As long as initial quality was good and the car has been well-maintained (documented) I wouldn't have a problem. The critical thing is regular maintenance, esp. oil changes.
My wife's Volvo 850 T-5 wagon is in the shop for a new turbo (which lasted 133,000 miles) and I had them do a compression and leakdown test; all 5 cylinders made between 153-156 psi, excellent for a lower compression turbo engine, and leakdown was well within normal parameters.
It's less a matter of brand/model and more about how well the car's been maintained. That said, Toyota I4 engines can go 250K+, Honda I4 engines the same, but w/ more frequent timing belt changes, depending on year, BMW and M-B engines will run forever if taken care of, VW diesels (in older rabbits, golfs etc) will go half a million miles or more, the really old dodge cars and trucks with the 225 slant 6 are known for incredible longevity, the GM "Iron Duke" I4 is a good motor, as is the GM 3800 V6, the older Ford 2.3 I4 is a great engine... There are many more.
I have heard bad things about the Mitsubishi 3.0 V6 used in some Chrysler products with rings going very quickly, and the 2.4 I4 in some Nissan products had some premature wear issues, but these are anecdotal references.
I would say that it depends on what you're looking for. Generally, Japanese and German built engines are going to have tighter tolerances at the time of manufacture, which means increased durability...again, if properly maintained. On the other hand, anything with a small block chevy will run forever, too, and American engines can be half as expensive as Japanese or European engines to repair or rebuild.
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Only a diesel or toyota, honda etc.. +1 on making sure there is a service record. My moms accord has 250k+ on it and has never had a prob. Diesels can get at least 500k on them before their first major overhaul
I would have to say these guys are right on with my thoughts. Japanese and German cars last a LONG time if cared for. Along with the German motors lasting, their interior and exterior components seem to last much better than the Japanese cars. Downside to the German cars is that they are expensive to fix when things go wrong. Japanese cars are much cheaper to fix than the German cars and will last just as long, but you will find paint & molding fading faster, interior creeks sooner, and seats wearing out sooner with the Japanese cars.
I wish I could sit here and say American cars are good for the higher milage, but I personally wouldn't buy one. Please save the flames but, if I ever buy one of the new corvettes, I will sell it before it hits 50k miles.
In a nutshell, yes I would buy a high mileage car, but only with all service records. And of course the intention of use would have to be a consideration. Keep in mind you can buy a low mileage Japanese 4cylinder engine for most imports for under $750 these days.
__________________ "You can only be free when you have nothing to lose".
I have to stay with the concensus here. #1 Toyota.
Stay away from anything American.
I personally would stay away from VW's as they are electrical system time bombs. Costs a fortune to fix that crap when it stops on the side of the road.
I had a bmw 325is (89) that I gave my dad to commutie to work from Pa. to Canada once a week. I gave it to him with 225k and it now has 400k + . Great car beat it at the drag strip 15.1 and auto crossed it alot never a problem. Not the best car in the snow. I would buy on agian. I feel it is a great car for the money.
I would have no problem purchasing a BMW with that many miles or a Diesel of any type. BMW's dont start to break in till 60k .. Mine started to get better gas milage and use less oil the more miles it received. Now at 80k plus I'm getting 26 MPG (22 when I bought it) and I use less than a quart of oil every 9k (I used a quart every 3k when it was new). Germans over engineer everything. A elephant is nothing more than a German designed mouse so have no worries if it's german and the owner beat the piss out of it.
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I have had good luck with VW Jettas, I had one at 250k + that was running strong when a killer grandma totaled it by driving her buick into my left side, when she should have yeilded to oncomming traffic, bent the frame, just a wreck, but it still drove strong enough to get me by until I could pick up a used 944 Turbo, I have also had a Jetta GLI run past 360k with a strong engine, the Recaros were getting a bit worn & I was having heater issues toward the end but that was one heck of a tight car, ended up donating it to a charity so poor guys could get to work. My present Jetta is running strong at 165k or so though it has a few more bugs than I am content with, that may have more to do with a tree top having snapped and fallen on the car at one point. . . the damage was fixed, but there has always been a bit too much interior noise & both windows on the right side have failed (electrics), seems to go through secondary muffler back exhaust stuff a bit quickly too, but I think that may be due to poor installs these past two times. My Fiancee's Camry seems to be running well, though I have never taken notice of how many miles are on it. So that is my luck with hi-mileage cars in a nutshell.
The contrast would be when in the 90's I bought a '71 Pontiac LeMans with 54,000 miles on it. It was rolling on original rubber, cracked and bald yes, but original rubber, the thing was sweet! V8, owned by a little old lady, sold to a little old man & then passed into my hands with perfect paint & interior. Didn't take long for me to put some rims on it & all that jazz.
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I personally would stay away from VW's as they are electrical system time bombs. Costs a fortune to fix that crap when it stops on the side of the road.
Agreed. I know more than a couple people who have had electrical problems on VW's. Honda, Toyota and BMW are the way to go for longevity.
I agree completely with Japenese and German cars lasting forever if properly maintained. With proper (documented) maitanence, 100,000 miles doesn't scare me at all.
Due to my bike racing addiction, I am currently driving an '86 Ford Mustang with a 2.3L I4 (1 bbl. carb ). 172,000 miles and doesn't burn or leak a drop of oil. Stone reliable. I bought it almost 3 years ago for $500. I've put about another $500 in it in tune-ups, exhaust, battery, starter, and more than likely be able to drive it another 3 years. Everything still works on it. Power windows/locks, air, cuise, you name it. I love the car but don't give a **** where I park it.
A few years back I bought an ex-Highway patrol '94 Chevy Caprice. Re-sold it with 225,000 on the clock for more than I paid for it, and it was one of the fastest, best running cars I've ever owned.
With modern machining/metalurgy, and modern name-brand oils, 100,000 miles is nothing.
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my 1991 porsche 944 s2 has 185k miles and my 96 golf has like 438k miles, been pretty much bullet proof for years. My golf just puked the clutch after 35k(tranny seal went and oiled it down) original lasted almost 400k, the car is great, rusty, but great
If you want a truly reliable used ride find a nice 1995-97 Toyota Landcruiser or the Lexus equivalent. They suck down dead dinosaurs by the gallon but they are bank vault solid. The only weakspot that I am aware of is a hose about 3 inches long by the firewall that dry rots,other than that, change the oil and feed it gas.
I vote for Volvo! I bought my 90' 240 wagon with 200k on her from a mechanic at a Volvo dealer and she is about to turn 236k after 18 months of ownership. I hope to still have Olga when my 5year old gets his license. We also have a 98 V70 wagon with 115k (Inga). I love 'em.
Used high mileage cars...
Didn't take long for me to put some rims on it & all that jazz.
When good men do nothing, darker and stranger men must fill the breach. Pray for me, a sinner.
). 172,000 miles and doesn't burn or leak a drop of oil. Stone reliable. I bought it almost 3 years ago for $500. I've put about another $500 in it in tune-ups, exhaust, battery, starter, and more than likely be able to drive it another 3 years. Everything still works on it. Power windows/locks, air, cuise, you name it. I love the car but don't give a **** where I park it.
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