Ciaran

iTrader: (16)

been looking at buying a uk car for insurance and age reasons.

alot of the cars to have higher milages so iv been wondering

what is considered high mileage?

what are the associated problems with high mileages in these cars?

i know obviously a car which has been abused may be similar to say a car with twice its milage which has been cared for?

any other common problems on early from say 94-97

thanks in advance
Ciaran

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Ciaran,

All other things being equal, go for the example with the lowest milage, and fewest owners as you can afford. Av mileage ia bout 12.000 per year in the UK I think. However, many scoobys see less than this, as they are used as W/E or 2nd cars.

Whatever the age, a full service history, either by a dealer or specialist is ESSENTIAL. I'd also advise a full independent inspection and -of course- a HPI check. Be aware that the higher milage examples will involve higher servicing costs and probably need a few more consumables like clutches, cambelts, turbos etc... Numerous owners could be a bad sign: why has it shifted around so much, what do you know about the previous owners? Ask the current owner, what petrol/oil they use, who they take the car to and why? An enthusist that really cares for their car will immediately be evident.

There will be those who say that milage isn't imp, as long as its been looked after, but on two equally well maintained cars, my money would be on the one with the lower milage; I'd accept the higher cost of purchase happily.

Best,

Peanuts

iTrader: (15)

as a counter to that.
I'd rather see a car thats done a few miles to know there isnt an immediate problem.
Ive seen too many posts about cars that have low mileage going pop.
Its a nice dream to find a car thats a few years old with 5k miles on it driven by an elderly person but these aint civics!
if a car has only been to the shops and back each weekend for the last three years its hardly had a decent chance to get warm.
my car has high mileage but thats because every day it gets a good hot run.
just another view...

RLE

iTrader: (2)

Agree with Andy (Peanuts). My 97 UK turbo has been owned for 3.5 years. Bought with 45k on the clock and now has 83k. Still considered less than average mileage I guess. The ONLY problem I have had is replacing the radiator at a cost of £150.00. The rest of the modifications have been added out of choice.

To look at my history you'd see it had been serviced religiously and cared for irrespective of cost. Enthusiasts often upgrade a lot of the parts as well. For example my clutch and turbo have been replaced again through choice.

Dont rush in to the first one you see and as previously stated always check the history. I contacted the last owner for his views before outlaying the cash.

Good luck mate.

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Hiya,

Yep, indeed: seeing that a car has been running as intended and has a proven track record is also good. I'm not in any way saying that high mileage is a bad thing, proper maintenence and an owner who has mechanical sympathy is much more imp. Just that there is the prospect of more expense, as parts have a limited life etc... and that if -and only if- all other things were equal I would go with the one with less mileage.

I would, however, prefer a well used and cared for car over a neglected lightly used one!!

Best,

Ciaran

iTrader: (16)

well the way i look at it is any parts that fail can be uprated with higher spec parts. my aim will be to change uprate and modify anyway and fairly handy with my hands and have tools and a pit so alot of mods could hopefully done by me!

thankyou for your comments and please carry on!

sulli

Low miles is nice if accompanied by a comprehensive history and limited number of contactable owners, but a car with high miles having both shouldn't be discounted.
My car has over 100k (MY98) most of which are motorway, and I have details of every single oil change since new, with mileage and type of oil used (and a Subaru stamp for those at service intervals), and a new short engine at 50k. Counted them up the other day - it's had 20 oil changes since new! Both previous owners are middle aged and happy to be contacted about the car.
Go for a car where the owner has nothing to hide and will answer any question you have.
I am an enthusiast, as are many of the owners here, and I would lay money on it that my 100k+ car is in better mechanical shape than 90% of cars with less than 50k.
By the way, I expect my car to run to well over 200k, maybe with a clutch in the next 50k, and that's about it apart from usual service items.
So answering you question - just go for a car with a history and an owner, or owners, you think you can trust, forget the mileage.

Ciaran

iTrader: (16)

well il probably be buying an older car with higher milage so il check out previous owners and service history b4 i buy!

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

What went wrong with the original engine?

sulli

Piston Slap - done under Warranty
It's common on MY98s - as I understand it it's not life threatening to the engine, but most cars of that year that were prone to it should have been done under warranty.

big daz2

i agree with sulli my 95 has done over 100k and ive had less problems with mine than all my mates scoobs with alot less miles,its got exelent service history,and the last owner also an enthusiast worked for subaru,so my advice would be go for a well looked after scoob with checkable history,good luck

daz

DaveD

iTrader: (2)

Pot luck.

I have an MY93 WRX, around 135k on the clock. I've done 80k miles in the UK since it was imported in 2000.

The only time it has been to the dealers is for a cambelt change.
Items that have required replacing have been MAP sensor, coolant temp sensor, rocker cover gasket, both rear droplinks (MoT failure ) top radiator hose and most recently a new fuel pump. In total these 'extra' items have probably cost maybe £400 over almost 5 years!

Car gets driven like it should, and still keeps up with younger scoobys

My car has been cared for, but hasn't got a single UK dealer stamp, only reciepts for genuine parts. However, I have given it mechanical sympathy, perhaps more so than some who just takes it to the dealers whenever anything goes worng?

sulli

Yep - main dealer history plus handy owner who changes oil every other month (the missus says it seems like it), and sorts everything else out between services, is best of both worlds.
Mechanical sympathy - a must. Ask a seller what fuel he uses, how he treats the car when cold (you want him/her to say it's always warmed up and warmed down) - it'll give you a clue as to what you're getting.

WHYAYEGTI

I have a MY2000 Uk Turbo with 117k on it.When I bought it at 109k it had 13 stamps in book all at main dealers new clutch at 105k, all belts done at 95k, basically loads of work already done. It was an ex company car so no expense spared. Had to rebuild engine at 110k because of oil pump failure. I caught it just in time to just need new main/big end bearings and a crank polish. Didnt cost too much.

2 examples

1. X reg uk turbo 100k FSH, 7000gbp

2. X reg uk turbo 70k FSH, 8995gbp

3yrs/30,000 miles later you wont get that 1995gbp difference back.


buy a big miler,

Just my opinion

Gavin

andydavies

I bought my UK 97 2.5 years ago only had 1 previous owner but had 92,000 miles on clock, its now got 114,500 miles. Other than servicing and mods by choice I have not had to replace anything. Only thing I had to do was top up air con. Not even replaced anything at services other than service items, plugs, oils, filters etc.
I would not be concerned about mileage so long as its got FSSH.
Never had any problems with mine, mmmmhh hope I don't regret that on the way to work tomorrow!

Andy.

Rob99

Just to add my 2 pence..
I own a P1 which I have had from brand new in May 2000 and has currently done 92,000miles. The car was run in correctly and is still warmed up / cooled down even if i just travel locally. It has a full Subaru Main Dealer service history and has been company maintained. I keep a folder of every receipt that goes with the car and would be happy to sell it on to anyone. Its always has super unleaded fuel and uses very little oil between the usual 7,500mile service intervals.(from middle to low mark on oil dipstick only! - cos you never fill the engine to the max line)

The car is completely original - clutch 'n' all apart from the rear diff that was done under warranty at 50k as it had a very slight whine. The only mods are a K&N panel air filter and a Scorpion Exhaust (the main cat still in place). It still goes like a train and feels very solid.
I also ran an Impreza Catalunya (completely standard) and did 74,000miles in 3 years which never gave a moments problem and I believe it's still going strong.

As has been said above if the car is looked after properly it will last well over the 100k mark, but you will get a feel from the owners of how it has been treated - just ask the right questions

Cheers