Poll - Mileage vs Spec

[lukemk5gti]

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.

[garrardrj]

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 

[Dan_FR]

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 

[SiofChester]

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

[stealthwolf]

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.

[david25]

See my recent thread for more comments;

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,97111.0.html

[rich83]

Bit of both for me. 

[Shoduchi]

I agree with stealthwolf.

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.

[SkyJawa]

Options don't add value, just make something more saleable IMHO.

[Washout]

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.

[StuF]

Spec for me - although price was also an issue!
But I am at the extreme end of the choice with 170K+ on my odometer!

[Matthewsimone]

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 

[Matthewsimone]

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 

[Milkman123]

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.

[lukemk5gti]

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!