pauldun170
Diamond Member
- Sep 26, 2011
- 9,139
- 5,074
- 136
To directly answer the question, I expect a $3500 car to last between 3 years and 20 years depending on the car and how well the previous owner took care of the car.
This really depends IMHO. I keep my cars looking new. I do all the service but I don't keep good records. Lately I've been writing stuff down in the log books provided with the cars.It really comes down to how well it was taken care of and treated.
Interior usually tells you 1/2 the story....
Service records are a MUST
I bought a 2000 Civic with 150k for $3200 in college.
I drove it to 270k miles, sold it for $2,000 and only ever had to spend money on basic maintenance.
Best car I've ever owned.
I had a $50 ford I bought out of a field once. Put tires on it, changed the fluids and drove it for over 3 years. The entire time it got regular maintenance and ran perfect. Ended up selling it and the new owner still drives it.
I put on 120k over about 5 years. I was going between 20k-30k miles a year.How long did you own it? That's a lot of miles to rack up in what I would assume is very little time...
I put on 120k over about 5 years. I was going between 20k-30k miles a year.
How long would you expect a $3500.00 car to last?
Fuel pump relay?
I drove a $1100 miata for 3 years. It had a salvaged title. Aside from burning oil that required me to put in a quart every 300 miles, it ran fine. I got rear ended one day which put $3000 worth of damage into it since the trunk was dented in. The guy paid me $1400 to call it even. It still looked decent aside from some paint chip from the rear bumper. I did a quick sand down and rattlecan spray. Sold it for another $1400.
Some of you have had great luck with used cars!