I JUST BOUGHT A 1992 PONTIAC GR PRIX. SOMETHINGS HAD TO BE FIXED ON IT. THE INSURANCE WAS FAXED OVER , AND THE USED AUTO SHOP WAS GOING TO DMV TO REGISTER IT. WHEN THEY FIXED THE ODOMETER INSTEAD OF 133,000 MILES IT HAD ABOUT 190,000. HOW LONG DO THOSE CARS LAST? IT SEEMS SOUND THE ENGINE SOUNDS GOOD. I LOOKED LONG FOR A CAR THATS INEXPENSIVE AND HAD TO GET AN APPROVAL ON THIS AMOUNT FOR SOMEONE TO GET THE CAR. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. THANK YOU VAL
Answers from the Automotive Experts
Vehicles with high mileage just need to be tended to. Keep on eye on fluid conditions and seapage from any component. I would attempt to dig up any history on the vehicles service possible, timing belts need to be replaced around that interval, be aware that vehicles last as long as you take care of them. How are the spark plugs? how is the condition of coolant and transmision?....
Follow-up on the mileage issue on the registration side.
Dear Valerie,
That's a lot of miles on a GM product. I would make sure you have the vehicle checked out thouroghly. If it was a Honda or a Toyota I would tell you that it's just getting warmed up.
I would also be concerned that the mileage was not what they said it was. There may be other things they're hiding as well. Be cautious.
Lori Johnson
Valerie,
Never buy a car in a private sale without having a qualified mechanic look it over first. It may cost you a couple bucks to have it looked over, but it will almost always end up saving you money in the long run. Also, do your research. Kelly Blue Book will give you a fair estimated price for any vehicle you are purchasing. If the price is way off from the suggested price, you know something is not right. You can also check carfax.com to find out the history on the vehicle using the VIN. The good news for you though, I do believe that if you were sold a car under false pretenses - i.e. the odometer was wrong - in most states, you should be able to return the car and get a full refund. Check with DMV in your state. If this is something you want to do, don