You are considering buying an 8 year old vehicle with 133K on the clock. The vehicle in question is packed full of electronics and other sofisticated gubbins such as air suspension etc.
1996 was one of the earlier models of this car, it probably hadn't had all the designs faults ironed out at that point (did it ever!)
Common sense says you will have large bills on this vehicle if you intend to keep it for a reasonable period of time.
But that would apply if the same vehicle was a Merc or a Jag or an Audi....you get the idea.
So really you need to ask can I afford (or do I want to) throw money at this vehicle when it needs it, or would I be better off in the long run doubling or trebling my budget and buying a newer one altogether that has less miles and a warranty.
For years I wouldn't buy a new vehicle, I've always had a hang up about depreciation, but I've recently changed my thought process on this, I tended to buy vehicles at 3 years old or older and just repaired them whenever they needed it, safe in the knowledge I'm saving all that depreciation.
My last vehicle broke down three months running, all the times component failures, items that had just reached the end of their lifespan, each time I had to repair it, hire a vehicle etc etc....
My accountant pointed out to me at the end of the year that I'd actually spent more money owning the used car than I would have spent leasing a brand neew vehicle and being able to claim the VAT back and writing off the rest to income tax also....made me think, and out I went and bought a nice shiney new vehicle on an operating lease, with warranty, free loan vehicles etc....
Of course this is different for me because I rely and run my business with a vehicle.
Any personal car is always a money pit whatever way you look at it. How much of a money pit depends on your choices when buying and a little bit of luck.
Muddy