New car - How many miles is too many?
- Thread starter Palut
- Start date
- Status
I wonder, if you came in to sell a car that you used for a few weeks if they'd give you what you paid for it new.
I'm guessing they'd call it used, then go into a lecture that it is low mileage with little difference from a car they could buy half price that was used for a year with 6,000 miles on it.
See the mileage from THEIR perspective if they were buying the car off YOU with that same mileage on the odometer.
Edit: too many miles on the odo to take any chances. That car could have seen a lot of rough rides, redlines, neutral drops and sloppy shifter work from reverse to drive while the car is still rolling a bit. Walk away.
I'm guessing they'd call it used, then go into a lecture that it is low mileage with little difference from a car they could buy half price that was used for a year with 6,000 miles on it.
See the mileage from THEIR perspective if they were buying the car off YOU with that same mileage on the odometer.
Edit: too many miles on the odo to take any chances. That car could have seen a lot of rough rides, redlines, neutral drops and sloppy shifter work from reverse to drive while the car is still rolling a bit. Walk away.
Last edited:
You might also have problems with your insurance.
Mine had 134 miles on it when I got it (it was traded at a dealer 120 miles away).
The insurance comapany considered it a "used" car and I had to have them take a bunch of pictures.
Mine had 134 miles on it when I got it (it was traded at a dealer 120 miles away).
The insurance comapany considered it a "used" car and I had to have them take a bunch of pictures.
<10
I had stipulated right on my purchase order that it had to have less than 20km (16miles) or I wouldn't accept it upon delivery.
I also stated that it shouldn't have any dealer markings either. They followed my requests no problem.
400 miles is way too much. That is equal to a demo model in my books.
I also stated that it shouldn't have any dealer markings either. They followed my requests no problem.
400 miles is way too much. That is equal to a demo model in my books.
I have only bought one new vehicle and it had 6 miles on it. No way would I be happy with over 400.
Originally Posted By: Danh
First, I doubt every engine is "dynoed". Unless it's a Porsche or similar, I suspect the first time an engine runs is as it is driven off the production line. If an engine was "dynoed", presumably it would be done according to a protocol that helped rather than hurt the break-in process.
All the TV shows I've seen on car assembly (love the How its' made and such), the last thing after the car is assembled is they drive it to the dyno and run it up to speed as a whole unit. That and water testing.
First, I doubt every engine is "dynoed". Unless it's a Porsche or similar, I suspect the first time an engine runs is as it is driven off the production line. If an engine was "dynoed", presumably it would be done according to a protocol that helped rather than hurt the break-in process.
All the TV shows I've seen on car assembly (love the How its' made and such), the last thing after the car is assembled is they drive it to the dyno and run it up to speed as a whole unit. That and water testing.
Originally Posted By: Falken
I wonder, if you came in to sell a car that you used for a few weeks if they'd give you what you paid for it new.
I'm guessing they'd call it used, then go into a lecture that it is low mileage with little difference from a car they could buy half price that was used for a year with 6,000 miles on it.
In the USA, new means never before titled. So once the title (or certificate of origin) is signed it becomes used. Even if you never drive it off the lot.
I wonder, if you came in to sell a car that you used for a few weeks if they'd give you what you paid for it new.
I'm guessing they'd call it used, then go into a lecture that it is low mileage with little difference from a car they could buy half price that was used for a year with 6,000 miles on it.
In the USA, new means never before titled. So once the title (or certificate of origin) is signed it becomes used. Even if you never drive it off the lot.
My F150 had 38 when I drove it off the lot, my wifes Fusion had 13. I wouldnt not buy the car with almost 500 miles on it, but not at full price. I would use that to negotiate.
Last edited:
Make them tell you where the miles came from and if it adds up then try to put your mind at ease. Contrary to popular belief most salesmen at dealerships are not allowed to drive cars around just for fun anymore. Running errands, going to lunch and joy riding are terminable offences at most stores. I know because I have fired the few that have tried and I have been in this business long enough to know that our store is not unique in that policy. You would be hard pressed to find a dealer without similar rules as it is tough to open up three or four million dollars in assets to the whims of fifteen or so salespeople.
The statement that the warranty starts at zero miles is false. At least as far as Ford and Chevrolet are concerned. When we pull a warranty report on a car it always shows the in service miles and the mileage at which the manufacture expects the factory warranty to expire. The expiration miles are, without fail, the in-service mileage plus the duration of the warranty. For example, a car purchased with 223 miles will exhaust the factory bumper to bumper at 36223 miles.
I can understand how folks could be bothered by a few hundred miles on a new car and the OP’s question is a legitimate one to ask. The answers you are getting however are people’s opinion and carry little regard for reality or the facts. The car is not used. Once a car is titled it is used. Until a car is titled it is new. It is unlikely the car was abused. Even if it had 400 miles of the most extreme wear you could manage while still selling a car that runs, drives, and appears as new will do nothing to affect the longevity of the car. The cost of the car to the dealer is the same with or without the miles. Expecting them to lose money on the unit over 400 miles is not realistic and most would just tell you to have a nice day and wait for the next customer for whom the miles are not an issue. That customer will buy the car and enjoy it for 100000 miles or more and give nary a thought to the original 400 miles.
I’m not saying anyone’s opinion is right or wrong. I am just giving you a view from the other side of the fence. Ultimately it is subjective. If it is going to bug you then you should not buy it. What is important above all is that you are happy with your purchase. I’ll reiterate they need to tell you where the miles came from and the story of the car up to this point needs to make sense. If it doesn’t then you don’t buy it. Check the condition of the tires, check for dings on the body or scrapes under the car. Does the car present as a new car should with the exception of the miles? If so, it was likely just transferred to the store over the road in a trade of inventory. It is hard to abuse a car and leave no evidence. There are thousands of Focus at hundreds of Ford dealers. Unless this is the only one you love or you are ok with the miles you can surely find another. Those extra miles might be useful to you as a means to avoid the “traditional” negotiation. If you make piece with the miles tell them that due to the extra miles you’d like to split the holdback with them. This way they make a fair deal and you get a great price without a lot of back and forth.
The statement that the warranty starts at zero miles is false. At least as far as Ford and Chevrolet are concerned. When we pull a warranty report on a car it always shows the in service miles and the mileage at which the manufacture expects the factory warranty to expire. The expiration miles are, without fail, the in-service mileage plus the duration of the warranty. For example, a car purchased with 223 miles will exhaust the factory bumper to bumper at 36223 miles.
I can understand how folks could be bothered by a few hundred miles on a new car and the OP’s question is a legitimate one to ask. The answers you are getting however are people’s opinion and carry little regard for reality or the facts. The car is not used. Once a car is titled it is used. Until a car is titled it is new. It is unlikely the car was abused. Even if it had 400 miles of the most extreme wear you could manage while still selling a car that runs, drives, and appears as new will do nothing to affect the longevity of the car. The cost of the car to the dealer is the same with or without the miles. Expecting them to lose money on the unit over 400 miles is not realistic and most would just tell you to have a nice day and wait for the next customer for whom the miles are not an issue. That customer will buy the car and enjoy it for 100000 miles or more and give nary a thought to the original 400 miles.
I’m not saying anyone’s opinion is right or wrong. I am just giving you a view from the other side of the fence. Ultimately it is subjective. If it is going to bug you then you should not buy it. What is important above all is that you are happy with your purchase. I’ll reiterate they need to tell you where the miles came from and the story of the car up to this point needs to make sense. If it doesn’t then you don’t buy it. Check the condition of the tires, check for dings on the body or scrapes under the car. Does the car present as a new car should with the exception of the miles? If so, it was likely just transferred to the store over the road in a trade of inventory. It is hard to abuse a car and leave no evidence. There are thousands of Focus at hundreds of Ford dealers. Unless this is the only one you love or you are ok with the miles you can surely find another. Those extra miles might be useful to you as a means to avoid the “traditional” negotiation. If you make piece with the miles tell them that due to the extra miles you’d like to split the holdback with them. This way they make a fair deal and you get a great price without a lot of back and forth.
apwillard1986 - Thank you for that well written reply!
I got mine with about 130 miles on it. Definitely all test drive miles. I missed one scratch on the weatherstripping around the windshield. The diver's inside handle was also loose, but repaired under warranty.
The biggest task I face is the full detail job to remove the carwash swirls from being washed countless times in between test drives and rain.
I figure it got well flogged and should be nicely broken in. It has consumed no oil in the subsequent 7k miles. Only 5 months to the first oil change.
Edit: I neglected to mention that I got it for $1k less than any other local dealer would give me.
The biggest task I face is the full detail job to remove the carwash swirls from being washed countless times in between test drives and rain.
I figure it got well flogged and should be nicely broken in. It has consumed no oil in the subsequent 7k miles. Only 5 months to the first oil change.
Edit: I neglected to mention that I got it for $1k less than any other local dealer would give me.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: TomYoung
Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
The car is new, the warranty start mileage wiil be the mileage on the odometer. 36421 miles instead of 36000.
This is absolutely not the case.
Yes, it MOST CERTAINLY is! It was with my Magnum, my mother's Sable, my friend's Focus, & my fathers Concorde!
Originally Posted By: Roadkingnc
The car is new, the warranty start mileage wiil be the mileage on the odometer. 36421 miles instead of 36000.
This is absolutely not the case.
Yes, it MOST CERTAINLY is! It was with my Magnum, my mother's Sable, my friend's Focus, & my fathers Concorde!
I have seen higher miles on cars that were a dealer trade since somebody would usually drive the car to the dealership and drop it off and drive back the other vehicle.
Have you fallen in love with that specific car? Did you ask the dealer to locate the car for you? If the answer to those two questions is "No", why would you settle for something which you don't want? It is your money.
If it is new car, then 15 miles is what it will have if it was driven from factory to the trailer to the dealer.
If it is new car, then 15 miles is what it will have if it was driven from factory to the trailer to the dealer.
It was a relatively rare car: It's a Focus ST, in the base trim level. They simply don't make many in the base trim level, and I don't fit well in the Recaro sport seats that come in the higher end models.
The car was already on the lot, they didn't find it for me. I came very close to buying it, but at the last minute I went with my gut and walked away. I think the miles made me nervous, as well as the cost of keeping my current car vs. buying another new car.
The car was already on the lot, they didn't find it for me. I came very close to buying it, but at the last minute I went with my gut and walked away. I think the miles made me nervous, as well as the cost of keeping my current car vs. buying another new car.
- Status
Similar threads
