Newby: which 97 of 2 to buy?

[elpasha]

Guys,

I am writing from Florida where I am going Monday to get an Aurora. I have two different car dealers in mind. They both have 1997 cars. They are both gold/tan colored. One has a sunroof, other than that, they drive the same, are nice and tight, no knocks, drips, etc. Here is the issue. I carfaxed both of them, they are both clear:

The one with the sunroof has 105,000 miles and is $3995; The miles were put on this model "slower", here is the breakdown: 02/09/1999 16,000 - 12/04/2000 48,000 - 03/05/2001 53,715 - 06/04/2002 74,044 - 06/27/2003 84,050 (today 105k).

The other has 61,000 and is $6500. It was a lease vehicle that put little milage on at first, then put on the last 85k miles in between 2000-2005.

I have no other info, they both a super clean, and I have to save money, and I am tempted to buy the cheaper one with the extra 40k miles. The guy selling the cheaper one said he dropped the price because of the "high miles". Including tax, etc., I would save some $2600 if I buy the cheaper car.

Very seriously.....please tell me what you would do. Thanks!!!

[erw38]

Welcome elpasha,

Based on the info given, I would go for would go for the one with lower miles (hopefully that is the one with the sunroof). If you are not looking for the car to be long term, then it's a toss-up.

Do the cars have autobahn? Check on the inside edge of the door (by the latch) to see if the one you end up choosing has V rated tires. If so, enjoy the autobahn. If not, enjoy the car anyway.

[elpasha]

Hi,

Neither have autobahn. The cheaper one with more miles has a sunroof.

Thanks

[Marc]

Get the lower mileage one!!!


________________

GM!!! BRING BACK OLDS!!!

[Letitroll98]

"It's not the years, it's the mileage." Indiana Jones.

Always go for the lower mileage and better condition.

[scottydl]

letitroll98 said:

"It's not the years, it's the mileage." Indiana Jones.

Always go for the lower mileage and better condition.

I'd have to go with this recommendation too... although I know the lower price tag has got to be tempting. But keep in mind that a couple major repairs on the high-mileage '97 would easily and quickly eat into that $2600 you initially saved on the purchase price... hopefully with 40k fewer miles, you'll get a lot more use out of the car before anything fails. Plus the power sunroof is ultra-cool.