would you be reluctant to buy a 2001 car with less than 1,000 miles?

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twitch77

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Hey y'all. I'm kind of throwing around the idea of picking up a Honda S2000. I found one on Autotrader that is a 2001 with only 876 miles. No that's not a typo - less than 1,000 miles on a 13 year old car. According to the ad it's only been driven in nice weather and stored in a climate controlled garage for it's life.

Part of me thinks that this would be a jewel! Another side of me is unsure because I know when cars aren't regularly driven they can pop up with issues from lack of use.

Maybe my thinking is completely wrong but that's why I am asking y'alls opinion about it.

Thanks!

Here's one pic of it. I love this color too!
32420819565.351078267.IM1.02.565x421_A.565x376.jpg
 
After doing some research, oil analysis, and a auto technician buddy looking at it...I would consider it for the right price. We have a 2000 Honda CR-V with almost 200,000 miles on it. It was because of an oil analysis that we found that the air intake system was in need of replacement. Certain levels of contamination were found that led us to the intake. Now the levels are right where they should be.
Those are great cars. The wife and I had given some serious consideration in buying one. I can understand your concern about things going awry...
Good luck!
 
Well, are you close to it? Can you have a trusted mechanic check it out?

You are right to be leery.... A car with that low mileage and that old? :eek:
 
ask for service records. regardless of use (miles) you still would need to have services done, at the very least oil. Friend of mine bought an older 300zx low miles and all. guy who owned it just never used it. Problem was it sat there for years and years. Once he got it the tires, belts, and AC unit went. He fixes car so no biggy to him.

Anyway you can go down and check it out?
 
Asking price is $25,500 which is quite high in itself. Here's the description from Autotrader:

ok, here's the one you've been waiting for. My personal car. One owner car. Only 876.3 miles on it from brand new. I took two, 225 mile road trips in it and the rest are "in town" miles. Every mile on this car was driven by myself and in nice weather. This S2000 has lived it's entire life in a climate controlled garage. Oil & filter was changed at 300 and 600 miles. This car has EVERY OPTION, (that was offered by Honda in 2001) Front & rear spoilers, remote mounted 6 disk CD changer. Aluminum shift knob & more, The A/C will almost freeze you out. On a 100 point scale, this car has to be 99+ by anyone's standards. Just to say it, there is no damage history whatsoever. It's only been wet three times and that was to wash it, by hand. If your looking for "brand new", that's hard to find in a 2001 car, but this one's as close as you will ever get. If you missed one of these, at your local Honda dealership in 2001, (the first time around), it's not too late! you've got one more opportunity to get an "as new" Honda S2000. Don't miss out again, call right now. This "Nuclear Banana" won't last long because of condition and mileage! These cars are so unique and absolutely so much fun to drive. They have already cemented their place in automotive history. The A/C blows ice cold, all scheduled maintenance, all records, Car was always garaged, has custom upgraded (Honda) wheels, car is in incredibly excellent condition, Fully loaded with all the goodies, Looks & drives great, Mostly highway miles, This is a must see car, it's never seen snow, No accidents of any kind, at all, Non-smoker car, One owner, Seats are like new, Title in hand, upgraded (Honda) sound system, Very clean interior, Well maintained. Last chance for an almost brand new S2000. No disappointments with this car!!! (It's just what you would expect with less than 900 miles on it.)

I'm not close. The car is in Shreveport LA which is about 5 hours from me.

Thanks for all the help and input.
 
That's way too much money imho. Lows miles for sure, that's like 67 miles a year, gotta some what queston that but you never know. The thing is, just because it's low miles and "like new" it's not new, it's 13 years old. Almost like new miles doesn't mean the cars worth almost new pricing. At auction I doubt that car would bring half that price. Like the other posters said I would definitely have a Honda dealership give it the once over too. If you really want it go for it. But if your going to drive it and put some miles on it the value will drop like a rock because it's a 13 year old car. I got my 2013 GC 3.8 Track for a few $$$ more than what he's asking for that. For that $$ you could have a new BRZ or FRS or a GC 2.0 Turbo all with warranties and 2014 technology. Just my thoughts. If you really like it and that's the car you've always wanted and your going to hold onto it go for it. Let us know how you do.
 
Sounds like someone got tired of their weekend toy. Check maintenance records to make sure they're current and don't pay more than what YOU think it's worth.
 
My aunt and uncle have an 86 Crown Vic with less than 5 k original miles. Almost thirty and still smells new
 
It should be ok as long as the car has been run at least 20 minutes a month since new
 
Great find. I would check the true value on nada. It is had to find well-cared-for cars these days that are stored in climate controlled environments, unless it is a collector car. Ultimately, you have to decide for yourself if the car is worth $25k to you.
As far as a low mileage car goes, as long as it is not kept in extreme weather and temperature environments, it should be fine. As others have recommended, get a professional to inspect it.
I purchased a 2001 vehicle with only 6000 miles on it. The original tires today are almost 14 years old, but since the car was kept in a cool, dry environment, they are still in great shape. Discount Tire won't touch them, as they are over 10 years old (corporate policy), but Goodyear advises that as long as the car was stored out of direct sunlight and stored in a clean and dry environment, are not exhibiting cracks, they are fine.
The car being old and low mileage is not necessarily a bad thing. It appears to have been well cared for.
Good luck to you... I know how exciting it is to find your dream car in pristine condition.
 
I would be very leery of that. First off, asking price is wayyyyy too much, but when cars sit around not being used problems start to form. Leaky valve seals, degenerated bushings, cracked hydraulic lines, frozen brakes, flat spotted tires, etc... Even though it's been in a climate controlled environment these parts still wear down over time with oxygen exposure.


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twitch77 said:
According to the ad it's only been driven in nice weather and stored in a climate controlled garage for it's life.
Click to expand...

If that is the case, I would not be at all worried. Perform a thorough inspection yourself.

Miles, like a runway behind you, are just that...behind you and not ahead of you and are of little use.

You may have found a keeper!

twitch77 said:
Here's one pic of it. I love this color too!
32420819565.351078267.IM1.02.565x421_A.565x376.jpg
Click to expand...


Damn thieving Japs! They stole that color from Porsche! :xyxthumbs:
Porsche%20993%20-%203-M.jpg
 
KBB puts the private party value for that car @ $23,599 for my area...which is comparable to many of the excellent condition, low mileage AP1s that I've seen on craigslist & autotrader in my area as well (22-25K range). My impression from watching them over the past summer & fall is that they don't sell especially quick in that price range. The thing is that there are often other great condition low mileage examples that come up for a several grand less; granted, none w/ that absurdly low mileage. I would definitely want a thorough PPI on that before pulling the trigger.
 
ekennett said:
I would be very leery of that. First off, asking price is wayyyyy too much, but when cars sit around not being used problems start to form. Leaky valve seals, degenerated bushings, cracked hydraulic lines, frozen brakes, flat spotted tires, etc... Even though it's been in a climate controlled environment these parts still wear down over time with oxygen exposure.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


What he said about cars setting!

If you really want it ask about his oil change interval. In the add you posted it sounds like it's been changed only twice. My understanding is used oil can become acidic overtime and cause corrosion.

You can also figure new tires and fluids if they've sat there unchanged that long.

A car like that with so few miles just makes me wonder.
 
I always find it funny when someone suggests a price is too high .... its comes down to the buyers perception on a good deal. Often this can relate to special editions, low mileage, and untitled sports cars.

In a low mileage car such as this often times all that's needed is some minor maintenance. Change oil (unless proof it has been done recently), and use a fuel product to remove any water in the fuel system. (again, unless proof the owner did so during storage). Check tires for rot or cracking.
 
only 2 oil changes done on it in 13 years?! even if it wasn't driven, it should still of had an oil change per year...
 
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