What's the limit for miles on a used car?
11-02-10, 01:19 PM
#16
Eleventy Billion miles. 
SC for life. Best car for the money, ever.
Now for the serious part. I've had my SC 300 since 1992 and I would say 160,000-200,000 miles is where you can count on things naturally crapping out. That is for an average to slightly above average treatment. Treated poorly, I would balk at anything over 125,000. Totally arbitrary, but I've been around this car for 18 years and that's my take. If there have been major maintenance items like head gasket replacement or heads redone prior to grenading the engine then 200,000 plus no problem. Still such a subjective thing based on car treatment and climate.
SC for life. Best car for the money, ever.
Now for the serious part. I've had my SC 300 since 1992 and I would say 160,000-200,000 miles is where you can count on things naturally crapping out. That is for an average to slightly above average treatment. Treated poorly, I would balk at anything over 125,000. Totally arbitrary, but I've been around this car for 18 years and that's my take. If there have been major maintenance items like head gasket replacement or heads redone prior to grenading the engine then 200,000 plus no problem. Still such a subjective thing based on car treatment and climate.
11-02-10, 03:24 PM
#18
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Mileage is so touchy city versus highway is very different in how it wears on the motor, i bought my sc4 95 with 140,000 on it and it was in fair shape for 3,000, about to do timing belt and other maintenance goods, but jus make sure wht you get is in decent shape and a fair price and just do your maintenance and drive with piece of mind
11-02-10, 06:08 PM
#20
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I agree with paint and interior, you can always fix mechanical issues or problems, a nice body and interior are harder to fix up. That being said, I bought mine not long ago for 4500, nice paint and body, body kit and wheels, everything working, 600 dollar kenwood and 1000 watt amp, 152k miles. I have owned lots of cars, bmws, porsche, pontiacs, pretty much everything. If you look up reliability of the sc series, you will hardly find any information. Of course they have their small problems, but like they say, the 1uz-fe motor can out diesel a diesel!
11-02-10, 06:23 PM
#21
Me personally, Im weary about mileage and used cars.
Gasoline- no higher than 115k
Diesel- no higher than 250k
I might make exceptions provided they have ALL maintenance records, any receipts for new parts, or upgrades/mods. Anything other than that, 115k miles is the max.
Gasoline- no higher than 115k
Diesel- no higher than 250k
I might make exceptions provided they have ALL maintenance records, any receipts for new parts, or upgrades/mods. Anything other than that, 115k miles is the max.
im the same way -------i would really only buy a car--if it is for myself---with lowerr mileage
I bought my '93 7 years ago with 150,000 miles on it and then traded it in 2.5 years ago with 254,000 miles.
Overall, it was pretty reliable for that 100K. But there were a number of expensive repairs needed. Since I paid $8K and got 100K out of it, the repairs didn't bother me too much.
- snapped timing belt /water pump = $1,000
- new radiator = $600
- new struts = about $500
- 2 brake jobs = $700
- new coil pack(s) about $600
- tune-up $150
- changed serpentine belt myself
That was the bulk of it. Mainly did these necessary fixes to keep it in decent running shape. Smaller, non essential issues went unfixed.
Overall, it was pretty reliable for that 100K. But there were a number of expensive repairs needed. Since I paid $8K and got 100K out of it, the repairs didn't bother me too much.
- snapped timing belt /water pump = $1,000
- new radiator = $600
- new struts = about $500
- 2 brake jobs = $700
- new coil pack(s) about $600
- tune-up $150
- changed serpentine belt myself
That was the bulk of it. Mainly did these necessary fixes to keep it in decent running shape. Smaller, non essential issues went unfixed.
to me paint and interiour are minor issues----to me i care mainly about engine and tranny---the rest of the stuff is not as important in my book
11-02-10, 06:30 PM
#22
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all the people who says they wont buy cars above 125k I'd like to know how many miles you guys have.
Fact is majority of the people here have cars with WAY more than 125k, my car has 100k but that's because I have a second car I drive daily and I'm modding my car at the moment.
This is a toyota engine, as long as the previous owner has been taking care of his car in regards to maintenance on time, good oil and correct fuel grade, these engines will run for a long time. As a matter of fact, my friend bought a 97 with 250k 2 years ago and has been running it NA-T since.
Fact is majority of the people here have cars with WAY more than 125k, my car has 100k but that's because I have a second car I drive daily and I'm modding my car at the moment.
This is a toyota engine, as long as the previous owner has been taking care of his car in regards to maintenance on time, good oil and correct fuel grade, these engines will run for a long time. As a matter of fact, my friend bought a 97 with 250k 2 years ago and has been running it NA-T since.
11-02-10, 07:48 PM
#26
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11-02-10, 09:30 PM
#27
definitely depends on the car, and the buyer. my car has 180+k on the clock, and was severely not taken care of. but the price reflected that. I can do any work needed to get it where I want (aside from possible ecu tuning and paint, which I am willing to learn).
if you are looking for a maintenance free car, with no issues, you might wanna consider a new car.
regardless, any car can be a nightmare regardless of mileage. regardless of whatever records are kept, it doesn't mean the seller's son stole it for a joy ride, and burned up the the transmission, or fried the rear end, etc. A 10 minute test drive may not show any symptoms until later.
edit:
also should mention the 88 supra I just picked up. previous owner wrecked it (hit a curb, messed up the front suspension pretty good). about 10 hours of work will get it all fixed, and nothing will show on any records.
car has 90k on the odo.
if you are looking for a maintenance free car, with no issues, you might wanna consider a new car.
regardless, any car can be a nightmare regardless of mileage. regardless of whatever records are kept, it doesn't mean the seller's son stole it for a joy ride, and burned up the the transmission, or fried the rear end, etc. A 10 minute test drive may not show any symptoms until later.
edit:
also should mention the 88 supra I just picked up. previous owner wrecked it (hit a curb, messed up the front suspension pretty good). about 10 hours of work will get it all fixed, and nothing will show on any records.
car has 90k on the odo.
?
11-02-10, 09:39 PM
#28
Mileage is going to be relative from person to person. Depends on what you want out of the car. I knew off hand that the drive train would be swapped out of my car so mileage was not a concern. Once the motor and tranny lets go the car will go under the knife.
A chassis is a chassis, if it's straight and never been in an accident there's not really anything to worry about.
Again, this is relative.
A chassis is a chassis, if it's straight and never been in an accident there's not really anything to worry about.
Again, this is relative.
