Why the obsession with low mileage?

[Nibby]

Fine cars to drive so I don't want one as an ornament.

 

[allandwf]

I can never understand that either. People seem to want the lowest miles possible and will pay a premium, and then be scared to put miles on it as it will depreciate in our market. Totally different mentality in Europe. Buy one that has been used and well looked after is a much better bet.

 

[Mavster]

2 different markets really, "collection" cars and then "enjoyed" cars. You makes your choice

 

[allandwf]

2 different markets really, "collection" cars and then "enjoyed" cars. You makes your choice

I don't really see it so black and white. Reading some of the threads with people looking for cars, usually to use, mileage is nearly always a big consideration for them.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Yes, it's annoying. Yet we all do it. Well, I do. But only up to a point. A 10-year old car with 5k miles hasn't been used enough and will possibly be a real pain in the ar5e. I resolved to snap out of the cycle of non-use and use mine a lot more this year, but it was in the shop for warranty work for a month (so I used the loaner instead) and now I'm working like a *******, so my time is at a premium. Grrr!

 

[Nayf]

They’re easier to sell later on.
If you’re buying it and keeping it forever, or for a long time, it makes no difference. In fact in most cases, particularly Italian, regular use is better.
However, back to my first point - if you’re only going to be into it for a year to three years as a hard commitment, then keeping the miles low will allow you to ‘get out’ easier.

 

[Nibby]

However, back to my first point - if you’re only going to be into it for a year to three years as a hard commitment, then keeping the miles low will allow you to ‘get out’ easier.

I hear what you're saying but it does make me think if that's the case was it worth buying one at all?

 

[Nayf]

I hear what you're saying but it does make me think if that's the case was it worth buying one at all?

Well if it’s your toy car and you stick, say 3000 to 5000 on it over three years (maybe less) then it makes sense. For example, a classic/modern classic insurance policy with a few Touring holidays etc
Then there’s the publicly reviled yet privately popular concept of ‘investment’...

 

[2b1ask1]

Nope; it is wrong in every way, buy it, drive it, look after it, don't stress about the mileage at all and when you are done move on, life is not a rehearsal. The analogy that best fits it is; it is like saving your gilfriend for the next bloke; on par with plastic seat covers

 

[mjheathcote]

I admit I do low miles, usually less than a thousand a year.
But I have the (nice I admit) problem of 4 cars plus the Mrs car I'll discount here.
One for business mostly (BMW), one for local short trips/tip/bad weather/backup (Pinin), and two for pure fun (Stag & Maser).
The reality is unless going to a car meet/show I'm not going to be using either the Stag or Maser for business travel, popping to the shops/supermarket, going to the tip, or picking up and dropping off the kids being bashed around.
So actually doing a thousand miles, in the summer, is actually quite an achievement!
I do often think I would be better off swopping the Pinin and Maser for a bigger 4x4, cutting down the insurance/tax/maintenance etc but knowing me it would be something bonkers like a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution that I would end up garaging and avoiding the salty weather, so I would be no better off!

 

[Sam McGoo]

Nope; it is wrong in every way, buy it, drive it, look after it, don't stress about the mileage at all and when you are done move on, life is not a rehearsal. The analogy that best fits it is; it is like saving your gilfriend for the next bloke; on par with plastic seat covers

Agreed.

Just find the balance that works for you. mileage vs age vs price. It's the wrong sort of car for an investment anyway, much better options out there for that. It is a car designed for use, a GT/Sports car for mile munching. If it was meant to sit and look pretty, it wouldn't sound SO good!

Personally, I wanted to drive mine, so I wanted one that had been used previously, not a garage queen, but not not too leggy either , so I could happily put some miles on it without worrying about too many big cost items wearing out too soon as its maintenance that costs on a used Maserati as much as depreciation. And you have to maintain it whether you drive it or not, so might as well use it!

So far I've covered 8k AWESOME miles in 11 months, and wouldn't change a thing.

Just get one!

 

[CatmanV2]

They’re easier to sell later on.
If you’re buying it and keeping it forever, or for a long time, it makes no difference. In fact in most cases, particularly Italian, regular use is better.
However, back to my first point - if you’re only going to be into it for a year to three years as a hard commitment, then keeping the miles low will allow you to ‘get out’ easier.

Circular argument though innit. Easier to sell as people want to buy cars that are easier to sell.....

C

 

[Mavster]

Nope; it is wrong in every way, buy it, drive it, look after it, don't stress about the mileage at all and when you are done move on, life is not a rehearsal. The analogy that best fits it is; it is like saving your gilfriend for the next bloke; on par with plastic seat covers

No one wants to marry a prostitute though,...... sorry, I'll get my coat

 

[CatmanV2]

I do about 8-10k per year in the Masers I had. Never ever want to look at the keys and think 'Nah, better not in case it's harder to sell'

It's a bit like plastic wrap being left on your sofa.... (or indeed car bras IMHO)

C

 

[CatmanV2]

No one wants to marry a prostitute though,...... sorry, I'll get my coat

Roxanne?

C

 

[Wattie]

Must admit I’m a low mileage kinda guy.....backed up by FSH.
in my head, everything must be less “worn”out.
Nowadays cars seem pretty bullet proof- can’t remember the last time I saw one at the side of the road with a bonnet up so I’m pretty sure their are some high mileage bargains out there that will run forever, reliably.

 

[Contigo]

I get it to a certain extent and it's all wear and tear as Wattie says. Got a mk1 Golf with 106k miles on it's not low in the sense of 10k miles but for it's age (1983) then it's low really. It drives like new too and has been maintained to the highest order. It drives like a 20k mile car.... I've also got a mk2 mx5 with 8k miles on (2001) and that is like a museum piece and is too good to drive so it will sit in the heated garage appreciating over time.

The other mk1 mx5 is used as much as possible but is still low miles at sub 50k. I think brits have an issue with cars which have done over 100k miles and people can't get over that. I won't sell a car with more than 120k miles as it starts to get diffcult!

 

[Mavster]

Bmw and Audi warranty prices go up when over 60k miles. I too draw the line there

 

[rockits]

I don't think there is an answer full stop. I agree that a car that has too low miles over many years and just hasnt been used enough is not worth the premium and I wouldn't buy one of those.

I am not afraid of mileage at all and bought a fantastic condition XC90 V8 off the 1st owner at 9 years old and 190k miles. I had it 3 years sold it for what I paid for it and it never went wrong. Put a set of tyres and discs/pads on and 3 services. Brilliant car and purchase/sale.

The 4200 I bought off the 1st owner with 11k miles at 9 years old. I've had it 4 years and just ticked over 15k miles. It gets used every year.and often enough to keep it well but is in mint condition. I paid top money at the time to buy the best I could find. I don't think I would have any issues selling it.

It really depends on the type of car, the condition, the miles, the price and the type of buyers/sellers out there. Also how much of a premium the best ones cost over a lesser car. If the premium isn't much more then why buy the cheaper car? If the premium is greater then maybe a.cheaper car could make more sense.

For me the 4200 I bought wasn't that much more than a cheaper high miler car so I bought the better more expensive car. If the premium was great I might have bought something more in the middle of the market.

I guess it is all about knowing the potential market place come resale time and finding the best way to sell. Even the worse cars will always sell easily but need to be cheap. At the right price any car will sell fairly quickly and easily. It does get harder though when there are.many for sale and you have a nice car or colour combo.

The market for a gold wrapped Maserati or a pink one is going to be much smaller and harder than a blue, grey or black one.

 

[mjheathcote]

I've also got a mk2 mx5 with 8k miles on (2001) and that is like a museum piece and is too good to drive so it will sit in the heated garage appreciating over time.

That one might take a long time I feel, shame it isn't the mk1.