That example isn't related so much to mileage as it is to damage that occurred to the car. I'm guessing that it was a previous owner that had the title washed and this seller is simply being honest about the whole deal?

 

Let me come at it again

Pluses are you are only the second owner, the paint looks good and the new top. If there's no cracks in the bumper from getting backed into it shouldn't raise major red flags. Also you got an oem lip

Return it to stock if you got the stock wheels and sell the aftermarket parts you'll probably make a good extra 500.

 

Are you sure you aren't confused? OP never posted up pics of his car, but I did. I think are cars are very similar, but mine is not for sale.

 

I'm hoping that it stays that way if at all possible.

 

I see this selling for $7k max. $9K would MAYBE be possible if it had a clean exterior and all original panels at this mileage. But it sounds like a typical S2000 on craiglist these days....high mileage and has seen better days. Exterior doesn't sound very clean at all, w/ dents and multiple OEM parts replaced. The poor condition hood and cloudy headlights won't help. Change your oil to Castrol or something else and see if burning lessens--M1 has been known to burn in F20C's.

If you want the most money you can get, revert your car to stock and clean it up as much as possible. Make sure all the panels line up correctly, get an OEM hood (usually 100-150 or trade your seibon hood for one). Buy oem AP1 wheels (usually 150-250). Then polish up your headlights and fix any easily/cheaply repairable items. You won't likely get an extra $1000 just for having Volks and a hood, but if you sell those items separately and purchase the OEM replacements, you can easily net an extra $1k. The more stock it looks, the better it will sell, even with non-vin matching panels. At a $6-7K price point, buyers (usually young guys) won't usually care about matching vins as long as it runs OK. You want it to look as stock as possible so people don't see mods here and there and wonder what else you could have had done to it.

 

Good points made above. Seemingly small things can make all the difference in a sale.