how many miles is too much when buying a car?

Question

how many miles does a car usually have when it just breaks and time for a new one? is it the same for all cars? BMWs? Volvos?
thanks!!

Answer 1

Really depends on the car, and where you live.

Most Americans cars I have ever had fell apart before or not long after 100 thousand miles.

Jap cars are often good mechanically to about 200 thousand or a little more. I have personally driven several to 2 hundred thousand and beyond

German and Swedish are the best bet. These will usually see 300 thousand without to much problem. the parts are more costly but it is because they are better built. A Volvo (Swedish) currently has the world record with over two and a half million miles. In fact Volvo has a club with many members who have Volvos with over one million miles.

So buy a BMW, Mercedes or Volvo car with 150 thousand miles. The cost will be very favorable and with proper care it be around at least another 150 thousand miles. Depending on how much you drive that could be quite a while.

Answer 2

It's hard to tell and it does tend to vary based on manufacturer. Most cars these days I would expect to see about 200,000 miles before you start to have major isssues. But it depends on how the car was maintained as well, oil changes every 3K, transmission fluid changes every 30-50K, brakes, tires, alignments, coolant, spark plugs and wires are all things that should be changed regularly. If not you will see a much shorter life out of the car. This is why keeping your service records can increase the resale value of the car, you can prove that you've taken good car of the car.

It's also going to depend on how much you plan on using the car. If you're just driving it around town to buy groceries then a car with 150,000+ miles will last you many many years. If you commute to work and drive 100-200+ miles a day then you're going to want a car that's probably in the 75,000 mile range.

Answer 3

the mileage isn't really as important as making sure the vehicle has been cared for properly I would look for a car with all it's papers (regularly scheduled maintenance and oil change paperwork) If properly maintained then even buying a car with 100,000 miles or more wouldn't be a problem and could last you a long time. The key however is maintenance if you take care of your car it will take care of you. Have it checked by a mechanic and road tested and then talk about price. Remember a vehicle is an investment, choose wisely.

Answer 4

Several crucial times for maintenance with most cars is at 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles and at 100,000 miles. If you have a vehicle that is around these times, know that you are looking at at least some repairs most likely. The more you know about the car's history is important too, as regular maintenance goes a long way to prolonging a car's life. I probably would not purchase a car with over 60,000 miles, but that's just my opinion.

Answer 5

I regularly run vehicles up to 300,000 miles. Most will go that long if taken care of.

If you are buying a used car, look for something that has 8-10,000 miles per year. (a 3 year old car with 25,000 is ideal)

Most cars will go 60,000 miles before needing any repairs other that oil changes and perhaps tires. At 60,000 you might be looking at brakes, cooling system maintenance, perhaps getting close to a timing belt, shocks & struts.

Most cars are similar, but the German and Japanese cars seem to be made better.

Answer 6

It depends on the price, and type of car. Certain cars have more problems than others at lower mileages. Also a major factor will be how properly the car was maintained by the previous owner(s). If they haven't done an oil change in 15,000 miles, you've got a problem.

Answer 7

i'm a broker, so I see various vehicles at auction. I advise plenty. possibly 2000 used vehicles a week. i've got considered a honest style of Tacomas with that variety of miles, and curiously that they are nonetheless quiet and tight. i've got considered them with over 3 hundred thousand that still look to have stable existence left in them! check out the truck heavily. are you able to work out signs and indications that the vehicle has been properly cared for? Does the vehicle have matching tires on each axle? Is the engine compartment sparkling? Belts and hoses nonetheless stable? Fluids crowned off? Engine oil sparkling? Does the owner have any upkeep data? How long has the owner owned it? Why is he advertising it? IF the vehicle sounds like that's been cared for, take it to a mechanic and notice what they should say. base line: the vehicle ought to have some stable existence left in it if that's been properly taken care of. the stable information is that ninety 8% of all of us on the earth is going to freak out because of the miles, and that's probable going to take a together as for the guy to sell it. i could anticipate you need to be waiting to communicate him down slightly...particularly in case you deliver money with you.

Answer 8

it depends how much you want to spend on the car. usually, hondas and toyota do last longer, till 150-175K. BMW etc last till 130K, but it also all depends on how the vehicle was maintained. Buy a car with little miles (15-17K) but make sure it wasn't abused either. My friend's Infiniti G35 2006 with 15K is in a lot worse condition then my 97 honda with 175K!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

it changes with everycar...

average miles per year is between 12,000 and 17,000. divide the miles on the car by how old it is, and if it falls into that range it's probably doing fine.

Japanese cars like Toyota and Honda and the such seem to last much longer though, with proper care, than say Chevys or Fords.