06/23/2015
NICE CAR BUT HIGH MILES? THE FACTS: Cars Like to Be Driven!
The biggest problem with older low-mileage cars is that they haven't had much exercise. Cars are full of plastic and rubber parts that tend to get brittle if they're not used regularly, and drivetrain components are definitely happier when they have hot fluids coursing through them on a consistent basis. In other words, as attractive as those low miles may be, they can also foreshadow big-bucks repairs and reconditioning. In some cases, the car might never run quite right despite your mechanic's repeated efforts. For this reason, we suggest cross-shopping that low-mileage older car with a higher-mileage specimen, especially one that's a few years newer. Assuming it has a robust maintenance history and drives well, it could actually be a better long-term bet in terms of running costs. Bottom line? Low miles aren't always your friend, and newer often means better, even if the miles are considerably higher.
Inflated Pricing:
The flip side of the second pro (higher resale value) is that it costs more -- sometimes a lot more -- to get into a low-mileage used car. Now, as noted, if you're planning to keep the miles low once you own the car, you might get most or all of your initial money back when you sell it, particularly if the car has a strong following. But if you're looking for a daily driver that's going to serve you for many years, what's the real difference between, say, 30,000 miles and 60,000 miles? Or 60,000 miles and 90,000 miles? The more you drive, the less significant these gaps become, so it may be counterproductive to pay that low-mileage premium up front. If you're saving thousands before you even put a single mile on the car, you have a great head start on unscheduled repairs.
Low-mileage used cars can be very seductive, but keep your eyes on the prize: namely, buying a used car that's the best all-around fit for your wants and needs.
The Fact is: cars these days are engineered to go and go for hundreds of thousands of miles. If you're still Leary, consider buying an extended warranty to cover the major components such as engine, transmission and drive train through your credit union or financing source. You can tell by the way a high mileage car looks, if it was well-maintenanced and up-kept. Those are the only kinds of high mileage autos you'll find at Brite Auto Source.
2009 GMC Canyon Crew Cab4x4, 106,000 miles, brand new tires!
