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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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 Posted: 06/16/05 - 12:20 Post subject: Your opinion on used cars
I know, I know, it's an internet forum opinion poll, but hey, let's have it.
Being a bicycle-commuter, truck-less guy right now, before the snow flies, truck shopping is definitely on the horizon.
So excluding the possibility of buying new (God bless ya, those that can afford it), what do you like better?
Over 5-yrs old, but low miles, say under 50,000?
Or under 5-yrs old, but high miles, say over 75,000?
I've gotten cars both ways and can't decide which is better. Seems plain logic to go for the low miles, even if it's older, but plain age in a car seems to have it's problems. And on the other hand, mileage kills so high miles is a gamble, but being newer, potential problems should be further down the road.
Whadyathink?
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kristin31
Member
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Location: Caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 12:23 Post subject:
I don't know anything about trucks. I know with cars, I've had three used Acuras with fairly high mileage on them that still ran great!!! The bodies on those things will fall off before the engine will go. That's my worthless opinion.
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wanttorun100
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Location: Just to the right of Atilla the Hun!
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 12:27 Post subject:
Low miles rule IMHO
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robp
Pyromaniac
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Location: Waiting in line at the beer store...
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 12:30 Post subject:
Start your search early and look for a used truck that was owned by an older person that obviously took care of it. Also look around when you go to the persons house to check out the vehicle - if everything appears to be in a good state of repair then chances are the person took good care of their vehicle. Ask 'em why they're selling it and watch for an possibly evasive answers. Check the back of it for a hitch - if it's got a heavy duty hitch on it, transmission cooler, etc. they may have used it to tow something ridiculously heavy so question them about that too.
Buying a newer used vehicle from someone who couldn't handle the payments means they probably couldn't handle maintaining it properly either. I've never owned a new vehicle and the used vehicles I have owned have treated me quite well.
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rolling rock
The Pinball
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16218
Location: unknown zone
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 12:32 Post subject:
depends on the maker.
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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Location: Between here and eternity...
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 13:23 Post subject:
You can find older and low mileage. Everything Rob said is correct.
Ask them how many owners it's had and what they expect will need to be replaced next.
We've bought several used and have been very, very lucky.
I always set aside a little extra to make any replacements that might need to be made.
But that can happen with any age, used, that you buy.
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robp
Pyromaniac
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 13:34 Post subject:
I know I don't like tailgaters.....
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 13:37 Post subject:
| robp wrote: | Start your search early and look for a used truck that was owned by an older person that obviously took care of it. Also look around when you go to the persons house to check out the vehicle - if everything appears to be in a good state of repair then chances are the person took good care of their vehicle. Ask 'em why they're selling it and watch for an possibly evasive answers. Check the back of it for a hitch - if it's got a heavy duty hitch on it, transmission cooler, etc. they may have used it to tow something ridiculously heavy so question them about that too.
Buying a newer used vehicle from someone who couldn't handle the payments means they probably couldn't handle maintaining it properly either. I've never owned a new vehicle and the used vehicles I have owned have treated me quite well. |
Wow! Will you come with me next time I have to buy a car??
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robp
Pyromaniac
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 13:42 Post subject:
| cherylpf wrote: |
Wow! Will you come with me next time I have to buy a car?? |
Sure. With my luck you'll get a beautiful vehicle that will turn into a 'sty II a month later.
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ShannonG
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 13:49 Post subject:
I like the older model/low mileage approach. When I bought my MPV I knew that body style/engine/transmission was tried and proven and parts were a dime a dozen. Many modern models only last a few years until the car makers decide to move on to something 'better'. Chevy Lumina, anyone?
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Gogirlgo
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 14:30 Post subject:
I dig used cars. I might never buy a new one again. My old car that got totaled last August was several years older than my current used car so when I got this one, it was a pretty righteous upgrade.
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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 15:40 Post subject:
| Gogirlgo wrote: | | I dig used cars. I might never buy a new one again. My old car that got totaled last August was several years older than my current used car so when I got this one, it was a pretty righteous upgrade. |
Sometimes they tend to have a "personality" as well.
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Maddies Wench
Flailing Homosapiens
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Joined: 12 Jun 2003
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Location: Seeking out the poorer quarters where the ragged people go.
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 15:42 Post subject:
More than the vehicle itself, the former owner is the most important IMHO.
An old lady who took care and kept all service records on an older car = 
A newer car that some teenage kid drove like a bat out of hell and maybe never changed the oil on = 
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robp
Pyromaniac
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 15:43 Post subject:
| airehead wrote: |
Sometimes they tend to have a "personality" as well. |
I had a '71 Dodge when I was going to college that had personality.... it was pretty much a traveling dumpster.
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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Posted: 06/16/05 - 15:47 Post subject:
| robp wrote: |
I had a '71 Dodge when I was going to college that had personality.... it was pretty much a traveling dumpster. |
We had a friend who had a bronco that was a dumpster, literally. There was nowhere to sit for the trash in it.  
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