[wesdoobner01]

My wife is wanting another Enclave type vehicle, after we've had a couple that had problems. The first one we had was a 2010 Traverse we bought with about 140k miles. It got wrecked after about 15k miles, but it was having transmission problems where it didn't always upshift, and we had alread paid $1000 to get the steering rack replaced. Next I tried to get a good deal on a 2009 Enclave with about 145k miles, but it had been neglected and the oil was totally black when I got it, had to change a couple of cam sensors also due to the dirty oil. I did my best with that one but the engine seized up after about 10k miles (I think it's just the timing chain all bound up in there, not the pistons actually stuck, anyhoo...).

Now we're looking for another one because my wife just doesn't dig the Highlanders, so my question is:

Would we be better off getting like a 2017 with 150k miles, or a 2013-14 with 120k miles, for around the same money?

I really need to this to keep going for 3 or 4 years at least.

 

[dporter22]

I realize price is a major consideration, but purchasing vehicles with 150k miles seems like asking for trouble, unless you happen to find the very rare one that has been taken care of meticulously by the original owner. Why not spend more up front for a 2019 in exchange for fewer repair costs down the road?

 

[electbc]

No issues with my 2015, knock on wood. What is the pricing you are getting on the 2017 and 13-14? I see a few 2015s in NJ with less than and just over 100k miles in the $15000-$17000 range. I paid $24,000 for mine 3 years ago with 42K miles.

 

[wesdoobner01]

I realize price is a major consideration, but purchasing vehicles with 150k miles seems like asking for trouble, unless you happen to find the very rare one that has been taken care of meticulously by the original owner. Why not spend more up front for a 2019 in exchange for fewer repair costs down the road?

We don't have enough money for a new vehicle with less miles, or we would get one. We have to do the best with what we have. As a mechanic I can deal with most problems, but I don't have the equipment or a garage to drop the engine/transmission and replace them on one of these Lambdas.

 

[wesdoobner01]

No issues with my 2015, knock on wood. What is the pricing you are getting on the 2017 and 13-14? I see a few 2015s in NJ with less than and just over 100k miles in the $15000-$17000 range. I paid $24,000 for mine 3 years ago with 42K miles.

$12,500 is about as high as we can go if we scrape together all the money we can, including a loan from my pension.

 

[dzs3fz]

Just my opinion on an extended warranty. Some owners think they are a waste of money and others want the protection. Hear’s my story:

I purchased a Certified 2013 Enclave in 2017 with 46k miles. This is my second used enclave and elected to purchase a $0 deductable, 125k additional mile extended warranty from the dealer. Repairs can be expensive and here are my covered repairs.

7/12/19 Replaced Leaking Rear a/c line $1988
2/20/20 Replaced Alternator $1350
8/17/20 Replace Rear a/c Evaporator Coil $1300
3/19/21 Leaking Transmission Line & Misfire #2 Cyliner $3700
2/10/22 Replaced Stabilizer Links & Leaking Power Steering Hose $1200
5/13/22 Replaced Leaking Front Struts and Front a/c Evaporator Coil $4675

Over $14,000 in covered repairs. My dealer handeled everything including loaner vehicles and rental cars.

 

[small batch]

Those prices for the repairs seem a bit high. I believe the power steering hose had either a recall or an extended coverage. I had to have it fixed on my 2013 as well.

I did buy an extended warranty on my 13 and it was worth the cost. Knocking on wood here as I did not buy one on my 2020 and so far it has been great. Only issue was the dealer did not take the nav system out of demo mode and it locked the system up. I believe it had about 1500 miles on it at the time. No issues since.

 

[mmecca]

I have a 2014 with 113,000 on the clock that we bought used about five years ago. We bought it with 45,000 on the clock and have maintained it fairly well since then. We have been super lucky and have had few problems. We replaced a half shaft, breaks and rear calipers (because one was sticking). We have problems with the service air bag light when we move the seats - that seems to be fixed by making sure all the connectors under the seat are all tight. We had a problem with the purge valve throwing a code - but that was easily replaced. Aside from that, just a few sets of tires and a few recharges of the AC system. We are planning to keep it for about 4-5 more years if we are lucky enough to be able to do that. I'd vote for the 2014-2015 with 110,000 to 120,000 on the clock over the slightly newer one with more miles. They are still fairly pricey though - around here (Upstate NY) that would cost about $15,000. We got lucky a few years back (five years ago) and only paid $22,000 for it when it was four years old.

 

[jvcmike58]

My wife is wanting another Enclave type vehicle, after we've had a couple that had problems. The first one we had was a 2010 Traverse we bought with about 140k miles. It got wrecked after about 15k miles, but it was having transmission problems where it didn't always upshift, and we had alread paid $1000 to get the steering rack replaced. Next I tried to get a good deal on a 2009 Enclave with about 145k miles, but it had been neglected and the oil was totally black when I got it, had to change a couple of cam sensors also due to the dirty oil. I did my best with that one but the engine seized up after about 10k miles (I think it's just the timing chain all bound up in there, not the pistons actually stuck, anyhoo...). Now we're looking for another one because my wife just doesn't dig the Highlanders, so my question is: Would we be better off getting like a 2017 with 150k miles, or a 2013-14 with 120k miles, for around the same money? I really need to this to keep going for 3 or 4 years at least.

Too many miles for a vehicle that you really need to know the maintenance was kept up with. That 3.6 does not do well with neglect. STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN ON LOW OIL LEVELS.