quetions about buying low miles, sat a bunch iX

[booker]

This week I'm going to look at an iX with a tad under 40,000 miles, about 32,000 of which were driven between '89-2002. From 2003-2013 the car was driven about 500 miles a year. From 2013 the car has almost gone undriven, stored in clean garages. The current owner has had it for about half a a year, having bought it because he couldn't pass it up, but has decided to go in a different direction. He does not know how the car has been driven regularly for small bits, perhaps only to the train in the winter, etc. Current owner did a tune up and said there are no leaks but he's only driven it around a parking lot.
In pictures and his description, the car looks mint. Carfax shows that it's previous two owners were in the same wealthy suburb, so the little old lady only driving it on weekends theory, may be right on.

So, my concerns are about gaskets, seals, etc. that may not show leaks now but that after being driven for a few months, might show.
Ideas on what in specific may be issues in this scenario that would not be obvious.
If I were to drive it 50 miles or so, would that be enough o show leaks...or, would more time and pressure be necessary?
For example, is there a strong likelihood that after a bit of driving it'll need a steering pump, maybe a steering rack..? (I know the water pump and timing belt would have to be done, even though the belt was replaced three years ago).
What about the A/C? A likelihood the seals would need replacing? etc. etc?


I had an iX for eight years and want to replace it with a car that is ready to go or that can be easily made ready to go.
I'm wondering if this car might look fantastic, but that I might be better off waiting for an iX that like mine, before it was totaled, had about 125,000 on it, but had much time and very much money put into having the mechanics sorted and maintained.

Thanks!

[stonea]

I'm kind of confused, are you asking if theres any sign to know if something needs replacing before it needs replaced?

[Alaska Ted]

Buy it

Buy it. If it leaks, fix it. I bought an 89ix that had been sitting in a shop for 10 yrs. Never once turned over during that time. Pulled the plugs and put penetrating oil in each cylinder and let it sit for a few days. Then we turned the engine over with a wrench on the crank pulley. Replaced the entire cooling system, timing belt and cam shaft seals. Drained the fuel tank and blew out the fuel lines with compressed air. New plugs, cap,rotor, fuel filter, air filter, engine oil/filter, belts and fuel and she ran like a champ. Replaced the valve cover gasket after adjusting the valves. No leaks for about two weeks of driving, then the oil filter housing started to leak. Ordered replacement seals and fixed it. We changed all of the fluids in the diffs, t-case and trans. No new leaks in over a year. I'm not a mechanic, have limited tools and no garage. My son and I did this on our gravel driveway. If I were you, I would buy it, replace the timing belt, tensioner and cam seals and then just run it. Keep an eye on it, and if something starts to leak, fix it. A mint ix with that kind of mileage has got to be a pretty rare vehicle.

[booker]

Buy it. If it leaks, fix it. I bought an 89ix that had been sitting in a shop for 10 yrs. Never once turned over during that time. Pulled the plugs and put penetrating oil in each cylinder and let it sit for a few days. Then we turned the engine over with a wrench on the crank pulley. Replaced the entire cooling system, timing belt and cam shaft seals. Drained the fuel tank and blew out the fuel lines with compressed air. New plugs, cap,rotor, fuel filter, air filter, engine oil/filter, belts and fuel and she ran like a champ. Replaced the valve cover gasket after adjusting the valves. No leaks for about two weeks of driving, then the oil filter housing started to leak. Ordered replacement seals and fixed it. We changed all of the fluids in the diffs, t-case and trans. No new leaks in over a year. I'm not a mechanic, have limited tools and no garage. My son and I did this on our gravel driveway. If I were you, I would buy it, replace the timing belt, tensioner and cam seals and then just run it. Keep an eye on it, and if something starts to leak, fix it. A mint ix with that kind of mileage has got to be a pretty rare vehicle.

Thanks!

On another note. I'm wondering how figure an offer considering the unknown needs that will be coming up. The seller is looking for top dollar. So many think that miles this low is a good thing, but higher miles with continuous use would obvious entail fewer needs.
The potential needs here are just harder to list and quantify then, say, if it clearly needed an alternator,etc.
Any suggestions on thinking through how to reduce the value for needing to replace rubbers, gaskets, etc. sooner than later?

[Alaska Ted]

Thanks!

On another note. I'm wondering how figure an offer considering the unknown needs that will be coming up. The seller is looking for top dollar. So many think that miles this low is a good thing, but higher miles with continuous use would obvious entail fewer needs.
The potential needs here are just harder to list and quantify then, say, if it clearly needed an alternator,etc.
Any suggestions on thinking through how to reduce the value for needing to replace rubbers, gaskets, etc. sooner than later?

I disagree with your theory on miles and use. Its just my opinion, but I think a lower mileage car will have fewer problems and be worth more money than a higher mileage car with continuous use. My son's 89 is a high mileage car that sat for 10yrs. All of the things I listed above with the exception of the oil filter housing seals are basically preventative or regular maintenance items. We really haven't had to "FIX" anything. I think it is very unlikely that you will have any major repairs to deal with given the history of the car. It was driven fairly regularly. Keep in mind that I am not a mechanic, but I do understand that letting cars sit for long periods of time is not the best option. I would take the car you have described over one in the same condition cosmetically with regular use and higher miles. What is top dollar?

[Kershaw]

I would buy a car that's been driven 500 miles a year for the last 10 years over a car that's sat for 10 years with 40k less miles.