omelet1978

I have an 80 mile total round trip commute to work every day. When you ad in normal driving it comes out to about 40,000 miles a year. I'm looking at getting a USED 2009 Maxima that is loaded with everything (premium, double sunroof, nav) for 30k, but I'm worried that after 4 years it will be hard to sell a car with like 150,000 miles on it...

I would keep all maintainence records on it too. I thought about getting a beater, but could not bring myself too do it. I am currently driving a 2005 TL, but the previous owner did not take car of it and I think I want something newer.

Any thoughts?

MaxLoverAz

iTrader: (1)

Well any car with that many miles annually will take a hit on resale value, however if you keep the maintenance up and SAVE all of your receipts for service like you stated you'll be fine. Highway miles are the best miles for a car, if you could prove that it was well taken care of you'll find a large market interested in it.

Foellarbear

ya any car you purchase and drive alot its gonna drop the price in retail value. but the most important thing is keepin up with the cars maintance. At least they are highway/interstate miles..... Of course the best decision you can do is at least buy a Nissan Maxima. Doesn't matter which generation.

BLACKNESS MONSTA

I would NOT buy any 30k car and drive it 150,000 miles in 4 years

U will most likely loose about 15-20k value in just 4 years. The Maxima has had a history of bad resale value to make things worse lol

If i was in ur position id settle for a V6 Altima...around 10k cheaper

lightonthehill

A car with 150K miles on it will not really be accepted in trade by a Nissan dealer. They may pretend it is part of the deal, but will actually wholesale it out at a rock bottom price. New car dealers around where I live generally do not want vehicles on their used car lot with more than 60K on the odo. For an older car in very good condition, they might go 80K.

When the four years have passed, and you are ready to replace your 150K mile Maxima, you would probably have to find a private buyer and convince him the miles were mostly highway miles, and you took good care of all maintenance.

If you opt for the Maxima, you will have to convince yourself that the vehicle value lost in those high miles was what you were willing to pay to have had the pleasure of driving this wonderful, stylish, comfortable Maxima for four years of your life. The economics may not be there, but sometimes we skirt the economic issue when great pleasure may be had.

STARR

iTrader: (1)

The easiest way to answer this question is, does your job/career pay you enough to justify the car, if you make 30k a year and choose to pay the car off over 5 years, then maybe you are looking at too much car and need to rethink life and your career path, maybe find a new job and fit going back to school in their somehow.

But if you make enough that the car is paid off and yours in a short time then, by all means get the car and enjoy the drive, in the simplest terms, in your position, drive the car until the wheel fall off and then get a new one.

Also you might want to look into renting an apartment, time spent in car as well as gas, oil changes, tires, it might cost just as much to live 5 minutes away from the office and commute home on the weekends, unless u have a wife and kids

1sik4dsc

iTrader: (1)

im sure ull be able to find a buyer if you sell the car with 150k and plus the car will only be 4 yrs old, theres always someone online looking for something

rkurlander

How does an "80 mile round trip to work, plus normal driving" add up to 40,000 miles a year? Assuming you get three weeks vacation, plus holidays - the work related total is about 18,800. Additional "normal driving" is 21,200 a year? Yikes!

Blulytes

iTrader: (2)

I'm in the same boat.. but I drive for work... and I get reimbursed the mileage, so its all a wash... but anyway...

3 months, 11k on the odo!

omelet1978

I drive a lot, and I live in the Northern part of Las Vegas so it is like a half hour drive to get anywhere. How I add is 60 miles a day normally and work days are 80 miles plus another 40 or so to drive around town/go to the gym etc...I also right now am taking Masters classes in Oceanside CA, so that is another 500 miles round trip everytime I do it...

Miles add up unfortunately. I've always been one to drive a lot, so I always averaged about 20,000 miles a year anyway...I did not have a problem with a new car at 20k a year though, when I start getting into the high 30s thats when I get nervous!

STARR

iTrader: (1)

Get a Yaris, this guy has put 150k on an 07 in 6 months

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7895

here is a video of him at 300k, took him 2 1/2 years

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0L2GwV38XQ

It's been 6 months since he hit 300k so who knows what he's at now

LtLeary

I tend to look at it a bit differently (besides the obvious fact I get to drive around in a fine car.)

To keep the math easy, lets just say you drive 40,000 miles a year for 5 years on a car you paid 35K for and you get $0 for your car. My cost (just for the ride, not fuel, oil, maint etc) per mile is $0.175.

Now say your are more of an "average" (if there is such a thing) person who drives 15,000 a year and get 15K for your ride at the end. This comes out to 60,000 miles for $20K (same $35K car but you got 15K in trade) at $0.333 per mile.

To get the same (cost per mile) I would have to get about $25K in trade and I don't think that would happen.

So to me, it makes perfect cents (pun intended!) to have the advantage of a ride that is solid, powerful, dependable and lets face it, one that I like to drive, and be happy for the "value proposition" I get at the $0.175/mile even if I donate it at the end of its life to a worthy in-law (again, if there is such a thing!!!) (Yeah I know it is real simple math but it works for me!!!!)

And yes, I'm one of those guys that commutes about 200 miles a day (just hit 35,000 miles this am on the car I bought in Sep!) and loving every minute in my Max!

Lt

NCSUpilot

A few months ago I sold my 1995 max with 266,000 for $3k - you can always get something for it!

Max2000SE

iTrader: (2)

here is my view point. life is short, and you cant take your money to the grave. drive a maxima and enjoy it will you can. you can always make money, but enjoying life may not always be there.

picked up my 09 sv 2 weeks ago and have been loving life since!!

sperrier

I recently sold my 127,000-mile 2001 SE for $3,500 (appx $500 penalty for the mileage). Bought as a program car in 2003 with 18,000 miles and never failed take me where I needed to go. Just normal maintenance, two (!) catalytic converters and an MAF sensor. I can't complain. Take care of it, enjoy it, drive it all you want, and somebody will happily purchase it when you're done.

Metal Maxima

iTrader: (30)

If you're concerned about mileage and resale value, then you're shopping for a car that is out of your price range. My commute bests yours by an extra 10 miles, and while I'm considering a newer Max myself, I have to assume any resale value is a perk and just enjoy the ride.

Phatso

Well said. I agree with everyone else. Get the car, enjoy the ride and when your finished with it, sell it. You will have to sell it on the private market though as no dealership will touch it with that many miles on it. Have you looked into leasing. But then again with that many miles you may just be better off buying a cheap beater that is dependable.

MaxLoverAz

iTrader: (1)

I hope your not driving this much if this proposed tax is put in place,

Fuel tax could be replaced with by-the-mile road tax

"A federal commission, after a two-year study, concluded earlier this year that the road tax was the "best path forward" to keep revenues flowing to highway and transportation projects, and could be an important new tool to help manage traffic and relieve congestion"

omelet1978

That actually makes me feel a little better that someone else has a new car and drives as much as I do!

Metal Maxima

iTrader: (30)

Well, I don't have a new one...yet. This week I make the final decision. I have nixed the Max from the list because for the features provided at the current price point, well, it's less then desirable. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the new Max...I really do. But I need a newer car. I am looking at an Acura TL or Lexus LS430. Both are priced well below the Maxima with only about 45k on the model with well-established reliability histories.

If you've got the cash, and this is what you want...GO FOR IT. Seriously. Being a fellow long-hauler, and I would assume your commute does commensurate with the salary, do what makes you happy.

omelet1978

Wow, and I thought I drove a lot! You realize if you keep that up for 5 years then it will be like 230,000 miles.

Well, one thing I've got going for me is that the guy selling is private party and has agreed to get it inspected. I would get a top of the line max with premium packaged (double moonroof, navigation, etc...) with 5000 miles for 30k out the door. B/c it is private party sale in NV you do not have to pay sales tax, so that would be like 2300 in savings. The KBB value looks to be about 33,850.

I would probably sell my current car for about 15k, and doing a 3 year loan it would be about $450 a month...which I can afford.

It's so tempting, I know despite the fact that it is a good deal that it's still going to plummet in value due to the miles. Thats the only thing holding me back. I might just say f!@# it though and just get it and enjoy it!

Metal Maxima

iTrader: (30)

DO IT ALREADY!!! What's stopping you? Crappy pick-up? Poor drive quality? Uncomfortable seats? Do you enjoy these thinkgs or just love punishing yourself? DO IT!!!

LtLeary

Just ask yourself how comfortable and happy you want to be during your ownership. As a guy who has rented cars he hated just driving 10 to 15 miles, I can unequivocally state that you need to be happy with what you are driving if you are going to be a road warrior.

You only need to ask yourself how much is your comfort and happiness worth? The answer to that question will be your guide. To me, the answer was quick and unequivocable....go for it!

RacerX1320

iTrader: (3)

<---Read the entire thread great post!

lwimble

I drive 1.3 miles to work, but I am normal and go to many places across New England for racquetball, work, etc. After 3.25 years, my brand-new 2006 Nissan Titan had 27,300 miles on it. Anyone want me to break in a car for them?