Which would you choose for the same price?

A 2002 or 2003 lower mileage (60k to 80k) vehicle

or

2005 higher mileage vehicle (100k +)

Thanks.

This is factoring in that the timing belt and water pump have been replace on all the possible choices.

 

No warranty on either?

Wasn't it 2006 when the major facelift happened? Updated nav system, voice command, 6-speed tranny, adaptive headlights, LED tails.

If that's the case, I'd go with a higher-mileage 2006+.

If the 2005 is essentially the same as the 2003, feature-wise, I'd go with the lower-mileage older vehicle.

 

personally, i'd go with a lower milage '02. the sc is very reliable. but i would never buy any car with over 100,000 miles.

 

A lot of variables exist with a question like this, so it's kind of hard to answer. The condition of the cars, the maintenance, accidents....all come into play.

It also depends on how long you're planning on keeping the car and how much you're planning on driving it.

If the cars are equal in all respects, though, I think I'd choose the '05, simply because it's newer and there should be fewer bugs than in earlier models (i.e., you wouldn't have to mess with the known suspension problems of the earliest models). Even though the '05 has high miles for its age, they are likely mostly highway miles. But at the same time, everything on the car is 3 years newer, which makes a big difference.

 

I know the definition of "low milage" has changed over the years, but for me anything with more than 50K does not qualify. And you can find even lower milage '02s through '05s for reasonable prices if you take you time looking. That is what I would do (did). Good luck--they are great vehicles!

 

Hi zibby,

I will not respond to your question because only you can decide.

However, last Nov I bought a '02 with only 24K on the odometer. They can be found.

Jerry Baumchen

 

Your question is very broad...can you give us more specifics about the cars you are looking at?

These cars are extremely dependable, however a 80k 2003 that hasn't had it's 30k, 60k services and now is pushing the limit on timing belt/water pump and may have been in a wreck or need a bunch of stuff done to it (not as clean, etc) might NOT be a better buy than a 2005 with 100k miles on it.

***Keep in mind the 2005 has updated suspension, 2005-2009 had newer navigation systems and bluetooth, so essentially the 2002-2004 are exactly the same, but the 2005 is slightly different and then the 2006-2009 are very different. 2005 IMO are the best year to buy before the 2006 update because you get the bluetooth. If you travel and are on the phone like I am all the time, the extra safety is great witha that feature!