What matters most, Age? Or Miles?

[SHELK]

 Hey gang,

Say for example You found a 2005 van with 155K miles and in general real good condition, the other option was a 2000 but with 110k miles in seemingly very similar condition. Prices close enough to not be a huge difference. What would you prefer? The older with lower miles? Or the newer with higher miles?

I am just curious about people's opinions on this. 
With my funds, I may be sacrificing one or the other. 
Age or miles. Trying to decide what part of the two to sacrifice. 

If you need more specifics let's call both vans Chevy Astros. 
That seems to be my leanings on my van search at this point. 

Thanks!!!!

 

[djkeev]

Neither^^^

MAINTENANCE is all important.

Dave

 

[jimindenver]

I was going to say condition over all.

 

[cyndi]

Depends on how well they were maintained. I also take into consideration the number of owners and whether it was a fleet/commercial vehicle

 

[SHELK]

Is fleet a good thing????

 

[SHELK]

The 2005 with 155k is a fleet vehicle. its priced okay but I think I can get them down a bit.

 

[hepcat]

Look for "value." There's a ratio of condition, miles, maintenance, and price that each of us relies on to determine which to purchase.

Newer is generally better, but if the older van has been better maintained and has the potential of having lowered maintenance expenses because costly stuff has already been done, then it may be the better choice. If one is in considerably better condition than the other, then you may be more willing to take on an engine or transmission overhaul.

It's all about how you perceive that ratio.

 

[LeeRevell]

Neither^^^

MAINTENANCE is all important.

Dave

Same thing I was going to say.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

You rarely have access to maintenance records when buying a used vehicle.  That said, a good mechanic who's checking the vehicle for you can render an opinion on whether or not it was "relatively" well maintained. 

If you assume that both vehicles were regularly maintained, then I would want the one with the lower mileage.  Mechanical wear is usually more expensive than age wear.  That's mostly rubber, and I would probably want to replace all the belts and hoses, anyway.  I would also assume that you are only going to get between 180,000 and 200,000 miles from both of them, which is why I would consider the 110,000 mile vehicle to be more desirable than the 150,000 mile vehicle.

 

[SHELK]

Thats good food for thought... very helpful!

 

[GotSmart]

I thought this was a thread about us old farts dating.   :blush:



Well I look a little rough and I got a few miles on me
My body needs work and my style ain't what it used to be
And honey I'll admit there's places where I'm wearing thin
But I ain't broke down, I just couldn't hold it in

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I thought of the line from the last Indiana Jones movie - "It ain't the years, it's the mileage"

 

[blars]

You also might want to research into what changes were made between the model years like pollution controls and MPG.

 

[SHELK]

I Saw the 05 Astro today... what in the world is with all the vans in the NW that have really bad leaks in them?

SOAKED WET CARPET in 5 out of 7 used vans that i have seen in and around Seattle!

So... again, it looks great on the outside, engine looked fantastic, pink tranny fluid, oil looked good, but soaked wet nasty carpet inside killed it before i even drove the thing. I can't deal with a leak to start with.

The 2000 Astro is across the sound from me in Seattle, an hour ferry ride. Don't think i will be seeing that one. It looks good but i would hate to take a long ferry and have it be nothing.

Still waiting for my Van to come in!

My friend told me there are no unicorns, but i still hope to find one under 6 grand! haha

Thanks for your help guys!

 

[rvpopeye]

Where was the carpet wet? window , door , cab , everywhere???

 

[djkeev]

Wet carpet = MAJOR price bartering point!

Easy to remedy no matter where it's coming in (unless its a rust hole) it is often the vent by the sliding door.

New carpet is always good to have too.

Don't run away, go buy yourself a Van cheap!

Dave

 

[poncho62]

Regarding age, I kind of put vehicles into 3 categories....real old, with carbureted engines......medium old with OBD1 computers and newer with OBD2 systems. So, generally speaking, both the 2000 and 2005 are OBD2, so with that, I would likely go with the lower mileage one. If one had been an OBD2 and the other one a carb or OBD1......I would go for the newer one......Of course, condition and maintenance are also factors.

 

[wagoneer]

For me it is which would I work on, Got Smart Gottch ye. the easier wrench would get my vote

 

[steamjam1]

Regarding age, I kind of put vehicles into 3 categories....real old, with carbureted engines......medium old with OBD1 computers and newer with OBD2 systems. So, generally speaking, both the 2000 and 2005 are OBD2, so with that, I would likely go with the lower mileage one. If one had been an OBD2 and the other one a carb or OBD1......I would go for the newer one......Of course, condition and maintenance are also factors.

I'd rather buy a carbureted 1982 van with 150,000 miles that has proper maintenance records then a 2001 van with 90,000 miles without records.

 

[djkeev]

I'd rather buy a carbureted 1982 van with 150,000 miles that has proper  maintenance records then a 2001 van with 90,000 miles without records.

I almost bought a 67 Dodge Chinook camper in great shape. I backed out because of the age, not that it was old school carburetor but rather because of the lack of modern safety devices ........ air bags in particular. 
If my Wife and I are traveling and we have an unfortunate encounter with another motorist, I still want my Wife of 45 years and I to still have each other. 

Dave