How many miles are desirable?

[GrassyKnoll]

So along with buying a new used car, the question of the number of miles comes into play. Now, obviously, the number of miles on a used car varies and there is no clear cut answer on how many miles a car should / shouldn't have but I am torn on how 'used' my new car should be.

I've been leaning toward either the 05LGT or 04/5WRX-STI. I'd like to have the car for a long time as I plan on putting a lot of work into it over time. It will primarily be driven in warmer months (winter too, but I am at school in the city for most of winter) and I'd like to have the car for as long as possible.

However, getting a close-to-brand-new car means paying a lot more. It looks as if I can get an 04 STI with about 50,000 miles for around $20k. It looks as if that same car with about 30,000 miles goes for around $22-23k.

What are your guys' opinions on how significant these descrepencies in miles are. If you were buying the same car, how many miles would you look for it to have?

Thanks! :grin:

[SilentRacer]

I'd be careful with buying used turbo cars. There is a reason people sell them will little milage, its because they are abused.

[GrassyKnoll]

I'd be careful with buying used turbo cars. There is a reason people sell them will little milage, its because they are abused.

Well yes that's an issue, but it doesn't mean that everyone who sells a used car with a turbo abuses it :wink:

[d1giPhux]

I have bought 2 99 BD's so far.. one at 151k, and the other at 130k. Both ran great.. and the current one i have is awesome. I would just shop around.. get to know the seller very good.. usually i can tell more about the car from the way the seller acts, rather than just test driving the car. Although, definitely take it for a test drive.. make sure to check for any leaks, look at the fluid levels, check the brakes.. etc etc. Also see how clean they keep the car, if the interior looks clean, look under the floor mats. Things liks that will tell you a lot about how a person cared for their car.. even if they do seem stupid.

[GrassyKnoll]

I have bought 2 99 BD's so far.. one at 151k, and the other at 130k. Both ran great.. and the current one i have is awesome. I would just shop around.. get to know the seller very good.. usually i can tell more about the car from the way the seller acts, rather than just test driving the car. Although, definitely take it for a test drive.. make sure to check for any leaks, look at the fluid levels, check the brakes.. etc etc. Also see how clean they keep the car, if the interior looks clean, look under the floor mats. Things liks that will tell you a lot about how a person cared for their car.. even if they do seem stupid.

Agreed. I also plan on taking the car to a local Subaru dealer for a quick inspection.

[d1giPhux]

I have bought 2 99 BD's so far.. one at 151k, and the other at 130k. Both ran great.. and the current one i have is awesome. I would just shop around.. get to know the seller very good.. usually i can tell more about the car from the way the seller acts, rather than just test driving the car. Although, definitely take it for a test drive.. make sure to check for any leaks, look at the fluid levels, check the brakes.. etc etc. Also see how clean they keep the car, if the interior looks clean, look under the floor mats. Things liks that will tell you a lot about how a person cared for their car.. even if they do seem stupid.

Agreed. I also plan on taking the car to a local Subaru dealer for a quick inspection.

That will cost you like $80 tho.. i mean, if you think thats worth it.. its a good idea. I always just check cars out myself.. i mostly inspect the people though.. im good at telling who is lying and making things up, and such. I seem to learn more about the car by asking the owner strange questions and seeing their response.. but yea, taking it to get an inspection would be a good idea. Also, check the belts and such to see what condition they are in.

[Huffer]

I'd be careful with buying used turbo cars. There is a reason people sell them will little milage, its because they are abused.

No it's not - it's more typically to do with discovering they can't afford the premium fuel + insurance + monthly payment.

Or they decide the car just isn't them anymore.

I love seeing how many sub-10,000 mile LGT's there are for sale.
Can anyone say "initial sale depreciation"!

[SilentRacer]

I'd be careful with buying used turbo cars. There is a reason people sell them will little milage, its because they are abused.

No it's not - it's more typically to do with discovering they can't afford the premium fuel + insurance + monthly payment.

Or they decide the car just isn't them anymore.

I love seeing how many sub-10,000 mile LGT's there are for sale.
Can anyone say "initial sale depreciation"!

That may be the case for some of these cars but I'v had people admit to me they lease turbo subarus for just the reason I mentioned.

[Huffer]

That may be the case for some of these cars but I'v had people admit to me they lease turbo subarus for just the reason I mentioned.

Why would you sign a lease agreement (typically 3 years) and then finance a car, with the intention of thrashing it and turning it back in with so few miles, thus paying an early lease-release penalty?

Those people you know are financially stupid.

[d1giPhux]

That may be the case for some of these cars but I'v had people admit to me they lease turbo subarus for just the reason I mentioned.

Why would you sign a lease agreement (typically 3 years) and then finance a car, with the intention of thrashing it and turning it back in with so few miles, thus paying an early lease-release penalty?

Those people you know are financially stupid.

Thats just how some people roll in the US.. those people who have the money to lease the car.. probably dont give a fuck about the payment you need to make to break the contract early.

[GrassyKnoll]

Thats just how some people roll in the US.. those people who have the money to lease the car.. probably dont give a fuck about the payment you need to make to break the contract early.

I disagree... the people that have the money to lease a car don't lease a car they buy the car :wink:

I think you'll find a very small percentage of STIs sold get leased.

[SilentRacer]

That may be the case for some of these cars but I'v had people admit to me they lease turbo subarus for just the reason I mentioned.

Why would you sign a lease agreement (typically 3 years) and then finance a car, with the intention of thrashing it and turning it back in with so few miles, thus paying an early lease-release penalty?

Those people you know are financially stupid.

Who said anything about lease release? They lease for 3 years, abuse the car, and then return it when their lease ends.

[d1giPhux]

That may be the case for some of these cars but I'v had people admit to me they lease turbo subarus for just the reason I mentioned.

Why would you sign a lease agreement (typically 3 years) and then finance a car, with the intention of thrashing it and turning it back in with so few miles, thus paying an early lease-release penalty?

Those people you know are financially stupid.

Who said anything about lease release? They lease for 3 years, abuse the car, and then return it when their lease ends.'

Yea.. exactly.. then just get another new model again and beat the hell outta that one too! Almost sounds like a good plan!

[GrassyKnoll]

haha thanks a lot for the help guys :roll:

[Huffer]

Who said anything about lease release? They lease for 3 years, abuse the car, and then return it when their lease ends.

Then explain how a car has such low mileage - after three years, an abused car will likely have more than 12,000 miles a year? 36,000miles?

Grassy: I've seen well run turbos in the 100,000 mark - but that does come with a fastidious owner.

If you are looking for used turbo, I wouldn't buy anything more than 50k.

[GrassyKnoll]

Grassy: I've seen well run turbos in the 100,000 mark - but that does come with a fastidious owner.

If you are looking for used turbo, I wouldn't buy anything more than 50k.

Yea that's what I was thinking. It would depend on the owner.

[SilentRacer]

Then explain how a car has such low mileage - after three years, an abused car will likely have more than 12,000 miles a year? 36,000miles?



Actually its pretty common in cities with alot of public transportation and where things are close by. I'v had my car for 8 months and I'v put about 1500 miles on it. The second car which my dad drives to work/grocerys has around 10,000 a year. It doesn't need to have high mileage to be abused. I'd stay away from leases.