I was thinking about this the other day, assuming a buyer won't have access to a maintaince log for XXXX used car. The longer you wait, the cheaper a car gets. But the sooner you get it, the less another owner can neglect it. With that in mind, I think buying around 40K miles is best. Just a thought, but here's why...
If you buy around 40K miles, you're buying before the first round of fluid changes are needed. (Not oil, obviously.) So that should limit any neglect of (mainly) the transmission. You won't know how long the past owner went on OCs, but my experience is that the chances of life-threatening neglect over 40K miles are pretty slim. You're also taking advantage of a much lower price for the car, considering off-the-lot depreciation. And in terms of its overall life, 40K on the average car today is just getting started. You're buying a car that should have a ton of life left in it. (Assuming 200K miles is realistic, you're buying a car that is only 20% used up, but most likely at a discount much greater than 20%.)
You're basically letting someone else eat the initial depreciation during a time they shouldn't be hurting the car more than you would.
I hope this makes sense. I'm watching football as I type...
If you buy around 40K miles, you're buying before the first round of fluid changes are needed. (Not oil, obviously.) So that should limit any neglect of (mainly) the transmission. You won't know how long the past owner went on OCs, but my experience is that the chances of life-threatening neglect over 40K miles are pretty slim. You're also taking advantage of a much lower price for the car, considering off-the-lot depreciation. And in terms of its overall life, 40K on the average car today is just getting started. You're buying a car that should have a ton of life left in it. (Assuming 200K miles is realistic, you're buying a car that is only 20% used up, but most likely at a discount much greater than 20%.)
You're basically letting someone else eat the initial depreciation during a time they shouldn't be hurting the car more than you would.
I hope this makes sense. I'm watching football as I type...