Topic: Which is the better purchase?
in Forum: Non-Vette Automotive Discussion
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Lifetime MemberC3VR Founder
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18375
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
What makes more sense?
If the price is the same, are you better off buying a car (both same make/model) that is newer with more miles, or older with less?
ie, a 2013 with 134k or a 2011 with 80k.
If it matters, the car in question is a Subaru Forester.
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79:
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Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2465
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
Just my two cents, but I would go with the older and less. They are great cars, and are dependable. Less miles means less wear and tare. Age is not as important.
Which one has the largest stack of routine maintenance records?
Was the 2013 mostly highway miles?
Which owner is the most anal?
Which one do you like the best?
Carfax?
I retired from a 40,000 mile a year traveling career. Miles don't scare me if the vehicle is babied like I do my vehicles.
Only 34 years together
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Scooby-doos are really good cars, in general. Both of those years had many tech bulletins issued, but....most cars these days have quite a few even when brand new, so....
I would go for the older one, personally. Fewer miles is good, but that's not really the whole story. Ya gotta figure in what condition both are in, regardless of the miles. I've seen fairly new vehicles(2013-2015) that are just completely trashed inside, partly due to crappy materials to start with, but mostly due to idjit owners. Interiors tell a LOT about how the vehicle is taken care of.
All that being said, either one, if in good condition overall, would be a good buy, but, if they both look comparable, condition-wise, I would have to lean toward the older model, for the same money.
I would go for the older one, personally. Fewer miles is good, but that's not really the whole story. Ya gotta figure in what condition both are in, regardless of the miles. I've seen fairly new vehicles(2013-2015) that are just completely trashed inside, partly due to crappy materials to start with, but mostly due to idjit owners. Interiors tell a LOT about how the vehicle is taken care of.
All that being said, either one, if in good condition overall, would be a good buy, but, if they both look comparable, condition-wise, I would have to lean toward the older model, for the same money.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
We had 2004 Outback for just over 10 years. Put ~150k on it. 95% of the maintenance that I could not do was done by the dealer we bought it from. Even with that it needed a head gasket at ~140k. So look for the maintenance records to see if the schedule that Subaru recommends for things was followed. It isn't going to guarantee that it will not break but at least you'll see that the car was taken care of. I'm with the others - all things equal go for the lower miles.
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
Lifetime MemberC3VR Founder
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18375
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
What if years are different, miles are the same?
ie. 2013 with 134k and 2011 with 134k.
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79:
Lifetime MemberC3VR Founder
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18375
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
Here's one I have my eye on:
They're asking $11,995, but KBB has it at $9,689. So I'm thinking I could offer them $9,999.
Thoughts?
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79:
Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2465
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
Well! did ya buy it? Been a couple days, some body else'll have it, if ya wait to long.
Lifetime MemberC3VR Founder
Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 18375
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
manchestershark said:
Well! did ya buy it? Been a couple days, some body else'll have it, if ya wait to long.
Well! did ya buy it? Been a couple days, some body else'll have it, if ya wait to long.Haven't done anything yet.
Money is pretty tight right now (hence the decision to not go out West). And having a hard time myself justifying the purchasing and getting the wife to agree that it makes sense.
-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry
My first Vette, now owned by JB79:
Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2465
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
My Dad always said, "The cheapest car you'll ever own, is the one you're driving now" in Forum: Non-Vette Automotive Discussion
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