we need more info...pics and compression numbers would be nice

 

100,000 miles is just getting broken in on these cars.
Look at a lot of the track and auto-x guys (the serious ones). They have 100,000+ mile cars and the last thing they worry about is the motor.

 

100k is a lot of miles.

 

To each their own. As long as a car is well maintained for those miles, it should still be good as new.

I had a Porsche 944 with 280,000+ miles on it when I sold it. Put new rod bearings in it around 220,000 miles. That was the only big maintenance thing I did to the car, minus clutch.

 

With S2000s it seems age is as much an issue as miles. I know many owners of early S2000s that are replacing parts even though they have the same relative mileage as I do on my 04. Tough call since S2000s seem to goto 200k easily enough as well.

05 in still the black and tan interior? You really need to at least drive it and see how "tight" it is with those miles on it.

 

Obviously. What are the actual issues that you're alleging come with "a lot of miles".

 

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that the car with the higher miles was probably not beat on as much a the lower mileage car. a 2005 car with over 100K miles was obviously a daily driven car and most people don't beat on a daily driver as much as they do on a weekend toy. Look at the condition of the rest of the car. If it was well maintained, the mileage should not scare you..especially when you can get a low mileage F22C for just a few grand.

The 2001 may still have the original soft top which likely needs replaced as well as the upgrades you get with the 2005.

 

Ive taken very good care of my ap1 my03 just did a comp test i have 115000 miles on the car and have always ran it semi hard but well maintained did a comp test and all four were right at about 135 psi no more than 2 psi of varience between cylinders, and under the valve cover looks like the motor just came off the assembly line and car also put down 212 whp and 144 ftlb tq. stock nothing has ever been taken apart original everything (clutch too) just did the first valve adjustment. as far as my motor is concerned its just getting broken in at 115000 miles and still not burning any more than half quart max in between changes these are great cars its all in how it was maintained, and if the driver knows how to drive their car. Ive launched my car hit nine grand semi frequently and all original motor mounts are still perfect. Just check maintenance history records, ect even open the oil cap and if its varnished gold brown or black worst case can give you an idea if the oil has been changed regularly.

 

Thanks for all the comments! I just needed some reassurance that I wanted a low mileage car. GPW looks sooo good! Unless I find a nice low mileage 03 I will be leaning towards the 01.

 

Clutch, suspension, bushings, water pump, starter, radiator, etc., etc. You know, all the moving parts besides the engine.