Is 100,000 miles a lot for 1999 Chevrolet Prizm?

Question

I'm thinking about buying a 1999 Chevrolet Prizm. I have to admit it will be my first car and I'm not an expert in that area. So, it has 108,000 miles, it's sold buy a dealer and he says everything is perfect with the car (well they always say that). I've seen the car and really looks in very good condition, plus it's doing good on gas. So do you think it's worth it to pay 3000$ for that kind of car?

Answer 1

i wouldn't worry too much if it's your first car. this is a great learning experience about responsibility. keep in mind, the dealer will fix anything( under his warranty) on the car within 30 days of your purchase.  

Answer 2

In the old days(I got to start somewhere) lets say the 70"s muscle cars era...so that means there were alot of 60's and 50's on the road too.  But V8's were the engines to have, then there were straight 6's and the odd 4's.  100,000 miles was considered about 10 years of driving - motor overhaul time whether it be 8,6, or 4.   Some engines went sooner (Vegas at 60,000; and others lasted longer (Vw Beetles near 200,000 for the odd machine) but mostly 100,000 a complete top to bottom job required.   Many of the times the cars were 10 years old, so anybody that got a high mileage vehicle with less years got a probable delivery vehicle or on the road saleman type car.  Did you want it?  Not if you could get one with lower mileage for the same price.        

  Nowadays, I tend to pay more attention to the body than the motor.  Motors can be swapped out fairly cheaply.   Body rust is a different matter.

   In your case, get an independent mechanic to look the car over and evaluate the car for you.  It may cost you $50, but what the hey 50 is less than 3000 at least you will kinda know the first time around even if you don't buy it so maybe on the next vehicle you will know what to look for/watch out for.

Answer 3

100,000 miles is a lot but if the car was maintained well, expect to get another 50 to maybe 80 thousand miles and that's maybe. If the alternator, water pump, starter and fuel pump are all original, be prepared for a list of repairs. 3 grand is a lot for this car, 2,500 is more like it.

Answer 4

Its not a lot of miles mine has 98,000 I think its worth it you can look on www.kellybluebook.com and see what the value is and print it off and show the seller if its lower!

Answer 5

Best have $ to repair it as those are a lot of miles for most cars>Since the dealer says the car is in perfect cond have him give you warranty of 20,000 miles>Watch him say they can't as he knows it will boom out before that>

Answer 6

A Chevy Prizm is basically a rebadged Toyota Corolla... so 100K miles is not a lot. They are very reliable. Just ensure that the engine has had the timing belt changed. Personally I think $3K for a 9 yr old car with 100K miles is too much. Offer around $2K.