Discussion
Are we as a nation Allergic to large amounts of mileage on cars? A few examples.
Example 1. I was in a car dealership with my Girl friend at the weekend as she wanted to buy a new car so i came with her for moral support. (she decided on the Kia Pro_ceed GT if anyone is interested.) When we were going through the schpiel with the sales guy afterwards, we were talking about trading her 08 plate Focus in for the new car. It has remarkable few miles, 32000, on it and i would say would be worth a reasonable amount of money. I think it was bought for 8 and she was offered 4 for it. I thought fair enough, dealers have to make profit, they will probably re advertise the car on the forcourt for 5.5k or so. When i asked the sales guy said it would probably just goto auction as it had "alot" of miles on it. I was not aware 32k was "alot".
Example 2. My housemate, when looking at new cars earlier this year asked for some suggestions, we were throwing around all makes and models. Naturally he wanted something fast, to replace his supercharged Corolla. Most of my suggestions, bar a few, were all thrown back because they had too many miles on. Now i think that the mileage range was somewhere between 40k and 90k which is admittedly a large range. So i would forgive someone thinking that 85k is perhaps past it. But i remember him rejecting cars that had 50k miles on.
Now i own two cars, two Hondas, one is on 53k and the other has 111k. They both drive like new. The 111k miler is an Integra Type R and it's still feels factory fresh. It has cost me only £200 in repairs, not servicing but things that have actually gone wrong, in the 5 years that i have owned it.
Why are we so afraid of mileage on cars?
Anyone else got some experiences like this?
Example 1. I was in a car dealership with my Girl friend at the weekend as she wanted to buy a new car so i came with her for moral support. (she decided on the Kia Pro_ceed GT if anyone is interested.) When we were going through the schpiel with the sales guy afterwards, we were talking about trading her 08 plate Focus in for the new car. It has remarkable few miles, 32000, on it and i would say would be worth a reasonable amount of money. I think it was bought for 8 and she was offered 4 for it. I thought fair enough, dealers have to make profit, they will probably re advertise the car on the forcourt for 5.5k or so. When i asked the sales guy said it would probably just goto auction as it had "alot" of miles on it. I was not aware 32k was "alot".
Example 2. My housemate, when looking at new cars earlier this year asked for some suggestions, we were throwing around all makes and models. Naturally he wanted something fast, to replace his supercharged Corolla. Most of my suggestions, bar a few, were all thrown back because they had too many miles on. Now i think that the mileage range was somewhere between 40k and 90k which is admittedly a large range. So i would forgive someone thinking that 85k is perhaps past it. But i remember him rejecting cars that had 50k miles on.
Now i own two cars, two Hondas, one is on 53k and the other has 111k. They both drive like new. The 111k miler is an Integra Type R and it's still feels factory fresh. It has cost me only £200 in repairs, not servicing but things that have actually gone wrong, in the 5 years that i have owned it.
Why are we so afraid of mileage on cars?
Anyone else got some experiences like this?
Edited by Coldfuse on Tuesday 24th September 15:20
I think it's from our parents experience that for a car to reach 100k it would be on it's second engine and third gearbox.
That perception hasn't changed despite the improvements made to vehicles and subsequent generations have it ingrained that over xxx miles means it's nearly worn out.
My dad just can't comprehend why I'm not concerned about my VW T4 being on over 204,000 miles, he's even worried that my mk2 Golf has 102,000 miles.
(xxx = a mileage figure based on how risk averse you are feeling today!)
On the plus side those of us who don't share that view can pick up some leggy bargains!
That perception hasn't changed despite the improvements made to vehicles and subsequent generations have it ingrained that over xxx miles means it's nearly worn out.
My dad just can't comprehend why I'm not concerned about my VW T4 being on over 204,000 miles, he's even worried that my mk2 Golf has 102,000 miles.
(xxx = a mileage figure based on how risk averse you are feeling today!)
On the plus side those of us who don't share that view can pick up some leggy bargains!
Mileage is a really crude indicator of condition as there are so many other variables - service history (who by / how often) / major repairs carried out etc.
Only time that it really becomes a bit relevent is when you're looking at potential resale values, but on the other hand you should be able to pay less in the first place.
We have two daily use cars in the household - one on 186k and the other on 160k. Both have excellent service histories and are fine
Only time that it really becomes a bit relevent is when you're looking at potential resale values, but on the other hand you should be able to pay less in the first place.
We have two daily use cars in the household - one on 186k and the other on 160k. Both have excellent service histories and are fine
Groober said:
my 1.5 civic is on 155,000 miles and has never let me down in 18 months and drives great. On a side note I had a go in one of those Kia's the other day and was pleasently suprised, it even looks pretty good.
Good efford on the Civic.Yeah the Kia is actually remarkable good, i first went for a test drive with the SO a few weeks ago and went into it with really low expectations, as i have never thought that Kia had a good reputation before. But after having tried it out for a few hours (we have test driven it for about 2 hours each) i have had a complete 180 with regards to the car. The interior is a lovely place to be. Feels nice inside, the quality of the cabin is almost up to Audi standards. Fit and finish are good. It is very quiet inside the car as well, would certainly be a nice place to be for long distance!
Edited by Coldfuse on Tuesday 24th September 13:56
My 19 year old Nissan is on 88400miles... less than 5k a year. Its a £295 Shed.
I would have no worries about buying an under 10yr old 80k+ miler.
With me I want a full and comprehensive service history... mileage is a secondary consideration
I would have no worries about buying an under 10yr old 80k+ miler.
With me I want a full and comprehensive service history... mileage is a secondary consideration
Edited by leafspring on Tuesday 24th September 14:26
There does seem to be a general reaction to 'high' miles - a friend recently posted on Facebook that his car was 'getting old' - with a picture of the odometer just under 60k! My Focus has done twice that and is still going strong well.
It's also a matter of time as well - I bought a Focus that had already covered 43k in just 21 months. I suspect that sort of mileage in a short space of time would put most people off, but it had warranty, and apart from one issue, was totally reliable until I moved it on at 60k (because I was bored of it). The next car I bought has been sat around doing few miles for ages, and had plenty of problems - cars are meant to be used.
And as stated above, service history and condition are far more important, the number only tells you so much, you've no idea how long the car may have sat idling. I recall a seasoned AA patrol person telling me of many cars ruined by 30k miles by only ever doing very short journeys, always with a cold engines.
It's also a matter of time as well - I bought a Focus that had already covered 43k in just 21 months. I suspect that sort of mileage in a short space of time would put most people off, but it had warranty, and apart from one issue, was totally reliable until I moved it on at 60k (because I was bored of it). The next car I bought has been sat around doing few miles for ages, and had plenty of problems - cars are meant to be used.
And as stated above, service history and condition are far more important, the number only tells you so much, you've no idea how long the car may have sat idling. I recall a seasoned AA patrol person telling me of many cars ruined by 30k miles by only ever doing very short journeys, always with a cold engines.
A friend of mine on Facebook has recently posted a status about her gearbox failing on a C2. I enquired the mileage, to which she responded 'Loads! Like 89000!' Sigh.
I currently have a 2000 Accord on 78k and a ST24 on 204975. The Mondeo still drives like a dream, it is only off the road for a mild restoration. The bodywork is getting shabby.
I currently have a 2000 Accord on 78k and a ST24 on 204975. The Mondeo still drives like a dream, it is only off the road for a mild restoration. The bodywork is getting shabby.
Murderlamb said:
A friend of mine on Facebook has recently posted a status about her gearbox failing on a C2. I enquired the mileage, to which she responded 'Loads! Like 89000!' Sigh.
I currently have a 2000 Accord on 78k and a ST24 on 204975. The Mondeo still drives like a dream, it is only off the road for a mild restoration. The bodywork is getting shabby.
89k is probably a lot for a Citroen C2, it's duck off a waters back for an Accord though. I currently have a 2000 Accord on 78k and a ST24 on 204975. The Mondeo still drives like a dream, it is only off the road for a mild restoration. The bodywork is getting shabby.
Not all cars are built the same.Dracoro said:
Murderlamb said:
A friend of mine on Facebook has recently posted a status about her gearbox failing on a C2. I enquired the mileage, to which she responded 'Loads! Like 89000!' Sigh.
I currently have a 2000 Accord on 78k and a ST24 on 204975. The Mondeo still drives like a dream, it is only off the road for a mild restoration. The bodywork is getting shabby.
89k is probably a lot for a Citroen C2, it's duck off a waters back for an Accord though. I currently have a 2000 Accord on 78k and a ST24 on 204975. The Mondeo still drives like a dream, it is only off the road for a mild restoration. The bodywork is getting shabby.
Not all cars are built the same.As an aside i have another friend who also swears that a car is not at its best until it reaches 100k.
In my original post i point out that my OH is getting rid of the ford, this is not due to it having "high mileage" she just wants something faster. Shes with me as well in that she cannot understand people who have problems with high mileage.
In America is quite the opposite, a lot of people over there boast about doing a lot mileage and generally from what i have seen cars that have a higher mileage don't have the same sort of discount they have here.
silverback mike said:
I had a Mercedes E class (W124) Still going strong when I sold it at approx 460,000 miles.....
Lowtimer said:
I don't like to sell a car until I've had at least 100,000 miles out of it on top of whatever it had on the clock when I bought it.
KevinOctiScout said:
Hmm, my wife has an 09 Jeep Patriot with 111,000 on the clock, mine is a 60 plate Octavia with 87,000. Both bought with 1 previous owner.
Impressive work!Kevin, out of interest how is the Jeep fairing? and whats your commute like?
I don't see high mileage as an issue in itself at all.
Far more of an issue I think is the ability of some modern cars - to cause massive issues at relatively low miles - owners of 2.0 Mazda diesel engines, VAG 1.4 twinchargers, Impreza hatch STIs and 2.2 D4D Toyotas amongst others will know this all too well.
Better to have a car very well regarded for reliability on the basis of top class reliability with real owners - at 150,000 miles then something like a Mazda 6 2.0 diesel or a an Impreza Hatch 2.5 STI at 50,000 miles.
Yet there are people out there that given the choice between a Mazda 6 diesel with 60,000 miles or a Skoda Octavia 1.9 tdi with 150,000 miles - would have the Mazda because "it only has 60,000 miles.
Yet the Octavia will be a far more reliable machine.
Far more of an issue I think is the ability of some modern cars - to cause massive issues at relatively low miles - owners of 2.0 Mazda diesel engines, VAG 1.4 twinchargers, Impreza hatch STIs and 2.2 D4D Toyotas amongst others will know this all too well.
Better to have a car very well regarded for reliability on the basis of top class reliability with real owners - at 150,000 miles then something like a Mazda 6 2.0 diesel or a an Impreza Hatch 2.5 STI at 50,000 miles.
Yet there are people out there that given the choice between a Mazda 6 diesel with 60,000 miles or a Skoda Octavia 1.9 tdi with 150,000 miles - would have the Mazda because "it only has 60,000 miles.
Yet the Octavia will be a far more reliable machine.
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