A friend and I were discussing just how much value having low miles on a car adds. Any thoughts on this.

As an example, what do you think a MY02 in mint condition with only 25k miles on it is worth?

I know with more mainstream cars the mileage really doesn't add a ton of value (some of course, but not a whole lot), but was wondering if it added more value on more collectible cars like the S2000.

 

IMO, the S2000 isn't a car to "preserve" - not now anyway. Most new S2000s are, or were purchased to be used as toys - weekend cars, etc.- so finding a low mileage S2000 isn't hard. The value of the S2000 has plumeted anyway so IMO, get out there and enjoy your car - especially if you plan on keeping it a while. A MKIV Supra on the other hand... garage queen.

 

yeah i got the car to drive not to let it sit around in my garage

 

Right, but if you were in the market to buy a used S2000, how much more would you be willing to pay for one with much lower miles than usual? For instance, using my example above... If you took an average daily driver MY02 that would have about 70k miles on it vs. one with 25k miles on it, how much more would you pay for the lower mileage one?

 

^^if it's me,not much.Bottom line it is a 6 years old car.

 

NADA rates the difference at $3,300 more for the low milage car.
You have to make the choice depending on your budget, car overall condition , etc. How the miles got there sometimes makes a difference. A higher milage daily driver at a lower price might be a better buy in the long term than a low milage, high priced, "weekend only" car where the low miles were all put on at a race track.

Often these cars, as well as other sports cars, are sold to friends or friends of friends and the buyer knows the car and the owner and the way in which the car was driven. Original owners who have saved the original paper work and have service records are usually "car people" and care for and maintain the vehicle.

All things being equal, that is "a real garage queen" would seemingly be the better deal. There are people who have valid reasons for not having driven the car. As always, "Let the buyer beware".

 

Being a former owner, and knowing exactly what to look for on a used S2000, if it were almost flawless, all body panels were perfect and accounted for with no dings, dents, etc., and the interior was perfect, I would probably be willing to pay an extra $1000-1500 more for the one with lower mileage.

 

i dont believe all the time in low mileage cars because that depends in diferent situations and conditions ... example i do 200km per week i go to my college and in the nights i chill out for a while and i pass in traffic in the day like 2 or 3 hours and is not the same traffic abusive of clutch , engine rev , hotness , the car parked in the sun , dirty and rain . brakes abuse and we have this other situation a friend of mine that have his s2000 for trip weekends only he put sometimes like 1000 kms or more but open highways and windy roads but the car in the normal days is garage queen... resume i have less kms but my car because is a daily drive is more abused.

 

rather flip the question around...how much LESS would you pay for a high mileage one? as long as the car has under 50k i wouldn't mind. if it was 60 and up on any ap2 i would start to stay away unless the price was significantly less.

but would i pay more for low mileage? not necessarily. miles don't matter to me unless like i said under 50k. i would rather get one (if 2 cars are same price) that has more miles but has all maintenance records, no accidents, and everything flawless. i would take that car with 50k over another one that has like 20k.

 

Mileage played a large part in my recent purchase of my 04 AP2. I searched and searched and was able to get an 04 silverstone with 18k miles for 18k. Not the greatest price but I wanted a car that was in great condition. that said, it all depends on the buyer and the market.