Government Vehicles Auction - High Mileage

L[Deactivated] on 29/08/2019 - 21:43

Hey guys, so my family is looking to buy a Subaru Forester, and we thought that Pickles would have some good options without too many hassles. We went for a look last week and the cars seem to be separated into 2 groups: Ex-Government with high odometer readings (example 2017 with 50-60,000km), and Ex-Fleet with lots of scratches (especially on the rear bumpers), but a better odometer reading.

The people at Pickles told us that all government cars get their exteriors repaired before being sent in for purchasing/auction, whereas the fleet cars don't get that same treatment.

So now I'm stuck in the middle. On one hand, I want to go for government cars because I know they get taken care of well at least. On the other hand, I'm worried about what the high odometer reading means for vehicle maintenance in the future. Government cars are also a bit more expensive as they get their exterior repaired properly. Going for fleet cars means I don't have a clue in terms of what companies used it in the past and how the car was maintained.

Can somebody give me some advice regarding how to choose in this situation? If you know any extra info about how government cars are used (especially Foresters), that would be great. Thanks

Automotive

Comments

  • Euphemistic on 29/08/2019 - 21:49
    +4

    IMO government cars are not used any differently to other fleet cars. Some drivers are good. Some drivers are average and some are terrible. It really depends what sort of driver has used the vehicle. It also depends on wether the govt car has been allocated to one driver or ‘just a pool vehicle’. One driver vehicles will most likely have had better treatement, pool vehicles are driven by lots of different drivers and not really looked after by anyone.

    Swings and roundabouts.

  • Fysh on 29/08/2019 - 21:53
    +1

    Depends how long your keeping it. 50 to 60k with log book servicing is fine. But you dont want to be taking boxer engines far over 200k they start to become unreliable. If you are only talking 20kms difference I would go for the cleaner car. But if your looking at 35kplus kms difference then take the scratches and take it to a good detailer and cover with bumper protectors etc.

    • crentist on 29/08/2019 - 22:20
      +1

      A mechanic friend was a fan of Foresters and considered 200k to still be pretty low for them. Reckoned they'd get to double that easily.

      And I don't think he was saying that JUST because he was trying to sell me one

      • Fysh on 29/08/2019 - 22:33

        There is a reason my new wrx had 6 monthly servicing, also member of a few subaru groups. There is a lot of owners in those groups who beleive 200k is a good reason to Start looking elsewhere. Yes many do continue on but it's a good time to part ways.

        • crentist on 30/08/2019 - 01:00
          +1

          6 months is normal. It's only some newer cars that go up to 12 months. Which may be some indication that they will last longer, but is more directly to do with improvements in manufacturing and engine technologies that mean everything runs a bit more efficiently, getting more use out of the degradeable stuff that needs to be replaced anyway.

          It also means that every 20 year old Toyota on the road was supposed to get serviced every 6 months too, and plenty have kicked on past 300km.
          But new Corollas are still at 6 and they'd outlast any 12 month Euro.

          It could simply be that WRX engines run a bit hotter and will degrade oil a bit quicker than some other models. But if that's the whole story, then changing the oil early enough to avoid degradation will keep the car running about as long as any other.

          • spackbace on 30/08/2019 - 01:51

            @crentist:

            But new Corollas are still at 6 and they'd outlast any 12 month Euro.

            Fyi new Corolla is 12 months 😉

            • crentist on 30/08/2019 - 02:41
              +1

              @spackbace: Ah really? I just had a look at a Toyota site and it must have been outdated.

              One of the other models then. One that supports my point. The Toyota Live-4-Ever or something

              • Hithere on 30/08/2019 - 09:26

                @crentist:

                it must have been outdated.

                Depends on where you go what the story is.

                I was looking at new Corollas earlier this month and some dealerships told me it was 15k/12 months and others said 10k/6 months.

        • Bid Sniper on 30/08/2019 - 09:26

          Screwbaru still insisting that 0-30 oil is fine for Australian conditions. Thats dumb 10w40 at least.

  • brad1-8tsi on 30/08/2019 - 00:01
    +1

    I work in state government. We don't baby our cars (nor are they abused). In addition, it's mandated we use E10 no matter what petrol the manufacturer says we should use. They do get serviced on time though and if it looks straight then 60k wouldn't worry me.

    My ex was in local government and got a new car every 12-18 months and her cars were hammered. Start and full throttle. She went through front brakes every 15k.

    • spal on 30/08/2019 - 08:23

      I guess it depends on the department and the location.

      I work for the government operating out of a metro CBD location. I have always found our cars are in good shape. There are departments which do a lot of off road work, and their vehicles can be well used. Although, they are proper 4WD vehicles. Because government is big on safety, anything which is unsafe for a task will not be used.

      Regarding petrol our instructions are unleaded 91, although not sure of the manufacturer's recommendations.

      Based on some of the above comments I would go with the ex-government cars. Fleet cars can be services internally, have cheap repairs done etc.

  • EightImmortals on 30/08/2019 - 06:18

    50-60K is not 'high mileage' :)
    I bought my current car in 2007 with 70K on it (not a forester though but was looked after) and is now at around 250K and still going strong. Just keep the servicing up and you'll be fine. Foresters are good vehicles.

    • GG57 on 30/08/2019 - 10:16

      I agree re not high mileage, particularly for a 2017 model.
      If the service history is available to view, and seems to be up to date with no big omissions, should be fine.

    • spackbace on 30/08/2019 - 10:55
      +1

      50-60K is not 'high mileage' :)

      The average person does 15-20,000km/year. By definition then 50-60 over 2yrs is 'high mileage'

  • Bid Sniper on 30/08/2019 - 09:30

    Go see the car that you're interested in. Each car is different. Fleet and ex gov are good because they mandate servicing but do not mandate how a car is treated. Ive seen ones that look near new and seen some that look like they've done a few tours of Syria.

    I bought a ex gov WRX ran great for 15 years and still going.

  • mshanann on 30/08/2019 - 11:36

    Not really a fan of my forester - it's a 2014 model CVT.
    Engine-wise it seems ok, though I'm not a big fan of the transmission. It's a grandma's car as far as driving feel/performance.
    I have already had to get the front lower control arms replaced.
    I'm currently facing the dreaded 'key stuck in ignition' issue - whereby having put car in park and turned off car, the key in ignition won't release due to a separate sensor believing the car is not in park. Subaru refuse to repair it as car is now out of the 3 year warranty - and they don't want to know about it. Have a google search for it - there are thousands of hits.

    My mechanic though seems to rate the forester - and all Japanese cars for that matter.

  • Calvin27 on 30/08/2019 - 13:42

    I'd avoid a cvt for government/fleet.

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