What's considered high-mileage?

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Aaroona

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Topic # 115176 16-Mar-2013 17:20

Hi All,

Whats considered high mileage for a vehicle from 2005-2008ish.

Would you consider buying a vehicle with say 100,000km on the clock? Surely the cars these days are built to last a bit longer than they previously were?

gzt

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Reply # 782724 16-Mar-2013 17:35

All imho, 100K is normal approximate milage for the majority of Japan imports in good condition coming into NZ. Japan has some kind of check that kicks in at 100K so people upgrade before that to avoid it.

Mileage all depends on the vehicle but most small and medium Japanese cars 100K is at the low end, by 160K a bit more stuff needs replacing, 200K - 250K can still be economic but the maintenance starts looking like it is better to buy another vehicle with lower K's and fewer dents and dings ; ). Larger size more robust vehicles you can increase that.

Batman

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Reply # 782727 16-Mar-2013 17:39

yes the car will last, but if they haven't replaced the parts that are about to break aim to spend what you paid for the car to replace these parts. so pay $6000 in two-three years you pay another $6000
- so see if it has been fully serviced by the book (not just oil change)

second what kind of mileage: 100,000k on open road is good.
because 100,000k in town means lots of: stopping. starting. braking. hard acceleration to get past a car into the other lane or from the traffic light. turning 3 point turns.
100,000k in gravel road add more suspension wear, dust inside the everything that will never come out

price you can easily see on trademe that's pretty rock bottom nowadays

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Aaroona

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Reply # 782729 16-Mar-2013 17:43

Thanks for the replies.
I'm looking at getting either a 323/325/330, or a 525/530 BMW. Most of these have approx. 100,000km (well that's the medium. I'm looking at a few that have the likes of 60,000-90,000 mostly.

I understand your point on the way its drive, Joker. But unfortunately most cars these days don't have that kind of info for imports etc :(

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Reply # 782739 16-Mar-2013 18:32

then budget for replacing consumables when you consider buying ... unless you are a good mechanic DIY :D if so i want to learn from you!

a mechanic once suggested a coin jar - put in loose change into the jar for car repairs LOL

Aaroona

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Reply # 782740 16-Mar-2013 18:43

joker97: then budget for replacing consumables when you consider buying ... unless you are a good mechanic DIY :D if so i want to learn from you!

a mechanic once suggested a coin jar - put in loose change into the jar for car repairs LOL

Haha! That's not a bad idea.

I consider myself to have an above average knowledge of DIY for a car... I've replaced Fuel injectors, coils, spark plugs and can do my own oil change, air filter, solenoids, etc.
I've also got the equipment and software to configure the computers within the BMW vehicles (i.e. reprogramming new modules, clearing fault codes, freeze frame data, etc etc.)

Might start looking a bit more seriously then at the cars, even if they have 80-90k km in them.

gzt

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Reply # 782745 16-Mar-2013 18:50

You're asking about European vehicles. I am kind of suspicious when I see them around for a similar price as the Japanese designed vehicles and yet half the k's. Maybe everyone else looking at them feels the same way, and knows as little as I do about them ; ). Are parts particularly expensive compared to Japanese designed vehicles?

Cambo

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Reply # 783249 18-Mar-2013 09:08

gzt: Are parts particularly expensive compared to Japanese designed vehicles?

As a loose rule, yes; Euro parts are more expensive than Japanese. (Some exceptions apply).

Kingy

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Reply # 783268 18-Mar-2013 09:31

I got a 2005 Mazda Axela (Mazda 3) imported from Japan this time last year with 104,000km on the clock. It hasn't missed a beat once. Passed both Warrants with flying colours. The difference in price between buying something with ~100,000km and something with <80,000km is quite big and like you said in this day and age they really should handle it.

My thought is that I'll keep this car until around 120-130kms and then sell it on. A year on I'm currently at around 112 so it should last me another year or 2 which is plenty and it shouldn't hopefully lose it's value dramatically.

I think it really only becomes are problem once they go over 150. People start to get hesitant then.

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Handsomedan

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Reply # 783275 18-Mar-2013 09:38

Cambo:
gzt: Are parts particularly expensive compared to Japanese designed vehicles?

As a loose rule, yes; Euro parts are more expensive than Japanese. (Some exceptions apply).

That's a very loose rule indeed.

If you find the right supplier and know the right people (immediately join an online Euro forum) parts will be much of a muchness - I have owned several Euro cars and a few Japanese cars - servcing and repairs have been largely the same cost.

Personally, I never buy a car that's done over 80,000km. Just a personal thing.

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NonprayingMantis

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Reply # 783279 18-Mar-2013 09:42

This is juts my opinion, so could be very wrong.

A good rule of thumb is that 'average'mileage for a car is about 14-16k km per year.

Anything that has ludicrously low mileage you should probably stay away from. It's either been wound back or is a car that is used very occaisionally for short journeys, which is actually quite bad for the engine.

Anything that has ridiculously high mileage you should also stay away from. It's likely an ex-rental or fleet car. and whilst they do get maintained farily well, they also get driven ragged because the people who drive them don't own them.

Cambo

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Reply # 783284 18-Mar-2013 09:46

Handsomedan: That's a very loose rule indeed.

If you find the right supplier and know the right people (immediately join an online Euro forum) parts will be much of a muchness

I'd agree with you there, but the large majority of car owners don't make effort to find the cheaper option.
Parts prices have a horrendous mark-up!!!!

The important thing is to do your research into the vehicle model. Know when the major maintainence items are due, and also learn the quirks of the model. For example, don't buy a second-hand Subaru at 90,000km with little or no service history. Why? Because in a few months you'll be due to replace the cambelt and under-take a huge fluid-change service totalling approx $2800 incl GST RRP (dealership prices).

TheUngeek

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Reply # 783494 18-Mar-2013 15:17

100k is nothing. Only thing is beware of it needing a major service

pctek

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Reply # 783511 18-Mar-2013 15:54

Depends on vehicle.

I have always had Toyota (since the demise of English etc cars...
Current one has done 278000. Still going strong, no fails on warrant in 3 years.

Husband has a Nissan Ute, SD23 motor, its on around 479000 (hard to know exactly as it was wound when he bought it).
It's getting tired now but hasn't died yet.