Buying a car 200,000+ kms on it

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Mudz12

71 posts

Master Geek

#214180 1-May-2017 12:40

Hello,

I will be looking at buying a car in the next 12 months so im on the lookout every now then on trademe getting a feel for it. My preference is a Subaru forester 2008 or above. With a budget as cheap as possible. I want a car that will do me 6-10 years and I can just run it into the ground.

I see some cars on trademe mainly from Turners where they have Foresters for like $6000 to $9000 but the catch is they are all over 200,000 kms on them, most of them over 250,000 kms.

I just wanna ask as I have no idea when it comes to buying cars, if I am wasting my time with anything over 200,000 kms even though they cars are quite recent 2010 models etc?

Cheers

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6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1773424 1-May-2017 13:00

200,000KMS is a lot of KMS for a late model. A flat 4 engine can be a nightmare to maintain at higher KMS with gaskets, plus and other wear parts.
Id be looking at a BMW straight 6 E90 323 or 325i wagon, Can get something 10x safer and more comfortable than the Forester and the better part, Even more reliable and cheaper to source parts.

MikeB4

18435 posts

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#1773436 1-May-2017 13:07

At 200,000 Kms it's not just the engine that will be in for some pricey work, the gear box will need TLC and there is the potential of very costly repair. There is also the structure of the vehicle that needs attention as does the steering components and suspension components, Brake rotors, servos , lines will need to assessed. Even that door functions, electronics seatbelts, aircon, and the electrics in general. You will need to get the vehicle fully assessed for the now and the future if you want to keep it for upwards to ten years, that is a potential further 100,000K plus on the vehicle.

Athlonite

1828 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1773438 1-May-2017 13:11

@200,000Ks it's all the other things like bearings and seals and joints that will be wearing out even if the motor is in good condition

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#1773440 1-May-2017 13:20

By 200,000kms you're well in to "How well has it been maintained before? How lucky am I?" territory. As others have pointed out, by that stage almost everything is beginning to suffer at least some form of wear and tear, and on any vehicle you start to approach increased risk of significant failure. Not to say it will always happen - plenty of vehicles out there with more kms than that. But you're after something that will do you 6- 10 years? Then honestly, you need to look at near-new, or at even cheaper options that you can 'refresh' every 18 - 24 months.

gsr

112 posts

Master Geek

#1773441 1-May-2017 13:22

I bought an outback with 290000 km on it for $1k. It ran fine, but I ended up spending ~1k every 6 months to replace mechanical parts. Lesson learnt.

MikeAqua

7785 posts

Uber Geek

#1773451 1-May-2017 13:45

You do not want to own a high kms Subaru. They are mechanically complex vehicles.

Mike

Wheelbarrow01

1724 posts

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Chorus

#1773452 1-May-2017 13:45

I reckon it's luck of the draw really. In 2010 I bought a 3 year old ex-lease 4x4 Ranger with 217,000kms on it. I had it 4 years up to 295,000kms, and did the normal oil changes myself, so the only real expense I had was replacing the cambelt at around 240,000km. Other than that, it never really cost me anything other than fuel and RUC. I recently saw it for sale again with around 350,000kms on it and the advert noted no major repairs during their ownership either.

Anything with that many kms is a bit of a gamble, so just make sure you don't pay over the odds for it. Case in point is my current run-around - a 2005 NZ new Corolla wagon which I bought last year with 200,000kms on the clock. I paid $3k for it on a $1 reserve auction (it was a trade-in). Turns out it was a one owner car with full service history in the glovebox. In my case, the gamble paid off - the thing will likely run forever as long as I keep up the servicing, but at the price I paid for it I could drop $1000 on repairs and I could still get all my money back selling it, based on what similar condition model are being advertised for.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

plod

272 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1773462 1-May-2017 13:51

I got a 2008 Corolla in 2015 with 180000. I'm not concerned at all about the milage. Should easily see another 100k

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1773491 1-May-2017 14:08

plod: I got a 2008 Corolla in 2015 with 180000. I'm not concerned at all about the milage. Should easily see another 100k

Corolla != Subaru Forester

Mudz12

71 posts

Master Geek

#1773499 1-May-2017 14:10

Ok thanks for your input everyone. Sounds to risky for me to go for something like that. A Subaru outback 2006 and above was my other option, they seem to go for $12000 or less with around 130,000 kms on them.

Maybe I should look at other cars other than just Subaru. I want a larger car SUV or similar, what would you recommend as best bang for your buck? Would a rav4 be more reliable even with higher kms (around 150000km)? I see Hilux's (Not that I need a hilux) seem go to for a lot even with really high kms.

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1773534 1-May-2017 14:37

Mudz12:

Ok thanks for your input everyone. Sounds to risky for me to go for something like that. A Subaru outback 2006 and above was my other option, they seem to go for $12000 or less with around 130,000 kms on them.

Maybe I should look at other cars other than just Subaru. I want a larger car SUV or similar, what would you recommend as best bang for your buck? Would a rav4 be more reliable even with higher kms (around 150000km)? I see Hilux's (Not that I need a hilux) seem go to for a lot even with really high kms.

Hilux's go for moon beans. The larger car and SUV space is dominated by the Koreans. Go have a look at their offerings.
I couldnt suggest a BMW for you in that category that is reliable. However the X3 is a great little car with a M54 petrol!

1eStar

1604 posts

Uber Geek

#1773681 1-May-2017 17:38

I have a friend that has a BMW X5 with 540000 km on the clock. He did put a secondhand gearbox in at 290000. If you don't mind fault diagnosis and are a shrewd part replacer, you can keep a vehicle going for a long time.

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#1774013 2-May-2017 08:45

Engines tend to run longer these days with good servicing, but its everything around them that becomes an issue. A Subaru with 200+ on the clock, Id be wary of, unless they can supply full service records and maybe even a rebuild invoice ;)

Im currently driving a 2004 Nissan Wingroad with 191k on the clock, engine is fine, its just everything else on the damn thing that needs attention now :)

Buy budget, expect to spend at least 50% of what you paid in the next year on keeping it on the road is how Id view it..........

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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martyyn

1971 posts

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#1774039 2-May-2017 09:35

At that price point, and with those kms, you want to be judging each car you consider on it's own merits and not make any assumptions on 'brand' prejudices. I personally wouldn't consider a Subaru in this situation but it doesn't mean there aren't great ones out there.

18 months ago I paid $9k for a NZ new 2003 BMW X5 with the M54 engine TimA mentioned. 180k kms and a stacked service history over the previous five years with a top BMW specialist. It's just ticked over 220k kms and my only regret is I didn't buy one years ago.

I have over 20 years in BMW's and spent six months looking for the right one. Look carefully and you can find absolute gems out there most people wont touch because they think they are too expensive to maintain. I had a full service done on it last month, belts, filters, oils and coolant, you name it, and it was $1k all up. I will have the trans oils and filters done shortly which will probably be another $5-600. But we intend to own this until the kids have left home.

Tyres aren't cheap if you have 19/20" rims, but I stuck with the 18's for a smoother ride and cheaper tyres.

In the last 3 months I've driven several 'newer' SUV's and I wouldn't swap them for mine at all. All plasticky interiors, horrid bright blue interior lighting, low on power, cloth and manual seats, noisy engines (although one diesel was surprisingly good), etc and they were all in the $25k-$40k bracket.

A question for the OP though. You say you want something to last 6-10 years but want to run it into the ground. You can't have both. If you want it to last 10 years you need to maintain it.

If I was just looking for something to cruise around in, didn't need a wagon or SUV for the family duties I would look for a 2003 BMW 530i saloon. Stunning cars, can be found for as little as $3k and if looked after it will run for 10 years with no problem at all. Spend some of the spare cash on immediate maintenance and stick the rest in the bank. Truly one of the best cars ever made.

Coil

6614 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1774048 2-May-2017 09:48

Yep cant go past the BMW's, Please just dont use your X5 offroad, They blow their transfer cases when they have to shift power forward. Only good for snow or really slippery conditions. How ever those straight 6 petrol's are amazing.

I have a M52B28 in my E36 and im sitting on 200KM, The engine runs smoother and quieter than most new engines, Doesnt miss a single beat. Cant even hear it running or feel it running when its on. The other massive benefit is that my little 3 series is so damn quiet on the road compared to others.
My ancient BMW is quieter and smoother than my mums brand new Mk7 Golf.
Oh yeah the other part, its insanely reliable..

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