Home and Auto When Buying a Used Vehicle which is better In Your Opinion?

Stinger · 07-12-2008, 08:34 AM

I have been wanting/needing to get a truck for a year or so now and since gas is so cheap right now I figure strike while it's hot. Anyway just curious on what everyone thinks is better? Less years on the vehicle or less mileage on the vehicle?

I am looking at two used vehicles. One is 1997 1 owner with less than 44,000 miles. The other is a 2003 and has 90,000 so it only 5 years old. Both are in great shape and condition and roughly the same price.

So age old question which is better??? Newer with more miles or older with less. What say ye on the Planet?

***Disclaimer- This is vehicle is not mine nor the wifes primary vehicle. We do quite a bit of hauling and also will need something to pull a pop-up camper for the family soon.

KCUnited · 07-12-2008, 08:38 AM

10 years old and only 44,000. Is it rebuilt? That sounds to good to be true.

07-12-2008, 08:40 AM

You're in Missouri? If everything else is equal, I'd go with the older vehicle so you're not paying the county assessor for a newer vehicle every year.

**Bugeater** · 07-12-2008, 08:42 AM

It's a trade-off for the most part. The newer truck will have more features than the older one and will probably be slightly more fuel efficient, but the older one will be cheaper to license & insure. Personally, I'd probably lean towards the older one since mileage generally creates more wear & tear than time.

Stinger · 07-12-2008, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

10 years old and only 44,000. Is it rebuilt? That sounds to good to be true.

Nope everything is legit. I thought the same thing but I had my mechanic check it out and nothing is rebuilt. One of those stories you hear of the owners being an older couple and not using it except for this and that.

StcChief · 07-12-2008, 08:44 AM

44K verifiable driven by a little old lady from Springfield to church/story weekly?
sounds good. Phobia is right.
The scam is if you can pay CASH. have them sign over title
and report paying less (bad motor) for vehicle for Sales tax being paid AGAIN.

**Bugeater** · 07-12-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinger

Nope everything is legit. I thought the same thing but I had my mechanic check it out and nothing is rebuilt. One of those stories you hear of the owners being an older couple and not using it except for this and that.

I guess a lot depends on how it's been used, if it has just been used for short trips its whole life then it could have a lot of engine wear for its mileage, startups are when the most wear happens to an engine because there is no oil flowing. My mom used to have a Pontiac Sunbird that only had around 45K on it when it was ten years old, but the engine was shot from all of the short trips. That was a very extreme case though.

REDHOTGTO · 07-12-2008, 08:56 AM

being a car salesman for 20 yrs now, believe it or not the one with more miles is probably in better (drive me now shape) than the older low mileage one. the reason is this, all those parts on that low mileage car have been sitting there getting old too and brake pads, plugs, wires etc etc, are 10 yrs old now and not replaced (9.9 times out if 10) and if the car sat outside all the trim and paint and tires have rot on them too. from a standpoint of lets drive now, the higher mileage car (probably) has been maintained and serviced and had what it needs to keep running.
just my 2c
red

blueballs · 07-12-2008, 09:41 AM

Which is closer to how you will drive it

StcChief · 07-12-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDHOTGTO

being a car salesman for 20 yrs now, believe it or not the one with more miles is probably in better (drive me now shape) than the older low mileage one. the reason is this, all those parts on that low mileage car have been sitting there getting old too and brake pads, plugs, wires etc etc, are 10 yrs old now and not replaced (9.9 times out if 10) and if the car sat outside all the trim and paint and tires have rot on them too. from a standpoint of lets drive now, the higher mileage car (probably) has been maintained and serviced and had what it needs to keep running.
just my 2c
red

I've heard that from a buddy that sells used cars.... It really all depends on what your buying, do the have maint records etc.

Silock · 07-12-2008, 09:49 AM

I would definitely say it depends on the vehicle. If it's got low miles but has been well-maintained, then go for it. The newer one may have been driven into the ground and is just waiting to fall apart. You never really know.

This is coming from someone that has a 2003 car with less than 45k miles on it.

Time's Yours · 07-12-2008, 10:10 AM

I'd get the newer one.

I have a 92 that I bought a few years ago with 57K miles on it, and another 92 I bought four years ago with 63K miles. Both were around 10 years old at the time of purchase. Both have had tons of problems.

My fiance has an 03 with 110K miles and my Dad has an 03 with 120K miles and both cars are extremely reliable. I believe break pads are all they've needed.

Stinger · 07-12-2008, 10:12 AM

Thanks to all that have responded. It is interesting to me to see where people stand on the issue.

To clarify I do not have the maint. records on either vehicle yet. Just a lot of preliminary work. I have had a mechanic (one whom I trust and have used for years) check the older and he said it is good working order and no rebuilds in the engine. I have not had him look at the other yet.

This vehicle would be used as a secondary vehicle. I use another vehicle for work & my wife has her main vehicle as well. My wife enjoys gardening and I enjoy landscaping something is always needing cleared or hauled in. We are also in way inheriting a camper in a little while and we will need something to pull it. So yes there will be some mileage put on the vehicle but not a whole lot.

And not really in the mix but a distant thought .... son is 11 and in a fews years will be driving so he may inherit the vehicle when he is of driving age.

Hope that helps clarifies things a little.

**Buehler445** · 07-12-2008, 11:15 AM

I would go with the lower mileage one. Both sides have valid points and ultimately it is a case by case basis, but as a rule of thumb, miles add more wear and tear than do years.

**Buehler445** · 07-12-2008, 11:17 AM

Actually, looking at your last post, I would go with the new one. Since you won't put many miles on it, I doubt you have mechanical problems.

One thing to check out is what it can hold on the hitch. It would royally blow to buy a pickup and not have it be able to tow your camper.

View Poll Results: Which is better when buying a used vehicle??
Less Milage on the Vehicle is the only way to go.	24	66.67%
Less Years on the Vehicle is the only way to go.	3	8.33%
WTH are you thinking??? Dump the wife/kids and invest in a motorcycle and pick up chicks.	9	25.00%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll

07-12-2008, 08:34 AM
Stinger Bazinga Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $4024507	When Buying a Used Vehicle which is better In Your Opinion? I have been wanting/needing to get a truck for a year or so now and since gas is so cheap right now I figure strike while it's hot. Anyway just curious on what everyone thinks is better? Less years on the vehicle or less mileage on the vehicle? I am looking at two used vehicles. One is 1997 1 owner with less than 44,000 miles. The other is a 2003 and has 90,000 so it only 5 years old. Both are in great shape and condition and roughly the same price. So age old question which is better??? Newer with more miles or older with less. What say ye on the Planet? ***Disclaimer- This is vehicle is not mine nor the wifes primary vehicle. We do quite a bit of hauling and also will need something to pull a pop-up camper for the family soon.
Posts: 10,180

07-12-2008, 08:38 AM	#2
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $1788244	10 years old and only 44,000. Is it rebuilt? That sounds to good to be true.
Posts: 34,204

07-12-2008, 08:40 AM	#3
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	You're in Missouri? If everything else is equal, I'd go with the older vehicle so you're not paying the county assessor for a newer vehicle every year.
Posts: n/a

07-12-2008, 08:42 AM	#4
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	It's a trade-off for the most part. The newer truck will have more features than the older one and will probably be slightly more fuel efficient, but the older one will be cheaper to license & insure. Personally, I'd probably lean towards the older one since mileage generally creates more wear & tear than time.
Posts: 70,443

07-12-2008, 08:44 AM	#6
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	44K verifiable driven by a little old lady from Springfield to church/story weekly? sounds good. Phobia is right. The scam is if you can pay CASH. have them sign over title and report paying less (bad motor) for vehicle for Sales tax being paid AGAIN. __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

07-12-2008, 08:56 AM	#8
REDHOTGTO Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: INDEPENDENCE,KANSAS Casino cash: $7248961	being a car salesman for 20 yrs now, believe it or not the one with more miles is probably in better (drive me now shape) than the older low mileage one. the reason is this, all those parts on that low mileage car have been sitting there getting old too and brake pads, plugs, wires etc etc, are 10 yrs old now and not replaced (9.9 times out if 10) and if the car sat outside all the trim and paint and tires have rot on them too. from a standpoint of lets drive now, the higher mileage car (probably) has been maintained and serviced and had what it needs to keep running. just my 2c red
Posts: 1,918

07-12-2008, 09:41 AM	#9
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	Which is closer to how you will drive it
Posts: 14,233

07-12-2008, 09:49 AM	#11
Silock MVP Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $10020882	I would definitely say it depends on the vehicle. If it's got low miles but has been well-maintained, then go for it. The newer one may have been driven into the ground and is just waiting to fall apart. You never really know. This is coming from someone that has a 2003 car with less than 45k miles on it.
Posts: 19,908

07-12-2008, 10:10 AM	#12
Time's Yours Starter Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $7457317	I'd get the newer one. I have a 92 that I bought a few years ago with 57K miles on it, and another 92 I bought four years ago with 63K miles. Both were around 10 years old at the time of purchase. Both have had tons of problems. My fiance has an 03 with 110K miles and my Dad has an 03 with 120K miles and both cars are extremely reliable. I believe break pads are all they've needed.
Posts: 510

07-12-2008, 10:12 AM	#13
Stinger Bazinga Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Springfield, MO Casino cash: $4024507	Thanks to all that have responded. It is interesting to me to see where people stand on the issue. To clarify I do not have the maint. records on either vehicle yet. Just a lot of preliminary work. I have had a mechanic (one whom I trust and have used for years) check the older and he said it is good working order and no rebuilds in the engine. I have not had him look at the other yet. This vehicle would be used as a secondary vehicle. I use another vehicle for work & my wife has her main vehicle as well. My wife enjoys gardening and I enjoy landscaping something is always needing cleared or hauled in. We are also in way inheriting a camper in a little while and we will need something to pull it. So yes there will be some mileage put on the vehicle but not a whole lot. And not really in the mix but a distant thought .... son is 11 and in a fews years will be driving so he may inherit the vehicle when he is of driving age. Hope that helps clarifies things a little. __________________
Posts: 10,180

07-12-2008, 11:15 AM	#14
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $1814734	I would go with the lower mileage one. Both sides have valid points and ultimately it is a case by case basis, but as a rule of thumb, miles add more wear and tear than do years.
Posts: 57,009

07-12-2008, 11:17 AM	#15
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $1814734	Actually, looking at your last post, I would go with the new one. Since you won't put many miles on it, I doubt you have mechanical problems. One thing to check out is what it can hold on the hitch. It would royally blow to buy a pickup and not have it be able to tow your camper.
Posts: 57,009