High Milers

[benz0]

I've just moved to the Netherlands from the UK and the cost of cars here is making me want to cry.

So if I want to get a car for less than 3,000 euros, it's probably got to be a high miler.

My UK car (sat in a garage) is a mk1 MX5, which I know will quite happily munch up the miles no problem, providing the body is in good condition.

So my question is this, if you had to buy a used car with high mileage, and didn't want it to be a complete borkwagon, what would you go for? My initial thoughts are an old Merc, but Dutch snobbery assumes that anyone driving one here is Turkish. Whilst I don't buy into such dumb snobbery, my Dutch GF unfortunately does.

So.. What would you go for?

[Rochellc01]

benz0 said:

I've just moved to the Netherlands from the UK and the cost of cars here is making me want to cry.

So if I want to get a car for less than 3,000 euros, it's probably got to be a high miler.

My UK car (sat in a garage) is a mk1 MX5, which I know will quite happily munch up the miles no problem, providing the body is in good condition.

So my question is this, if you had to buy a used car with high mileage, and didn't want it to be a complete borkwagon, what would you go for? My initial thoughts are an old Merc, but Dutch snobbery assumes that anyone driving one here is Turkish. Whilst I don't buy into such dumb snobbery, my Dutch GF unfortunately does.

So.. What would you go for?

You do have wierd stereotypes......

There is a general "Rule of thumb" here in the UK when buying high milers....as long as its not French, a Vauxhall, or makes funny noises, and has been serviced properly your fine. If you want my opionion make sure its a 6 cylinder 3 series, you can pick them up for next to nothing with MOT and TAX, and they are relaiable as lebanese goat farmer.

[HustleRussell]

Pains me to say it... but with that brief? Primera, Carina, Civic...

[HustleRussell]

Rochellc01 said:

If you want my opionion make sure its a 6 cylinder 3 series, you can pick them up for next to nothing with MOT and TAX, and they are relaiable as lebanese goat farmer.

So long as you're willing to spend a little on the cooling system and suspension.

[S10GTA]

Rochellc01 said:

There is a general "Rule of thumb" here in the UK when buying high milers....as long as its not French

Utter toss

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[ally_f]

Rochellc01 said:

You do have wierd stereotypes......

There is a general "Rule of thumb" here in the UK when buying high milers....as long as its not French, a Vauxhall, or makes funny noises, and has been serviced properly your fine. If you want my opionion make sure its a 6 cylinder 3 series, you can pick them up for next to nothing with MOT and TAX, and they are relaiable as lebanese goat farmer.

Really? I've seen a couple of French cars past 200k no problem.

I even had a ride in a 405 petrol taxi in Nottingham a few years back... on 370,000 miles - and the guy swore to me he'd had it from new and never replaced the clutch (:-o)

At high miles it's all about how well it's been looked after and very little to do with the badge on the bonnet. The only caveat to that is that as a rule bigger engines don't get worked as hard so are less prone to wear. But then that's probably not the case if it's a by 6-pot in an M3.. no-one buys one of those to pootle about!

[Monkeylegend]

benz0 said:

I've just moved to the Netherlands from the UK and the cost of cars here is making me want to cry.

So if I want to get a car for less than 3,000 euros, it's probably got to be a high miler.

My UK car (sat in a garage) is a mk1 MX5, which I know will quite happily munch up the miles no problem, providing the body is in good condition.

So my question is this, if you had to buy a used car with high mileage, and didn't want it to be a complete borkwagon, what would you go for? My initial thoughts are an old Merc, but Dutch snobbery assumes that anyone driving one here is Turkish. Whilst I don't buy into such dumb snobbery, my Dutch GF unfortunately does.

So.. What would you go for?

A new girlfriend.

[itz_baseline]

S10GTA said:

Rochellc01 said:

There is a general "Rule of thumb" here in the UK when buying high milers....as long as its not French

Utter toss

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

To be fair he did say as a rule of thumb... I'm sure there's quite a few people who have a French car which runs perfectly on higher miles...but as a rule of thumb I too would be avoiding french.

I'd personnaly look and an Accord... maybe a Type-S?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...

Or an old Audi Coupe

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

[btsidi]

ally_f said:

Really? I've seen a couple of French cars past 200k no problem.

I even had a ride in a 405 petrol taxi in Nottingham a few years back... on 370,000 miles - and the guy swore to me he'd had it from new and never replaced the clutch (:-o)

The engine's probably good for loads more miles, but aren't the French cars known for electrical gremlins?

[S10GTA]

btsidi said:

ally_f said:

Really? I've seen a couple of French cars past 200k no problem.

I even had a ride in a 405 petrol taxi in Nottingham a few years back... on 370,000 miles - and the guy swore to me he'd had it from new and never replaced the clutch (:-o)

The engine's probably good for loads more miles, but aren't the French cars known for electrical gremlins?

In the same way Italian cars are known for rust

[Monkeylegend]

S10GTA said:

In the same way Italian cars are known for rust

So that's a yes then.

[st4]

A german diesel or big engined petrol What about a used A8 4.2 1st gen?

[benz0]

Monkeylegend said:

A new girlfriend.

Haha! Then I can't afford a car at all!

[S10GTA]

Monkeylegend said:

S10GTA said:

In the same way Italian cars are known for rust

So that's a yes then.

And that German cars are reliable

[LeoZwalf]

Is your girlfriend going to be driving and/or paying for the car? Her amount of hand in this situation depends on the answer to that question.

I'm in NL as well and yes car prices are quite insane here. If you've come direct from the UK then I can imagine what you are thinking now. I went UK > DE > NL and thought DE was expensive compared to UK but now Germany seems more reasonable!

If there's a certain type of car you're after then try to get on an owner's forum - prices seem more reasonable there and people often offer a forum discount.

Remember as well that the road tax is calculated based on the weight of the car and gets very expensive very quickly AND that a diesel will cost you about double.

This page calculates your road tax:
http://www.belastingdienst.nl/rekenhulpen/motorrij...

[Monkeylegend]

S10GTA said:

Monkeylegend said:

S10GTA said:

In the same way Italian cars are known for rust

So that's a yes then.

And that German cars are reliable

Well we all know Mercs are.On the other hand my other halves/halfs ? two Scenics have not been good electrically.

[blugnu]

I've just bought a French car with 150k on it.

[S10GTA]

blugnu said:

I've just bought a French car with 150k on it.

You might as well scrap it. More use as a tin of beans.

[LeoZwalf]

S10GTA said:

blugnu said:

I've just bought a French car with 150k on it.

You might as well scrap it. More use as a tin of beans.

My BX has 279,000km on it

(and doesn't work)

[Monkeylegend]

S10GTA said:

blugnu said:

I've just bought a French car with 150k on it.

You might as well scrap it. More use as a tin of beans.

That's a half baked suggestion.