Buying with high miles

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Mattstermh

Buying with 50k, what should I look out for versus buying one with 20k?

Take my car that is for sale as an example.

Almost 45k miles. I don't daily drive it but I've put many miles on it because 1) going to/from track events that are far away, 2) several long road trips that add up to over 15k miles, and 3) long commute when I do drive it to work.

As others have said, maintenance history is key. Even if it was a car maintained by the owner without formal records, things like oil analysis, documented gas mileage history, and detailed list of items done or issues helps.

At the end of the day, you have to decide what you want to deal with. Low mileage and/or cars under warranty coverage are great if you don't know how to fix a car.

-alex

[Mattstermh]

In my experience the dealership tells me "we don't have records on the car because we got it at the auction." I'll do my best to get any service records.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Mattstermh

In my experience the dealership tells me "we don't have records on the car because we got it at the auction." I'll do my best to get any service records.

Ya be careful with that since that is the same sort of dealer that will say "sorry we can't cover that under warranty since there are no service records".

[RichardsFRS]

Like someone said, its a toyota/subaru, theres not going to be a lot wrong with it unless its just ragged out. Mine had 43,8 on it

[FX86]

abuse is redlining it at cold start every morning before it's warmed up and screeching the tires everytime you leave the neighborhood and keeping the rpms at 5000-6000 in 3rd gear because you need that torque to overtake cars on the freeway when trying to change 4 lanes to reach your off ramp in downtown traffic and shifting to 1st gear just to hear that VROOOOM

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by Mattstermh

Buying with 50k, what should I look out for versus buying one with 20k?

Hahaha I thought you were asking about buying one with high mileage?

Seriously though, at 50k most modern engines aren't even broken in yet. Most of them wear in until about 60-90k (making slightly more power as they go) and then stay that way until they wear out (250k+ assuming good maintenance), or until catastrophic failure, which would be very rare with proper maintenance. Forced induction can help to throw a rod though :P

-Josh

[mazeroni]

Isn't there a big maintenance expected at 60K? Like replacing the spark plugs?

I have heard people around here mentioning that the whole thing costs upwards of 800$.

My 30K service was 350$ and took 2.5 hours. In hindsight I should have had them do it at no cost to me before I brought I car since I had 26K on the odo. So maybe talk to the seller about doing any service, or seeing if they will take money off knowing that a big one is coming up.

[Mattstermh]

Where can I see what the recommended tune up is for 60k miles? I don't see that anywhere.
Edit: is this it https://www.driverside.com/service-s...&mileage=60000

And while we're at it, is this entire page accurate: https://www.driverside.com/service-s...-30896-53945-0

[FR-S Future Owner]

Originally Posted by mazeroni

Isn't there a big maintenance expected at 60K? Like replacing the spark plugs?

I have heard people around here mentioning that the whole thing costs upwards of 800$.

$200/spark plug P&L!
I understand a flat-4 isn't as convenient as a simple inline-4 for changing plugs, but what's involved? Remove the front wheels, access from underneath, loosen motor mounts and jack up the engine? As a normal service item, plugs should be easy to access.

Originally Posted by mazeroni

My 30K service was 350$ and took 2.5 hours. In hindsight I should have had them do it at no cost to me before I brought I car since I had 26K on the odo. So maybe talk to the seller about doing any service, or seeing if they will take money off knowing that a big one is coming up.

Definitely a good idea.

[mazeroni]

Probably should negotiate the price of the car down, then at the end bring up the cost of future maintenance and fight for at least another 500$ off if they aren't willing to or can't do the 60K service early.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by FR-S Future Owner

$200/spark plug P&L!
I understand a flat-4 isn't as convenient as a simple inline-4 for changing plugs, but what's involved? Remove the front wheels, access from underneath, loosen motor mounts and jack up the engine? As a normal service item, plugs should be easy to access.

Definitely a good idea.

You pretty much nailed it. Should be and are can be two totally different realities.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8492
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78082
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78082
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85644


The good news is that it can be done yourself


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88906

[FR-S Future Owner]

I searched the DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Guides and was surprised that there appears to not yet be a spark plug changing DIY guide.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

it has probably only seen red line about half a dozen times.

I would classify that as abuse.

A redline a day keeps the carbon away.



I'll take a track toy that's had the shit kicked out of it and diligent maintenance over 'granma's Sunday driver that's never been on the freeway with dealership maintenance' any day of the week and twice on Sunday. But those are rare cars and only exist in hypothetical discussions.

As for the OP, double check that it's accident free, maintenance records on all the oil changes, and budget for new tires and brakes in the near future (<$700 unless you want big upgrades), understand the 60k service is coming up and have fun.

People bitch about the spark plugs, but most 86's will never see more than 4 sets of spark plugs in their lifetime, most owners will have to replace them at most once or twice, it's not that bad.

As above, the vast majority of cars are solid through 150k even 200k except for model specific quirks and the parts that wear out. My car will cross 50k in the next few weeks and it's never been back to the dealer for service, I don't anticipate it will be going back while I own it.

[Mattstermh]

So should I disregard that link I posted?