MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: lukemk5gti on May 12, 2015, 08:49:27 am

Title: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: lukemk5gti on May 12, 2015, 08:49:27 am
It's just got me thinking over the last while what people think when they're buying a new car.

Some insist on low mileage and sacrifice good spec to get it.

Just for fun to see how people feel.
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: garrardrj on May 12, 2015, 08:55:34 am
Trouble is the deciding factor on most cars is price. High Spec is worth more in cash value generally but a High spec 100k car will be worth less than a 20k basic spec car of the same age .... As far as i am concerned low mileage is the winner as all i want is the basic car not add on bits . But a low mileage is not always a good buy as we all know , my ED30 for example sat about alot and i only did about 8000 miles in 3.5yrs but it always was serviced every year and whatever it needed it had , then i knew of a 7 year old fiesta that had only 1 service and had 5000 miles .... Anyway enough waffle  :rolleye:
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: Dan_FR on May 12, 2015, 09:10:34 am
Low mileage for me... So long as car condition is reflected by the mileage. I buy a car for the car, to drive it, not worry about a fancy stereo, fancy seats etc. Obviously if it has them too then it's a bonus  :grin:
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: SiofChester on May 12, 2015, 09:17:46 am
I'm the opposite, cars need using, AC needs using, acids build up in engines when they are not used and things sieze. I'd rather have a 100K motorway miler than a 10K car of the same age as things like the brakes / clutch / gearbox / interior get hammered when doing short trips round towns rather than wafting along on the motorway under no stress. And dont even get me started on DPFs
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: stealthwolf on May 12, 2015, 10:18:36 am
General condition and maintenance of car is more important. If that higher mileage car has been looked after, it won't miss a beat. A lower mileage car just means it hasn't been used as much. You don't know if either has been thrashed around. Knowing what I know about the GTI, I'd look for specific extras since retrofitting may end up being more costly for some.
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: david25 on May 12, 2015, 10:51:55 am
See my recent thread for more comments;

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,97111.0.html
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: rich83 on May 12, 2015, 11:03:00 am
Bit of both for me.  :innocent:
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: Shoduchi on May 12, 2015, 11:07:30 am
I agree with stealthwolf. :happy2:

I bought my Eddie recently so I had to consider those prerequisites recently as well. I had a list of extras that were essential because of the cost of retrofitting an highline cluster, xenon headlights or automatic AC, for example. In the end I sacrificed my choice for a 3 doors, instead of a 5, and with a DSG, instead of manual gearbox, because the car is mint, well cared/maintained, well equipped and with low mileage. :smiley:
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: SkyJawa on May 12, 2015, 11:13:17 am
Options don't add value, just make something more saleable IMHO.
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: Washout on May 12, 2015, 08:25:06 pm
Both for me. Its a trade off a compromise. I d never buy a really low miler cars definitely need using but average miles average spec is where id like to b.
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: StuF on May 12, 2015, 08:38:53 pm
Spec for me - although price was also an issue!
But I am at the extreme end of the choice with 170K+ on my odometer!
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: Matthewsimone on May 12, 2015, 09:33:39 pm
Options don't add value, just make something more saleable IMHO.

My fully loaded Gti makes a poverty spec one look really errrrr poverty though  :grin:
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: Matthewsimone on May 12, 2015, 09:35:45 pm
Mixture of both for me although decent comprehensive history and low owners is deffinately something that appeals to me hence why i went for a 2007 fully loaded 1 owner 3 door Gti with 68,000 miles, nice balance between the two and managed a decent price on it too  :happy2:
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: Milkman123 on May 12, 2015, 09:42:56 pm
Just be Patient. I waited 2 month for the right golf. Found it a 08 GT TDI 170.  FVWSH only 27,000miles 1 owner. Millionaires wife's car. Has full leather 18" charlestones from factory.  So wait and you can have spec and low miles.
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: lukemk5gti on May 13, 2015, 08:23:55 am
Just checked there and the poll is split exactly 50:50

I think this is a good thing because it shows there's a buyer out there for every car! I'm not so worried about clocking up the extra miles each week!
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: jonvr6 on May 13, 2015, 09:06:13 am
Im in the same situation at the minute low milers tend to warrant a higher price which puts me off.
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: Spankiee on May 13, 2015, 11:24:23 am
A car with 30k is like a new car to me. I'm not that fussed on spec as I can add those bits later.

So id say mileage is what I look for
Title: Re: Poll - Mileage vs Spec
Post by: SiofChester on May 13, 2015, 01:45:00 pm
Another thing to consider - price - a 175K mile, £3K Mk5 GTi is fundamentally the same as a 20K mile, £7K MK5 GTi. Sure, one is a bit more worn than the other but they are fundamentally the same car and one is less than half the price of the other - is it worth twice the price for the extra miles?
Resale value - if you're keeping the car for 5 years / till it dies, the £3K car above is going to be worth 1K with 250K miles on it. The £7K one will be worth £3K, so you've lost £2K or £4K respectively. Which works best for you?