used car choice ... older low mileage vs newer high mileage

[GR_CoB]

Purpose is a daily. Price is within $500 between the two. Maintenance is unknown on both, because I like to gamble.
(Pics are not of the actual vehicles, but simply represent the aesthetics upgrades I'd be going after with either vehicle.)

- Exhibit A is a mid-90s Honda Accord Wagon. From 1995-2019 it only traveled 30k miles. And from 2019 until today it traveled additional 39k miles. Paint is shot, but low mileage wagon of that era pulls me by an unexplainable force. Even makes me consider giving it a MAACO paint makeover to match the 69k miles on the ODOmeter.

- Exhibit B is a 2012 Prius C. Looks decent. Proven little nugget, with 1NZ under the hood. Hybrid system seems okay. I know a guy who was able to hypermile 77MPG out of one of these on a long trip. The fuel savings alone makes me wanna go with this newer option. But the catch is 300,000+ miles on the ODOmeter...

If you had to pick between the two, which way would you lean and why?

 

[ctechbob]

I have a thing for Honda wagons, so I would say 2011 TSX wagon.

My main problem with the mid 90's Accords is the super stupid way Honda designed the front rotors. But I would take the Accord.

 

[GR_CoB]

I have a thing for Honda wagons, so I would say 2011 TSX wagon.

My main problem with the mid 90's Accords is the super stupid way Honda designed the front rotors. But I would take the Accord.

The TSX Wagon is ideal, only wish it had a manual... But even as automatic it's great. Too bad it's 3X my cheapskate budget. Found one for $5700, but every body panel needed lots of work.

 

[TomYoung]

The Toyota is through its economic life. The Honda is more of a specialty/vintage piece at this point, and is a gamble as a daily. Keep looking, and maybe save some more cash if possible.

 

[GR_CoB]

The Toyota is through its economic life. The Honda is more of a specialty/vintage piece at this point, and is a gamble as a daily. Keep looking, and maybe save some more cash if possible.

More cash is available, but I'm too cheap to spend it on myself. I'd rather use it for extra vacation for family. As result - for my own daily every 3-12 months I play this game of "What's the best ride I can get for +/-$3000. Then I daily it, fix what's necessary, maybe upgrade a little, sell for $1000-$2000 profit, and then rinse and repeat. My weird automotive hobby, so to say.

 

[ctechbob]

The TSX Wagon is ideal, only wish it had a manual... But even as automatic it's great. Too bad it's 3X my cheapskate budget. Found one for $5700, but every body panel needed lots of work.

I really really tried to get my wife to get one when she was looking for something to replace her Accord... She wanted a CRV though. Ended up with nothing

 

[Patman]

Get the wagon!! I have a soft spot for wagons myself, I wish they made more of them these days. One of my favorite cars at the Toronto Auto Show this year was a wagon

 

[PF52]

My main problem with the mid 90's Accords is the super stupid way Honda designed the front rotors.

I'm unfamiliar with Honda rotors. Are they square or something?

 

[brages]

"It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage!"

I'm on team high miles. At one time, I had four cars and all were past 200k, mean 250k. Now I added a 115k Pilot and replaced one of the cars with another with even more miles.

 

[brages]

I'm unfamiliar with Honda rotors. Are they square or something?

They are mounted behind the hub, I think.

 

[joekingcorvette]

I would buy the low mileage Honda wagon. It seems to me high mileage cars are still more prone to extra problems and low mileage vehicles are more likely to have leaks.

 

[4wheeldog]

I'm unfamiliar with Honda rotors. Are they square or something?

You have to take a lot more apart to replace the front rotors than on any normal front brake.

 

[Patman]

Another thing to consider here is that if anything needs repaired you will probably have an easier time with the Honda compared with the hybrid. If the battery pack goes on the Prius that could be a major expense and parts in general for that car could be harder to find and more expensive. Pretty much any small town mechanic can fix that Honda but they probably won’t have the experience to fix the Prius.

 

[jeepman3071]

Neither are good choices unfortunately.

I like that Honda, but low mileage older cars have issues from age and sitting. Things like brittle plastic bits and hoses, parts being hard to find, leaks, etc. A higher mileage newer car is probably a better bet, but only if it has been maintained. When I say higher mileage I mean 100-150k or so. 300k miles is a lot of miles, even though the Prius' are known to be pretty reliable. It isn't just the drivetrain you have to worry about at 300k miles, which is likely fine but getting worn, it's literally everything else on the car. Things like wheel bearings will start becoming a problem.

 

[RobbS]

I would go with the low mileage Honda. It is a good looking car too..

 

[Overfill]

Neither will have you replacing nothing, considering the options you've presented. Do you want to fix polymer rot or worn driveline components. I would rather fix driveline components, myself, but i would turn away the opportunity if it means engine/transmission/hybrid battery replacements.

 

[GR_CoB]

I'm unfamiliar with Honda rotors. Are they square or something?

Honda rotors in general are easy. But on that particular Accord - rotor is part of the wheel hub bearing. So to replace the rotor - have to remove the CV axle, disconnect upper ball joint, and remove the hub assembly to separate the rotor from it on the bench. Then reassemble and get a wheel alignment, since suspension parts got disconnected.

 

[blueglide88]

Between the two, I'd pick the Honda for the lower mileage and the fact you don't see them anymore. In fact, I don't remember seeing them in the 90's either

 

[GR_CoB]

Another thing to consider here is that if anything needs repaired you will probably have an easier time with the Honda compared with the hybrid. If the battery pack goes on the Prius that could be a major expense and parts in general for that car could be harder to find and more expensive. Pretty much any small town mechanic can fix that Honda but they probably won’t have the experience to fix the Prius.

Good points, but I DIY mostly everything, so for me it would be just the parts cost. Seems similar between the two, although some of the Accord parts are becoming obsolete due to age.

 

[brages]

I'll weigh in again... If the Accord is a manual, yes. Auto, I would pass on. I had a 1998 4-cylinder manual and it was pretty fun to drive - decently good shifter and a motor that liked revs. On the other hand, I don't know how a manual fits in your plan for short-term-ownership.

I am also a Prius fan, and I believe the Prius C is probably more reliable (fewer HG problems) than the regular 3rd gen Prius. But I do not really want to be driving a subcompact. I've had a small, loud, rough-riding car before (mk2 Jetta diesel) and I think I prefer a little more luxury.