A question for all you auto mechanics out there...?

Question

If you were buying a used car on a limited budget, would you look for a Honda or Toyota that had 200,000 miles on it vs. a domestic car that was a few years newer, and had half the miles on it ? Thanks for any input.

My budget is no more than $2,500 and I really can't afford car payments.

Answer 1

I've owned several Hondas and have put over 350K in all of them. I now own a used Camry with over 240K on it and it runs like new. The most immediate thing you would have to worry about if buying either one of these is to change the timing belt immediately. You can get someone to do it for $100 on the side, or a shop will charge you around $4-500. Some domestics don't use timing belts, they're chains and since they run in oil, they usually last the life of the engine, they're more difficult to change so a shop will charge a bit more if you want to change it before it breaks. Most engines will be damaged anyway, bending the valves when the chain/belt breaks. If that happens, you either get another used engine or another car. I have had much luck buying and selling cars with this type of problem, since my time is cheap, I can do this. On the other hand, if the domestic is really clean, any one will be good, watch out for the 4 cyl chrysler products, they have a flexible metal exhaust pipe right where it comes out of the engine. Since the engine rocks back and forth on the motor mounts, I have seen several crack at the accordian folds at a young age. You have to buy the entire pipe with the catalytic converter, otherwise a muffler shop can adapt/weld in a new flex piece. Most places might not do it since some smog places want to interpret the law literally and claim that the exhaust system has been "modified", It's a small problem and just dumb engineering.

Answer 2

Dear High Milage-

I have to say that you are in a real fix.

If you are in that tight of a market, I would suggest that you offer a family member $2500.00 for their older car. At least they will be honest with you about the condition of the vehicle.

Personally, I would check into a cheaper new car, and see what types of deals could be made. I know the car payments could be a bit of a crapper, that money I would say there are not too many options.

Here are a few tips on getting used vehicles though.

Have the vehicle checked out by a reputable mechanic, and have a complete diagnostic done on the car listing its "Bill of Health".

If there are a few minor issues that need to be addressed then speak to the owner about them, and see if the price can be negotiated.

If the car has some major problems, its going to be pretty obvious.

Does the vehicle pass smog?

Does the vehicle smoke severly?

Does the vehicle have severe leaks?

Does the vehicle consume lots of oil?

Has the vehicle been taken care of?

Does it have consistant maintence records?

Has the oil been changed frequently?

Does the engine run smoothly?

Does it start without trouble?

Are all of the lights working properly?

Are the tires and brakes good?

Does it need a new clutch?

Is the transmission in good condition?

How was the car driven?

What needs to be done to this car?

These are all questions that you need to ask about your purchase.

Honestly, you should be able to pick up a fairly good vehicle that has between 80,000 to 120,000 miles on it for the money that you have in hand.

Just expect to put a little work into the older cars. Most folks are getting rid of them because they have a big repair bill coming and they don't want to pay it. So be aware of that.

In my case, I just sold a car that had been repaired and it cost me a fortune to repair it. I knew in a few short years this issue was probably going to repeat itself, and I made the buyer aware of this. They purchased the car anyway because I showed that I had kept up after this issue while I owned the vehicle.

This particular car had a habit of burning up catalytic converters. It was just a poor design, and needless to say we will not be purchasing another Hyundai product again!

Don't get me wrong though. The little car ran beautifully, and got excellent gas milage, but the repairs started costing me more than the car was worth, (1999 Hyundai Accent 1.5L). Here is my point.

Blue Book on car w/ 78,000 miles $1550.00.

Catalyitic Converter OBDII Approved: $1450.00+ tax!

Cost for repair: $500.00!

Total $1950.00!

Net Loss $400.00!

Not worth keeping the car.

So I repaired the vehicle and got it smogged for the new owner, and made them aware of this condition. They knowingly purchased the vehicle with the potenital problem.

So these are some of the problems that you may encounter. I would rather be honest with you, than shine you on like some of the other folks are going to do!

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Sorry not any car with that high mileage could ever take you to and from work reliably. Proper maintence at the correct time is the key. Good mechanics know what and when to look for problem areas. Sorry to say Joe Lube tech might not see brand X every day. But brand X dealership mechanic might have seen the same problem many times. So Pay Me now Or Pay Me Latter!
Take public transportation and save up a good down payment then buy new. Really insurance interest rates and everything is against you from your NEW CAR

Answer 4

you never indicated what a limited budget is.. I know for a fact that you can purchase a brand new Hyundai Elantra for 300.00 per month with zero down on 72 months. Than you would have no worries about brake downs for 10 years or 150,000 miles at no additional costs. With gas mileage of 38 to 45 mpg. Or you could go to a Accent for about $50.00 per month less and very low insurance rates due to excellent safety record. Give it some thought. Any vehicle with 200,000 miles that you know nothing about is only asking for trouble and lots of repair bills. Good Luck..

Answer 5

i agree with above, even though economically imports are better if those are your options you should get the domestic, because the range on most imports is at maximum 300,000 and an import with 200,000 miles on has more than likely been abused by some idiot ricer, plus there are allot of mechanics that can work on domestic vehicles and not import so there are benefits all the way around.

Answer 6

Get on

http://www.thesamba.com/

look in the classifieds and get yourself an old Volkswagen Beetle, Karmann Ghia or Type 3. These cars will run forever (250,000 miles on mine) and they are so easy to fix that you can do it yourself. Parts are also cheap and all of them are available at the Advance store, for example, you can get a fuel pump for $30 and install it in 30 minutes. Plenty of aftermarket custom parts available too. Gas mileage is between 30 and 40 MPG. Also, they are exempt from emissions tests.

Answer 7

it is hard to tell BC you don't know the history of the vehicles . having 200k miles means that the vehicle has been reliable for a good while , but honestly you are going to take your chances with either one , buying a used car is buying someone elses problems especially with so many miles , if i was you before buying take the vehicle you like to a reliable mechanic and have him run a compression test on the engine , this is a wise investment , considering that you are going to buy a car blindfolded . sort of speak. good luck to you.

Answer 8

the domestic with half the miles and newer

they do say honda and toyota will run forever, but forever for a car isnt much over 200000. plus thats alot more abuse the car could have taken.

Answer 9

Is that a trick question? Of course Honda, at least Toyota.

Answer 10

TRICKY QUESTION BUT EITHER WAY IT SEEMS THAT YOU WILL BE IN OVER YOUR HEAD.

BOTH VEHICLES WILL BE NEEDING WORK AND I DO NOT CARE WHAT THE SELLER TELLS YOU.

A USED CAR IS SOMEONE ELSE'S TROUBLE.

GOOD LUCK..