35-45 year old cars with 10K miles. Would you?

[Skyedriver]

In my daily perusal, I saw two cars of mild interest, one 1980's, one early 90's.
Both with about 10K miles on them

Now I'd guess they'd both need a damn good "Italian tune up" and a lot of the bushes, brakes, shocks etc will start to fail just due to age, but would you buy?
Sort of tempted but I've always thought something that's getting regular use was a better option.

[Tango13]

Are we entirely sure the milage is accurate?

If it is then my main concern would be anything containing or made of rubber perishing, also how and where were they stored? Humidity and condensation in hard to inspect places may have started hidden corosion too.

[dan98]

It really depends how much you're set on the idea, and the cost.

You'd have to be prepared for certain items to fail very quickly, including anything rubber/plastic and things like gaskets.

Something with regular use could be better but you anything from that era will be a kind of running project, either way.

[Skyedriver]

Agree with you both, yes mileage apparently certified.
Just thinking generally though, not just these two examples.

[ChocolateFrog]

I would have thought mileage will be virtually irrelevant.

10k miles could be one service in 40 years. Every single rubber component would need replacing. Clutch and brake linings could be full of asbestos.

I'd be buying on condition bearing in mind what has actually been replaced.

[Cold]

It would depend on how they've been stored, too. Under a tarp and parked on grass, maybe not. In a dry, well ventilated garage it might be worth a look.

[Simon_GH]

I’d buy on condition. It may be that the interior parts are perfect and harder to obtain if needed so it’s well worth seeking a low mileage example.

[Skyedriver]

Of the two in question, one appears to have been serviced regularly, the other, who knows.
Price is rising on the "who knows" one.

EDIT: Both cars have "documentary proof of mileage" and the bidding on both is increasing. Folk must be sitting in due to the weather.

Edited by Skyedriver on Sunday 23 February 16:47

[RDMcG]

I have a few cars from new that spend a lot of time in dry indoor storage and there is no question that things go wrong....

2003 SL500 has had two sets of replacement tires (they age out) , new wiring loom, two sets of replacement rear trunk struts, one headlight ( expensive) and a full ABC fluid replacement, two new batteries. Total mileage 30,000 miles. Car looks like new.

2005 Smart ForTwo diesel , new brakes, new compressor, new shocks, new tires, new battery, various light bulbs. Total mileage 18,000 miles.

I would definitely want to know how the car had been driven and stored. Long distance miles are very easy but many short trips are much harder on a car.