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View Full Version : Used cars-lower mileage vs newer year



dennis thompson
07-13-2013, 9:05 AM
I am thinking about buying a used car. I have found two of the cars I want but here's my dilemma: one is a 2004 with 39,000 miles for $19,490, while the second in a 2008 with 59,000 miles for $21,995. The difference is price is not enough for me to be concerned. Assuming both are in equal condition which would you buy? Thanks.

Brian Elfert
07-13-2013, 9:24 AM
A 2008 would likely have new features like TPMS, traction control, and stability control. A 2008 might get a little better MPG, but the big push in higher MPG is more recent years. Higher end cars already had traction control and stability control in 2004, but your average car didn't have it until 2008 or 2009 when it was required. Most had it by 2008, but not all. Traction and stability control also generally means ABS brakes as the mechanics are there for stability control. I did find 2008 models without ABS, but rare. (A 2004 could very well have ABS already.)

Another thing to consider is does the 2004 have all the extra airbags compared to the 2008? The 2004 I bought already had side and head airbags, but not sure if they all had them by 2008. Finally, you cannot compare EPA MPG between a 2004 and a 2008 as the EPA changed how they measure MPG for 2008.

Alan Bienlein
07-13-2013, 9:33 AM
The 2008. Reason being that the 2004 was never driven enough to properly heat up the fluids. I only ever look at mileage if its very low like in this instance and avoid it like the plague.

Stephen Cherry
07-13-2013, 2:49 PM
And the answer is, a new Toyota camry for about 19000. It will have tons of use in front of it, and will retain resale value as well as can be expected, and is cheaper than what you are looking at that is almost 10 years old.

Remember, cars are now semi disposable. Once the electrical and wiring stuff starts to go bad due to age, it's uneconomical to fix.

There are others, including a corolla, prius, accord, etc.

Mike Henderson
07-13-2013, 3:12 PM
If I had to choose between those two, I'd pick the newer car. Cars go for lots of miles these days - it's not uncommon at all to get 200,000 miles out of a car. The newer car will have more of the features you want and it'll hold it's value better. No matter what the miles, an older car will have depreciated more.

But Stephen C. gives good advice.

Mike

Gordon Eyre
07-13-2013, 3:46 PM
As someone who is pushing 220,000 miles on his 1997 Infinity I say go for whichever one feels best to you. The mileage is not that important if the car has been well cared for. Actually if it were me I would probably go for a new Camry and plan to drive it for at least ten years or more.

Tom Fischer
07-13-2013, 3:49 PM
The '08, with 59K, is almost a new car, if it was maintained.
Ask for the service records.
All dealers and most local shops keep everything.

I once had a VW Jetta. Ran it to 318K miles. Still ran fine, daily driver, but the suspension was way too soft for me.
Metal fatigue.
I gave it to my mechanic.

dennis thompson
07-13-2013, 6:22 PM
:)Thanks for the advice, I bought the 2008, it is an Infiniti & my wife has wanted one for a long time, she has a significant birthday coming up so I decided not to be my normal cheapskate self & spend a few bucks. She is very happy about it and ,as they say, "happy wife, happy life". As to the Toyota ,I agree they are great cars & just 2 weeks ago bought a 2009 with only 29,000 miles for my grandchildren (who live with me) . Thanks again.

Gordon Eyre
07-13-2013, 7:20 PM
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:)Thanks for the advice, I bought the 2008, it is an Infiniti & my wife has wanted one for a long time, she has a significant birthday coming up so I decided not to be my normal cheapskate self & spend a few bucks. She is very happy about it and ,as they say, "happy wife, happy life". As to the Toyota ,I agree they are great cars & just 2 weeks ago bought a 2009 with only 29,000 miles for my grandchildren (who live with me) . Thanks again.

Good purchase Dennis, if my experience is any indicator you are in for a long ride. Mine has been super.

Greg Portland
07-14-2013, 1:35 PM
One issue that I look at is what features changed in that model year. If it's a new engine type or other significant change then I would want to investigate further.