[mrblanche]

How concerned would you be if you found out the mileage on your El Camino was wrong, or at least was more than you thought it was? I just ran a CarFax on the car I think I'm going to buy, and it says it may have as much as 290,000 miles on it...but it could be that there was a clerical error early on, and the indicated mileage is a lot closer to correct.

What do you think?

 

[cam81]

I know mine is incorrect. Probably 150,000 or so. I would be more concerned with condition of components you don't want to replace, frame, body, glass, trim parts, etc. Then check for leaks, does it run well, is oil in coolant, or vice versa, does it smoke? You will probably need to work on it regardless of miles, there are parts that don't age well even on low mileage examples (many parts with rubber or foam).

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.Com Free App

 

[E-Man]

I would go with what carfax says. Unfortunately due to the 5 digit odometer on these cars, sellers frequently try to down play mileage to up the asking price. It amuses me when I see an ad on Ebay that says '25k original miles,' then you look at a pic of the vehicle's engine/undercarriage and it looks like a rats nest.

 

[HKDUP87]

I'm an original owner and my 87 has 300,000+ and runs great and hasn't been rebuilt.:dontknow:

 

[Red Regal T]

As long as the price reflects the condition of the car, and your not paying a premium for the alleged low mileage, I think your OK. Your eyes are your bargain.

 

[steelybill]

X2 to that....

 

[Lenny Carey]

While it`s possible that the Carfax mileage may be wrong , I strongly feel like E-Man that it is more correct than what the seller says it is , whether or not the seller is being honest about it . If it is wrong , has the seller contacted the agencies that report the mileage over the years to straighten it out ? I often check on E-Bay and Fl. Auto Trader on El Caminos for sale . I am very often shocked by the " little white lies " and outright " fraud " , that I see , especially when it comes to mileage . If they are not honest on the milage , what else are they not being honest about ? As the others said , it is important on these older cars to check them out for their actual condition and the milage alone should not usually be a deal breaker . The best way is if you can yourself , have a knowledgable friend or mechanic check the car`s systems , fluids , including rust . Most people do not bother to do it but it`s best to pay a few bucks to a place and put the vehicle up on a lift as that is the only true way of verifying the real condition and what it may or not cost you later on .

 

[ccc]

my 83 malibu has 532,000 miles the odometer is on its 6 th time around,i bought it at 11 months old and 40,000 miles from the upland ca. police dpt. if you like the car why worrie about what the milage claims to be. its all mechanicals. look at the car for signs of excessive miles.severly worn suspension points from much work,realy loose pedal assemblies,sloppy shifter, colapsed body bushings and motor mounts.body cracks all signs to show wear.if it doesnt exibit these signs it has been cared for properly and not a concern. these are very servicable cars and if not driven into the grave before repaired should be fine at 1,000,000 miles

 

[HKDUP87]

my 83 malibu has 532,000 miles the odometer is on its 6 th time around,i bought it at 11 months old and 40,000 miles from the upland ca. police dpt. if you like the car why worrie about what the milage claims to be. its all mechanicals. look at the car for signs of excessive miles.severly worn suspension points from much work,realy loose pedal assemblies,sloppy shifter, colapsed body bushings and motor mounts.body cracks all signs to show wear.if it doesnt exibit these signs it has been cared for properly and not a concern. these are very servicable cars and if not driven into the grave before repaired should be fine at 1,000,000 miles

I'm with you bought mine new and have only replaced one freeze plug on the block itself. I drive like a normal person take that back I don't punch it. This will be my granddaughters ride in about 16-years she's one so what's a couple more hundred thousand miles. She runs like new right now 300,000 and counting.:nanawrench:

 

[~JM~]

One way to help determine mileage or amount of time run is to examine the condition of the pedals. How much rubber is worn off the right side of the brake pedal pad? Is it through to the steel?

How sloppy is the throttle pedal side to side, etc?

How about handles & door pulls? How loose have they become?

Good luck
~JM~

 

[nickmain]

I just checked my title .it's a D title ( 4 title changes ) b4 me 1 probably a dealer 1 a finance company so it really had 2 real owner drivers.. It had 75000 in 1989 a tree fell on it in 02 & it sat until now. It now shows 38000 . So the last owner put 37000 from 89 to 02. What is amazing it's a v6 with air I put a battery in it & it started right up, no leaks yet.

 

[ccc]

i love bringing the dead back to life especially a chevy elco

 

[Bobby78]

You really should prep them a little before throwing in a battery and turning the key after 10 years. At least pull the plugs squirt a little oil or PB blaster in each cylinder and let it sit a day or two. Then try turning the engine by hand and see if it's free. Then change the oil, and pull the distributor and use an engine primer on a drill on the oil pump shaft to lube everything.