What is your ideal mileage of the used car/age of the used car, if you would like to purchase a used car?

[Wayfarerz]

Two tips:

1) Be wary of buying a car with TOO low mileage. I might avoid cars with less than 3k miles per year because either the car was used only for short trips or there were significant periods of non-use - both scenarious bad for a car.

2) There are several internet sites which show depreciation curves for various makes and models of cars. These curves show when the depreciation curve "flattens". By buying when the depreciation curve flattens, you can make the current owner pay for most of the depreciation. The depreciation curves can look very different for different makes of cars and sometimes look different for different models of the same make.

[DannyHobkins]

For a newer car, the sweet spots for used car are probably that 3 year 30k miles. Instead of buying a new car, you can get a used one for half the price relatively trouble free.

For something more budget friendly, the next sweet spot is probably something 10 years old well maintained with 120k+ miles. A car around 90-110k will need its servicing. Hopefully you can get something that been serviced and fully depreciated at that time.

The best buy however is usually the classic car or a desirable performance car like a Porsche 911. A good chance a $50k, 15 year old Porsche 911 will cost less to own over 5 years than a new or a few year old Toyota Camry.

[johnd393]

The total purchase price of a used car is at risk if there is a catastrophic mechanical failure. Better to find a well cared for car under $5000. A late model $25000+ used car puts too much money at risk.