At what mileage do you draw the line when looking at a used car?

[Ryan Bell]

Of course, the obvious answer is "depends on the car"...so let me clarify a little bit.

1) You're NOT looking for a weekend car / garage queen.

2) You're looking for something to drive daily.

3) This is not a beater car, but something you'd be proud to drive. Something like a sports car or sports sedan.

When you purchased your last used car of this nature (if you ever have), where did you draw the line as far as mileage? You can always buy an aftermarket warranty.

Just curious as to your opinion. I have a general line at about 40k usually.

[markids77]

My 04 Ranger (purchased new) just turned 57,000 so I would say about 80K for me as it would still take awhile to get it to the 100K mark. YMMV.....

[DukeAllen]

For a reliable daily driver I'd keep it under 100k. Wife's Honda is close to 250k and just starting to use a little oil, so it really will depend...

[Entropy]

Depends on my budget.

The last car I bought is my current DD, 2006 Mazdaspeed6. I went a little higher on the mileage (69K) to get the options I wanted (Grand Touring, heated leather, HID).

I'm looking at new for my next car, since most of the stuff I want has ridiculously good resale.

[Millenium Vette]

I don't really have a limit. I have driven cars with 130,000 miles that still look and drive like a new car and I have driven ones that have under 40,000 that are pieces of shit.

[VITE1]

GM, Ford, Dodge 10K
BMW 50K
Mercedes, Lexus, Toyota, Nissan 100K

[onedef92]

My '09 Vibe GT (current DD) had just over 57,000 miles on the odo when I copped it in Feb.

[mrvette]

European badges....10k or less.....

most Orient import badges....150k.....

American badges......depends trucks 200k, cars 120k, compacts 80k......

but I go more on over all condition of vehicle....

[polarbear]

Originally Posted by VITE1

GM, Ford, Dodge 10K
BMW 50K
Mercedes, Lexus, Toyota, Nissan 100K

Stating the obvious, if a domestic made it over 100k miles with a minimum of mechanical drama, odds are pretty good that

a. They had some decent care
b. Theyll probably go another 100k miles if you do the same.

I'd STRONGLY disagree with your inclusion of the two (and any other) luxury make. While I'm sure a Mercedes or a Lexus will easily go well beyond the 100k mile mark, the RISK of an insanely expensive repair is always there. For that reason alone, I'd avoid any luxury/prestige make thats out of warranty, forget high miles.

[8Up]

Originally Posted by VITE1

GM, Ford, Dodge 10K

Lexus, Toyota, Nissan 100K

[...Whitepower...]

For me it still has to be under the OE warranty. This way if i like the car and want to extend it i can do so at a reasonable price.

I haven't bought anything used with over 30k in sometime. My mustang had 23k and my G8 had 14 when i got them. They both hadd the better part of 2 years left on the warranty.

If i was in the market fore something cheap i would probably used 80-90k as a cutoff. This way i could run it for a few years and still have some resale at 110-120k.

[wicked_c6]

For me it depends on the car. I'd purchase a 1995 - 2001 Jeep Cherokee with 130k on it (well maintained) without thinking twice. They just run. I wouldn't do that for a Dodge Neon...

On average though I'd say if well maintained, 100k or under.

[lspencer534]

Talking out of both sides of my mouth, I'd much prefer to buy something still under warrant and with less than 30K miles, but if I wanted to save a few bucks, I'd go up to 60K. I think that 60K is the cutoff point for dealers giving you a good trade-in allowance.

[VITE1]

Originally Posted by polarbear

Stating the obvious, if a domestic made it over 100k miles with a minimum of mechanical drama, odds are pretty good that

a. They had some decent care
b. Theyll probably go another 100k miles if you do the same.

I'd STRONGLY disagree with your inclusion of the two (and any other) luxury make. While I'm sure a Mercedes or a Lexus will easily go well beyond the 100k mile mark, the RISK of an insanely expensive repair is always there. For that reason alone, I'd avoid any luxury/prestige make thats out of warranty, forget high miles.

Where are the sarcasm tags when I need them?

I have a 2008 STS that I have put more money into for repairs in it's 60K miles than ALL 6 of the Nissans I have owned.





I would not buy anything with over 25-30K Miles unless it was some sort of classic Muscle car.

[VetteBoy1979]

I would stay under 50k.

All of mine:
'99 FRC - 30k?
'02 Z06 - 40k
'05 Tahoe - 38k

Seems to be a reasonable amount of miles. I had a warranty on the Tahoe from CarMax, drove the car to 100k, one AC repair under warranty. I think that was it other than tires and oil changes. The '02, well, different story. If you're buying from a private owner, I would NOT EVER buy a car without all the repair documentation. I believed what this guy said, and he was FOS. If you buy from a dealer, get an extended warranty.

[MikeB]

Back in '97, I bought a new truck.
Drove that until 2009, when I gave it to my daughter. I bought a similar but newer version 8 y/o truck with 80K miles. Nothing but trouble.
In Nov '12, I bought a 1 y/o Certified Ford with 15K miles. Original warranty transfer runs out in Aug this year for Bumper to Bumper, engine/drivetrain is in effect unti 8-2018.

I will never buy a DD with over 25K miles again.

[Kerrmudgeon]

Well, if dealers know anything about it, they won't sell a car that's over 100K kilometers or 62K miles. The trade-in cars above that go to auction.

[Ruffy]

1989 Firebird in 2002 - 220k
1985 corvette in 2004- 110k-ish
2001 Mazda Millenia in 2006 - 52k


Others but I forgot. I'm an impulsive shopper. I guess I'd stay under 150k.

[polarbear]

Originally Posted by VITE1

Where are the sarcasm tags when I need them?

I have a 2008 STS that I have put more money into for repairs in it's 60K miles than ALL 6 of the Nissans I have owned.





I would not buy anything with over 25-30K Miles unless it was some sort of classic Muscle car.

As an aside, the biggest POS we ever owned was a '85 Cadillac Eldorado, bought new.

Current fleet:

'95 Ford F150 4X4 S/C pickup. Bought 4 years ago w/about 138K on it. One Generator, a water pump, a couple sets of shocks, a TPS, and a couple sets of tires, couple of serpentine belts, and more brake pads than I can count (it eats brakes up here). In actual repairs (not maintenance items), less than $800 spent on the thing. Currently showing 276k on the odo, everything works (including the A/C and all Pwr Options). This truck goes off road a lot- never worry about breaking down. Just got this one through the smog test again- passed with flying colors. Kid puts most of the miles on this one, and he's not gentle with it.

'01 Grand Marquis. Bought 11 years ago (!) w/ 55K on it. Currently showing 206k on the odo. Generator, water pump, intake manifold. Everything works, reliable as the hills. No longer a DD- but use it on weekends. Could roll it onto a showroom floor without a detail.

'03 Taurus. Bought this one about 18 months ago with a little less than 80k on it. Put a starter in it, and a serpentine belt. Drives- and looks- as new as you could expect a car of this vintage to look. Doesn't get many miles- kiddo in college rocks this one.

I'm into all three of those vehicles for slightly over $10K. When it comes to cars, Bear can squeeze a dollar until the eagle screams.

[Frizzle]

depends... 100K would be the line.. and thats on a Domestic or Import 4cyl car.

Considering I drive close to 30K miles a year... I would like to get at least 2 years out of the car.