car mileage?

Question

how much is considered a lot of mileage, and how does mileage effect the quality of the car

Answer 1

It depends on the year and make of the vehicle. Old cars back in the 60's and early seventies were really well made and would get 2-300,000 miles on them, if they didn't rust out first.

Then came the eighties and this was quite possibly the worst decade of cars ever made i.e. Chevy Citation, Ford Fairmont, Chrysler Reliant, etc. and this is when foreign car companies like Honda, Toyota and Nissan came along to steal the market that the Big 3 was taking advantage of (quality-wise). Now that competition is so much tighter, most stuff made in the last five years has the ability to get 2-300,000 miles on them.
The qualifier here is how well they are taken care of. If you buy a used vehicle and they have reciepts for all of the oil changes (every 3000 miles or so), you have a lot better chance of going a long way in it. If a vehicle is driven mostly on the highway, it will usually last longer than one who is constantly starting and stopping.
Mileage affects a car engine by gradually (and I have to emphasize gradually here) wearing down the walls of the pistons, which can lower the compression (i.e. the overall power of the car (the valves as well)
The other thing it does is takes you to vehicle maintenance 'milestones'. Look up the long-term suggested vehicle maintenance of the vehicle you are looking at. At certain intervals, you are supposed to do things like change the timing belt, water pump, etc. When buying a high-mileage vehicle, buy one who's ratings for that year are strong (see your librarian) and don't do it unless the owner can provide a lot of receipts for the work they've had done to it.
Best of luck to you.

Answer 2

Not a strange question at all. Really though, it depends on what vehicle your looking at. It's similar to asking if buy old cars with low mileage is bad. Well, I own a 1980 Plymouth Volare, 225 Slant Six engine, with only 63,000 original miles on that bad boy. While it's over 30 years old, doesn't mean it is a unreliable vehicle. I have yet to put her on the road as I have just got it and I do not have it insured yet, I'm a broke 19 year old with no job as of yet haha. Basically man, just take your time and DO NOT jump into buying a car with that much mileage, you never know if it has other problems. Ask for other details on the vehicle such as it's history and how well the previous owner(s) took care of it. 1. Does it have any leaking issues? 2. If Manuel Shift, does it shift smoothly and with ease? 3. Does it pull to the left or right while driving? 4. Does it make any strange noises like squeeking/grinding? I could give you more tips and what not but this answer is already long hah. Glad if I helped somewhat. BTW, maybe look into a Honda with 100,000+ miles, I am not a Honda guy, but I admit they are reliable, and have a good reputation.

Answer 3

General rule is 10,000 miles per year for the age of a car.

For most modern cars mileage isn't really an issue. I had a ride in a friends Passat and was amazed to see it had done over 139,000. It felt brand new and had none of the taps/creaks and groans normally associated with a car of this milage.

The engiens and mechanical workings of cars now are a lot tougher than they used to be 15/20 years ago. As long as a car is in decent condition, thats all that really matters.

Answer 4

I would say it isn't really the mileage that effects the quality of the car-- but if the car was taken care of or not. (Which is less likely if the car is older).
If you are considering buying a used car, remember to have it checked out by a mechanic first-- so you don't buy something with many problems.

Answer 5

Liz, It depends how the car was taken care of. Any car over 100,000 miles is stretching things. I have two winter beaters which nearly 130,000 on each. I service them myself and I know pretty much how they've been maintained thought. If your are looking for something, stay away from Chrysler Corporation. The aluminum wheels rot off within 5 years causing air leakage. The brake rotors are worse than awful and on and on. Pay an independent to check your choice from stem to stern. Ask him to remove the oil fill cap to see if there's a hint of black build-up. Start the car with the cap off to see if any vapors escape smoke in particular. Be sure the car has been running 10 minutes when you do this test. All Ford products are good especially the Fusions with the 24 valve motor. Pontiac has sporty small cars with a bullet proof V6 engine. Chevrolet cars are good throughhout.

Answer 6

I believe the national average is 12,000 miles per year. Alot of people will advertise a high mileage car as "highway miles", highway miles put less wear and tear on a vehicle....but then again how do you actually know that the mileage is from highway miles or stop and go city(urban) driving. City driving puts more wear and tear on a vehicle i.e. Brake System, Fuel Filter, Ignition system, interior.

Answer 7

25+ is considered a lot of mileage. I get anywhere from 13-28 and I have a '88 Cadillac. so that is really good

Answer 8

In Indonesia, general mileage is about 20,000km (12427miles). My car, 2015 Nissan March 1.5 (Micra in other countries) has 130.281miles on it (80,952miles)

Answer 9

Alot?? A million miles. I have seen cars with over 300K running like new. It all depends on how well you service your vehicle. My Dad had a 2001 Dodge Intrepid with 300K on it, he changes the oil every 3k miles and it dosent leak or burn 1 drop of oil. I had a Dodge 1989 caravan 4 cylinder with 250K and it ran like a champ..... I babied it and thats the key!

Answer 10

well there is a new car called the Toyota Yaris, it gets about 40 mpg(miles per gallon). It costs anywhere from 10,500-14,000 dollars. Its kind of a little car but when you get in it, it has a lot of room.
It just depends on what kind of car you would like.
Toyota is a reliable car maker, and they last a long time.