How Many Miles Is "Too Many Miles"?

Question

I want to buy a cheap (bet $1,000 - $2,000) car for transportation to and from school. It will be driven 35 miles a day, for 5 days a week.

I am looking at 1992 - 1994 Toyota Camrys, Nissan Maximas amd Altimas and Honda Accords and Civics.

All of these cars though, have betweem 115,000 and 175,000 miles. Is it crazy to buy a car for $2,000 with 175,000 miles and expect it to last a couple of years ? Please Advise. Thanks.

Answer 1

It all depends on what kind of miles - easy and while well maintained, or pedal to the metal and no oil in the crank case. You could get up 200,000 miles on a Japanese engine if it was properly maintained.

Answer 2

Don't waste your money on them. you might luck out and get a good one but, that's very unlikely. I doubt the engine will hold up very long at all. Usually, cars that old and with that many miles were gotten rid of for a reason. Usually cause it had costly repair problems, usually, the engine and/or the transmission.

These could be some of the cars flooded during last years Hurricanes and floods. Be very careful. Within 3 months after Katerina the flooded cars from N.O. were being found at used car lots in States with weak or no laws against selling flooded cars.

You can buy a lot better for $2000. Those cars are so old there is no book value. That means they are worth less than $500. An Insurance company would give them a "Totaled" value of $100.

Answer 3

that's absolutely insane...cars fuel injected cars were not meant to last much longer after 100,000 miles. If they seem to be running fine now just wait till you take one home...your best bet is to try and save just a little bit more money and try to get something with lower miles. If you absolutely have to have a car now and it absolutely has to be one of these, all I can tell you is be aware of what you're getting into. You will have problems with the car. Just make sure you make friends with somebody who knows a thing or two about working on tuners. Good luck

the engines may last awhile in japanese cars but there is more to a car then the motor...the transmissions in those things a very finnicky, especially if it is a manual you will have so many clutch problems, but even the automatics are troublesome. Whatever you decide make sure you take the car to a mechanic, (with the owner if you need to) before you pay for it or make a deal...if the person gets upset or says no way then you'll know not to buy that car.

Answer 4

it depends on how well the car was mantained. unfortunately, there may not be any way to tell especially if the car has had multiple owners. If a car looks in excellent condition (exteior and interior) it is more likely that the mechanical condition is ok. Peolpe who take care of their cars mantain the cosmetics and the mechanical. I have personally had cars that I drove beyond 200,000 miles. You are right to look at imports like the ones you listed - they generally last for much longer. If you have a repair shop that you deal with (and trust), see If you can have the car you are looking at checked over.

Answer 5

I'd say go with a Civic. It's cheaper than the other cars listed and is economical. Average miles per year is about 12,000. So a 1992 car with about 180,000 to 200,000 miles is normal. Then ask if the car was used/owned by more than one person. The lesser owners, the better. Highway miles is better than city miles. check www.kbb.com for prices and buying tips.

Answer 6

A car should only have 15,000 miles per year of age as a rule of thumb. Get a chevy Cavalier. They go forever.

Answer 7

if the car is older than 1995 and it has to over 100,000 miles on it, then its a slim chance

Answer 8

I'd suggest you go to the professional to find out for sure.

Cartalk.com or call them during their weekly radio show.

Answer 9

better look at vw's
jetta's are reliable

don'g go over 115,000

Answer 10

200,000