This thread may seem kind of redundant and I have done quite a bit of research but I am curious if I am missing anything.

I am considering buying a 15-20k mile car(02-03), and curious what I should plan on in terms of maintenance? You often hear people shy away from super low mileage cars as "these cars love to be driven", but is it really THAT bad? Should I be concerned enough to look for cars in the 30-40k range?

I already am factoring in doing the coolant expansion tank when I do a clutch(as I plan to do some mods) and it is an easy time to tackle it, and will likely have the coolant pipes welded at the same time just cause.

Other than that what am I missing? The few cars I am considering seem to have fresh fluids, and the basics done.

I guess I am more looking at a "worst case scenario" list to make sure I am not blindsided by a bunch of huge expenses I am overlooking.

Thanks for any insight!

 

I bought mine with 12500 miles two years ago with good service records and it has given me zero problems. I have only done general maintenance besides replacing the accessory belt and coolant cap. Good service records is the key.

 

I think it just depends. I just recently bought an 01 with 10,000 miles. Had it checked out and everything seems solid. No real service records at the Porsche dealership.

 

Luck of the draw, man. Usually though, whatever you expect, the opposite happens.

Brace for the worst. You're smart to do the coolant pipe weld, only 'cause that's a biggie and better to handle on your own terms instead of when the car decides. Some are lucky, but others not so much. I read here today about one guy who had a pipe fitting fail the day after he bought it.

Check out the clutch slave cylinder, which are prone to eventual failure. Consider upgrading to a GT2-style clutch actuator setup. If you're going to mod, consider upgrading the clutch itself.

Get a solid PPI from a reputable place. Get the rev counts at and above redline (range 1 and 2, respectively). Just because it's low mileage, doesn't mean they were easy miles. Get the number of programming events on the DME, if greater than 1 then the car has likely been tuned.

Good luck!
-V

 

Thanks for the tips thus far! I will try and get maintenance records for sure, just fear at that low of mileage it will just be periodic fluid changes, etc.

I am ideally hunting for a Gt2 so clutch slave, etc won't be an issue.

I am fairly capable of doing many things myself, so if a radiator is leaking, and things like that it doesn't seem like it will be a huge issue.

One thing I am noticing is the oem/maintenance parts for these cars are fairly reasonable considering. It just seems like a lot of labor for certain things, but I have paid much more for lexus parts for example.

 

Did you find your car yet? I think low-mileage drawbacks is FUD perpetuated by sellers (future or current) of high-mileage cars. Like Vendetta said, luck of the draw. Good you're doing your homework. I've had very good luck with low mileage cars. At the end of the day, it's about your own comfort level. Good luck.

 

Luck of the draw and how much you use the car.


In 2009 I bought a low miles (10K) pristine '03 Turbo with a 2 year, 100K mile warranty. My research found the car had received reasonable servicing for a low miles car.


Issues while under warranty: Radiator fan motor shaft snapped and fan motor, hardware, radiator all replaced, idler roller bearing got noisy and was replaced, 6-speed transmission selector shaft leaked and tranny was replaced, shifter linkage snapped and was replaced, clutch accumulator failed and clutch slave cylinder leaked and both were replaced.


Car went out of warranty in June of 2011 at around 60K miles.


After warranty a leaking RMS was replaced, a leaking water pump was replaced, other (driver side) radiator fan motor died and was replaced, front diff axle flange seals leaked and were replaced, another idler roller got noisy and I had all idlers and the tensioner replaced, squealing power steering valve replaced (required a new power steering tank at around $800 + labor), and the spoiler cylinders were leaking so I had the spoiler replaced.


More recently, it appears a headlight ballast is going bad. (New ballast lists for $800 or thereabouts.)


Engine has misfired a few times of late -- it has been off and on unseasonably humid where I live and drive (but no rain) -- and I'm probably going to have the (original) coils replaced at the car's next oil/filter service (which gets done every 5K miles).


Oh, brake wear warning light comes on now almost every trip and the tech says the front brakes are worn out. (They are. But they are original.) I'll have these done when I have the oil/filter and headlight ballast work done.


Total miles on car is around 123K.


BTW, when the RMS was done at around 110K miles the clutch had no measureable wear.

 

Nothing concrete but do have my eye on something.

How much would you say you have spent since the warranty expired?

I only plan to drive the car 2-4k a year and honestly judging by my history with cars won't own it for more than a year or two(if I absolutely love it). But you never know it's my first p car and I might fall in love.

 

The only issue I would have in purchasing a very low mileage car would be to know that the car had had it's oil changed at least annually even though the mileage would not have required this. The corrosion protection breaks down even without the engine being run which is why the maintenance schedule tells you to do this. Same with brake fluid change every two years due to water absorbtion.

 

I.ve got an orig owner 997.1 6speed turbo with LSDiff, sport chrom, 68000 miles for 60k. Everything described in above threads has been replaced. Has new water pump, new coolant reservoir, all new coolant hoses (required engine drop) new clutch/slav, new heat exchanger/mass air sensor, new front axles/boots, new Mich SS tires with air sensors, new starter/battery, EP1 exhaust, no accidents/no dings. EasyCare Warranty to Dec 14. PM if interest. Well maintained orig owner vehicles are generally good buys.

 

you never know, I'm always looking this way, If the car has super-low milage, everything is waiting for you to change, fluids, etc. If you dont drive a lot - look for a car with 30-40k miles. and inspect it, it will cost you less-- I bought mine for very good price - but i had to do some work on it- clutch, front boots, some boost leak fix, I slapped exhaust and tune, so far been several months and no problems, car is solid, - but i know before winter time I would like to change pretty much all the fluids.

 

A good owner changes fluids, filters belts etc on a regular basis regardless of miles= mine did and now I do the same.

 

I am looking for low mileage cars, not high mileage cars. Maintenance aside, it is MUCH harder to sell a 75k + mile car, and I don't wanna deal with that in a year or two when I am bored and want something new.
I hear that. The problem is finding a car with 30-40k miles that is up to my OCD standards.