Looking to buy my first car. Don't know anything really. I think I'm going for the a Mazda3. The nicest and cheapest I have find that I want is an 04/05 Mazda3. But the cheapest ones are more money than I have now. I have about 5gz but most of them are around 8gz.

My problem is the only nice cars have like 100,000 miles on them. And I'm asking around and everyone is making it sound like that 100K is the kiss of death for car. Like its not even worth it. I don't know much but that doesn't make too much sense seeing that I see people drive around 20 year old cars, 92 civics. Not to say they run smoothly.

But it just doesn't make sense that a 5 year old car, with technology getting better every model, is just garbage. I don't want buy this car and end up putting money in it. Cause I'll be flat broke once I purchase, well not really.

I just need you guys to tell me flat out, as many as possible, what does 100,000 miles mean. What do I need to expect? And if 100k is so bad why are the cars priced so high? Does anybody here have close to 100k on their Mazda?

I would appreciate it so much. Thanks

Kenn

 

100,000 miles means nothing. It depends on who drove it, HOW they drove it, and how they took care of it.
Anybody could take two of the same vehicle, put 100k on them and:
1. Drive the heck out of it, not change the oil, not upkeep whatsoever
2. Baby it, regular maint., and love it.
...and have two completely different outcomes.

Do some research if possible: previous owners, maint' logs, etc.

 

I'm hard pressed to think of a vehicle from any manufacturer sold here in the States that won't easily hit 100,000 miles with just regular maintenance.

As a side note, the last two cars my wife and I bought prior to the Mazda3 got/get "regular" maintenance (I define "regular" as oil changes every ten to twelve thousand miles [the Owner's Manuals call for 7,500 and 6,000 respectively] with Mobil 1, tune-ups at 100,000 miles and coolant changes every 5 years) throughout their time with us. Both vehicles were 3.8 liter Dodge Grand Caravans, the first a 1998 and the second a 2003. We owned the 1998 for about ten and a half years and drove it 170,000 miles, and it ran as well the day I traded it in on the Mazda3 as the day I drove it off the showroom floor. We still have the 2003 and it only has 122,000 miles on it and still runs like a top.

Long story short, to those individuals telling you that 100,000 miles is all a vehicle will last these days, you have every right to tell them they don't have a clue as to what they're opining about. That said, if you find a car with 100,000 miles on it and the maintenance records only show one or two oil changes, then it might well be a car you want to take a pass on.

 

Bought my 2000 Taurus with 90K on it, it's over 136K and running like new.

If it's been maintained properly - you shouldn't have any problem getting 150-200K out of most cars these days. The worst cars built today are better than the best cars built 10-15 years ago.

 

Not sure I can agree with that comment.
Many years ago, I wanted a small car just for going to and from work which was about 10 miles one way.
I found this used 64 Corvair monza coupe that had 82,000 miles on it.
I drove that car for four years, and among my travels with it were, from Boston to Miami and back 2 times, Boston to Chicago,and back, and finally Boston to Los Angeles.
The day I traded it in (for a 62 Caddy Convertible) in Los Angeles, it had 147,000 miles, and ran as good as the day I first got it.
It all depends how well one maintainers a vehicle as to how long it will last.
Bob.

 

A buddy of mine that I work with has a 91' Ford F-150, original tranny and engine, and has over 500,000mi on it. And running strong.

 

gotta thin though. i have to disagree with you on that one scott. Alot of the cars from back 10-15 years ago were better built. My dad had a 1992 Honda Accord EX-R and that car ran 350,000 KMs like nothing and when he traded it in for the 2002 Acura TL it ran perfect. Then he went through about 4-5 trannies in the TL. Especially honda. It all depends on the car and the brand but alot of cars back in the day were built perfectly. hell half the honda's and toyotas from back in the day are still driving to this day

 

Sorry Jaimie. But we'll have to agree to disagree. Nothing is built perfect. All auto manufacturers have warranty expense as a part of their cost model.

Cars of today are much nicer, have much more content, ride nicer and get better mileage than cars produced 10-20 years ago. (Even with the changes in EPA mileage ratings) All quality indicators across all manufacturers shows this trend to be true.

150,000 miles used to be the expected life of a vehicle - more likely than not they go beyond that mileage today. Not true of most vehicles from years ago (sure there are exceptions.) A vehicle from 20 years ago with 150K on the clock was loose and felt like a vehicle at the end of it's life (typically)

I'll use my 2000 Taurus as an example - 136,000 miles on the clock and not 1 rattle, not 1 shake. The engine has no oil leaks, burns nothing, still gets 26+ mpg and drives as smooth as any new vehicle I've ever owned. Every single function works on the car still. (now 10 years old) I've owned a TON of different vehicles. Japanese brands included. I'm planning on driving this car to 200K miles - at which point I still expect it to be running strong & I'll still be able to sell it.

I had a 1984 Toyota 4Runner w/170K on the clock. Every fuel line was rusted out, every brake line rusted and failed. The steering had so much play you could turn the wheel 30 degrees with no change in vehicle direction. Even with the Fuel Injected 22R 4-cyl I was still only getting 18mpg. (w/new plugs/wires) The body was a case of Michigain Swiss Cheese. I quickly sold it off after I had problem after problem with it.

One of my friends has a 2001 F-350 Dually Crew Cab w/8" lift and 39.5" tall tires....He's got over 250,000 miles on that truck and it's still a very solid vehicle. The steel is so good on the body, that there are a couple of spots on the body where the paint peeled off and there is zero rust even on the bare steel after 2 years being exposed to Michigan winters.

Japanese cars fall apart very fast here in the Rust Belt. It's rare to see any Japanese cars over 15 years old here in Michigan.

 

Well obviously newer cars have better technology. An older car with high mileage as a newer car are gonna be completely different.

The older the car has more of a chance for it to be exposed to weather and all of the elements. The quicker the miles are put on a car gives it less of a chance to be exposed.

Manufacturers ,believe it or not, learn from mistakes in previous models. So problems they see most likely are impoved upon. So newer vehicles may be better is some ways like that, but an older car may hold together better due to the fact that they are not 80% plastic.

 

im farther north then you scott. And there are a few cars that are newer then 15 years old. But its true some cars are built better then others. but whose to say any of our cars will be good in 15 years.. they probably wont. Its all depending on how well it drives and make sure you get everything done servicing and whatever else.