Buying high mileage? Things to look out for?

Hi all, I'm looking at buying a higher mileage Tacoma. I know these are known to go 300k+ miles, but is that guaranteed? What would be considered high mileage when buying? I'm looking at some that are 240k-260k miles for under $10k, and then also some that are sub-200k but in the $15k-$18k range, and I am trying to justify which makes the most sense. For example, there is one that has 240k miles for $9k. And another that has 180k miles for $17k. Both have bed shells (which is preferred), and both in pretty good condition (I would say the one with 180k miles is in excellent condition, also has a sunroof installed that looks great). Both are at dealerships. The carfax for each has some service records but seem to be missing some for periods of time (not sure if the dealership has documents for work that has been completed).

Anywho, these are just two examples of what I am looking at currently. Is buying above 200k miles very risky? What should I be looking for and making sure has been completed when buying above 200k miles? If I am buying something in the 200k-260k mile range, I would really need it to last until at least 300k miles. What kind of work would should I be expecting to have to complete to get there? Expensive? Just any buyers advice is very much appreciated. Thanks so much!

Also, if it matters, I'm targetting extended cab, 4x4, v6, long beds.

 

Each Truck needs to be judged on it`s own merits!!

Inspection and complete road test .

Remember Carfax is completely volunteer none of the local shops near me need the extra paper work.

The important factor is where the truck lived.

Aware of the frame problems . Lower Ball joints . The fact the engines tend to not like after market sensors. 3.4 is it time for a timing belt?

Some trucks are trashed by 100,000 miles the next one is at 250,000 miles going strong.

Each Truck will always have neglected areas of maintenance . i tend to spend a easy $1000.00 in parts.

If you can do most all your own work these trucks are fine paying labor gets very expensive fast.

Good hunting

 

MT or AT for the transmission choice?

 

All things being equal it isn't worth $8000 more money to get a truck with 60,000 fewer miles on it. At least not to me, that's almost twice as much money for 25% fewer miles. I'd avoid one with a sunroof. Just something else to go wrong.

I'd like more info. Age is just as important as miles. I'm assuming both of these are pretty close to the same model year. But if you're talking about a 2006 vs a 2015 that is something I'd consider too.

 

AT

 

The one with 240k miles is an '02, and the one with 180k miles is an '03.

 

Mileage doesn’t scare me until 300k plus.

Like said above, where has it lived?

The interior tells alot about how well the owner(s) maintained it.

Rust, Rust, Rust

Oily engine compartment?

What will it need when it’s in your driveway?

 

Bump - any more input? Thanks all

 

50% of the price depends where you live.

If everything has been done and its 100% up to date...
they're automatically gonna want way too much for it.
They already sunk some serious coin into it to keep it that way.

If they dogged it, or skipped service intervals....
just the parts to correct can be insanely expensive.
It can really add up..

Heavy rust, head gasket failure and just plain worn out is the reason for most good deals.

The rest....the in between ones go fast....better have cash and be first there.


And there is a steady supply of these....no need to panic......just some patience...

 

Sweet spot is 1998 to 2002.....
......the rest .....have issues.....

I can buy exact same truck in south central US for about 40% less than either coast or far north..... Texas is known for girls and trucks.....

 

Did the used car market really got this bad that an old 03 with nearly 200k on the clock still goes for 17k? That’s crazy.
Back in 2018 when I was looking for my truck a 09 with 160k went for 16k

 

17K seems like a whole lot of $$$...

 

And shame on the dealerships.

They used to cheap sell high milage vehicles just to get rid of them.
And make money on what they really are.

Not even sure their modern service people are competent working on these old girls....

 

I'm a little surprised at the reaction to the one for $17k. I thought it was a good deal compared to the market I'm in (Denver). Go take a look on autotrader what they are going for around here...it's crazy.

 

Keep in mind when you get one of these there's numerous things that need to be done,
If you dont have the service records.

Like timing belt, lower ball joints, differential service, ect...
Could add up to a couple grand to do all that.

The more the truck....the more service it needs.


When a dealer gets a truck.....that seller moves up.....
that means that tacoma wasnt up to the task for him anymore.

 

If service records are not available, how far would a pre-purchase inspection go as far as confirming the truck has not been neglected? Would an inspector be able to tell regular maintenance has been completed if there records were not there?

 

What you really need is a tacoma expert.....one that knows the weak points.

If you buy a V6 that timing belt is crucial.....think that a 90K cycle...

And the 4 banngers are plagued with head gasket and cracked head problems...

Most of these have either been over taken care of.....or just the opposite....

Lucky finds are retiree finds with low milage....


If you see a rusty frame.....run.....nothin good will come of that....
....unless you like that kind of stuff...

 

Detail inspection would require pulling some plugs...
inspecting all fluids, crawling under the whole under carriage.

And driving around with a scanner reading live data....
so you can see all the engine functions going on in real time.

Couple hours of work...and highly invasive to the seller.

 

No matter which way you go, plan to set aside a decent chunk of change to get things up to snuff.

Don't buy the truck, then cheap out on it by putting parts store brand, chincey parts on it, when getting all the wear and tear items fixed.

Be weary of independent shops doing the same. They like to put O'Reilly brand parts on and charge you more than the cost of OEM parts for them (after markup).

The quality of OEM Toyota parts in comparison to aftermarket competitors is almost always night and day. These trucks have the reputation they have, because the quality parts they were built with.

To pay the premium "Toyota Tax" to buy one, only to cheap out on the parts you fix it with, will set you up to be disappointed with your "buying high mileage" experience.

 

Yeah non oem chassis parts come with a bonus...

pre mature rust....................'MevoTech'...