Why do people ask how many miles are on my 63-year-old car?

[ckissick]

Whenever I drive the '50 split around town, people always chat with me about it. Fair enough. But they always ask,"How many miles are on it?" Once a car gets into its 7th decade isn't that kind of irrelevant? First of all, I don't know. The odometer shows 56,000 km. Second of all, cars that old have been re-done so much, the miles don't really matter any more.

Yes, I'm kind of bored tonight.

[aigel]

It is the million mile Volvo and other record mileage cars in the "news" that make people ask this question.

I used to have a Great Dane. When out with the dog, every person you'd meet would say "That's a horse, not a dog, you need to put a saddle on it". It was tough not to punch the people, it got so old. But they didn't know this, so I just smiled and went on with my walk ...

G

[Bill Douglas]

They want to make conversation but don't know what to say. People always ask me how old my dog is

[Jim Bremner]

My '67 fastback had 400k on it from me. so 600+?

[GWN7]

Originally Posted by bill douglas

they want to make conversation but don't know what to say. People always ask me how old my dog is

+1

[DonDavis]

I like when I hear an old car has a ton of miles. That's way more interesting than "here's my garage queen with 16k miles".
For an exotic rare car, sure, low miles are cool. But I'd also like hearing about the '67 Mercedes coupe with 500,000 miles.

[ckissick]

I guess they want to hear that I have a million miles on it, then.

As for low miles, there is a 1991 Tristar (VW double cab) for sale on the Samba. It has only 30 miles (not 30K, just 30) on it and is like new, obviously. They want $82K for it. Of course, it's very rare. But what are you supposed to do with it? Drive it? A nice Tristar with regular miles on it might go for $40K. So if you drive the low miles one much, it quickly loses its value, like any other new car. So why buy it?

[ZOO]

Seems like an accessible question for anyone to ask -- as opposed to questions about its mechanics, or provenance. Just answer it graciously. Especially if asked by an attractive member of the opposite sex.

[widgeon13]

I like to ask "were you the original owner"?

[911SauCy]

In opposition I love it when people pose that question about my SC.

My hard work and care over the last 2 years have dramatically changed the tone/implication of the question.

Car has 173k, used to really look it. Now people inquire and I have them guess, getting nothing over 60k in the last 10months.

Makes it feel like the blood/sweat/tears and empty wallet are all worth it.

[johnsjmc]

Because new car salesmen have always concentrated on telling you it,s time for a new car because the miles are getting up there.
When I was young a car was often considered worn out at 50000 mi and better get a new on asap.
When was the last time you thought about how many miles, ( or even model year) on an airplane or transport truck?
Also perception My 2012 F150 has about 6500 mi but being a work truck is always dirty. I get people telling me it looks really good for a 2006.

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by johnsjmc

Because new car salesmen have always concentrated on telling you it,s time for a new car because the miles are getting up there.
When I was young a car was often considered worn out at 50000 mi and better get a new on asap.
When was the last time you thought about how many miles, ( or even model year) on an airplane or transport truck?
Also perception My 2012 F150 has about 6500 mi but being a work truck is always dirty. I get people telling me it looks really good for a 2006.

Then they'd offer the '06 price

[diverdan]

Great cars have a great history, races, distance over the road and adventures. There is no real history earned sitting on the bench.

Diverdan

[R K T]

When I would pull in the gas station to fill up my 1940 Ford, I'd be there for a half hour talking to people. Especially the old guys that remember when a 1940 car was new! They would ask how many miles, what engine, how many owners etc.
When you think about it, there could have been babies conceived in the back seat, moonshine ran from one county to another, even used as a getaway car from a bank robbery.
Old guys would give me thumbs up, women would smile and take pics and kids would wave......

[yazhound]

Originally Posted by aigel

It is the million mile Volvo and other record mileage cars in the "news" that make people ask this question.

I used to have a Great Dane. When out with the dog, every person you'd meet would say "That's a horse, not a dog, you need to put a saddle on it". It was tough not to punch the people, it got so old. But they didn't know this, so I just smiled and went on with my walk ...

G

I have Irish Wolfhounds and it is the same. I have often thought of printing up and FAQ to hand out on my walks... yesterday someone said needed to put sled on him and let pull me... hahaha ... Just smile and nod...

[yazhound]

Originally Posted by DonDavis

I like when I hear an old car has a ton of miles. That's way more interesting than "here's my garage queen with 16k miles".
For an exotic rare car, sure, low miles are cool. But I'd also like hearing about the '67 Mercedes coupe with 500,000 miles.

1+ agree. What is a car's essential purpose?

[Zeke]

Funny, people don't walk up to a '32 Packard and ask the owner about mileage. I guess you'll just have to wait until it's 80.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by yazhound

1+ agree. What is a car's essential purpose?

To thrill me.

[johnsjmc]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

Then they'd offer the '06 price

Car salemen would no doubt.
I also have a 1972 big block Corvette. I,ve owned it about 2 yrs. Someone recently asked me how many miles and I had no clue and had to go and look. shows 79000
Not why I bought it and with a speedo only going to 99999 who really knows anyway.

[johnco]

why does everyone want to know gas mileage on a 50+yr old classic car? does it really matter when a car is that old? not like you're going to drive it everywhere everyday.
why do they all want to know how fast does it go? as fast as I want to go in a 50+yr old classic car.