What's generally a better call - a newer car / high miles, or old car / lower miles?

[Ns1]

Choice A - 2004 w/ 100k miles
Choice B - 2008 w/ 145k miles


Generally speaking, what would be the better option between those 2? Let's say major maintenance was not done at 90k or 120k. Alternatively, what if both cars had all maintenance records and major maintenance was done at 90k/120k?

If it matters, the car in question is a Prius.

 

[vshah]

i wouldn't say 100k is low miles. between those two i'd pick the one with the features I wanted, if anything changed between those model years.

generally newer + higher miles = highway miles which = less wear and tear.

 

[Ns1]

i wouldn't say 100k is low miles. between those two i'd pick the one with the features I wanted, if anything changed between those model years.

generally newer + higher miles = highway miles which = less wear and tear.

I changed it to reflect low(er). Generally speaking the high mileage newer cars are top of the line (ie HIDS, fogs, etc) whereas the older lower miles are bare bones. And they are in the same price range.

 

[JCH13]

For a Prius I would have a pre-buy inspection tell me the situation of the batteries. They degrade with time and charge/discharge cycles. I would think the lower miles, older car, was driven in the 'city' more than a 2008 w 145k. Thus the older car has more charge/discharge cycles AND an older battery.

2008 ftw, though DEFINITELY get a pre-buy inspection to check the pack's health.

 

[satyajitmenon]

I typically buy high mile cars (preferably with good service history) - don't care about age so much.

My rationale is that if it's been maintained well, and it's not a lemon or a model with known catastrophic issues, it'll last a long time.

Also, one can get them cheaper cos of the high miles. I typically do a fair bit of preventive maintenance soon after I buy it - no matter how many miles on it. So money saved on the initial purchase can be put towards the near term maintenance/repairs.

Of the two options you've posted, I'd choose the 2008 one. Reason being that besides normal consumables (brakes, tires, plugs, etc), the one thing that definitely goes with age is leather & rubber parts. Suspension bushings in particular. And I'd rather not have to do suspension work if I have to. Although having said that, @ 145k miles, choice B may require a suspension redo anyway, depending on how it's been driven.

 

[Ns1]

Based on the replies in this thread I'm leaning towards high mileage newer car with excellent service history.

For a Prius I would have a pre-buy inspection tell me the situation of the batteries. They degrade with time and charge/discharge cycles. I would think the lower miles, older car, was driven in the 'city' more than a 2008 w 145k. Thus the older car has more charge/discharge cycles AND an older battery.

2008 ftw, though DEFINITELY get a pre-buy inspection to check the pack's health.

Thanks, I looked at some sites that had some checks that you can do during the test drive to test battery health. I'm less concerned about the battery because I am led to believe I can get used replacements for < $1k installed

I typically buy high mile cars (preferably with good service history) - don't care about age so much.

My rationale is that if it's been maintained well, and it's not a lemon or a model with known catastrophic issues, it'll last a long time.

Also, one can get them cheaper cos of the high miles. I typically do a fair bit of preventive maintenance soon after I buy it - no matter how many miles on it. So money saved on the initial purchase can be put towards the near term maintenance/repairs.

Of the two options you've posted, I'd choose the 2008 one. Reason being that besides normal consumables (brakes, tires, plugs, etc), the one thing that definitely goes with age is leather & rubber parts. Suspension bushings in particular. And I'd rather not have to do suspension work if I have to. Although having said that, @ 145k miles, choice B may require a suspension redo anyway, depending on how it's been driven.

Good point.

 

[JCH13]

Thanks, I looked at some sites that had some checks that you can do during the test drive to test battery health. I'm less concerned about the battery because I am led to believe I can get used replacements for < $1k installed.

Why are you less concerned about what is essentially the most expensive wear item on the car?

Having rebuilt a Prius battery pack personally I know there are a lot of things that can go wrong in there... even with used ones that initially register as good. Namely the voltage sense wires apparently love to break, which is $400 part, not including labor. I, personally, wouldn't want to install a used pack. Plenty of things just waiting to go wrong if it's not taken apart and inspected.

I'd love to see a source that estimates a $1k installed prius battery (used or otherwise) when Toyota has a core charge of $1350 for a dead battery and I've see labor amounts quoted in the $600 range.

I did find this outfit that sells just rebuilt battery packs (with warranty): http://greentecauto.com/hybrid-batteries/toyota/prius/2gen-prius/

I'm not trying to scare you, I just don't want you to take someone's word on what a Prius battery really costs to replace and get screwed later.

 

[Ns1]

Why are you less concerned about what is essentially the most expensive wear item on the car?

Having rebuilt a Prius battery pack personally I know there are a lot of things that can go wrong in there... even with used ones that initially register as good. Namely the voltage sense wires apparently love to break, which is $400 part, not including labor. I, personally, wouldn't want to install a used pack. Plenty of things just waiting to go wrong if it's not taken apart and inspected.

I'd love to see a source that estimates a $1k installed prius battery (used or otherwise) when Toyota has a core charge of $1350 for a dead battery and I've see labor amounts quoted in the $600 range.

I did find this outfit that sells just rebuilt battery packs (with warranty): http://greentecauto.com/hybrid-batteries/toyota/prius/2gen-prius/

I'm not trying to scare you, I just don't want you to take someone's word on what a Prius battery really costs to replace and get screwed later.

Like I said, that's what I'm "led to believe" based on research from priuschat, but seek all valid input like yours.

 

[T2urtle]

between those i would go with 2008. Then you said top of the line VS barebone. If i has a need/want for the top of line. I'll get that no matter what. To me creature comforts is more important then anything.

Heated seats, sunroof, HID, fogs (love the look) are all things i love, want and pay $$ for. Navi, leather, rear camera are things i wouldn't mind if the car had it but not pay $$

 

[JCH13]

Like I said, that's what I'm "led to believe" based on research from priuschat, but seek all valid input like yours.

Sounds good. I would tend to trust a consensus of a group like PriusChat much more so than the opinion of one or two people who may or may not have gotten really lucky.

 

[tortillasoup]

higher miles newer year is definitely better especially for the Prius as by 2008 they ironed out all of the kinks. Lots of highway miles with regular oil changes is much easier on the vehicle.

 

[Ns1]

Thanks all. I was leaning for older w/ less miles but ya'll have swayed my opinion.

 

[jagec]

higher miles newer year is definitely better especially for the Prius as by 2008 they ironed out all of the kinks. Lots of highway miles with regular oil changes is much easier on the vehicle.

Plus, that way you get a newer car AND the bragging rights of a high-mileage car. Get that sucker over 300k!

 

[Zorba]

One thing to remember also is basically all non-metal parts will degrade with calendar time as well as use. So all of your rubber hoses, boots, seals, etc will have an extra 4 years of shelf life on them.

Metal parts also degrade with calendar time through corrosion. I just sold a '99 Subaru, the last couple of years every time I messed with a bolt around the suspension, brakes or exhaust it was nicely seized and took way too much effort to break free. I had also noticed a handful of plastic/rubber parts starting to give up the ghost.

I would go with the '08 personally, especially if it is equipped nicer.

 

[thomsbrain]

Highway miles are far easier on the hybrid battery than city driving. At a cruise, the battery is basically not in operation. The 2008 almost certainly has a much higher percentage of highway miles, so its battery may actually have more life left than the older grocery-getter car.

One thing I've learned in car ownership is that the secret to making a car never stop running is to never stop driving it. Heat cycles and time age a car a lot faster than highway cruise miles, which are practically freebies.

 

[jolancer]

The general consensise here seem correct, but Id like to mention something no else seems to have yet and clearify a few things...

I don't know why your looking at the prius, but if you looking at it because you are a proactive environmentally contious consumer no matter the cost than this won't apply... I havn't looked myself recently but... hybrids use to not be to cost effective against normal economical 4cylinder cars... since the general cost of the hybrid is that much more then a non-hybrid and the gas milage ratings always use to be a bit over rated, though better mpg of-course than non-hybrid... but enough to outweigh the cost difference?.... Kinda like new diesel cars, they get better mpg as well, hoever the higher cost of diesel at the pump just about negates the mpg cost difference.

everything people mentioned here generally is usually the case, but all circumstantial.. there will be circumstances where someone has garage kept and properly maintained an older vehicle and will be better off than a newer one that was used by some hotshot who cruises through the city like a race car and treats it like a rental because he can afford to replace his car every few years.... And depending on type of car and brand, example i still kinda have more faith in a beatup toyota than a non-beatup domestic brand, though ofcourse thats no always correct.

In general though Newer though Higher miles is Usually almost always better, as rule of thumb. Especially since probability of bad situations is against the older ones with time.

 

[Fenixgoon]

The general consensise here seem correct, but Id like to mention something no else seems to have yet and clearify a few things...

I don't know why your looking at the prius, but if you looking at it because you are a proactive environmentally contious consumer no matter the cost than this won't apply... I havn't looked myself recently but... hybrids use to not be to cost effective against normal economical 4cylinder cars... since the general cost of the hybrid is that much more then a non-hybrid and the gas milage ratings always use to be a bit over rated, though better mpg of-course than non-hybrid... but enough to outweigh the cost difference?.... Kinda like new diesel cars, they get better mpg as well, hoever the higher cost of diesel at the pump just about negates the mpg cost difference.

everything people mentioned here generally is usually the case, but all circumstantial.. there will be circumstances where someone has garage kept and properly maintained an older vehicle and will be better off than a newer one that was used by some hotshot who cruises through the city like a race car and treats it like a rental because he can afford to replace his car every few years.... And depending on type of car and brand, example i still kinda have more faith in a beatup toyota than a non-beatup domestic brand, though ofcourse thats no always correct.

In general though Newer though Higher miles is Usually almost always better, as rule of thumb. Especially since probability of bad situations is against the older ones with time.

OP lives in a city where a hybrid would excel.

 

[MagickMan]

What make & model? Regular econo/passenger car, option B. High performance and/or exotic, probably option A.

 

[NYhank79]

I'd say drive test both including all features. Check for wears on tires, seats, etc.

If everything is almost the same then get the newer model.

 

[deathBOB]

Newer should be safer if that's important.

 

[Ns1]

The general consensise here seem correct, but Id like to mention something no else seems to have yet and clearify a few things...

I don't know why your looking at the prius, but if you looking at it because you are a proactive environmentally contious consumer no matter the cost than this won't apply... I havn't looked myself recently but... hybrids use to not be to cost effective against normal economical 4cylinder cars... since the general cost of the hybrid is that much more then a non-hybrid and the gas milage ratings always use to be a bit over rated, though better mpg of-course than non-hybrid... but enough to outweigh the cost difference?.... Kinda like new diesel cars, they get better mpg as well, hoever the higher cost of diesel at the pump just about negates the mpg cost difference.

everything people mentioned here generally is usually the case, but all circumstantial.. there will be circumstances where someone has garage kept and properly maintained an older vehicle and will be better off than a newer one that was used by some hotshot who cruises through the city like a race car and treats it like a rental because he can afford to replace his car every few years.... And depending on type of car and brand, example i still kinda have more faith in a beatup toyota than a non-beatup domestic brand, though ofcourse thats no always correct.

In general though Newer though Higher miles is Usually almost always better, as rule of thumb. Especially since probability of bad situations is against the older ones with time.

Years of reading ATG told me the same thing. I was VERY surprised when I started looking at used cars in the 30mpg+ range, and the options are even less if you're looking for 30mpg+ in the city. That's basically what led me to the Prius - a search for high city-MPG cars; there aren't many.

The key words in your post are "I haven't looked myself recently"

 

[tortillasoup]

Years of reading ATG told me the same thing. I was VERY surprised when I started looking at used cars in the 30mpg+ range, and the options are even less if you're looking for 30mpg+ in the city. That's basically what led me to the Prius - a search for high city-MPG cars; there aren't many.

The key words in your post are "I haven't looked myself recently"

Not to mention the fact that the guy isn't even considering the fact that you're buying a used vehicle. When you buy used, the payback period is significantly faster and larger compared with even a fuel efficient compact car. But the Prius is a midsize vehicle comparable to the Camry though about 2 inches narrower.

 

[kitatech]

...not to mention that a generic comparison cannot consider the model years/model generations

....the 2005-06 Camry is generally preferred over the newer gen. 07-08 version that had problems...the 10-11 model years of that newer generation improved the problems found in the earlier years...(and were the last 2 years the Cam had a stick)

 

[tortillasoup]

one reason I don't like the older camrys is that they have timing belts vs. chains on the newer camrys.

 

[kitatech]

I4 Camrys have been using chains since 2002+ generations...the V6 still uses belts though.