Older/less miles vs newer/more miles

love-pink · Feb 2, 2012

Im going to look at both vehicles

But Im not sure which to go with.

2006 Impala 160000 miles -
Has had fresh tune up 3 months ago, new brakes, power steering pump, high pressure power steering hose and serpentine belt were all replaced 2 weeks ago.

2002 Impala 85,000 miles new motor, new tires. All done by liecenced machanic, has paper work to show.

We also have a mechanic friend going with us. ANY opinions are welcomed!!

Brianna · Feb 2, 2012

Are the crash test ratings different and is there a difference in interior quality?

love-pink · Feb 2, 2012

Hmm... Ill have to look at the crash test ratings. The interiors are very very similar as far as materials. Both say they have been very well taken care of and are clean.

eyeslkethesky5391 · Feb 2, 2012

the 2006 is gonna have latch, but if it was me I'd want the lower miles.

jess71903 · Feb 2, 2012

For us, lower miles always wins. We put miles on so quickly that we need to "reset" as much as we can when we buy.

brookity · Feb 2, 2012

DH says you can do better than either of those. PM me your zip code and he will find you a deal. It is kind of his hobby!

TXDani · Feb 2, 2012

Keep in mind that while the lower mileage one has less miles on the motor all the other parts still have 85,000 miles PLUS how many miles were put on the original motor (except obviously replaced parts).

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carseatcoach · Feb 2, 2012

It needed a new motor at only 85K miles? What happened? I'd be leery that it was either a lemon to start with or very poorly maintained.

love-pink · Feb 2, 2012

DaniCPST said:
Keep in mind that while the lower mileage one has less miles on the motor all the other parts still have 85,000 miles PLUS how many miles were put on the original motor (except obviously replaced parts).

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carseatcoach said:
It needed a new motor at only 85K miles? What happened? I'd be leery that it was either a lemon to start with or very poorly maintained.

I believe the person means 85k since the motor was replaced

Jeanum · Feb 3, 2012

eyeslkethesky5391 said:
the 2006 is gonna have latch, but if it was me I'd want the lower miles.

2002 was the first Impala model year to have full sets of LATCH.

Both Impala models she's considering have 3 full sets of LATCH, all of which can be used at the same time to install up to 3 carseats with LATCH. The 2006 is the newer/current generation Impala body style with 3 rear headrests IIRC from renting current gen Impalas, and they're fixed rear headrests rather than adjustable/removable and angled forward somewhat, which might interfere with some FF installs.

Lemonade · Feb 3, 2012

Jeanum said:
2002 was the first Impala model year to have full sets of LATCH. Both Impala models she's considering have 3 full sets of LATCH, all of which can be used at the same time to install up to 3 carseats with LATCH. The 2006 is the newer/current generation Impala body style with 3 rear headrests IIRC from renting current gen Impalas, and they're fixed rear headrests rather than adjustable/removable and angled forward somewhat, which might interfere with some FF installs.

I'd probably go for the less miles if it's overall miles and not just 85K since replacement plus a whole ton more.

My Dad has a 2006 (I'm pretty sure) Impala and the fixed rear headrests are definitely an issue with installations. I have not been able to get radians or higher convertibles (britax, old ones) in the outboard seats.

Guest · Feb 3, 2012

carseatcoach said:
It needed a new motor at only 85K miles? What happened? I'd be leery that it was either a lemon to start with or very poorly maintained.

This is my thought. GIANT RED FLAG when I saw that.

And yes, those can NOT be your only two options. Maybe if you lived in Nome, Alaska right now (ie winter), but if you're in a slightly less isolated area, there has got to be better options.

love-pink · Feb 3, 2012

No they are not my ONLY options just two that have stuck out to me. Honestly in my price range I'm very limited and it being tax season the lower mileage ones in my price range are being snatched up left and right. A month ago there were a ton with less miles that I could afford.

love-pink · Feb 3, 2012

I also just wondered in general which would be better to go with, newer/more miles or older/less miles. I've never bought a vehicle outside of a dealership or with more than 30k miles.... I'm borderline clueless.

P1ally · Feb 6, 2012

I'd also be careful with a vehicle that has had it's engine replaced. A lot of times, when the engine is replaced and the transmission is not, the engine can wear the tranny down SUPER fast. When they age together, they work together better. A new, powerful motor works harder than the older tranny can manage.

Belle's Mamma · Feb 25, 2012

love-pink said:
I also just wondered in general which would be better to go with, newer/more miles or older/less miles. I've never bought a vehicle outside of a dealership or with more than 30k miles.... I'm borderline clueless.

I'm also curious about the newer/more miles or older/less miles.

love-pink · Feb 25, 2012

I ended up with newer and less miles.

Pixels · Feb 25, 2012

love-pink said:
I also just wondered in general which would be better to go with, newer/more miles or older/less miles. I've never bought a vehicle outside of a dealership or with more than 30k miles.... I'm borderline clueless.

I think a lot depends on how you drive, how long you expect to keep the vehicle, and the specifics. I'm a lower-than-average mileage driver, and keep my vehicles a long time. Rust often becomes a problem before mechanical problems take the vehicle. Knowing that, when I was shopping I was looking for a newer vehicle with higher mileage, because by the time I'm done with it my low miles and the pre-existing high miles will average out. Make sense?

My DH is a higher mileage driver, but pretty close to average. For him, we look for average to low mileage for the age.

Older/less miles vs newer/more miles

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