Looking at used Chevy Uplander / Buick Terraza, etc...

[jme5343]

We drive an old junky '01 Venture with about 150k on it, still runs fine (in fact we're in the middle leg of a 1600 mile trip right now), but it's ugly, dented, rusting and I'd like to get the wife something a little nicer looking.

She likes the Chevy Uplander / Buick Terraza / Saturn Relay / Pontiac Montana SV6. I know all about the reliability issues, blah, blah, blah. Same issues with the Venture and between the three Ventures we've had (all bought with 120k+ on them - one lasted from 180k to 210k before intake manifold failure which cracked the head), I've driven them a combined 80-90k with nothing major required.

Looking to spend 6,000 to 10,000, but that's where the question comes in. Based on 10k per year of usage, am I better to spend 6k on a high mileage (130+) or cough up the extra jack for a lower mileage (80-100+) ride?

My tendency has always been to spend less for a higher mileage vehicle, and it's worked out fine for me, but what do you folks think?

Any other insight (besides calling me out for being a tighwad cheapskate?)

 

[Black2na]

seemly how you drive them till there dead or atleast is not cost effective to fix them i would go with the lower mileage one the 30k difference is 3 more years of use and thus saving money in the long run not having to buy another one when the older higher mileage one bites the dust

 

[jme5343]

I've added a 2nd gen Sienna to the fray, but that brings a good point.

 

[Vette73]

I rather have a 100k car that was taken care of than a 70k car that has been beaten on.

So I say buy the one you can afford that has been taken care of.

Just bought a Nissan Titan with about 95k and a Focus (for BiL) with about 35k on it. Guess which one is in better shape and was able to drive safley as is.

 

[desy]

Yeah 100K car with service records beats low mileage 'which could be all city miles too' without records.
I bought my 01 windstar at repo and it was a dice roll but I figured I saved 3-4 k which could be put to repair if need be, 100k miles later and I dodged the bullet runs just fine but I'll be getting rid of it next summer.

 

[jme5343]

Update: Going to look at a Terraza today, 118k, looks to be clean and in good shape, once last plea: Anyone here have one, and what are your experiences?

I also looked at a Sienna today, great looking van with awesome amenities, but they are 3-4k higher than a similar mileage and similarly equipped Terraza / Uplander. Haven't ruled them out, though.