Buying Low Mileage 944's

[robwils]

Some of the cars I've been viewing and seeing on internet have been sitting round for a time in there life
e.g. 7000 miles in 10 years use.

I've read some of you would be wary of cars standing around, what would be the issues to watch out for ?
I would have thought if it was garaged and at least turned over occasionally (as well as being serviced) things would be OK.

 

[sulzeruk]

If they are not driven up to temperature, you get condensation within the engine. Also, rotting of exhausts due to the moisture, seized brakes, rot as well if in a normal or leaky garage, square tyres due to sitting in one spot, failed water pumps due to standing, rotting belts if there is an oil leak, lots of various things to be honest.
Alasdair

 

[Pastry]

Ive heard a lot of people say cars that have stood long periods are bad, but my car had done 5000 miles in the 10 years before i bought it, and its done 6500 in the 16 months ive owned it, with no problems.

I wouldn't let something like that colour your judgement either way, evaluate each car on its merits.

 

[DavidL]

I think its how its owned. Lots of cars are on 1-3K policies a year but are regularly serviced and not put away for weeks wet etc.

Have a quick search as there are lots of threads about use.

Both my cars hadn't been used that much before I bought it.
The 21 did 150 miles the previous year and boy did I notice - lots of things fell off. But the Porsche had been unused for 18 months and hasn't been a major issue just because of that.

A used but badly maintained car will probably be better than an unused and poorly maintained one but only just!

As always, buy the owner not the car (not literally of course unless she's willing...)

 

[MRGT]

My 'S' only covered 8000 miles during its previous owners 6 years tenure, as a result I had roughly £2000 of parts etc at the first service on top of the purchase price( although bear in mind that incuded a full belt change, new clutch and all labour plus other bits and pieces). In the 18 months since I have it has covered 23000 miles and only needed new pads, new exhaust and a pair of rear shocks (plus usual servicing).

 

[Hilux]

Tyres and belts degrade with age as do hoses

If its got good provenance, has been garaged and is simply lack of use you`re probably ok but change belts and tyres

 

[pauljmcnulty]

There's a great difference between a car that's done a low, but regular, mileage and one that has been laid up for an extended period of time. My Lux had only done 900 miles in over a year, but that was all the journey back from Nice. It had been stored in a heated underground garage, and had the oil changed twice, but it still needed belts and oil seals when I got it.

I'd have no issues with a car that has been owned by an enthusiast, as a weekend toy. I've seen many cars that are carefully stored over winter, but get decent runs during the better weather and are meticulously maintained. One that has sat for years, unused and unloved, will give problems and should be extremely cheap. Add up things like tyres, battery, full service, belts and seals etc. and you could be in for £2K easily over the first year.

 

[awattam]

Another consideration is how fussy the driver has been about manintaining the car. IMO someone who drives the car everyday is more likely to sort out niggles and faults which someone who only drives on bank holidays in the sun won't bother about.

Mine was a little used second car before I got it and feels sooo much better now for being used everyday.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

IMO someone who drives the car everyday is more likely to sort out niggles and faults which someone who only drives on bank holidays in the sun won't bother about.

Not sure I'd agree, often they are no-expense-spared cars. Sometimes the everyday cars are driven into the ground as cheap short-term cars. View each one on it's merits, if in doubt walk away. Fast! []

 

[adele.shott]

Hiya,

I have a 944 Turbo which I'm selling. It like others has not been sitting around, I use it every day. Let me know if you are interested in any details.

A

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: sc0tty
There is no hard and fast rule, which is why we always say "buy on condition"! lots of paper receipts and invoices and general appearance of the car and enthusiasm and knowledge of the owner are probably as important as mileage. []

I'd push that a bit further and suggest that all the things mentioned are more important than mileage.

In my experience, higher-milage cars tend to be in better nick. Cars need to be used to keep them in good shape. A long period without use isn't necessarily a problem, but it is something that needs to have some questions asked about.

(What is worse is cars that have a low mileage because they are only ever used for short journeys; lots of cold starts, never fully warmed up, lots of use of the gearbox and clutch - all not good.)


Oli.

 

[Hilux]

In my experience, higher-milage cars tend to be in better nick.

Not quite true in my book. I`ve had hooby cars over the years for years and only done a couple of thousand miles a year in some, its all about how they are stored and re-started after long layoffs.

In a dry well ventilated garage they are safer than on salt laden roads with stone chips from gravel and potholes.

I`m not saying all high mileage cars are not looked after however the law of motoring physics and wear and tear must conflict somewhat with your original thoughts?

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: Hilux
I`m not saying all high mileage cars are not looked after however the law of motoring physics and wear and tear must conflict somewhat with your original thoughts?

True, and perhaps I am relying on hyperbole a little. But I stand by the point that a car that is used every day and warmed up properly each time will be in better nick than a weekends-only car which is rarely run and then only for short periods of time. The former will lead to high milages, the latter to low ones.


Oli.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I`m not saying all high mileage cars are not looked after however the law of motoring physics and wear and tear must conflict somewhat with your original thoughts?

IMO mileage is completely irrelevant in every case.

Are we talking low mileage stored for 15 years, low mileage started once a week and driven, from cold, up a long steep hill whilst slipping the clutch, or low mileage but driven regularly and maintained by a fastidious owner? High mileage, is that 30K miles per year for the first three years then left in a barn? Or, gentle motorway miles evenly spread over the car's life? Is it a low mileage car on original suspension, or a high mileage one with £4K spent on the suspension?

How's the head gasket, are the brakes needing attention, are the tyres and wheels decent, is the bodywork rotting, is the paint so bad it's needing a glass-out respray? None of these are necessarily related to mileage at all.

Buying a car is a minefield, and buying a 944 particularly so as they are undervalued. Considering mileage in a purchase decision is just plain mad, as there are so many other variable factors that are more important. Of course, if all things were perfectly equal a lower mileage car would be more desirable. But, things are never equal, so buy the car that's in the best condition with the most comprehensive RECENT service history, and ignore the mileage.