How much is "mileage" worth?
Discussion
Let me explain myself....
Currently looking for a nice used MX5 for use as a second nice weather car.
Seen two lovely examples in main dealers, different colours but both lovely, can't choose between them.
However, one has done 55,000 miles at £7800.
The other has done 28,000 miles at £8500.
Same age, same spec.
We really didn't want to go over 8k, but is it worth pushing the boat out to get the lower mileage one?
We only plan to do less than 2000 miles PA (If that).
Currently looking for a nice used MX5 for use as a second nice weather car.
Seen two lovely examples in main dealers, different colours but both lovely, can't choose between them.
However, one has done 55,000 miles at £7800.
The other has done 28,000 miles at £8500.
Same age, same spec.
We really didn't want to go over 8k, but is it worth pushing the boat out to get the lower mileage one?
We only plan to do less than 2000 miles PA (If that).
depends on age...
couple of years old then one is normal and one high mileage
many years old and the low mileage one may have issues from too few miles per year...
if you are doing a low mileage, then buying a higher mileage car cheaper and bringing the average down can be a good thing...
for those, I would go purely on servicing history / condition - both should be absolutely fine
couple of years old then one is normal and one high mileage
many years old and the low mileage one may have issues from too few miles per year...
if you are doing a low mileage, then buying a higher mileage car cheaper and bringing the average down can be a good thing...
for those, I would go purely on servicing history / condition - both should be absolutely fine
7yo 55k is <8k/yr. Hardly motorway Mondeo territory, is it?
7yo 28k is 4k/yr. It's spent most of the time sat still being ignored.
Now consider that if you're putting 2k/yr on, then in 5yrs time, the 12yo car will be on 65k or 38k.
If they're both as tidy as each other, I'd buy the cheaper, leggier one. Less likely to start off with the sort of lack-of-use problems that you may well have anyway in the future... And when you come to sell it, your low use means it'll still appeal to those who can't look further than the odometer.
7yo 28k is 4k/yr. It's spent most of the time sat still being ignored.
Now consider that if you're putting 2k/yr on, then in 5yrs time, the 12yo car will be on 65k or 38k.
If they're both as tidy as each other, I'd buy the cheaper, leggier one. Less likely to start off with the sort of lack-of-use problems that you may well have anyway in the future... And when you come to sell it, your low use means it'll still appeal to those who can't look further than the odometer.
I take Big GT's point,...we do plan to keep it a long time, but if we did sell it in say three years it might be worth 5-6K, and I reckon the £700 difference in purchase price would be about the same then.
Would be different matter on a £100,000 car.
Obviously, on the face of it, the lower mileage one seems more attractive for obvious reasons.
Would be different matter on a £100,000 car.
Obviously, on the face of it, the lower mileage one seems more attractive for obvious reasons.
I would go with the lower mileage car. Four k miles a year is enough use to keep it in good running condition and you will recoup that money at resale time and find it easier to sell on in this mileage conscious country.
That is a significant mileage difference for a small amount of money.
So you are no closer to your answer
That is a significant mileage difference for a small amount of money.
So you are no closer to your answer
Best advice I was given on decision making:
The more similar two things are, the harder it is to choose, but actually the less it matters. So if you’re ever finding it hard to decide, it probably means the options are very similar and therefore it doesn’t matter which you choose.
PS. I’d go for the higher mileage one though, as wth your mileage they’ll both still be low mileage in 5 years, but with depreciation the gap will have gone down. Then spend the money you’ve saved on taking it for a nice run to a Country House Hotel for the weekend.
The more similar two things are, the harder it is to choose, but actually the less it matters. So if you’re ever finding it hard to decide, it probably means the options are very similar and therefore it doesn’t matter which you choose.
PS. I’d go for the higher mileage one though, as wth your mileage they’ll both still be low mileage in 5 years, but with depreciation the gap will have gone down. Then spend the money you’ve saved on taking it for a nice run to a Country House Hotel for the weekend.
Wacky Racer said:
Currently looking for a nice used MX5 for use as a second nice weather car.
Seen two lovely examples in main dealers, different colours but both lovely, can't choose between them.
However, one has done 55,000 miles at £7800.
The other has done 28,000 miles at £8500.
Same age, same spec.
We really didn't want to go over 8k, but is it worth pushing the boat out to get the lower mileage one?
Have a crack at negotiating the £8.5k one down to £7.8k ?Seen two lovely examples in main dealers, different colours but both lovely, can't choose between them.
However, one has done 55,000 miles at £7800.
The other has done 28,000 miles at £8500.
Same age, same spec.
We really didn't want to go over 8k, but is it worth pushing the boat out to get the lower mileage one?
Job done
Not uncommon for a second car like an MX5 to have low miles. It could have been a weekend car so received regular use but just not much mileage. I think the difference in price is minimal (in the grand scheme of things) so I'd personally buy the lower mileage version. If you look at mk2's and 2.5's there can be big price differences between miles so even when you sell I think you'll see a chunk of the extra outlay back on resale. Enjoy whichever you go for, I'm very much looking forward to getting my own around Christmas time this year
Has one had consumables replaced more recently than the other?
If one has newer tyres and / or brakes or has been more recently serviced than the other. If the higher mileage one has already had a clutch or cambelt or similar done that might fall due during your ownership of the lower mileage one, then that might make a difference.
If there really is nothing to call between them then that would suggest that £700 is the right difference in price for the mileage ( difference is not too much or too little, so that the decision is not a no brainer ).
If you really can't decide and you have to make a rational rather than emotional decision then stick with the one that is within your original budget. After all, you'll be able to find something even newer / nicer / lower mileage for "just another £500" over the price of the 28k miler - budget creep has to stop eventually!
If one has newer tyres and / or brakes or has been more recently serviced than the other. If the higher mileage one has already had a clutch or cambelt or similar done that might fall due during your ownership of the lower mileage one, then that might make a difference.
If there really is nothing to call between them then that would suggest that £700 is the right difference in price for the mileage ( difference is not too much or too little, so that the decision is not a no brainer ).
If you really can't decide and you have to make a rational rather than emotional decision then stick with the one that is within your original budget. After all, you'll be able to find something even newer / nicer / lower mileage for "just another £500" over the price of the 28k miler - budget creep has to stop eventually!
Personally I would pay the extra. I wouldn't have any issue at all with the 55,000 miler, but if there is an alternative for a relatively small amount of money it is a premium worth paying. When it comes to buying and selling cars we are still very mileage conscious and that has never changed even though there can be no difference between the actual drive in a low or high mileage car.
Whatever you choose - happy motoring.
Whatever you choose - happy motoring.
There is nothing to discuss, £700 is neither here nor there, low mileage. If you sell without having put on lots of miles, any car with <50k miles on it will be worth more than any with even just 51k on it.
Someone once uploaded a chart which shows how stepped the mileage/value ratio is, the psychological mileage effect on value.
Buy the low miler - you get a tighter car, driving practically as new, and may even get your difference back one day. Not to mention, you may save the money in terms of maintenance of items such as a clutch replacement (assuming of course you don't keep the car forever)
Someone once uploaded a chart which shows how stepped the mileage/value ratio is, the psychological mileage effect on value.
Buy the low miler - you get a tighter car, driving practically as new, and may even get your difference back one day. Not to mention, you may save the money in terms of maintenance of items such as a clutch replacement (assuming of course you don't keep the car forever)
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