Mileage alone means very little about a used car. Many older Dodge Caravans went over 400,000 miles before they needed major engine work. Most front-wheel-drive GM cars need $800.00 repairs every six months regardless of miles. A Nissan falls in between those extremes.
My second oldest vehicle, and the only one I trust on multiple cross-country trips, is an '88 with well over 200,000 miles. I would trust your older Nissan for the same reason as I trust my minivan; no or few unreliable computers. Instead of mileage, regular maintenance and the way the car was driven is more important. If there is a lot of rust from road salt you can expect steering, suspension, and electrical problems. Cars from the southern, drier states will last a lot longer than those from northern states. If you're considering a used car, a good investment is to have it inspected by an independent repair shop. Brake, steering, and suspension systems are the main things to look at.
Thursday, May 5th, 2011 AT 4:12 PM
