Looking into a super high mileage 06

Hey all! Trying to get back into the Toyota game after a little while away. But knowing how the prices are right now I set my bar real low. Just looking for a work truck to beat around in, nothing special.

I found a super base model red 2006 access cab with the 4.0 and 4x4 on FB for 5,000 bucks (after negotiation) No additional options other than v6 and 4x4

It just barely had the frame replaced with all that goes along with that. Brake lines, all suspension, gas tank and straps etc. Also got a new rear end and housing at the same time. The body is in remarkably good condition rust wise, but is fairly beat up in appearance. I'm not bothered by that, but figured it's worth mentioning. Same for the interior, pretty rough.

In the past year it got new headlights, back glass, windshield, cat back exhaust, idler pulleys, battery, rear bumper, and the tailgate along with regular maintenance.

I test drove it today and it seemed like it ran very well, no unusual noises and plenty of power. Trans shifted quickly and smoothly, brakes were great and the steering was tight. And even 4x4 engaged well. It's a 2 owner truck with the current owner who bought it to repair and resell. He seemed very honest and didn't try to hide any of it's flaws

But now for the kicker, the damn thing is sitting at 412,900 miles....

4 years ago I'd have laughed in my face for considering paying 5k for a truck like this. But you can barely touch a totalled tacoma for 5k now...

TLDR:
Anyone running an insanely high mile 4.0 in here? What kind of issues are you super high milers running into that I should consider? And would you even think about buying something like this with all other details taken into account?

I'm well aware it would be almost impossible to resell, but it would be very much a run into the ground truck. Just curious of your opinions on even bothering with taking the risk. Thanks!

 

You know what to do. Get off the couch and good luck!

 

No shortage of buddies with engine hoists that would help throw a lower mile engine in there should it give up the ghost. But it seemed happy to me, zero blowby out of the oil fill cap, and silent on cold start

 

Fingers crossed haha. Story is it drove from southern NH to northern maine almost every day for years. It got parked in 2017 because the PO thought the idler noise was rod knock. Dude managed to do 412k in 11 years

 

I just bought a 2011 with 235,000 miles and I thought that was high mileage. At 400,000+ I would try to get the price down a little, although based on what you said it may be too late for that. New frame definitely makes it tempting though...

 

I wanted to try but he wasn't gonna move anymore. Unbelievably the thing still books for $7500 with those miles in poor condition. I'm fairly sure these trucks are made of magic and gold to still be holding that much value

 

Mines just a baby still, I have 225,000 miles and it doesn’t burn a drop of oil in between my 5000 mile oil changes
great motor

 

Biggest thing for me is interior. I would have to be comfortable sitting in it. If it is ragged out and nasty, no way. If it is just older and worn, ok.

 

I've been driving beaters for years so the ragged out interior life is no bother here haha. If I do end up with it I plan on getting different seats though, they're pretty rough. But the biggest concern by far is drivetrain

 

I'm no stranger to high milers, but this is pushing a new level for me. If it was any other brand I'd run away, and fast. But these old Toyotas just seem to like living far beyond what's expected of em

 

Well... you’ve convinced me

 

$5,000 doesn't get you much nowadays. But this Tacoma seems worth it. Sounds like a lot of the components have been recently replaced.

 

New frame and a bunch of new parts for 5,000? Sounds great to me

 

I inherited a 2008 taco v6 4x4 from my FIL last year with 407k on it which my son is Learning to drive on it.... every time we get into it, it amazes me on how. Ice it drives and if it didn’t have an odometer on it, you probably wouldn’t know it has that many miles on it. Iv serviced this since new so I’m no stranger to the truck. My son just did his first LOF on it today..... doesn’t eat or leak oil. Visually it’s looks like a work truck, which is what it was used as.... showing some rust here and there so we’ll see how far it will take us..... just starting to get the torque converter shudder when locked up in 4-5 gear but no one else has felt it yet.... my ass feels everything :-/

 

That's my big thing with this one, it drives like it has 100-150k on it. If the odo wasn't there you'd seriously never know. I didn't notice any transmission shudder in this one, but I'm also used to driving manuals... Good to see another super high miler still kicking though!

 

5k seems worth the gamble

 

If it feels solid then go for it.

My 2009 Tacoma with 4.0L v6, 4wd has 306k miles on it and I'll drive it into the ground. I have no hesitation in a cross country road trip.

Just be weary with a vehicle with that many miles, you'll have wear parts. Parts that haven't been replaced yet such as wheel bearings, carrier bearing, u-joints, body mounts, rad mounts, a/c recharge will rear their annoyance and whine for replacement. None of these parts are expensive or will leave you stranded, but don't expect a high mileage truck to be trouble free.

 

$1000.00 truck at best.

 

Well, update! Truck had been on the market for well over a week and it magically sold literally within hours of me looking at it. Won't have to worry about taking that gamble I guess. Back to searching! Again...