Discussion
How many miles is a lot of miles now?
When I first started driving, a 100,000 mile car would be some kind of mystical miracle to be reported in the local paper and argued about in the pub. Now 100,000 miles is exactly the same as just broken in.
How many miles on a car would you consider for a used purchase? Does it depend on the manufacturer? Or something else? If you're browsing AutoTrader, what mileage do you put in the filter box as a cut off?
I've got half a mind to change my car soon, because it's thirsty and needs a bit of tlc and some minor mending. But it keeps going and going, and I suspect it will keep on going for a lot longer yet. It has 163,000 miles on it.
Is that high? I used to think so, but now I'd quite like to hit 200,000.
When I first started driving, a 100,000 mile car would be some kind of mystical miracle to be reported in the local paper and argued about in the pub. Now 100,000 miles is exactly the same as just broken in.
How many miles on a car would you consider for a used purchase? Does it depend on the manufacturer? Or something else? If you're browsing AutoTrader, what mileage do you put in the filter box as a cut off?
I've got half a mind to change my car soon, because it's thirsty and needs a bit of tlc and some minor mending. But it keeps going and going, and I suspect it will keep on going for a lot longer yet. It has 163,000 miles on it.
Is that high? I used to think so, but now I'd quite like to hit 200,000.
100k in teh UK is definitely seen as some sort of ceiling, as though any car with over 100k is suddenly going to degenrate into a heap of unreliable tat. Many other countries do not deem 100k as such a big deal.
I have to admit I do put the mileage cut off at either 70k or 80k depending upon how many of the model are available, just to cut down on the sift.
The mileage is only an indicator, but it is a self fulfilling prophecy because I know of a number of people who sell before their car reaches 100k, just to make it more generically appealing.
I have to admit I do put the mileage cut off at either 70k or 80k depending upon how many of the model are available, just to cut down on the sift.
The mileage is only an indicator, but it is a self fulfilling prophecy because I know of a number of people who sell before their car reaches 100k, just to make it more generically appealing.
No specific upper limit but I'd be less worried about high miles on a newer car than average miles on an older car.
eg Would be happier with a 3 year old 75k car than a 6 year old 60k mile car, mostly because I'd reckon 25k/year must have been fairly easy miles and the fact that time ages a car as much as mileage if it isn't cared for impeccably.
eg Would be happier with a 3 year old 75k car than a 6 year old 60k mile car, mostly because I'd reckon 25k/year must have been fairly easy miles and the fact that time ages a car as much as mileage if it isn't cared for impeccably.
I'm about to sell my 85k mile Focus as I don't want to risk the value falling post-100k and it's not a cat I intend to keep for significantly longer.
On the other hand, I'm in the market for a cheaper estate, and I'm happily looking at BMWs and Audis with twice that mileage - albeit at half the price.
On the other hand, I'm in the market for a cheaper estate, and I'm happily looking at BMWs and Audis with twice that mileage - albeit at half the price.
melhookv12 said:
My E270 has done 253000 miles, I bought it at 202000, helps being a mechanic, but people comment on how smooth and quite it is. Regular oil services, and keep on top of other jobs.
Probably wouldn't want a small focus or golf with that mileage though.
Our old Volvo 265 had done over 300,000. My relatives Lexus has done over 240,000 and still drives like a new car.Probably wouldn't want a small focus or golf with that mileage though.
Kentish said:
It's always been well cared for.
IMO that's what counts. When buying an older/high mileage car the big question in my mind is always its RECENT service history. For rasons I've never understood many owners start to neglect their cars as they get older - which is the wrong way round. Skipping services, cheap oil etc.My opinion is that miles are only numbers. I work in the trade and have seen new cars with astronomical miles but run perfect and also the other end of the scale.
Its about how a car is maintained rather than the mileage.
But obliviously you need to draw the line at something like a F360 with 250k on it, that would be a dangerous one.
Its about how a car is maintained rather than the mileage.
But obliviously you need to draw the line at something like a F360 with 250k on it, that would be a dangerous one.
R6VED said:
100k in teh UK is definitely seen as some sort of ceiling, as though any car with over 100k is suddenly going to degenrate into a heap of unreliable tat. Many other countries do not deem 100k as such a big deal.
I have to admit I do put the mileage cut off at either 70k or 80k depending upon how many of the model are available, just to cut down on the sift.
The mileage is only an indicator, but it is a self fulfilling prophecy because I know of a number of people who sell before their car reaches 100k, just to make it more generically appealing.
I think it's because only the US uses miles as well and their car culture is very different (ie big lazy engines and big distances). Pretty much everyone else uses km and 100k isn't that far and 160k is barely half way to 200k. (And once you've done 100, you may as well do 2.) So there isn't that psychological jump at about the stage old cars used to start causing issues.I have to admit I do put the mileage cut off at either 70k or 80k depending upon how many of the model are available, just to cut down on the sift.
The mileage is only an indicator, but it is a self fulfilling prophecy because I know of a number of people who sell before their car reaches 100k, just to make it more generically appealing.
Anyway, if it's maintained it'll keep going and these days it's things like clutches and injectors that'll eventually go and might cost more than the car's worth to fix. My current car is on 110k and is half way through its useful life (despite being a Land Rover
)I wouldn't get too hung up on miles if the servicing has been done properly.
100,000 miles is a decent milestone, though it's worth pointing out that for many cars it coincides with being 10 years old or more. Parts that are on a car for 10 years and not replaced can degenerate irrespective of mileage (anything rubber, for example). Some lower mileage 10 year old cars may be in less serviceable condition than similarly aged higher mileage ones.
Buy on history and condition before the number on the dashboard.
100,000 miles is a decent milestone, though it's worth pointing out that for many cars it coincides with being 10 years old or more. Parts that are on a car for 10 years and not replaced can degenerate irrespective of mileage (anything rubber, for example). Some lower mileage 10 year old cars may be in less serviceable condition than similarly aged higher mileage ones.
Buy on history and condition before the number on the dashboard.
I'd always buy on condition, not mileage.
I bought a mk4 Golf GTI 1.8T with 144k on it. Genuine one owner car with an inch thick pile of paperwork, including a full VW main dealer service history and receipts for everything. Also wore a matching set of Primacy HPs (4 matching quality tyres is always a good sign) and was very clean and tidy. Drove better than any of the 60-80,000 milers I'd looked at.
Ran it for 18 months. Apart from a major service (due when I got it), and a failed alternator (£35 guaranteed used off eBay and half an hour's work) I never spent anything further on it. Used virtually no oil, and went really well. Sold it on eBay for £500 less than I'd paid for it and the buyer left great feedback
History and provenance is everything.
I bought a mk4 Golf GTI 1.8T with 144k on it. Genuine one owner car with an inch thick pile of paperwork, including a full VW main dealer service history and receipts for everything. Also wore a matching set of Primacy HPs (4 matching quality tyres is always a good sign) and was very clean and tidy. Drove better than any of the 60-80,000 milers I'd looked at.
Ran it for 18 months. Apart from a major service (due when I got it), and a failed alternator (£35 guaranteed used off eBay and half an hour's work) I never spent anything further on it. Used virtually no oil, and went really well. Sold it on eBay for £500 less than I'd paid for it and the buyer left great feedback
History and provenance is everything.
tenpenceshort said:
I wouldn't get too hung up on miles if the servicing has been done properly.
100,000 miles is a decent milestone, though it's worth pointing out that for many cars it coincides with being 10 years old or more. Parts that are on a car for 10 years and not replaced can degenerate irrespective of mileage (anything rubber, for example).
My thoughts tie in pretty much with this. The car would have to be very cheap for me to want it 100,000 miles is a decent milestone, though it's worth pointing out that for many cars it coincides with being 10 years old or more. Parts that are on a car for 10 years and not replaced can degenerate irrespective of mileage (anything rubber, for example).
High miles to me is north of 90,000 but I do expect an engine to go onto 150,000 with no major work needing doen (other than common serviceable items and a clutch perhaps, depending on use). This being said, I pick 90,000 because if I were looking for a car that'd be the sort of limit on what I would be looking for. But if I knew someone who as selling a high-mileage car that had been looked after (not just the engine but the chassis etc parts too) and I needed a car, I would give it careful consideration
In the world of motorcycling, many people (wrongly) view anyhting over 20,000 miles as high. A motorcycle should go onto 100,000 with no major work, except again perhaps needing the clutch plates replaced depending on use. My suzuki sv650 is knocking on 72,000 miles...go look through the ads on autotrader for bikes with that sort mileage, there wont be too many!
In the world of motorcycling, many people (wrongly) view anyhting over 20,000 miles as high. A motorcycle should go onto 100,000 with no major work, except again perhaps needing the clutch plates replaced depending on use. My suzuki sv650 is knocking on 72,000 miles...go look through the ads on autotrader for bikes with that sort mileage, there wont be too many!
Edited by thatdude on Monday 14th July 12:13
I have a 1983 VW Golf 1.3 with 182,000 miles on it - and it's a bit like Trigger's broom, 14 new handles and 12 new heads.
I have a 2008 Alfa 159 SW 1.9 Diseasel with 100,000 on it - and it's all original, except a fancy exhaust and a remap.
Whilst stuff "ain't built like it used to be", modern technologies allow for stuff to be, well, better.
I'm only a kid at 22, I'm sure some of the more 'experienced' among us will fondly remember having to de-coke their Trabant every 40,000 miles to keep the thing alive...
I have a 2008 Alfa 159 SW 1.9 Diseasel with 100,000 on it - and it's all original, except a fancy exhaust and a remap.
Whilst stuff "ain't built like it used to be", modern technologies allow for stuff to be, well, better.
I'm only a kid at 22, I'm sure some of the more 'experienced' among us will fondly remember having to de-coke their Trabant every 40,000 miles to keep the thing alive...
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