Aibu to want to buy a 77k mileage car.

[Roundtumble]

All advice appreciated!

It's a 2010 Alfa Romeo Mito
Will be my first car & I'm in love with it. Only thing is the mileage. My brother says I can find better for less money and less mileage. But I've been saving for a while now for this purpose & researched somewhat about mileage; the amount doesn't necessarily reflect the condition of the car.
I'll go for a test drive and possibly get it checked out by an independent garage. The car is beautiful imo, dealership says it's been kept in great condition, drives well etc but of course I don't want to waste my money on something that's not going to last long.
What do you guys think?

My last car, a diesel fiesta had 220k on the clock and would still run perfectly if the clutch didn't go.

I bought my Golf with 42k on the clock, it now has 84k on and the only money it has cost me in four years is servicing and tyres/brakes. It all depends on how it’s been maintained. Vehicles like VW’s tend to hold their money better, too.

Ps OP, don’t pay 4K. That’s a rip off!

Yanbu to buy a car with that mileage at all, but service history is a must, particularly with regard to schedules changes of timing/cam belts etc. The last 2 cars I bought all had more than 77k miles on them - an 08 FL2 with 99k. Perfect car, but needed a bigger boot. So then I bought an 06 Disco 3 with 110k miles on the clock. Both came with FSH. Neither have given me any trouble. Also, I bought a 98 Saab 4 years ago with 90k on the clock. It's bloody beautiful. Some people are just arses. Modern cars should go for 200k+ with the correct maintenance. But maybe not Alfas . Have you looked on Auto Trader to compare prices for similar models?

Have you checked the insurance for it? Alfa's are quite expensive to insure especially as its your first car it could easily be a few grand.

Don’t do it. Get a fiesta.

If you are wealthy, buy your dream car new or nearly new.
If you are not wealthy, buy reliable transport. There is nothing more irritating than a car that won't start, needs expensive imported parts, and lets you down when you want transport.
IMHO, mileage trumps all. A three year old car with 7k and SH because it's owner was a pensioner who tootled about will get my money- it is almost new!

Oh gosh. Please, please please do not bit this Alfa. It will be a world of pain. Been there before. Trust me, it's not a good idea.

We e seen plenty of 3yo skodas around 77k. Gave them a swerve! Most cars at 77k are becoming elderly. Not sure our mazda even got there. It's a rare care still going strong that point. Toyota is reliable, for example.

Alphas are just jumped up fiat, though!

Mitos have awful suspension linkage issues (replaced three times within 30k miles), coolant problems, recurring clutch and brake problems, the seats often don't move or fold properly despite several failed attempts by garages to fix. They're not a terrible car, it's a nice ride and nippy enough while looking stylish, but a 77k Mito is bringing doom upon yourself.

Yes

Separate out the questions.

AIBU to buy a car with 77K on the clock ? No - That is 'under average' for a 9 yr old car. Most cars nowadays will run happily in to 3 figures.

AIBU to spend £4K on a car that old, with that mileage ? Yes - you should be thinking in terms of spending hundreds, rather than thousands of ££ on your car if you are looking at cars that are almost 10 yrs old

AIBU to buy an Alfa Romeo ? I don't know anything about them, but the consensus seems to be it's not a great buy for someone who doesn't enjoy looking after cars for fun.

OP there is such a load of old tosh being posted on here by people who plainly know zero about cars - please check the car carefully and ensure the price is in line with the market but really some of the utter utter tripe being posted on here is just plain wrong and ignorant.

If you are downing £4K on your first car, go for the best car you can get for suitability, mileage, service and repair history, potentially upcoming maintenance, check the tyres (that alone could add £400 into your purchase price) and then, if you narrow it down to a few, choose the one you like best.

Don't just find an alpha and go for it.

Most cars at 77k are becoming elderly. Not sure our mazda even got there. It's a rare care still going strong that point

Utter drivel.

Cars are like lovers.
You see it, you want it, you know it’s probably going to end badly but.....
Hey! You’re young ,you can afford it lalala.
I had a string of really amazing cars in my youth, loved them but oh my god the cost!
Eventually you will come to realise that the safe bet is wise

Alfas are very expensive to fix. Think long and hard and then choose something else.

I think it depends on the age and contrition of the car. I have an 2014 Alfa Guilietta and adore it. It's now done 90,000 but had only done 18000 when I bought it. Over the last 4 years it's not needed anything other than tyres, an interior bulb and servicing. It's also incredibly fun and very comfortable to drive. YMMV though. It's miles and miles better than the Peugeot and Ford I had previously. Maybe for me as nice as the Saab I drove in the early 2000s. I'd definitely consider another Alfa, but like with all cars, caveat emptor.

But yes, as the post above me says, consider fixing costs. Mine hasn't cost much, but I could - the tyres alone are really expensive.

We e seen plenty of 3yo skodas around 77k. Gave them a swerve! Most cars at 77k are becoming elderly. Not sure our mazda even got there. It's a rare care still going strong that point. Toyota is reliable, for example.
😂😂😂
Mine is positively antique then having done over double that! Dh is in trade and reckons modern diesels will do 300'000 if looked after his advice still stands though to run far away from a Alfa.

We had to get rid of our Citroen Picasso when DC4 was born.
It had done 200,000 miles without any problems and can do at least 50,000 more according to DH.

I would not buy an Alfa unless I was a (good) amateur mechanic.

I wouldn't spend that on a first car. You're very likely to prang it.

Apart from it being an Alfa (btw, look for a local independant Alfa specialist who will know where to get OEM parts if you do buy it), the mileage depends a bit to me. Done with regular servicing and a car that has been looked after by the service book is much less worrying that a car that has been thrashed.

I bought a Honda CRV a couple of years ago with 150,000 on the clock, 06 plate. It is a fantastic car and did have an expensive brake system repair late last year but has otherwise been absolutely reliable. For £1.5k I really can't fault it, and it was immaculate with fsh

Thanks for the input everyone.
I've made a decision, I'll find a car for cheaper. Still love the Alfa but hearing way too many horror stories from everyone. I could be lucky but too scared to take that chance now.

I like Alfa’s but wouldn’t buy one as apparently parts for them are very expensive. It’s got 77k on the clock so it’s reasonable to assume things might need replacing soon. The fact is expensive for parts and has a decently high mileage on it would put me off.

I have a 2009 fiat punto that has (ridiculously low) 8 1/2 thousand miles on the clock. I’ve not passed my test yet (hopefully next week) but one of the reasons I picked the car was the low mileage- it’s by no meens my ideal car. I would have liked a bigger car with a bigger engine (it’s 1.4 but would like a 1.6). It’s also a 3 door and a 5 would have been better. I also know the lady that owned it from new and she looked after it well, full service history etc.

I don’t know what your budget is but I’m sure you could get something else for your money with lower mileage and that would be cheaper for parts.