are higher mileage cars all that bad

[samsnead]

I am looking at several 3.2s to purchase, one being around 150,000 miles, but single owner and every bit of work documented. It has had all the necessary work done( top end etc.) and was repsrayed. I am also looking at a couple of car 911 3.2s that are in the 70,000 miles range but do not have documentation etc. If the price is adjusted is it really a bad thing to buy a car with higher mileage?

[jorian]

150K with a top end rebuild is probably a bargain. Most people want a lower mileage car even if it doesn't have any records. If the rest of the car is good I wouldn't hesitate buying the 150K mile example. 3.2s are not disposable, they can last well over 200K and beyond. A friend bought a 3.2 this summer with 175K miles and it runs like a champ.

[tonythetarga]

I bought my 3.2 primarily for track use. it was a high miler and just turned over 153k. I had 15 years of records and knew exactly what I was buying. It as been a great car and I would do it all over again. Records are very important. (But so is a PPI)
good luck.

[MotoSook]

A high mileage 3.2 with a topend rebuild is a better car than the same car (chassis) with a lower mileage engine that has not had a rebuild.

I've seen some low mileage cars that were just terrible, but I've seen some high mileage cars that were just amazing. If the engine and tranny were well cared for, there is nothing terrible about a high mileage car.

[mambodave]

Id rather have a high mileage car than a garage queen any day. These cars rot when they sit.

[therotman]

my 190k 1980 SC is happy as can be!

I got the top end rebuilt 10k miles ago when I purchased the car. I figured I'm going to drive the car all the time, so why not buy one that is used to being driven?

[samsnead]

These are good points, I dont think I am going to put a ton of miles of the car, my last p car was more of a garage queen.

[ZOA NOM]

Originally posted by mambodave
Id rather have a high mileage car than a garage queen any day. These cars rot when they sit.

+1


I have two high mileage 3.2's, and both are spectacular. My daily driver will turn 200k this year, and I just cracked open my track car's 170k motor, and I wouldn't even have to replace the main bearings if I weren't going to race it.

[don911]

bought mine with 173k on the clock with no top end. Higher mileage cars with good history are great deals in my opinion.

[the]

Logically, they are probably right. A 3.2 with a properly redone top end is very, very likely to have a ton of life left in it.

Still, me personally, I can't stand owning a high mileage car. I want it all, reasonably low miles, service records, original paint in excellent condition, well taken care of. I'm willing to pay the additional cost for those things because I think they're worth it.

It's up to you, though.

[Tsunamiboy]

My 79SC has 193,000 and has never been opened. It runs strong, cool and no smoke. The transmission and clutch is the only major rebuild. I believe with proper maintenance I will have many more miles of reliable cruising

[acapella8]

My 78SC Euro has approx 135K, and I make a point to drive it once or twice a week even in Chicago winters. Of course, this winter has not been much of a winter at all.

Anybody else in temperate mid-west try to drive theirs at least once a week?

-Tom

[tfiv]

Re-sale would be my only concern with the miler. When you want out, low miles makes it really easy. There are a whole bunch of buyers out there that have no way to judge the fitness of a car except by the odometer.

[nesslar]

Yup. It all sounds good to me. Just another 120K and I'll be able to say (knock on wood) that all is well at 177K.
My point is (rather a question) that a good low mileage example, cared for and upgraded to at least some degree, certainly isn't a lesser car................?
Please.

[PRE-H20]

+1 on a high mile engine.

took mine to 300 miles,...... not KILOMETERS.. miles baby!

[samsnead]

Thanks for the input, look like I got some thinking to do.

[the]

My anti-high mileage car feeling is also because I think the lower mileage cars are generally a better value.

I'm not talking 15,000 mile cars, but cars with 60-70K miles.

The thing is, if you own one of those cars, with those miles, records, well maintained, etc., just try to sell it! You'll see that selling a 60-70K mile Carrera isn't all that easy, and the amount you'll get for it is surprisingly low. For the 915 Carreras (84-86), you are talking mid teens, maybe less on a bad day.

On the other hand, even high mile, worn out Carreras are generally $10,000+ cars, assuming they are complete, run, and look ok.

I'd rather be a buyer than a seller in this current market. I'd take advantage of the soft prices for Carreras, and find a lowish mileage peach for only a few thousand more than a high mileage example. They made a lot of these cars, it's a buyer's market, as a buyer, you can have it all if you are willing to spend some time looking.

In the long run, the more "expensive" lower mile car will likely be less expensive, esp. if you take into account resale value.

(Although I will admit, Carreras do have a bit of a quirk with the premature worn valve guide issue, which seems to show up between 40-70K miles, according to Bruce Anderson. I would be a bit concerned about that with a 50-60K mile carrera that has not had a top end, I guess I'd do what I could to try to see if it is OK, and just take my chance).

[Louie85]

Just bought a 212K 1985 Carrera with top end overhaul done at 160K runs great and I drive it everyday. As Dr. Porsche said P cars are made to be driven.

[GothingNC]

I just spoke to a guy the other day with an 89 930.

Over 180,000 miles and the motor has never been opened up.

I've never seen a turbo with that many miles on it

[wcc]

They are great cause you don't have to worry about putting miles on it, so you can just get in and drive. Plus you can modify just about anything you want and not feel bad. The only down side to them is the re-sale value. Don't plan on selling it.