Higher Mileage - Wheres the line?

[Apoc]

This is in relation to both high total miles and high per year mileage. Even though I buy used, I generally don't keep a car for much more than three years so my cars never see triple (sextuple?) digit mileage. That said, I was looking at an '05 that already has 67k miles. This is obviously high given the year and the price is actually set relative to that (which is why I'm interested). For sake of comparison, my '01.5 only has 56k miles.

I average about 8k miles per year. If I bought the car and kept it for three years I'd end up with 91k miles or 15k a year. I could keep it longer to better the average but I don't think I'd gain much because I'd end up in triple digits on resale. Miles per year isn't that big of a deal now because the car is relatively young. It might be so high, however, that I'm not able to make the seller absorb the full cost of the mileage.

Let's face it, I'm not buying a car to resell it. I'm buying a car because it's what I want and I'm comfortable spending the money. You do, however, always have that little voice in the back of your head wondering what you're going to get when you eventually sell.

What do your generally look for? (total/yearly)
When do you start to worry about maintenance?
Is there a point where you've found resale really starts to dive?

The car isn't stock, if that matters.
-Hyperflow Cold Air Intake
-GIAC 93oct ECU flash
-APR down pipes with 200cell metal cats
-AWE non-resonated catback with 90mm tips
-19" Rial Nogaro wheels

[white_2kgt]

If it was taken care of and not beat to shit then mileage isn't really that much of an issue. my expedition has almost 70k on it now but it doesn't really look like it has that many miles on it. Other peoples cars I get into might have 30 and they look like the odometer has flipped a few times. Also depends on what kind of car it is, if a mustang I was looking at already had 80k on it I'd know it'd be done in another 60k.

[WRXtranceformed]

I think it REALLY depends on the car. I'll take mine for example. IS300s after 100,000 miles, for whatever reason, take a severe hit in depreciation. Mine just ticked over 100,000 a few months ago, I bought it with 71k I think. Maintenance & reliability wise, I wasn't worried much though because it's a Toyota. Two of my last 3 Toyotas lasted until 240k and 260k+ miles before I killed them (both were my fault).

I can't really speak for other cars, but I really think it just depends on what it is.

[Sijray21]

I also think it really depends on the car and its condition. The other factor i consider is the scheduled maintenance of the car and what is exactly scheduled. Often times you'll find cars on the lot that are near their 'huge' maintenance interval. And unless they have records of the work being done i'll always assume it hasn't.

Usually if the needed maintenance isn't excessive then i'll go to the condition of the car. A well-maintained car is by-far a better tell for the condition.

[Maengelito]

I'm not sure if its been mentioned yet but I think it depends on the car and maintenance done to the car. Most recent used car models these days have enough info available somewhere online from owners that you can probably find common problems or concerns that may arise. So incase it hasnt been mentioned, it depends on the car and history of that specific car.

[ScottyB]

biggest factors i see:

- car (NOT brand)
- owner
- environment
- use

your car is a tricky one because (A) its a rare color, (B) its low milage and © its a fairly coveted car from niche standpoint, plus its obviously not dogged on a track all the time. if you were to sell the car you would do fine IMO. however, do you enjoy the car? that's what its all about.

the biggest hit as i see it comes at the car's first major service interval as Jay mentioned. for most this is 80 to 100k miles, for stuff that is usually 1-2 grand to replace on your average car. i think you will be doing a t-belt/pump/tensioner service at 70-80k right? that is a very expensive process and if i understand you don't do DIY stuff of that magnitude so...probably a 3-4k job what with dropping the engine to do it, right? at 56k that is coming up relatively soon.

personally, i like my used cars to fall into a window of about 3 years after the original owner purchased it. that is the time period where the car takes the biggest hit in depriciation, and when sold may still be in the warranty period. for a strictly fun car, i would place owner knowledge/records above milage.

[Apoc]

I should just link the car but I don't want this to be a "should I buy this car?" thread. Really the purpose of the thread is to get a general idea of where people start to draw a mental line when looking to buy a car.

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I actually know the service manager at the dealer where "all the service" was done so I could check in on that.

[Jake]

Sweet car, first of all.

As far as mileage goes... my 7 year old Escape has about 75k on it, so about 10k per year. I really think it depends on the model of car and the owner's history. The Escape's auto transmission has a history of failing between 80 and 85 thousand miles, so I'm starting to watch for signs of issues. However, it's been very well maintained and not abused (much), and looks really good considering its' age.

I'd check up on the Audi's service history and see what's been done - any recalls from Audi and have they been performed, etc. The CL ad claims "mostly highway mileage" which would account for the high miles. Who knows if it's actually easier on the car that way or not.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Mike]

I should just link the car but I don't want this to be a "should I buy this car?" thread. Really the purpose of the thread is to get a general idea of where people start to draw a mental line when looking to buy a car.

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I actually know the service manager at the dealer where "all the service" was done so I could check in on that.

for a modified audi, my limit would be well below 67k.

[Apoc]

for a modified audi, my limit would be well below 67k.

Why... because Audis are the devil? They're mechanically sound so I'm not sure why the mods should matter.

[REED]

I should just link the car but I don't want this to be a "should I buy this car?" thread. Really the purpose of the thread is to get a general idea of where people start to draw a mental line when looking to buy a car.

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I actually know the service manager at the dealer where "all the service" was done so I could check in on that.

ahh yes, I've seen that S4 on c-list. Tried to convince my friend to pick it up.

I'm pretty sure this has all been said already, but I feel around 60K is the magic number - most cars require a relatively big investment around that time.

[Apoc]

ahh yes, I've seen that S4 on c-list. Tried to convince my friend to pick it up.

Your name isn't RJ, is it?

It's been listed for awhile and every time it gets relisted, RJ sends it to me.

[Mike]

for a modified audi, my limit would be well below 67k.

Why... because Audis are the devil? They're mechanically sound so I'm not sure why the mods should matter.

Yes. Mods do funny things for CELs. I know you wouldn't like driving anywhere in a car w/ a CEL even if you knew it didn't actually mean anything.

[Apoc]

God damn you and your logic!

[BLAIR]

its a VAG car.. CELs are normal. I think you will be disapointed with the B6. The v8 is nice and sounds awesome, but it just feels like a heavy pig vs the b5 eventhough the actuall weight increase is minimal. I have spend alot of time driving both stock and modified. I would take a modified b5 anyday over a b6. Not sure how much is done to your b5? the b6 seats are nice though haha

BTW the market for b5 sucks ass right now.. so if your looking to sell the b5, it may not be the best time at all.

[Evan]

wow, I cant even imagine a car handling worse than a b5 audi.

[Apoc]

wow, I cant even imagine a car handling worse than a b5 audi.

Try a Mazda 3.

[ScottyB]

wow, I cant even imagine a car handling worse than a b5 audi.

you could do worse.

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