used years or KMs ??

[Power Freak]

hey ppl

AS my search is going for a used baleno, i came across lots of cars, some were having less KMs in odometer but they were too old like year 2000 and some cars were new like year 2002 but they were having more KMs in the odo or u can say they were used more.

so the problem is which one should i go for?? should i go for the old one with less KMs in the odo or the new one with more KMs in the odo?? so tell me your choice and the reason behind it.

PF

[drifter]

Odos can always be tampered with.

But i suggest you take an older car with less mileage than a newer car with more mileage.

But no matter what...decide only after a thorough testdrive and also do take a trusted mechanic along to check the car.

Drifter

[Shan2nu]

Usually, it's the brake pads, clutch, bearings and tyres that sustain max wear and tear. A check on these things will tell you how the car has been used.

Never go by the odo reading, as i've seen people wear out their brake pads in 5-7K kms. That sort of harsh driving is bound to wear out the other parts as well.

I suggest you get the car checked for worn out parts irrespective of model year or kms done.

Tell the owners that you would like to get the cars checked and if they refuse, don't even bother taking a 2nd look at the car. Any owner who is confident that his car is in good shape will not refuse.

Shan2nu

[Steeroid]

If you can trust the ODO, I would suggest a car with lower kms on it. Obviously you will have verify the odo readings with the state of the car, because the one with the lower odo reading should 'feel' tighter or else its either showing the wrong reading or its been thrashed around.

Older cars with low odo readings - check the muffler/silencer/exhaust. If they havent run around for long they should be rusting and would cost you a bit depending on the manufacturer. On the other hand, if you see rust on the exhaust you can also be reasonably sure that the car really hasnt run much - the cost fo the exhaust can then be negotiated in the cost. As an indicative figure, the one on my Accent cost me Rs.3,500/- to replace, but I believe its 5K + for other cars in that bracked.

Cheers

Steer

[ajmat]

If you know a car that has a higher odo reading but is relatively young has been used on long highway trips - go for it. Incremental costs will be around tyres and wheel bearings. The engine would have has less dynamic loading (no city-stop-start wear andtear) and been working at optimum temperature

[GTO]

There are just too many variables, and preferences would differ from situation to situation.

1. I would rather buy a car that has 40,000 carefully driven kilometers than one that has 20,000 rashly driven kilometers.

2. I was checking out some W124s recently, and 1996 cars that had run 40,000 kms were in much better shape (mechanically) than cars that had run barely 10,000 and had been sitting idle in the garage. Cars are made to run, not rest and rot in a place.

3. Model year would probably be more important in some cases and research is most important. When I was looking for a Vtec, I was dead keen only on those manufacturered after September 2002. Reason? The ones before had an ECM problem which makes them jerk intermittently over bumper-to-bumper traffic conditions.

GTO

[johnjacob]

Originally Posted by drifter

Odos can always be tampered with.

Exactly. If you are sure the odo has not been tampered with (private sale from friend, say) then I suggest you go for the older but lower mileage car.

But of course, it depends on the car too. If the 2002 car is a VTEC, and the 2000 car is the older City 1.5 then, everything else being equal, I would go for the VTEC.

And of course, it also depends on the driver. If I was buying a used VTEC from a careful driver (like Team-BHPian Shan2nu ) then I would prefer that over an older but lower mileage VTEC driver by a careless driver.

Bottomline is, do a thorough inspection of BOTH cars with an experience mechanic. Then decide.

[tabrez02]

I would like to add some info on the ODO as, its always better to check the service history of the vehicle from the service centre where it has been serviced, there you will be able to get a fair idea about the odo readings for each service. (if the service centre is computerised).
Once we had such problem where we went to buy a corsa of 2001 and the reading was 19K but actualy when we checked the service history in the Opel Garuda the last service was done at 29K. However we still picked up the corsa for 50K less after knowing this and bargained as the condition was ok except the odo.
So be careful about this.

[Vulken Auto]

If in US I might buy a second hand new year rather than old because they will be good to look at and you get extended warranties , so PEACE of mind.

But in india, First of all I will buy second hand if I have to do some crazy things to it, like souped ride. But for regular use no second hand, since I trust only first hand; if I cant afford it I will walk on the road or take a cab.

So india means I NO SECONDS RIDE unless I want to waste some doe.....................

[ajmat]

Twice, I have gone looking for second hand but bought new - I keep an open mind though, there should be someone like us out there with a lovingly maintained car willin to sell

[Power Freak]

hey people
thanx for the important information,ill keep all these things in mind before putting my hand on one.

Originally Posted by Vulken Auto

If in US I might buy a second hand new year rather than old because they will be good to look at and you get extended warranties , so PEACE of mind.

But in india, First of all I will buy second hand if I have to do some crazy things to it, like souped ride. But for regular use no second hand, since I trust only first hand; if I cant afford it I will walk on the road or take a cab.

So india means I NO SECONDS RIDE unless I want to waste some doe.....................

hey vulken
even i never got a second hand car before. this time im looking for it coz im gonna do some mods to it so first im looking out for a used one but if i dont find any good car then ill go for the brand new one.

PF