Cars and 'high mileage' - are you one of the sheep?
Discussion
belleair302 said:
Ten days ago I was in a Cadillac Escalade on my way to the airport and this car a 2012 had well over 225,000 on the clock. Bodywork and trim in good order, all the electrics worked and the a/c was amazing. A Florida car and John the driver changes oil every 5,000 miles, i.e. every six or so weeks. He plans to see it way past 300,000.
He could change the oil (he's wasting a lot of money on oil changes) 3 times a week, it won't help the car not suffer from the things that make it too expensive to repair, for example air conditioning issues, electrical issues, suspension issues, transmission issues.We have a Merc Sprinter at work with 440,000 on it. How ever you look at it,the machine is knackered and was knackered 10 years ago. it's just had a load of parts thrown at it. There was a reason the original owner(who was working it pretty hard) got rid of it and that was because it was becoming too expensive to repair in parts, labour and time off the road.
I've always bought older snotters on condition not mileage but tend not to rely on them as daily drivers, just mainly shed/tip cars
Bought a few over 100k without issue, I bought an E36 touring with over 250,000 on it. It ran 3 months then died but then it was only £500 in the first place.
Bought a few over 100k without issue, I bought an E36 touring with over 250,000 on it. It ran 3 months then died but then it was only £500 in the first place.
Although I'm a huge advocate of high mileage cars (having just bought a mint 90K Giulietta Diesel yesterday that I intend to run for another 50k+ miles) I do think that built in obsolescence has come to the car industry - but in the accessories rather than mechanicals.
My last dishwasher, cooker and tumble dryer purchase only lasted 6-8 years. Their predecessors lasted two decades. I'm sure car manufacturers are considering similar tactics. I guess a Range Rover touchscreen or BMW iDrive system is going to be more of a write-off factor than anything under the bonnet or wheelarches in 10 years time.
That's why I tend to buy something with a separate radio, heater and use a phone holder rather than a sync system - rather than something that has an all in one system. I'll end up in a Defender at this rate....
My last dishwasher, cooker and tumble dryer purchase only lasted 6-8 years. Their predecessors lasted two decades. I'm sure car manufacturers are considering similar tactics. I guess a Range Rover touchscreen or BMW iDrive system is going to be more of a write-off factor than anything under the bonnet or wheelarches in 10 years time.
That's why I tend to buy something with a separate radio, heater and use a phone holder rather than a sync system - rather than something that has an all in one system. I'll end up in a Defender at this rate....
I love reading about these high miler cars. I currently only do 4k miles a year so would take a while for me to get up there.
A friend has a 08 520d M sport with the 170bhp engine and the engine was replaced at 90k as the chain snapped after about 3 and a half years. He had to contribute to some of the cost as it was out the 3 year warranty. It has now done 185k and the same thing has happened again. So think that is the end of that car. It is totally immaculate as we and had only had the turbo replaced about 5k miles ago. Other than general maintenance it has only needed a couple of abs sensors and a new battery. He is pretty gutted as he was offered £4k for a trade in on an XF about a week before the engine went.
A friend has a 08 520d M sport with the 170bhp engine and the engine was replaced at 90k as the chain snapped after about 3 and a half years. He had to contribute to some of the cost as it was out the 3 year warranty. It has now done 185k and the same thing has happened again. So think that is the end of that car. It is totally immaculate as we and had only had the turbo replaced about 5k miles ago. Other than general maintenance it has only needed a couple of abs sensors and a new battery. He is pretty gutted as he was offered £4k for a trade in on an XF about a week before the engine went.
Redlake27 said:
Although I'm a huge advocate of high mileage cars (having just bought a mint 90K Giulietta Diesel yesterday that I intend to run for another 50k+ miles) I do think that built in obsolescence has come to the car industry - but in the accessories rather than mechanicals.
My last dishwasher, cooker and tumble dryer purchase only lasted 6-8 years. Their predecessors lasted two decades. I'm sure car manufacturers are considering similar tactics. I guess a Range Rover touchscreen or BMW iDrive system is going to be more of a write-off factor than anything under the bonnet or wheelarches in 10 years time.
That's why I tend to buy something with a separate radio, heater and use a phone holder rather than a sync system - rather than something that has an all in one system. I'll end up in a Defender at this rate....
I think obselescence is a function of the new technology being used rather than an intentional decision to force cars off the road sooner. People want new tech in their cars so manufacturers fit it. Clever computer systems also help to improve efficiency and economy and provide better driving characterisitics over a wide rev range. They could not bother with ECUS and touch screens but they would lose sales to manufacturers that did. Also why design a car to last 20-30 years when new buyers typically only keep them for 3-4 years and by 5 years old most will be out of the dealer network anyway?My last dishwasher, cooker and tumble dryer purchase only lasted 6-8 years. Their predecessors lasted two decades. I'm sure car manufacturers are considering similar tactics. I guess a Range Rover touchscreen or BMW iDrive system is going to be more of a write-off factor than anything under the bonnet or wheelarches in 10 years time.
That's why I tend to buy something with a separate radio, heater and use a phone holder rather than a sync system - rather than something that has an all in one system. I'll end up in a Defender at this rate....
Washing machines don't last as long as they used too because they're a lot cheaper than they used to be.
brman said:
That said, rust will still kill a car and I can understand frustration with poor diagnosis of electrical problems driving people to change their car....
Quite a few Ford models from the early 2000s no doubt fall into this trap. I loved my Sportka, such a fun thing to drive, but after two main dealers tried and failed to fix a few sensor gremlins I just got fed up of taking it back in every few weeks.My Dad is having the exact same issue with his Focus, superb car and perfectly good for his type of use, but the same sensor keeps flagging up warning lights over and over again, he's just fed up with it.
Also, rust.
Here at work we have a 2003 Passat tdi which has done 230 000 miles. The interior and body work are very tidy, it would pass as a car that had done 100k miles.
It's using water, so perhaps needs a head gasket or has a cracked head, which ever it isn't worth fixing as the value of the repair would out weigh the value of the car.
It would be okay if you were mechanically minded and could fix it up, as I am sure the rest of the car would be good for another 100k miles, but to pay a garage to fix it doesn't stack up.
That is the risk you take with a high mileage car if you pay for maintenace rather than do it yourself.
It's using water, so perhaps needs a head gasket or has a cracked head, which ever it isn't worth fixing as the value of the repair would out weigh the value of the car.
It would be okay if you were mechanically minded and could fix it up, as I am sure the rest of the car would be good for another 100k miles, but to pay a garage to fix it doesn't stack up.
That is the risk you take with a high mileage car if you pay for maintenace rather than do it yourself.
PH5121 said:
Here at work we have a 2003 Passat tdi which has done 230 000 miles. The interior and body work are very tidy, it would pass as a car that had done 100k miles.
It's using water, so perhaps needs a head gasket or has a cracked head, which ever it isn't worth fixing as the value of the repair would out weigh the value of the car.
It would be okay if you were mechanically minded and could fix it up, as I am sure the rest of the car would be good for another 100k miles, but to pay a garage to fix it doesn't stack up.
That is the risk you take with a high mileage car if you pay for maintenace rather than do it yourself.
It's a good week to sell it. You may have one of the last legal Passats It's using water, so perhaps needs a head gasket or has a cracked head, which ever it isn't worth fixing as the value of the repair would out weigh the value of the car.
It would be okay if you were mechanically minded and could fix it up, as I am sure the rest of the car would be good for another 100k miles, but to pay a garage to fix it doesn't stack up.
That is the risk you take with a high mileage car if you pay for maintenace rather than do it yourself.
PH5121 said:
Here at work we have a 2003 Passat tdi which has done 230 000 miles. The interior and body work are very tidy, it would pass as a car that had done 100k miles.
It's using water, so perhaps needs a head gasket or has a cracked head, which ever it isn't worth fixing as the value of the repair would out weigh the value of the car.
It would be okay if you were mechanically minded and could fix it up, as I am sure the rest of the car would be good for another 100k miles, but to pay a garage to fix it doesn't stack up.
That is the risk you take with a high mileage car if you pay for maintenace rather than do it yourself.
It's not about the repair cost in comparison to the value of the car. it's about the repair cost in comparison to buying the new car. The owner spends 500 on the head gasket and trousers a 17.5k dividend.It's using water, so perhaps needs a head gasket or has a cracked head, which ever it isn't worth fixing as the value of the repair would out weigh the value of the car.
It would be okay if you were mechanically minded and could fix it up, as I am sure the rest of the car would be good for another 100k miles, but to pay a garage to fix it doesn't stack up.
That is the risk you take with a high mileage car if you pay for maintenace rather than do it yourself.
fatjon said:
PH5121 said:
Here at work we have a 2003 Passat tdi which has done 230 000 miles. The interior and body work are very tidy, it would pass as a car that had done 100k miles.
It's using water, so perhaps needs a head gasket or has a cracked head, which ever it isn't worth fixing as the value of the repair would out weigh the value of the car.
It would be okay if you were mechanically minded and could fix it up, as I am sure the rest of the car would be good for another 100k miles, but to pay a garage to fix it doesn't stack up.
That is the risk you take with a high mileage car if you pay for maintenace rather than do it yourself.
It's not about the repair cost in comparison to the value of the car. it's about the repair cost in comparison to buying the new car. The owner spends 500 on the head gasket and trousers a 17.5k dividend.It's using water, so perhaps needs a head gasket or has a cracked head, which ever it isn't worth fixing as the value of the repair would out weigh the value of the car.
It would be okay if you were mechanically minded and could fix it up, as I am sure the rest of the car would be good for another 100k miles, but to pay a garage to fix it doesn't stack up.
That is the risk you take with a high mileage car if you pay for maintenace rather than do it yourself.
It's not really any different from some of the creative justifications that go on on PH for the need to buy a 5 litre V8 barge in order to "save money"
The truth is people just want a shiny new car
Oh and older cars with more miles do break down more so they are typically less convenient.
fatjon said:
It's not about the repair cost in comparison to the value of the car. it's about the repair cost in comparison to buying the new car. The owner spends 500 on the head gasket and trousers a 17.5k dividend.
That is a good point, as we no longer need a car as the driver no longer wants a company vehicle it saves money on insurance, fuel and running costs, so not replacing it makes a considerable saving even if the car has to be scrapped, (unless anyone wants a poorly Passat).dannyDC2 said:
You've got to remember a lot of wear on a vehicle happens at the very start of a journey. Seat bolsters, scratches on door handles, engine wear.
Good point, in the airline industry they measure hours and cycles, hours being how long its operated and cycles being a take off and landing. I think thats how it works, correct me if I am wrong there airline folk.PH5121 said:
fatjon said:
It's not about the repair cost in comparison to the value of the car. it's about the repair cost in comparison to buying the new car. The owner spends 500 on the head gasket and trousers a 17.5k dividend.
That is a good point, as we no longer need a car as the driver no longer wants a company vehicle it saves money on insurance, fuel and running costs, so not replacing it makes a considerable saving even if the car has to be scrapped, (unless anyone wants a poorly Passat).Devil2575 said:
It's about a version of "Man maths", just one that's applied by both men and women and used to justify the purchase of a new car when there is no really financial justification for doing so.
It's not really any different from some of the creative justifications that go on on PH for the need to buy a 5 litre V8 barge in order to "save money"
The truth is people just want a shiny new car
Oh and older cars with more miles do break down more so they are typically less convenient.
Bang on!!!It's not really any different from some of the creative justifications that go on on PH for the need to buy a 5 litre V8 barge in order to "save money"
The truth is people just want a shiny new car
Oh and older cars with more miles do break down more so they are typically less convenient.
most cars are worth fixing, so a new head gasket will cost around 500quid... If th car is in a reasonable state what else are you going to do with the 500 that would be better? Maybe I am missing something here but can't see how one would be saving money by spending 20k on a new car.
95% of cars are scrapped before 150,000 miles for a reason. They wear out, especially in rainy/humid climates like ours.
If you went to look at 2 examples of a Honda Civic Type R, one with 19,000 on the clock and one with 93,000, you'd happily pay quite a bit more for the first one, surely?
Engines can often last a long time, but many other bits don't and very high mileage cars, as i have found out several times, can be wallet destroyers, big time.
Nothing sheep-like in not wanting endless bills.
Low mileage will always be a great selling point.
If you went to look at 2 examples of a Honda Civic Type R, one with 19,000 on the clock and one with 93,000, you'd happily pay quite a bit more for the first one, surely?
Engines can often last a long time, but many other bits don't and very high mileage cars, as i have found out several times, can be wallet destroyers, big time.
Nothing sheep-like in not wanting endless bills.
Low mileage will always be a great selling point.
Devil2575 said:
fatjon said:
PH5121 said:
Here at work we have a 2003 Passat tdi which has done 230 000 miles. The interior and body work are very tidy, it would pass as a car that had done 100k miles.
It's using water, so perhaps needs a head gasket or has a cracked head, which ever it isn't worth fixing as the value of the repair would out weigh the value of the car.
It would be okay if you were mechanically minded and could fix it up, as I am sure the rest of the car would be good for another 100k miles, but to pay a garage to fix it doesn't stack up.
That is the risk you take with a high mileage car if you pay for maintenace rather than do it yourself.
It's not about the repair cost in comparison to the value of the car. it's about the repair cost in comparison to buying the new car. The owner spends 500 on the head gasket and trousers a 17.5k dividend.It's using water, so perhaps needs a head gasket or has a cracked head, which ever it isn't worth fixing as the value of the repair would out weigh the value of the car.
It would be okay if you were mechanically minded and could fix it up, as I am sure the rest of the car would be good for another 100k miles, but to pay a garage to fix it doesn't stack up.
That is the risk you take with a high mileage car if you pay for maintenace rather than do it yourself.
It's not really any different from some of the creative justifications that go on on PH for the need to buy a 5 litre V8 barge in order to "save money"
The truth is people just want a shiny new car
Oh and older cars with more miles do break down more so they are typically less convenient.
Spend the money on your engine work on the basis that the car is otherwise solid and you're laughing. Unless some hatchback wielding tit shunts you at a traffic light the next day whereupon the money you just spent becomes an irrelevance because the insurance declare it a total loss out of hand and give you a cheque to value of another shagged out Passatt that is still using water.
CorvetteConvert said:
95% of cars are scrapped before 150,000 miles for a reason. They wear out, especially in rainy/humid climates like ours.
If you went to look at 2 examples of a Honda Civic Type R, one with 19,000 on the clock and one with 93,000, you'd happily pay quite a bit more for the first one, surely?
Engines can often last a long time, but many other bits don't and very high mileage cars, as i have found out several times, can be wallet destroyers, big time.
Nothing sheep-like in not wanting endless bills.
Low mileage will always be a great selling point.
Agree with this 100%. People buy newer lower mileage cars because it is potentially less risk than owning a high mileage car. If you rely on a car to get to work, the last thing you want is for the car to have unexpected and costly breakdowns, and have the hassle of it being off the road. One way of minimising that risk is to have a newer product. If you went to look at 2 examples of a Honda Civic Type R, one with 19,000 on the clock and one with 93,000, you'd happily pay quite a bit more for the first one, surely?
Engines can often last a long time, but many other bits don't and very high mileage cars, as i have found out several times, can be wallet destroyers, big time.
Nothing sheep-like in not wanting endless bills.
Low mileage will always be a great selling point.
High mileage cars can be fine as stated by some on this thread, but if you don't know much about cars, or are not really that interested in them, why would you risk a high mileage one? Especially when newer lower mileage cars are available these days on various affordable finance options?
gizlaroc said:
I'm not sure it is that cheap.
There is another one on autotrader at £4500 as well. They seem to have lost a lot in the last few months.
Edit: I should have said, yeah it is a very good price, however there is another one out there at £4500 and a couple of nice facelift E280cdi's for the same money and miles etc. now.
When I was looking 3 months ago getting one sub £5k with around 100k miles on them was considered a bargain.
wow, have they dropped so much? When i was looking for them last December, i couldn't find anything for less than 6.5k. In the end i settled for a 07 220CDI There is another one on autotrader at £4500 as well. They seem to have lost a lot in the last few months.
Edit: I should have said, yeah it is a very good price, however there is another one out there at £4500 and a couple of nice facelift E280cdi's for the same money and miles etc. now.
When I was looking 3 months ago getting one sub £5k with around 100k miles on them was considered a bargain.
Edited by gizlaroc on Tuesday 29th September 21:46
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