High mileage & cheap VS low mileage & expensive - FN2 Type R

[RGDfleet]

Hi all,

I've got a bit of a minor dilemma on my hands. Interested to gather opinions.

I'm currently looking to buy a Honda Civic Type R FN2. I've got a budget of up to ~£10k, so I've got the budget to span the range of age, mileage and condition. I'm expecting to keep this car for 2-3 years while I save up for something else (probably an i20 N or GR Yaris).

I'm rather torn on whether I should just max out my budget on one of the best FN2s available, or instead go for a very well maintained higher mileage example. The difference in price tends to be from around £10k at the top end, to about £6-7k for well-kept ~70-80k miles. I'm OK to spend the full budget, but any money saved from this purchase would go towards my later goal, and would also fund some rust-proofing and upgrades for my treasured MX5 (which I'm currently dailying while I search for this new car!), as well as cover me for any needed repairs!

Here are two perfect examples of the options:

£10k at 38k miles, excellent service history and in great condition (also very latest model):
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312114...

£6.75k at 76k miles, excellent service history:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309051...

So basically - what would you do? Is going for the more expensive option a bit pointless given that well maintained Civics tend to run for a loooong time? Would the more expensive option actually give me extra 'problem security'? Or would I just be spending £3k for no big gain?

[ChocolateFrog]

I'm never put off by high mileage that said if you buy the higher mileage one and take it to over 100k it will be automatically discounted by 90+% of potential buyers, something to bear in mind.

[RGDfleet]

ChocolateFrog said:

I'm never put off by high mileage that said if you buy the higher mileage one and take it to over 100k it will be automatically discounted by 90+% of potential buyers, something to bear in mind.

Fair point - worth adding then that due to a commute I tend to put about 12-15k on a car per year.

So you're right that I'd potentially be pushing a higher mileage car over 100k miles.

[Russ_16v]

I'd go with the higher mileage car.

If you buy the lower mileage car you'll take it up to reasonable mileage anyway so will take a hit anyway.

I'd wager the higher mileage car would give you less of a loss against the higher cost car. I am basing this off this being a 2 year stop gap car.

[ChrisH72]

I bought my current car at 3 years old with 67k miles and it was really cheap. That was in 2020 and its been faultless ever since. The big difference is I've only put 14k on it in 3 and a half years so gradually it's averaging out.

If you're going to do 40k miles in 3 years I'd estimate those cars will lose 50% of their value so the cheaper one is the better buy in terms of what you'll lose. There's always the chance it'll throw more bills though which will cancel any savings. Who knows?

For an FN2 I don't think I'd want to pay more than around £7k personally. And I'd want a 2010 as they came with the LSD as standard. Mileage would worry me less than condition and history.

I'm also interested in the i20N but the cheapest are still over £20k. When you consider that in 2024 a 21 plate will be 3 years old they still don't look very good value to me. It'll be interesting to see how much they drop in the next year or two.

[InitialDave]

Mileage doesn't bother me in the slightest, as long as the car is the right spec and I'm happy with the condition/history, I don't pay it any mind.