# Old low mileage vehicle vs new high mileage vehicle

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/old-low-mileage-vehicle-vs-new-high-mileage-vehicle/8287>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [December 13, 2007, 2:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/old-low-mileage-vehicle-vs-new-high-mileage-vehicle/8287 "2007-12-13T02:46:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mark\_Fischer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@Mark\_Fischer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mark_Fischer)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 2:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/old-low-mileage-vehicle-vs-new-high-mileage-vehicle/8287/1 "2007-12-13T02:46:21Z")

</div>

I have an opportunity to purchase a 2003 Accura MDX with 123,000 miles in excellent shape OR a 1999 Lexus RX300 with 90,000 miles, also in excellent shape…both around the same cost…which is the better buy if I plan on holding on to it for 3-5 years?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 2:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/old-low-mileage-vehicle-vs-new-high-mileage-vehicle/8287/2 "2007-12-13T02:59:31Z")

</div>

The one you like better and has already had its timing belt replaced.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mark\_Fischer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@Mark\_Fischer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mark_Fischer)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 3:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/old-low-mileage-vehicle-vs-new-high-mileage-vehicle/8287/3 "2007-12-13T03:03:05Z")

</div>

That would be the Accura…timing belt just replaced 3 months ago…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jeremy\_R\_Hoyt](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jeremy_r_hoyt/32/37_2.png) [@Jeremy\_R\_Hoyt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeremy_R_Hoyt)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/old-low-mileage-vehicle-vs-new-high-mileage-vehicle/8287/4 "2007-12-13T16:56:27Z")

</div>

Which one do you like better?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 5:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/old-low-mileage-vehicle-vs-new-high-mileage-vehicle/8287/5 "2007-12-13T17:05:17Z")

</div>

If they did not replace the water pump and tensioners along with the timing belt then it’s possible you may have to go back in soon.  
Either one could go the 3-5 year mark; it all depends on how they were driven and maintained up to this point.  
All things equal, it boils down to which you just happen to like the most.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2007, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/old-low-mileage-vehicle-vs-new-high-mileage-vehicle/8287/6 "2007-12-13T17:45:34Z")

</div>

It’s a toss-up because both are good vehicles. I would take the Lexus, since it is less complicated , 2 wheel drive and a more pleasant vehicle to drive. Parts are no problem with either one. Bothe vehicles will last 400,000 miles with goog care, so you should have few worries.