Buying a car with high mileage.....

steve-L

My BMW has 122,000 on a 330D and my Honda 180,000 on the TDCi.
The Honda Turbo seized at 170,000, needed a strip down and clean and has since done 10k without a hickup!

My OH learned to drive in the Honda .. it previously had a new clutch at 111,000 and needed a new clutch and DMF (after he learning to drive in it) at 179,800 (cost £1040)

colino

OP I'm a bit concerned that you may be swayed by stories of high mileage achieved in other more worthy cars above. However we are talking about the tinny, cheap and nasty Bravo here. That is a really cheeky showroom price for a car that has already had all of its value worn out and you are looking at potential clutch, gearbox, turbo and electrial faults to add to the rest of the poor dogs woes.
Don't buy by the plate, get a nice Focus for the same money and keep it for years.

Tilt

colino wrote: »

OP I'm a bit concerned that you may be swayed by stories of high mileage achieved in other more worthy cars above. However we are talking about the tinny, cheap and nasty Bravo here. That is a really cheeky showroom price for a car that has already had all of its value worn out and you are looking at potential clutch, gearbox, turbo and electrial faults to add to the rest of the poor dogs woes.
Don't buy by the plate, get a nice Focus for the same money and keep it for years.

God here we go... another 'expert'. So what happened with yours then?

colino

Thankfully I learn quickly from my lessons and the avalanche of these cars dropped on to the market when they were 3 y.o., despite being only 20% of their original price were still no bargains.
Additionally the volume of cars that pass through my hands give me a fair than even chance of knowing what they are realy like, not the one in a million cossetted version that is seen as the exception that makes the rule.
I'll leave you with the expert tag, your clearly a fan of the marque, but remember an ex is a has-been and a spurt is a drip under pressure.

Tilt

colino wrote: »

Thankfully I learn quickly from my lessons and the avalanche of these cars dropped on to the market when they were 3 y.o., despite being only 20% of their original price were still no bargains.
Additionally the volume of cars that pass through my hands give me a fair than even chance of knowing what they are realy like, not the one in a million cossetted version that is seen as the exception that makes the rule.
I'll leave you with the expert tag, your clearly a fan of the marque, but remember an ex is a has-been and a spurt is a drip under pressure.

Well thanks for that. I'm sure others will find it as clear as mud as I did.

Yes, indeed I am a fan of Fiats... i'm on my 14th since 1978 atm and have only had 1 significant problem with one.

From my experience, they are neither 'tinny, cheap or nasty' cars. My son has just spent a mere £100 getting his 19 year old Uno through it's MOT.

steve-L

colino wrote: »

your clearly a fan of the marque.

and you can still be a fan of a marque without denying the reliability ....

TVR made some 'nice car's' .... You could say I'm a fan ... but I' never claim they were reliable or cheap to maintain!

i'm on my 14th since 1978 atm

Erm so on average kept between 2-3 years?

My son has just spent a mere £100 getting his 19 year old Uno through it's MOT.

Not really the same company though....
That's like comparing a 1978 Toyota ... (not particularly reliable with a 2005 one or 1978 Skoda with a 2005 Octavia.....)

or 1978 Landrover Defender with a 2005 K series engined Discovery....

Paperbird

I can't comment on the car but I wouldn't buy a car that is 170 miles away.
If you have a problem with it when you get home and the garage says bring it back and we will fix it you could be faced with a 170 mile tow to get it there 170 miles to get back home and then another 340 miles to collect it.

Tilt

steve-L wrote: »

and you can still be a fan of a marque without denying the reliability ....

Absolutely which is why I pointed out that I did have an issue with one. Uno Turbo which had a seized turbo. Rectified under warranty.

steve-L wrote: »

so on average kept between 2-3 years?

Yes but the one i have currently, I have owned since 2000 so just under 13 years. Punto HGT. Still drives like new.

powerful_Rogue

Ill-informed opinion of Fiats which is great for buyers like me as it keeps the price down.

Fiats of old used to have issues, thus the "Fix It Again Tomorrow" tag line, however fiats of at lease the last 10 years in my opinion have been great quality cars.

Tinny, cheap and nasty..... that did make me chuckle! :rotfl: