Age vs. Mileage - Which Matters More?

[JonathanS]

In sizing up the value of a given SVX, which matters more -- mileage or age? In other words, would you be better off buying a 1996 with 120K miles or a 1994with 95K, assuming general condition otherwise appeared to be about the same?

[Subix]

Seems like it would kind of balance out to me... but that's just my opinion. OBDII is nice on the 96 I'm sure.. (as I don't have it on my 94).

[svxcess]

Hard to say...

Depends on the geographic location and how the miles were accumulated. Were they pleasure vehicles driven occasionally or daily drivers? Rural or highway miles or commuter/urban area/stop and go.

A 1994 with 95,000 miles is a 14 yr. old car driven an average of 6,785 miles/year.

A 1996 with 120,000 miles is a 12 year old car driven an average of 10,000 miles/year.


All things being equal (color, trim, condition, etc.) Here is Edmunds True Market value for both cars:

1994 LSi with 95,000 miles: Dealer retail is $3606 (including +586.00 for low mileage)

1996 Lsi with 120,000 miles: Dealer retail is $5009 (including +116.00 for low mileage)


But when emotions and the heart are inserted into the picture, sometimes logic and practicality take a back seat... or are thrown out the window altogether!

.

[dcarrb]

Originally Posted by svxcess

Hard to say...

Depends on the geographic location and how the miles were accumulated. Were they pleasure vehicles driven occasionally or daily drivers? Rural or highway miles or commuter/urban area/stop and go.

Absolutely. The hardest thing to quantify is the most important: What kind of miles? Long term, it's better to have a well-cared-for, responsibly-driven car with 150,000 on the odometer than something with half the miles that was flogged at every traffic light.

All other things being equal, I don't think two years in age would make a substantial difference and so would opt for the car with lower mileage.

dcb

[benebob]

Unless you're driving 40-50k a year I really don't think mileage is a concern with this engine. Just with any other Japanese car. The body and suspension tends to be what kills 'em, not the engine (provided it was at least moderately taken care of). I say go by color!

[mikecg]

Maintenance is more important then both age and mileage. If it sat in a garage for 10 years and had nothing done to it, the tires will be dry rotted and possibly all the engine seals. I had a 1984 Ford LTD that I paid $1000 dollars for before I got the SVX. That was in 2003. It had 15,000 miles on it. It bolong to an old lady. It was here husbands car. He rarely drove it and had recently passed away. I drove it for 4 months and every seal in the engine started leaking. It went through oil faster than gas.

[immortal_suby]

the 94 is better for modders because the 96 has that crummy obd2


This is an interesting question. Assuming both were garage kept and in salt free areas I'd say the lower mileage wins it. I wonder what kbb thinks, but I am too lazy to check.
Now if you threw a 92 into the mix, you'd also be adding the earlier transmission internals which would shift in favor of a later model year with the updates.