I would suggest that mileage is completely irrelevant, especially when
you're talking about chrome-bumper cars, the newest of which is 25 years
old. At this point, anything that hasn't already been replaced/renewed
due to mileage/wear needs to be replaced due to age/weathering. Any car
that hasn't already received some level of restoration is in itself a
restoration project in waiting. The engines themselves are very durable
if well maintained (but only if), so mileage isn't really the crucial
issue there, either.
Even if you find an "always garaged, 15 years in storage" authentic
low-mileage example, all the seals, fluids, hoses and flexible parts will
have perished (I know what I'm talking about here, I'm helping a buddy
try to resurrect one of these cases), and it might wind up more work than
a recently painted "daily driver", which at least has most of the bugs
worked out by the PO (unless it's a dreaded DPO). And if what you want is
a full-fledged restoration project, than you're looking for a rust-free
chassis, and mileage on the running components doesn't matter, since
you'll be re-doing almost everything anyway.
Not to mention the fact that most of the early cars are well into their
second trip around the odometer, so remember to add a "1" in front of the
indicated mileage. For reference, I bought my '66 ten years ago with 39K
showing (definitely *not* the first time around), and now it's pushing
170K, but it currently manifests no problems that directly relate to
mileage. Of course, that's because the "wearable" components such as rear
springs, shocks, steering rack, differential, front suspension,
windscreen glass, etc. have been replaced in the interim.
In summary, I think you should look at the condition of the car and the
wearable components, and not worry about the mileage (assuming it's even
correct). Your best bargain will be a car that someone else has already
spent the time/money to put right, not a low mileage garage queen.
IMHO...
Tomsjetta@aol.com had this to say:
>I would like to thank all of those who welcomed me to this list, I am sure I
>will gain alot of knowledge here about all things MG.
>
>As I search for my MGB of choice, how concerned should I be about the car's
>mileage? Note, I haven't considered anything with over 80k miles, and when I
>buy one, I'm guessing I'll put on between 2-3k miles annum. I sort of get
>the
>feeling that this is a non-issue in several respects. Is this true? I've
>seen
>40-50k mile examples that were dogs, yet have heard of 80k mile examples
>that
>are nearly pristine.
>
>I guess I'm trying to find a logic here-mind you, this will be my first
>British car-I know I have much to learn, I suppose I'm just seeking some
>reassurement. If you've any to offer, I will gladly accept.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Tom
>
>PS. What watch to wear whilst driving an MG? Well, I have only one, a lovely
>Wittnauer-it is very classy, very elegant without being gaudy or making me
>feel like it's too good for my wrist. If I had a Patek, I'd be more at home
>in an Aston DB-4 perhaps, but that just isn't me....
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
Runs great,
looks particularly bad since some SUV clown backed into it.
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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