Should I risk buying a high mileage car?

[GreenArrow]

Me again, still looking for an MX-5 and having no luck. Whenever one comes up locally, it disappears before I have the chance to see it. Also got out bid on ebay last weekend on a cheap Mk2 1.6 with 59,000 miles on it, which went for just £625 (no reserve action)....because I was out of internet range at the end of the auction! Actually that is so cheap I wonder if there was a catch....

Anyway, a local car has come up, but its 146,000 miles.... 2003, £995.....

Is a car with that mileage risky? I know Mazda engines go on and on, but will it drive a bit sloppy with all those miles on the shocks, dampers and bushes?

[Oldandslow]

Depending on how well it's been cared for the engine can go on and on certainly past the 200k mark. I'd say it was unlikely to still be on the original shocks and springs even if the previous owners weren't into modifying. If they were it's worth asking what's been done. On a car that old there's a good chance it's had a suspension overhaul at least once.

The old saw applies: Test drive it and buy on condition. It's very high mileage coming out of the season you should be able to talk the price down. Remember to look for rust.

[snotrag]

Oldandslow said:

It's very high mileage coming out of the season you should be able to talk the price down. Remember to look for rust.

I'm going to suggest something similar, but subtly different:

Forget the mileage. Its just a number. It doesn't matter. The age/condition of the clutch, dampers, etc might matter, but the actual mileage does not. CHECK FOR RUST.


The one that sold for £695 will have been rotten to the core, and the seller will have known that.

[GreenArrow]

snotrag said:

Oldandslow said:

It's very high mileage coming out of the season you should be able to talk the price down. Remember to look for rust.

I'm going to suggest something similar, but subtly different:

Forget the mileage. Its just a number. It doesn't matter. The age/condition of the clutch, dampers, etc might matter, but the actual mileage does not. CHECK FOR RUST.


The one that sold for £695 will have been rotten to the core, and the seller will have known that.

Yes indeed, rust, rust rust! Its the reason why buying blind on ebay is so perilous with these cars! I will certainly check for rust! Seems so hard to find a Mk2 without any rust. So many have been repaired or have rust bubbles. Rarely an issue if buying a VAG or even French car from the same period!