High mileage
#2
03-31-2014 | 12:21 PM
Fourth Generation Moderator
October 2009 ROTM
October 2009 ROTM
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10,490
From: Eastern PA,
ROTM Winner's Club
With any used car out of warranty you need to try to determine how the car has been maintained and what type of miles these are. With a 180K highways miles on then she could have a lot of life left in her but I have seen cars with 80K city driving that in need of restoration level repair, basically they where not worth fixing, completely worn out.
My 96 3800 5 speed has 210,000 miles on it and I would drive it anywhere, but I keep it maintained and as soon as a issue shows up I fix it.
The best you can do is to get a pro to check out the car. There is no way he can say for sure the car is a 100% but he can see if it car that has not been maintained. We have seen so many guys getting cars and a month later there is an issue and once the start really looking at the car they see broken wires and repairs that where not done right. That is the kind of stuff a real mechanic with spot in a second.
One question, what are your plans for the car? If you driving a long way and you need dependable car this might not be the best car but if you want a weekend toy and you do not mind working on it and you have a AAA membership
it might be a good.
Car "weak" spots
1 When was the opti and the water pump changes? (this is a pricey repair that normally goes around 120K)
2 Have the head gaskets been done yet? Check coolant for being clean(second most common major repair)
3 When was the clutch done?
4 Check the floor under the car,( If it is a t-top they are prone to leaking and even if they don't leak now if 2 owners ago let it leak you may need new floors)
5 Power windows, make sure they move up and down quickly, They can be expensive and difficult. I do nothing think I would not buy a car for this reason but like everything else you can use it to get the car cheaper.
If the head gaskets have not been done you may want the mechanic to pressure test the coolant system.
My 96 3800 5 speed has 210,000 miles on it and I would drive it anywhere, but I keep it maintained and as soon as a issue shows up I fix it.
The best you can do is to get a pro to check out the car. There is no way he can say for sure the car is a 100% but he can see if it car that has not been maintained. We have seen so many guys getting cars and a month later there is an issue and once the start really looking at the car they see broken wires and repairs that where not done right. That is the kind of stuff a real mechanic with spot in a second.
One question, what are your plans for the car? If you driving a long way and you need dependable car this might not be the best car but if you want a weekend toy and you do not mind working on it and you have a AAA membership
it might be a good.Car "weak" spots
1 When was the opti and the water pump changes? (this is a pricey repair that normally goes around 120K)
2 Have the head gaskets been done yet? Check coolant for being clean(second most common major repair)
3 When was the clutch done?
4 Check the floor under the car,( If it is a t-top they are prone to leaking and even if they don't leak now if 2 owners ago let it leak you may need new floors)
5 Power windows, make sure they move up and down quickly, They can be expensive and difficult. I do nothing think I would not buy a car for this reason but like everything else you can use it to get the car cheaper.
If the head gaskets have not been done you may want the mechanic to pressure test the coolant system.
Last edited by Gorn; 03-31-2014 at 12:31 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
