Mileage on Classic Cars
Discussion
This has probably been covered, but I couldn't find it.
My question is, when does mileage on classic cars cease to be important? I don't mean annual mileage or anything like that, I mean the mileage of the car over it's lifetime.
For example, the 156 GTA is destine to become a classic (IMO) but mine has done 106k. How old will it have to be before that number become insignificant?
My reason for asking is I saw an Intergrale with 250k a while back, still commanding a hefty price. It was lower than the 50k examples, but it didn't seem to have that much of a detrimental effect. You often see classic Ferraris with no mention of mileage, does this mean at a point it no longer matters if a car has done 100k plus?
My question is, when does mileage on classic cars cease to be important? I don't mean annual mileage or anything like that, I mean the mileage of the car over it's lifetime.
For example, the 156 GTA is destine to become a classic (IMO) but mine has done 106k. How old will it have to be before that number become insignificant?
My reason for asking is I saw an Intergrale with 250k a while back, still commanding a hefty price. It was lower than the 50k examples, but it didn't seem to have that much of a detrimental effect. You often see classic Ferraris with no mention of mileage, does this mean at a point it no longer matters if a car has done 100k plus?
Mileage does become immaterial on classics to some extent, as upkeep and general condition takes a greater importance. However it depends on what they are. I would have thought that something like the value of a Delta Integrale in pretty sensitive to mileage, and 250k certainly doesn't sound too clever!
vixen1700 said:
Good question.
My TVR has done 71k in 40 years which I'd imagine is genuine (due to breakdowns etc
), and to be honest mileage never really comes into the equation when I'm looking at old cars, condition is far more important.
Would you have purchased it if it had 300k?My TVR has done 71k in 40 years which I'd imagine is genuine (due to breakdowns etc
), and to be honest mileage never really comes into the equation when I'm looking at old cars, condition is far more important. ajb85 said:
Mileage does become immaterial on classics to some extent, as upkeep and general condition takes a greater importance. However it depends on what they are. I would have thought that something like the value of a Delta Integrale in pretty sensitive to mileage, and 250k certainly doesn't sound too clever!
You think the type of car is more important? So something uber desirable like a Ferrari means the mileage doesn't matter, but something not so desirable but still classic like a Stag does?Initially I think it is an issue especially with a modern classic.
When the MK11 GTI was becoming popular high prices were only being realised by low mileage examples. As the car becomes older mileage becomes less important and condition becomes the primary factor. The low mileage examples will still command a premium but the well looked after high mileage examples will be worth decent money.
After saying that not sure when the GTA will start appreciating, how many were built?
When the MK11 GTI was becoming popular high prices were only being realised by low mileage examples. As the car becomes older mileage becomes less important and condition becomes the primary factor. The low mileage examples will still command a premium but the well looked after high mileage examples will be worth decent money.
After saying that not sure when the GTA will start appreciating, how many were built?
S10GTA said:
You think the type of car is more important? So something uber desirable like a Ferrari means the mileage doesn't matter, but something not so desirable but still classic like a Stag does?
I would have thought that at the Ferrari end of the classic car market, unless the car has provenance, then the mileage has a greater impact on the price than most other things. I.e. the lower the mileage the higher the price.I think the original question is being missed slightly. I know people would buy on condition over mileage etc, I am the same, but the original question was when does mileage become insignificant? When a car hits 30/40/50 years old/When its had a nut and bolt restoration or does it depend entirely on the car?
Edited by S10GTA on Friday 22 June 11:20
I think it becomes insignificant when most decent cars on the market have had full strip-down/rebuilds anyway, and that obviously depends massively on the type of car. With modern cars going longer and longer on their original components, I'd guess it's getting later and later in the cars' lives.
Like I suggested, very much dependant on the car. I think mileage is significant on the example you use, a Delta Integrale. I wouldn't have thought a car such as that with big miles could command big money because of the potential cost in recon, all those hard to come by bit and pieces that can only be found in Italy must cost a fortune.
I think the Delta is uber desirable, like a classic Ferrari, so both need low mileages to maintain their desirability and high market value.
More insignificant on the mileage front would be the Stag. This is definitely a car you would buy on condition, and the state of its running order etc. You'd have to disregard the mileage anyway, chances are the odometer would have long been out of action, we're talking BL here!
I think the Delta is uber desirable, like a classic Ferrari, so both need low mileages to maintain their desirability and high market value.
More insignificant on the mileage front would be the Stag. This is definitely a car you would buy on condition, and the state of its running order etc. You'd have to disregard the mileage anyway, chances are the odometer would have long been out of action, we're talking BL here!
Prof Prolapse said:
Depends on the servicing I should think.
A 250K car is unlikely to still have it's original engine and gearbox unless they've been rebuilt.
Think trigger's broom.
This. The more miles or more years a car has, the more likely things will need replacing / been replaced.A 250K car is unlikely to still have it's original engine and gearbox unless they've been rebuilt.
Think trigger's broom.
So by definition, a classic car with high miles will have a high likelihood of either needing lots of work doing, or having had all the work done already, I.E triggers broom. If a lot of components have been replaced and money spent, then the mileage becomes irrelevant.
Depends on what the car is too I suppose.
Prof Prolapse said:
Depends on the servicing I should think.
A 250K car is unlikely to still have it's original engine and gearbox unless they've been rebuilt.
Think trigger's broom.
Am I the only one who thinks a triggers broom car would be a good thing to buy? I'd rather buy a car where everything has been replaced than one thats all original. No brainer surely as long as its genuine parts?A 250K car is unlikely to still have it's original engine and gearbox unless they've been rebuilt.
Think trigger's broom.
Fox- said:
Am I the only one who thinks a triggers broom car would be a good thing to buy? I'd rather buy a car where everything has been replaced than one thats all original. No brainer surely as long as its genuine parts?
I think you've taken the exact opposite of what Riknos and I have said... Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff