I have ~9500 miles and want to switch over to synthetic oil. I know you can't switch after a certain amount of miles-- so how much is that?

 

You can switch to synthetic anytime you want, you just can't switch back. So the answer is no, it's not too late. Some people go longer because they really want to break their motors in. I am sure there is a debate on this. For instance, BMW engines run best after about 30k miles. I am not sure if synthetics effect this break in period. I am not talking about the break in period where you are trying to seat everything correctly either, I am talking about the wear and tear that actually benefits the motor.

 

I hadn't heard that before... I didn't know that you couldn't switch back from synthetic oil. Do you know why you can switch back?

I haven't had my first oil change yet with this car, so I guess I am a noob when it comes to this subject.

 

I prefer to wait until the engine is broken in after a few thousand miles, say 5k. I'm old school about that. But consider this, my buddy's EVO VIII came when synthetic oil in it already.