Car with over 100k miles

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

If it's in good condition, worth it for a lower price?

Actually, the car I'm gonna look at is 91k miles.

[Megg]

The best $30 we ever spent was a one month membership to Carmax when we were shopping for a car. I would say the report is even more important than the miles. If it has 91,000 miles but never been in an accident, never had any major problems, I would consider it, for sure. We bought a 96 with 80,000 on it - the one we had been looking at with less miles that was newer had been in a flood - a fact we would not have known without that Carmax report.

Good luck!

[Jester]

I have bought both of my Blazers with 90-100k miles on them. Both have been fantastic.

I bought my Dodge Shadow Turbo with 75k on it. It blew chunks.

My niece bought her Ford Explorer with 100k miles on it. So far, it has rocked.

It depends on the vehicle, but often you can get a very good vehicle for a very good price if you don't mind the high mileage. This is not to say you should not get it thoroughly checked out. You should, by a damn good mechanic. (My mechanic told my niece that the Explorer needed a new water pump. She bought the Explorer, replaced the water pump, and all has been well.)

But it is definitely a viable option.

[draftermatt]

We got our Jeep Grand Cherokee with 82k on it, and it now has 182k.

If you can afford it (or know a mechanic) it would be a good idea to have it looked at. Miles aren't everything, especially anymore.

[Flying Grype]

Depends on what kind of car it is. Volkswagen or Toyota? 100K is great. Ford? It's already dead.

[Jester]

Depends on what kind of car it is. Volkswagen or Toyota? 100K is great. Ford? It's already dead.

That is not necessarily the case. You need to take the cars on an individual basis. A perfect example is my niece's recent acquisition. Now, what was I saying about it in this very thread?

Oh, yes....

My niece bought her Ford Explorer with 100k miles on it. So far, it has rocked.

While it pains me as a Chevy driver to pimp a Ford, her Ford deserves pimping.

Thank you, and good night!

[draftermatt]

Depends on what kind of car it is. Volkswagen or Toyota? 100K is great. Ford? It's already dead.

With all the problems with Toyota lately that's a really bold statement to make. And Volkswagen's have the highest cost of ownership because they are so hard to work on, and parts are hard to get.

I've only ever owned cars by Ford, GM, Chrysler, most of them had high miles when I got rid of them, and aside from the one that was wrecked are all still running today.

Yes Japanese cars have a "reputation" for being reliable, but all it takes is one recall to shoot down that entire reputation.

Now, if the car is from the early 1990's or even the 1980's you're probably better off leaving it alone. ANY car brand with over 20 years on it can be tricky. 120,000 miles on a 1988 something doesn't sound like a lot compared to the age, but the older a vehicle gets (and the rarer) it is, the harder it will be for anyone to get parts for it if it breaks down. And any vehicle, as it gets older is going to have parts failures. Water pumps, brakes, etc.

[Rapscallion]

With all the problems with Toyota lately that's a really bold statement to make.

Oh, I don't know. Toyotas are well known for keeping going, even if you want them to stop...

Rapscallion, going for the easy ones (sorry!)

[Elspeth]

I would never ever buy VW again. Hubby has a 1998 Jetta and it is the biggest pain in the arse ever. It is terribly pricey to fix. You have to put premium gas in it or it will complain something fierce.

My little 2004 Focus is been a lot less trouble. Minus the key problem she has had just normal maintenance on it. Just replaced her timing belt at 115k. She gets great gas mileage and the most important thing she makes it across Oregon in one stop coming home.

I would second getting a trusted mechanic to look at it.

[Chrismor]

One of the best cars my dad ever bought was a 1988 Volvo 340. Cost €150. Arrived at 3 am on the back of a truck (AA, before you get any ideas, as the mechanic was an AA guy), built like a tank, and went for years, only needing a new exhaust.

The car is still going I believe.

C.

[Flying Grype]

True, about recent Toyotas. Older ones seem to last an awful long time. And I concede that there are a couple of great Ford models out there... my family never seemed to get hold of one.

[AdminAssistant]

I got my Toyota a few years ago. It's a 1998 Camry, and it had, I believe 110,000 miles on it. I have had a few issues; it's needed a new timing belt and water pump, it leaks small amounts of oil, and the suspension had to be worked on. But for the most part, it's a good car. It handles the long road trips home and back really well.

But I will join the chorus of others and say that you should get the car checked out by a trusted mechanic.

[protege]

I got my Toyota a few years ago. It's a 1998 Camry, and it had, I believe 110,000 miles on it.

I'm actually on my second Toyota. Not consecutively though--in between was an '00 Mazda Protege. Great driver's car, but a bitch to work on. Still, it and the Tercel before it...easily reached the 100,000 mile mark with very little trouble. I think the entire time I had it, it was only in the shop twice...for a fried ignition relay (common), and a worn water pump. But, the Mazda wasn't as reliable--that thing had all sorts of annoying electrical and suspension issues! Now I have an '07 Corolla, and after 3 years, no problems

Back on topic here, I'd get the car checked out by a trusted mechanic. Also look through old "consumer's" magazines--they occasionally list problems that particular model may have had in the past and/or recommended solutions. Also check out message boards online.

[Jester]

Regarding Toyotas:

I have never owned one, but my mother bought her first Corolla in 1985. Since then, she has never had anything but a Toyota of one type or another. Also, since she got together with my stepfather, and he got rid of his Taurus, he has never had anything but a Toyota either. Now they are down to one car, as Mom doesn't really drive anymore, but together they have owned a number of Toyotas over the last 25 years. I don't even know how many, but a goodly number. Total problems with all those Toyotas combined? Zero.

Now, I know some of you are wondering why they had so many damn Toyotas. Simple, really. Every few years, they would trade in their old reliable one and get a new reliable one. It was just that simple.

So I can't comment on Toyotas with high mileage. But I can say that over the last two and a half decades, my parents have owned Toyotas pretty much exclusively, and have had nary a problem with them. Frankly, I was stunned to hear about the recent problems with Toyotas, as it goes contrary to my experience with them (through my parents and friends).

And despite the recent well-publicized issues, I can say with confidence that I would have no problem buying a Toyota, based upon that experience. I am happy with my current Chevy Blazer (my second Blazer), but of all the cars I would be wary about, Toyotas are not really high on the list.

Just one goofball's opinion.

[Bandit]

I've had $900 cars with 150k+ miles on them that lasted another 100k miles with nothing but oil and gas, and brand-new cars that died with less than 1k miles on it.

Mileage, since the late '80s/early '90s does not mean as much as it used to.

To echo the advice, have a trusted mechanic take a look at it.

I've got a '95 Toyota Avalon right now that will cost me a lot of time and money in the summer as it's time to replace the hoses because of the age. Can't argue with that. It's about to roll 100k miles within the next month or so.

B