Is buying a car with 200,000 miles a bad idea?

Question

It's a 1991 Acura Integra, and I really like it.

All of it's problems are mainly cosmetic, like paint fading etc.

It's had one owner it's entire life, in pretty good condition, and costs $1,500. Which is really good, because my limit is $2000.

(My mom is buying me this car so I can get a job, since we live too far to walk.)

But is the fact that it has 200,000 miles on it a major problem? Should that make me reconsider buying it? Would I even be able to find anything better for under 2000 dollars?

I hear Integra's have pretty sturdy engines anyway, and I really like it, and it's my first car, so I'm obviously not expecting anything perfect, I just don't want to buy it and have to replace the engine in two weeks, you know?

Answer 1

200,000 miles is way to much  for a acura so dont buy the car unless if you can afford to replace all parts

Answer 2

Hi, I'm Tyler, 18 yrs old, you sound just like me when i was about to buy my Peugeot 106 (KEY-VA i named it haha). It has a tad more than 160,000 miles on it BUT that did not put me off. The car looks amazing and stands on its wheels like new.

For a car as old as mine (97), i was expecting a few MINOR FAULTS in it, like fuse, engine oil needing to be changed, brake oil needs filling up, change the Radiator water (GOD it was orange like FANATA!!), new wipers etc. those kind of things. Everyday i fix something, it had a rattling sound, so few screws below, here and there needed to be fixed etc. I waxed it later, put 206 rims on it (I owned one before this), tinted the windows and it looks like NEW LITERALLY and DRIVES like one because i took care of it as i do to all my cars, i'm very fussy when it comes to these stuff LoL. I bought it for £200 and now people want to buy it from me, they're offering me £1000 but i won't sell because i love it =)

So, go for it if you really like that car, miles won't change anything, but start the ignition, open the bonnet and listen to the engine, if there is anything that sounds really dodgy when you REV have it checked. If there is a lot of white smoke coming from the exhaust, then the engine is dying, diesel will do that sometimes but not PETROL it shouldn't (my dad told me that LoL). Erm.. what else should you know, yeah, that's all, just minor things you will expect for a car that old, just take care of it and the car will treat you like you treat her :P ha. Oh! one more thing, if you Rev the car and the engine sounds like it's about to die or stop running, have the wire connected to the engine checked, Oil and Petrol might not be reaching properly, mine was doing that and there was a tube that was a bit loose, i couldn't figure it out, but a lad took a look at it and just plugged it in LoL, simple as that.

Ah! and make sure it's economical and has a low insurance group !!! mine is, it's 1.1 lol

Well, i'm from the Uk don't know where and how it works where you are.

Answer 3

That's a lot of miles. You also have to consider how efficient the car is with respect to Gas. I'm not a car knowledgeable person but it seems to be a good buy for (Honda it's a Honda right?) I've heard their good cars but every car has its limit and so you don't want to take a risk. I would say try and find something with less mileage so that it might last longer (and maybe something that doesn't guzzle gas) Probably a lot of requirements for $2000. Maybe just search the web and see how long those types of cars last. But to be on the safe side with a huge investment and being you're first car and all consider that it doesn't have to be a car you like but one that will get the job done which is work for a while.

Answer 4

It's definately a BAD idea.  I would try to find another car with alot less miles on it if i were you.  Most people wouldnt buy anything with over 100,000 miles because motors typically start falling apart after that.  I would look some more, if you spend all of your car allowance on a car that tears up right after then you are going to be without a car again.  Good luck!