So I'm thinking of buying a Protege5 and I'm looking at two cars in my area. I'm curious which of these is the better buy, given the mileage of each, and what I know or don't know about each car's history.
#1 is a 2003 with leather and 104k miles. Carfax says 1-owner no accidents, but I know absolutely nothing about the car's maintenance history since it's at a small dealer. I drove it the other day and it drives well. They're asking $5500 which IMO is overpriced when looking over KBB and Edmunds.
#2 is a 2002 with 207k miles. Also 1-owner no accident vehicle. Private party sale. Asking $3500. This one's been meticulously serviced though.
Here's the good stuff:
So, lower miles and no history, or higher miles and meticulous history? I read through the thread High Miles Purchase too risky? and it seems like as long as a car is well cared for, a higher mileage purchase isn't necessarily risky. If I go for car #2, what should I have my mechanic look at, other than the two issues it has?
#1 is a 2003 with leather and 104k miles. Carfax says 1-owner no accidents, but I know absolutely nothing about the car's maintenance history since it's at a small dealer. I drove it the other day and it drives well. They're asking $5500 which IMO is overpriced when looking over KBB and Edmunds.
#2 is a 2002 with 207k miles. Also 1-owner no accident vehicle. Private party sale. Asking $3500. This one's been meticulously serviced though.
Here's the good stuff:
- only synthetic oil used
- newish tires
- timing belt, gaskets, water pump changed at 162k
- new clutch installed and flywheel resurfaced at 162k
- transmission professionally rebuilt at 179k (w/ redline lube)
- new control arms and front suspension bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, 179k
- new front wheel bearings, 179k
- optima battery
- aftermarket stereo head unit installed
- a/c needs a recharge every year, slow leak
- light oil leak from rear main seal, no drip, just visible under engine
So, lower miles and no history, or higher miles and meticulous history? I read through the thread High Miles Purchase too risky? and it seems like as long as a car is well cared for, a higher mileage purchase isn't necessarily risky. If I go for car #2, what should I have my mechanic look at, other than the two issues it has?
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