So in my hunt for a new g35 coupe (and maybe this is all used cars in general) I have noticed a few things regarding mileage. A high number of miles on a used car worries me, even if the number of miles fit the year of the car, I still dont want something at the end of its life.

My question is, I know there is no guaranteed formula, but how much value do you guys put into miles? For instance, right now I am looking at an '03 6MT with 88k miles for around 13k. http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/2787757348.html (this is a private seller I'm sure I could move it down). On the flip side, there is an '06 6MT with 63k miles, but the price tag is just under 18k.

I know if money were no object, this would probably be an easy decision, take the newer car dummy. However, money is relatively high on my list of considerations, I'm just wondering whether 20k miles is really worth close to 5 or 6 grand. What would you guys recommend in this situation, again assuming everything else maintenance wise was equal.

 

I'd say the upgrades on the '06 over the '03 alone are worth the 5 grand. You get a RevUp engine, updated interior, better (but not as flashy) brakes, projector headlights, new tail lights and spoiler, etc, etc. Combine that with the 20k fewer miles, and I think it's worth it.

 

The way dealers usually do it from what I was told is for every year it's about 1k dollars, and for every 20k miles it's about 1k dollars.

This is just the most basic thing, obviously it also depends on condition of the car, etc.

 

High Mileage isn't nessecarily a bad thing, if it's highway miles, or even every day miles if maintained normally, every day driving I think by automotive standards, is 12-14k miles a year, normal, and 15-18k middle, and anything over 18k a year excessive, so, if you are looking at a 03 that's 8 years old,
normal driving is 96,000 - 112,000 is normal, once you get into the 100,000 miles, really blue book doesn't knock anything off for high miles, but really it's just up to you.... and how well you believe the vehicle is maintained........

 

The 06 is also right about normal miles too, so it becomes a what would you rather have.... and what would you pay

 

How many miles do you drive every year? A G with low mileage and high price has a potential to become a G with low price and high mileage in two years.

 

I agree that the nice thing is that both of these vehicles have the mileage that "fits" their year, so neither of them have been driven into the ground.

I guess the question is do you want an older car with 5-6k more in your pocket. Due to the information that I am reading here about maintenance costs/gas costs/insurance costs I don't really want to strap myself for cash with the initial purchase.

 

Echoing another poster, mileage is somewhat meaningless. I'd rather have a car with 100k miles that's been well maintained than a car with 60k miles that hasn't been maintained at all. That said, given the upgrades to the '06 I'd go with that as long as it's not a financial burden.

 

^ agreed.