Mileage..How much is a lot?

In looking to buy a used car, how much mileage is a lot? How long does a car last? I'm sure every make & model are different, but is it all guesswork & luck? for example..lets say I'm looking at a (few) PT Cruisers. 1 with 33,000 miles sells for $10.995 but buying 1 with just 7,000 more miles (40,000) would save me $1000.00..Not much difference except the price. right? Except, How "old" is 40,000 miles? How does 7,000 miles effect a car? It's probably a dumb question, but I'd really like to understand it. I've heard of cars that went over 600,000 miles. But thats not common is it? Thanks for any input. sings69

in my opinion any car that has high or low mileage
#1 should be taken to your mechanic/technition
for a good mechanical and overall condition inspection.

#2 if all checks ok by your mechanic try finding the previous owner and maintanance history records on it
for example i once bought a 96 saturn i found a phone # from the previouse owner who after talking to him and
asking a few questions like has the timing belt ever been
changed on car he answered to me yes at 180.000kms

so had i not talked to previous owner i would of never new
that!,..so do your research it might save you some
bucks too..

#3 very important ask or find out if the car was
ever in a collision or flud very important to do so

#4 is there any leans on the car?

you now any car that has low or high mileage now
a days does not mean much i mean engines will
get up in 2-300,000 miles "providing it had good
maintanance" so dont let that turn you away from
buying 1