re: Used cars - Is there really a difference between highway and city miles?

Did enterprise rental car oil changes while working for an independent shop 10+ years ago.

Same cheap oil in all of them (including the Mercedes that required Mobil 1). Company wouldn't pay for the more expensive options. Oil changes were not done on schedule as well.


As far as the hwy mile difference, do the math.

25k miles at 60mph = 416.66hours

25k at 30mph = 833.33 hours.

Also, many newer vehicles have the ability to show run hours in diagnostics.

Highway miles is what the sales guy tells you when he is trying to seel you the car. City miles is what they claim (or that the type of miles doesn't matter) is what the dealership claims when they are appraising your trade-in.

It does matter though. Highway miles are easier on your vehicle, problem is how do you know what kind of miles are on the vehicle you are purchasing? All based on the dealerships word.

As for buying rentals, no way would I want to do that. I get they are regularly serviced but rentals can also have some abuse laid on them. The best used vehicles to buy would be fleet vehicles from a corporation or, even better, state or fed government fleet vehicles. Those things are maintained and are not driven like a bat out of hell. Not when they have state or fed gov plates on them and concerned citizens will turn in the driver of any vehicle like that they see speeding or driving recklessly.