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wow my theory is taking a beating.
11-6 in the poll.
I have half a mind to open up to newer cars with double
the mileage, but am not all the way there yet.
So now I'm down to 3. The only thing keeping me interested in the Ciera
is 17,000 miles is 44,000 less than the LeSabre and 52,000 less than the Neon.
But the Neon is only 2,300 and the LeSabre 2,800. 4,900 is a lot for a 1995
Ciera but it's the V6 and with only 17k miles it could last an extremely long time.
I'll be looking to buy next week. Everything pending inspections of course.
Man it's hard to find a low mileage car for under 5k !! What's this world coming to.
The Cieras were not very reliable, the Neons were total junk. Given the choices above, I would pick the LeSabre if it is in decent shape--no contest.
Don't let what seems to be high milage on todays cars bother you since many will run over 300,000 miles before they are ready for the scrap heap. If the overall condition shows good care then the milage means little today.
I am leaning towards the LeSabre
if it is all its cracked up to be and is still
available Tuesday or Wednesday. Taking the Ciera
off the list, even with that mileage it is still just a 95 Ciera
and I won't pay 4-5k for it.
Still I may change my mind if I see something newer.. say
2001-2007 or so, 100k miles maybe but not 130k, sorry,
would rather have the LeSabre. It would have to be a non-compact
mid-sized car, one i can get into without hitting my head on the roof.
I can't even get into Camrys and such ridiculous cars without breaking my back.
Minivans and SUVs are ok, doesn't matter.. wagons, whatever
if anyone has some last minute rec's i will run the searches
signing off til tomorrow. all have nice Saturday night.
With the Lesabre at 51,330 miles, check to see if the automatic transmission has been serviced. General Motors recommends an automatic transmission flush every 50,000 miles.
Second, check to see if the car has a fuel filter bottom side that is accessible. Fuel filters collect dirt and particles from the gasoline flowing to the engine. With too much accumulation inside, gasoline cannot reach the engine and can cause the car not to start. General Motors recommends replacing the fuel filter every 15,000 miles.
Usually with the replacement of the fuel filter, it is advisable to perform a complete fuel system cleaning. Carbon accumulation in the engine's interior chambers, intake manifold and throttle body and buildup of ethanol, dirt and particles in the fuel line will decelerate the engine's speed, decrease gas mileage, increases rough idling and hesitation and decreases engine performance. The Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (AMRA) recommends to its members that a chemical engine de-carbonization service be SUGGESTED for preventive maintenance at the interval of 15,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first.
Check the coolant. If the coolant is testing at -34 degrees Fahrenheit, the coolant is good. If the coolant is testing above 0 degrees, appears dirty or has straight water, it needs a radiator flush. I would go ahead and perform this service as having a good coolant for 50,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first, will allow the engine to operate efficiently in extreme temperatures and have good protection against rust, dirt and corrosion.
It would not hurt to perform a power steering flush to completely remove deposits and metals from the steering system. A good power steering fluid will improve your handling with steering and extend the life of the power steering pump. A power steering flush is usually recommended every 30,000 miles.
As for the oil selection, use the viscosity on the oil cap. If it calls for 10W-30, use the 10W-30. As for the grades of regular/standard oil, being full synthetic, semi-synthetic or synthetic blend and conventional, using a full synthetic or semi-synthetic/synthetic blend oil will give the engine far better protection against leaks, deposits, sludge, heat, wear and friction.
In my experience, an older car with lower miles tends to rot (I guess is how I'd put it). Things fall off, fall apart, wear out, etc. much more often than a newer car with higher miles.
Personally, I try to stick to the 8-12,000 miles-per-year rule of thumb (no less!), or even more than that if it's a less-than-five-year-old vehicle.
Equal crap shoot. After 5-6 years of age, for a car the prospects are equally terrible. I had a friend get a high mile (87k, 2007) 335i BMW off ebay and reviewing the maint records there were curiously long intervals between service after the warranty expired. We also found service recommendations that the PO didn't take care of. Sure enough he found these things were needing to be replaced. It's all about the maintenance, but personally, I would take a newer car with higher miles, especially where they salt roads (rust) or it's extremely dry (rubber gets dry and cracks). In those cases age is an enemy.
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