Which matters more: miles or years?

[Elkins45]

Let’s say you had your pick of two vehicles of the same model, both with the same service history. Both are priced the same. One is a 2014 model with 120k miles and the other is a 2010 with 75k miles. All other things being equal would you prefer the one that is four years younger or the one with 45k fewer miles?

 

[Tdbo]

My first criteria would be condition.
Simply, I would pick the one in the best condition.
If they both were truly equal, I'd pick the newer one.

 

[Nick1994]

My first criteria would be condition.
Simply, I would pick the one in the best condition.
If they both were truly equal, I'd pick the newer one.

Same

 

[ls1mike]

I agree with the last two folks. Condition and maintinenance history at that point.

 

[tasch72]

All else the same, I would take the 2010

On my mustangs, the difference between 75k and 120k is going from a reliably aging daily driver to starting to need a full suspension overhaul.

 

[Tahoe4Life]

I would get the 2014 but ONLY after I look at all the service records to see if it was serviced every 5K miles. Being a one owner is a plus also. I would also have a good independent mechanic check it out also from top to bottom to play it safe.

But that is just me.

 

[Tdbo]

Another data point to add to this argument (if it can be determined) is how the miles were put on.
Generally, 120K highway miles results in less wear overall than 75K city miles.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

the newer one, since it had less time to rust!

Another data point to add to this argument (if it can be determined) is how the miles were put on.
Generally, 120K highway miles results in less wear overall than 75K city miles.

This

 

[doublebase]

It depends, sometimes the newer model has a number of newer features and improvements the older model won't have. And those are real deal breakers for some people. But usually I'd go with the lower mileage vehicle, if all other things are equal.

 

[atikovi]

The difference between 9 years old and 13 years old would be less significant than between 75K and 120K miles. I might pick the 2010.

 

[NismoNVT]

Ahh i remember a friend who preached the rule that the best vehicles to buy used were ones that had been run on highway miles. He used to go to the local auction and pick up vehicles with 100K miles and newest year. For some reason after about 3 vehicles in a year, he pulled up in a older looking camry with an average odometer run at one point. I asked him what happened to the "highway mileage rule" and all those vehicles he had purchased. Told me that while he still believed in the highway mileage rule, the issue was he couldnt figure out or ask the PO if those miles were all highway miles or stop and go miles and every single vehicle had issues that would have been noticed pre-purchase if a PPI would have done.

Boring story time over nothing matters but a a proper PPI. If they are both identical, I'd take one that you like best and then its on your luck

 

[supton]

I go with condition. But up here, things can rapidly age it seems, and something older that already has seen some road salt, is almost automatically worse off than something with less years. Because while worn parts can be replaced, rusted parts are usually a worse story.

But nothing beats looking it over fully--then having a wad of cash left over, just in case.

 

[Warlord]

Number one consideration for me is rust. Number two is maintenance and number 3 is age/mileage. Usually if someone has spent the time and money on rust protection they’ve done the same with maintenance.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I purposely look for older sedans with low miles like the one grandma drove to Church on Sundays.

 

[Tahoe4Life]

I purposely look for older sedans with low miles like the one grandma drove to Church on Sundays.

I stay away from those. The bulk of the time they end up to be nightmares due those constant short trips where it only average 1-5 miles total if that. Generally oil changes are neglected cause of low miles.

But that is just me..To each their own.

 

[Tdbo]

I stay away from those. The bulk of the time they end up to be nightmares due those constant short trips where it only average 1-5 miles total if that. Generally oil changes are neglected cause of low miles.

But that is just me..To each their own.

Make that two.
I had two of those.
Couldn't keep an alternator in it, and the engine had such back pressure that it would blow out the muffler.
And, yes, I knew the Grandmother and the history of the car since it was new.
Because it was my Grandmother.
I won't even get into the second one.

 

[Warlord]

I stay away from those. The bulk of the time they end up to be nightmares due those constant short trips where it only average 1-5 miles total if that. Generally oil changes are neglected cause of low miles.

But that is just me..To each their own.

What you need is a car from a granny who lived in the country 15-20 mins outside of town. That way it always gets decently warm every time it’s used.

 

[Elkins45]

The 2010 sold this morning so it’s a moot point now.

 

[carviewsonic]

I've had good luck with senior owned low mile cars. Generally they're one owner, garage kept, dealer serviced, and in very good condition. I don't care if it's a 15 year old Grandpa car, I'm not a young guy anymore myself.

 

[kschachn]

How and where it sits is important. My old BMW sat outside for 10 years (more or less) before I got it and it nearly ruined the vehicle.