runs well. Has the fuel economy of a tank though