The question of how far a car will go is of great interest to me. The question of whether one should buy a car with high mileage, or instead choose one with very high mileage is also interesting, and while it might seem related to the first question, it is entirely different.
My thoughts are that "going the distance" in a car, that is getting up to 200k and beyond, is best attempted on a car that you buy and maintain from new. You know what has happened to the car, have already sweated making the right vehicle choice, and you have removed as much uncertainty as you can.
A car with 100,000 miles on it may have many years and many miles left, or it may be moribund. You need to look at it and make your best judgment, keep some cash or a credit line for the unexpected, and don't neglect maintenance.
A car with 180,000 miles on it admittedly has made it that far, but the statistics show that the average car's total lifespan in about 160,000 miles. While some go much farther, and some go less, any car that is at 180,000 miles has to be considered to be past its usable life span.
For me, I would summarily refuse to purchase a 180,000 mile car as daily transportation. I would consider a car with 100,000 miles reluctantly. I would prefer a less used car and would always, always be sure that a new Corolla or Civic was beyond my reasonable budget. I will reiterate, that even though some 180K cars may have some life left, buying one is betting against yourself and flies in the face of the science.
Now, I do have a car in the driveway that is very close to 180K, and I am going to keep on driving it, but it came to us fresh off the showroom floor ten years ago.
That is an important distinction but so long as folks know that then the data still helps save lives.
