"LJ909" (lj909)
02/09/2015 at 10:32 • Filed to: None
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"LJ909" (lj909)
02/09/2015 at 10:32 • Filed to: None | 2
| 25 |
Yes I still haven't brought a car and its mostly I think because of my love for cars. I had a list that was over 16 models long of cars I was looking at, ranging from Nissan Sentra SE-R's to Mini Coopers. But I've begun to narrow it down. But I realized I have a problem: I have a thing for high mileage cars that sometimes aren't known for stellar reliability. I'm talking 120k and above. But not over 160. I'm not crazy (though some of you may think I am with these examples I'm going to show.
See this beautiful 2004 Audi A8 L? Dealer wants 9 grand for it. Has a clean Carfax. Was serviced at only Audi dealers. But it has 155 thousand miles on it
And its one of the cars I want . I know, these can potentially be a nightmare, but its better than a last gen !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Or this 2007 Pontiac Solstice for 7 grand (no don't suggest a Miata. I ruled that out over a month or so ago) with 135 thousand miles on it.
It only had two owners and its a manual!
These are just two of my picks that Im looking at. There's one more but Im not too sure on it. But I have a problem and its loving cars so much that I wouldn't mind dealing with the repair bills that could ultimately come with driving vehicles with mileage like this (as long as its nothing major of course.).
But these two, these are the lesser of two evils I say, even though I had read on the Solstice forums that the Kappa twins are pretty bullet proof. The only thing I have heard about last gen A8's is the horrors of getting them repaired because of the aluminum body and electrical gremlins. I just come here though for you guys to give me advice and guidance, so give it to straight. No bull. Which one.
505Turbeaux
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 10:33 |
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so do I
44444444444
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 10:38 |
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High milage cars are all sorts of fun. However, I wouldn't bat an eye at 160k miles. I'd stay away from an Audi or a Pontiac though. If you want performance and what resembles high milage reliability get a Volvo R. I did however, mine has 280,000 miles. Everything that's gonna fail (struts, clutch slave, collar sleeve) fails every 120k miles.
SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 10:39 |
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My E38 has 238k miles
themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 10:39 |
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Solstice, it will hold what little remains of its value for a while due to being a dead brand, a solid car, and pretty robust. The A8 will hold its value but cost you 20k in maintenance and repairs for the next few years. It will have presence, but do you have the wallet for it?
sm70- why not Duesenberg?
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 10:40 |
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Forget the aluminum body and electrics. I believe those A8s have air suspension. If it's anything like the setup on my uncle's Phaeton (which has about 100k), you may end up spending over five grand just maintaing/fixing that part.
chuck07
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 10:41 |
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Get that Solstice. I was looking at that or a Sky before I settled with the Mustang convertible. They are awesome cars. Almost went the CarMax + warranty route.
E. Julius
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 10:42 |
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I think the biggest thing is to just make sure you're not sitting on a ticking time bomb. As long as you do your research and make sure whatever model you're looking at isn't at risk for some sort of catastrophic failure necessitating a high four figure (or more) rebuild, it shouldn't be too much of a problem as long as you're willing to stomach paying a little extra to have the car you love.
Milky
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 10:44 |
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My dad has one of those A8's. It is a lovely thing to be in and drive. But like SM70 said, you have to make sure the air suspension is good.
Granted my dad's is a low milage example, but his has been mostly problem free.
Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 10:48 |
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My piece of crap will be dead long before 150k.
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LJ909
> 44444444444
02/09/2015 at 10:49 |
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Funny you mentioned that. I actually found this newely listed V70 R right after I published this article for sale in Hollywood
143 thousand miles on it
& my god it has the spaceball!
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LJ909
> Milky
02/09/2015 at 10:52 |
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Yea I read about those air suspension failures. I dont want to be like Doug and his Range Rover but without a Carmax warranty.
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LJ909
> themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
02/09/2015 at 10:54 |
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Not to mention the pretty decent gas mileage for being so light and a manual. But i'm sure I wouldn't want to swallow those repair bills with the A8. I've gotta look past the surface beauty.
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44444444444
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 10:56 |
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Huh, it's an 04 with an updated center console... Buy. It. Now. And budget 3k every 120k miles for struts (350 each+ labor) /angle gear (120+ labor) /clutch (450+ labor), lower control arms (200 each), and coils (50 each). Double that if you can't do it yourself.
ciscokidinsf
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 10:58 |
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Dunno man, you are comparing a tent with the fully loaded camper and asking us which one to take camping with little other info:
Answer the following:
- I want to drive with friends, family, etc... (Y/N)
- I have access to other vehicles (Y/N)
- I have some mechanical ability to do some repairs ( Y/N)
- I have a garage (Y/N)
- I drive a lot of highway (or will) (Y/N)
- I like manual cars more than Auto (Y/N)
- I have a stash of at least $1,200 saved for repairs (Y/N)
Anyway, you get my point. The Solstice is a car for you and your enjoyment, limited in usability but awesome for fun. You want a garage to take care of it. However, if you want to ride with buddies, family, etc... take a long drive for a vacation, drive a lot of highway, etc..., The A8L would be perfect. The 2004 A8L has a solid engine, but fair amount of gremlins, some that you can work on if you have the tools/ability/space, but definitely repair cost is the big difference. Audi at 155K miles is also due for the 2nd timing belt so make sure its already done.
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LJ909
> ciscokidinsf
02/09/2015 at 11:05 |
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Well I do alot of driving, but not to the point where it would be super hard on my car. The longest distance I go is when I go get my son because he lives 38 or so miles from me. Other than that I commute 9 miles or so to work round trip. I was never one to have alot of people in my cars so I'm not worried about the room that much. I do have access to another car but this would be my daily drive. And most of the time im alone too so there's that. I've just always loved the A8 especially the L. If I can cross my legs in the backseat I'm sold. But he Solstice has my heart first so we will see.
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Milky
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 11:11 |
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I haven't looked into them since my dad got the car (damn that was in 2011) but IIRC there is a much cheaper fixed spring option that most goto when the air suspension breaks.
If you don't want to buy one, don't go test drive one then ….. they are sooooo nice.
jeffywk
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 11:12 |
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Spaceball!
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LJ909
> Milky
02/09/2015 at 11:20 |
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Yea that's what i'm afraid of, Ill get drawn in by the executive-ness.
My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 11:28 |
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Do it man! I just drove my Buddy's 6 speed R the other day and it was fucking awesome. Steering is really sharp, clutch has great feel, and seats are sooo nice, not to mention the wailing 5 banger.
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44444444444
> My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa
02/09/2015 at 11:39 |
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You have to drive it on curvy roads in the rain... It'll change your life.
Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> LJ909
02/09/2015 at 14:24 |
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That doesn't sound like that high of mileage to me, but I guess it really depends on the car. Haha I do like that you had to add the caveat of no Miata after suggesting a Solstice. How do they compare anyways? I am just curious because I have seen a few Solstices driving on the road and wondered if they were just like a Pontiac version of a Miata.
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LJ909
> Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
02/09/2015 at 15:40 |
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From haven driven them both I can tell you that the Solstice feels more usable than the Miata. Well early version's of the Miata. The current gen also feels less usasble than the Solstice. Handling is on par also. Its on rails. And I'm not just speaking because I favor the Solstice just being honest.
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My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa
> 44444444444
02/09/2015 at 15:46 |
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He said he loves doing that too, but his tires are about done for so he's laying off until the new ones go on. Either way, that car is a beast and the haldex in it is really good.
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Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> LJ909
02/10/2015 at 09:52 |
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Interesting! I feel like that will be a pretty unique car in a few years (if it is not already) which definitely is different from the Miata. I wonder if the Saturn Sky is a parts bin swap with the Solstice, because that should be the same type of situation then.
surlymike
> ciscokidinsf
02/17/2015 at 20:41 |
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^ This is good advice. Those are the true considerations. I've been tempted by an A8 many times and even have a good VW/Audi Mech. friend but still decide no simply because I hate big repair bills that are not necessary with other cars. I drive a 5speed lowered Outback and hoon it in the snow and have ZERO issues with it.