High mileage 2011 Equus: bad idea?

[Argentas]

I'm thinking of buying a 2011 Equus that's currently being used as a limousine by a chauffeur. It has 240,000 km (~150,000 miles) on the odometer. My main concern is reliability; Hyundai vehicles are generally reliable and relatively inexpensive to repair, but is this particular car reliable, particularly at high mileage?

Specifically, some on this forum have talked about problems with the air suspension. How common is this issue, and how expensive is it to fix?

By the way, I am taking it to a Hyundai dealership for an inspection before buying it. If it comes back okay, would you buy this car, or would you stay away from it? Again, I'm thinking of reliability.

Thank you

 

[EdP]

I'm thinking of buying a 2011 Equus that's currently being used as a limousine by a chauffeur. It has 240,000 km (~150,000 miles) on the odometer. My main concern is reliability; Hyundai vehicles are generally reliable and relatively inexpensive to repair, but is this particular car reliable, particularly at high mileage?

Specifically, some on this forum have talked about problems with the air suspension. How common is this issue, and how expensive is it to fix?

By the way, I am taking it to a Hyundai dealership for an inspection before buying it. If it comes back okay, would you buy this car, or would you stay away from it? Again, I'm thinking of reliability.

Thank you

Any car with that many miles has the potential for needing repairs. Things wear out. Expensive things too. If the price is right and you have a few bucks on the side "just in case" it could be a great deal.

 

[Bourbonncigars]

Always remember to look at the car's original sticker price if you want an idea about repair costs and factor that in. People will buy a 2007 Lexus LS460 for very cheap, only to find out the repairs are still the same price they were back when the car was new because everything was so expensive on it. Repairs rarely go down in cost. The more gadgets a car has, the more chances you have of something failing. And while the 2011 Equus wasn't terribly expensive at the time, you don't want to buy one for a cheap price now, then end up spending thousands in repair costs on a 9 year old car with 150K miles on it. Unless a 2011 Equus just happens to be your dream car.

 

[Argentas]

"The more gadgets a car has, the more chances you have of something failing."
Good point. But I guess what I'm asking is this: cars like BMW and Mercedes have a reputation for having gadgets that break a lot. Does an old Equus?

 

[LandOfConfusion]

"The more gadgets a car has, the more chances you have of something failing."
Good point. But I guess what I'm asking is this: cars like BMW and Mercedes have a reputation for having gadgets that break a lot. Does an old Equus?

I would submit to you that, at 8 years old and 150,000 miles, the likelihood of repairs becoming necessary has far less to do with the model’s reputation and far more to do with its age and mileage.

Things will break. They just will.

 

[Shady_panda]

"The more gadgets a car has, the more chances you have of something failing."
Good point. But I guess what I'm asking is this: cars like BMW and Mercedes have a reputation for having gadgets that break a lot. Does an old Equus?

yes

 

[Bourbonncigars]

It's a risk assessment. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best would be a good strategy, with an emphasis on "prepare". I can say that for all the bad mouthing that American cars get, the two vehicles I had that went over 250K miles with no problems were American vehicles with very few bells and whistles. I can also say that I've personally known people (and still know) with Lexus and Toyota's well into the 200K and even 300K mile mark with nothing more than basic maintenance done (and tires and shocks). I don't know anyone with Hyundai's in that mileage range. Not saying they don't exist. Just saying I don't know anyone with one. My wife's previous '15 Genesis went to 92K without issues before someone totaled it. She also took very good care of it.

I guess what I'm getting at is that if I were buying a high mileage vehicle it'd be one of those two brands. With the exception of an aged LS460 (lots of costly things can happen) or a GS450h (you don't want to have to pay to replace a hybrid battery in one of these). Caveat being that I'd have to have a good non-dealership mechanic who I trusted. I'd also have plenty of money stashed away for needed repairs.

The two American vehicles I had that went over 250K were older Chevy Tahoes. One from '96 and one from '02. Quality has since gone down, and many of the current problems center around things that my two older SUV's didn't have. Of course, one of the biggest factors is how the previous owner(s) took care of them. Even with things like Autocheck and Carfax, that's still a big grey area. Lot's of things go unreported, but you can at least get an idea of some maintenance items and if they were done or not.

 

[PMCErnie]

For basic transportation it would be much smarter to buy a gently used ‘16 Sonata.

 

[Shady_panda]

It's a risk assessment. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best would be a good strategy, with an emphasis on "prepare". I can say that for all the bad mouthing that American cars get, the two vehicles I had that went over 250K miles with no problems were American vehicles with very few bells and whistles. I can also say that I've personally known people (and still know) with Lexus and Toyota's well into the 200K and even 300K mile mark with nothing more than basic maintenance done (and tires and shocks). I don't know anyone with Hyundai's in that mileage range. Not saying they don't exist. Just saying I don't know anyone with one. My wife's previous '15 Genesis went to 92K without issues before someone totaled it. She also took very good care of it.

I guess what I'm getting at is that if I were buying a high mileage vehicle it'd be one of those two brands. With the exception of an aged LS460 (lots of costly things can happen) or a GS450h (you don't want to have to pay to replace a hybrid battery in one of these). Caveat being that I'd have to have a good non-dealership mechanic who I trusted. I'd also have plenty of money stashed away for needed repairs.

The two American vehicles I had that went over 250K were older Chevy Tahoes. One from '96 and one from '02. Quality has since gone down, and many of the current problems center around things that my two older SUV's didn't have. Of course, one of the biggest factors is how the previous owner(s) took care of them. Even with things like Autocheck and Carfax, that's still a big grey area. Lot's of things go unreported, but you can at least get an idea of some maintenance items and if they were done or not.

He is asking two different question here, one is reliability of the power-train the other is the electronic inside the car. I believe most V8 are more reliabile, smoother and quieter than any turbo 4s or 6 cylinder

 

[UberGen]

I'm thinking of buying a 2011 Equus that's currently being used as a limousine by a chauffeur. It has 240,000 km (~150,000 miles) on the odometer. My main concern is reliability; Hyundai vehicles are generally reliable and relatively inexpensive to repair, but is this particular car reliable, particularly at high mileage?

Specifically, some on this forum have talked about problems with the air suspension. How common is this issue, and how expensive is it to fix?

By the way, I am taking it to a Hyundai dealership for an inspection before buying it. If it comes back okay, would you buy this car, or would you stay away from it? Again, I'm thinking of reliability.

Thank you

Are you buying it as a once-in-a-while driver or as a daily driver?
How long do you project keeping it if you buy it?

If it's one of those cars that you've always wanted and you don't intend to use it as a daily or keep it long, I'd buy it with the understanding that things may need attention here & there. If, on the other hand, it'll be your daily and you need to last a long time, I'd respectfully suggest reconsidering. I wouldn't buy a high-mileage 'luxury' car and expect it to run to 200k+ miles without a significant threat of costly repair issues.

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[Argentas]

Thanks, everyone. I decided not to buy that car because upon further inspection, it had a ton of scratches and dents all over the car that would drive me insane (I was prepared for stone chips and whatnot, but this car was way beyond that).