I'm currently looking to buy a car within the next week, I have been looking for a week, but nothing really jumped out at me. I am paying for the car myself so I'm looking in the 2500-3500 price range so obviously the cars I'm looking at have a lot of miles, but how many miles are too many. I know it differs on make. I've heard hondas go over 200K, what about nissans, mazdas and dodge specifically, any general input would be appreciated also.

8/8/2005 11:08:53 AM

As a rule, I won't even look at any car that Chrysler makes if it has high miles, UNLESS the transmission has been changed and maintained meticulously.

Mazda automatics benefit from regular maintenance (lots of Ford influence). Nissan, Toyota, or Honda are makes I will buy with high mileage, provided necessary maintenance (namely timing belts and all fluid changes) has been done.

ASK FOR SERVICE RECORDS.

8/8/2005 11:12:17 AM

most late models cars are good for over 200k, if they are well maintained, but usually people who trade them in at around 100k do not take care of them, because they are not planning on keeping them forever. i personally bought a 2001 silverado with 130k on it, but the dealer allowed me to keep it for two days and thouroghly check it over. that was a good enough sign of faith for me, but i still pulled it down as far as practical and checked everything, brakes, u-joints, popped the rear end cover and tranny pan, suspension, steering, did a compression check, hooked up the scanner to check all the ecu data while i was driving it. everything checked out fine. i now have over 180k on it with no problems as of yet, besides tires being replaced.

8/8/2005 12:34:15 PM

200k is like break in on a vw diesel.

8/8/2005 1:48:27 PM

so assuming both vehicles were properly maintained would it be better to own a dodge with 71k or a mazda with like 147k

[Edited on August 8, 2005 at 2:05 PM. Reason : jlsd]

8/8/2005 2:00:36 PM

what models?

8/8/2005 2:03:13 PM

the mazda is a 97 626dx and the dodge is a 97 or 98 stratus, just looking for a reliable dd to take me to class and work

8/8/2005 2:06:04 PM

I think the 626 is a good solid vehicle, but I would want to see just what that tranny fluid looked like before I bought such a car. My father-in-law has a '99, and his transmission quit.

My mother has a '99 as well, and I have made it a point to change the fluid regularly...I use Mercon V because it's a synthetic blend, and I'm having trouble finding a full synthetic tranny fluid without looking all over creation (as opposed to looking right over the counter at the parts store I work at on weekends).

I think the build quality is higher on the Mazda; I've been really impressed with the car overall. This is one car you'll want to make sure has had the timing belt replaced at its scheduled interval (or at least before now)...if not, then leave it alone. Or take 600 bucks off of the price and have it done as soon as you get the car (before it goes tits up).

8/8/2005 2:41:27 PM

^ b&m trickshift is full synthetic, and summit has it

8/8/2005 7:28:31 PM

my z24 cavalier had 180000 on it when i got rid of it, still ran fine

8/8/2005 7:38:07 PM

sold my 94 accord like a year ago, 189k on it. beat the everloving shit out of it, burrned down tires, bounced it off the revlimiter daily, and went 15k without oil change one time and i never had a single problem with it. want highmiles and no problems? buy a honda 4cyl

8/8/2005 7:44:03 PM

^HAHAHAHA that car got the everloving shit kicked out of it.

I seem to remember videos of BigBlueRam smoking them tires DOWN. Or was it Nick?

Quote :

"b&m trickshift is full synthetic, and summit has it"

Yeah, but that means I have to order it (Advance used to sell it). I don't like having to go out of my way to do something...and I don't have any room on any of my credit cards. I'm a lazy bastard.

[Edited on August 8, 2005 at 7:53 PM. Reason : living a hand to mouth existence.]

8/8/2005 7:51:09 PM