Is it best to find a FD with lower mileage (60K and lower) or to buy one with higher mileage but with a new or rebuilt engine?

 

Either go low miles to have get a more 'virgin' FD, or go high miles (if you just want to drive it) with a rebuilt engine/turbos

The engine & turbos get worn out around 70-90k miles, so if you're buying a car with 60k on it... save up for a rebuild

 

Ah, it's hard to find a FD with less than 60K on it, although there's a few in the 50's, would that last a while?

If not, I guess I'll go with the rebuilt turbo/engines route.

 

It's hard to say. My FD has 113,000 miles on the chassis, but I've owned it since 27,000 miles and have kept it in absolutely immaculate condition over the years. Along with a recent paint job, recent new interior panels, and recent new engine/turbo/tranny/differential/wiring harness, my R1 is in much better condition than the mileage would indicate.

I'd say you have to take it on a case by case basis---go and look at and drive as many FDs as you can, preferably with some experienced.

 

just get one that is well kept and maintained.Low mileage doesnt always mean well kept

 

Alright, I guess I'll be looking around a lot and making sure the previous owner was competent.

 

Tough call. As has been mentioned, it comes down to how well it was maintained. But in general I'd say if you get one with lower original miles you will be getting something that is more likely to have better electical system, interior, suspension, and paint. On the other hand if you go with one with a recently rebuilt engine, then you may be trading some of those other things for a better running car with an engine that will last longer. That is of course assuming the work was done correctly by a reputable shop. Personally speaking I think that too much emphasis is put on the engine when in reality you can spend equal amounts of money re-doing interiors, and all the other stuff if it isn't well kept. Sometimes it isn't a bad idea to get a car that has near perfect, body, paint, interior, and electical, but is showing signs of needing rebuilding. Then you just have one major bill and the car is perfect.