The 200,000 Mile Debate

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

It seems the age old thought process has always been that once a vehicle hits 200k, it's done. My commuter car has almost 300k, runs pretty good and it's beyond abused.
My F-250 with the V10 had 248k when I sold it, work truck, lifted, used in Idaho it's whole life, ran real strong when I sold it.

The debate also would tend to sway towards people saying well it's the more modern, newer vehicles that go past 200k reliably. My argument would be, how new is modern and new? My truck was a 2003, my commuter is a 1996.

So as I shop around for another truck and begin to retire my commuter, I see all these vehicles for 10-17k in price with 170-200k miles, and I kept thinking there's not much life left in those vehicles for that purchase price. So, is that actually true or are these vehicles good to 300k on average in this day in age?

For the sake of argument, let's assume nice condition and well maintained.

Your opinion?

 

[Marble]

It seems the age old thought process has always been that once a vehicle hits 200k, it's done. My commuter car has almost 300k, runs pretty good and it's beyond abused.
My F-250 with the V10 had 248k when I sold it, work truck, lifted, used in Idaho it's whole life, ran real strong when I sold it.

The debate also would tend to sway towards people saying well it's the more modern, newer vehicles that go past 200k reliably. My argument would be, how new is modern and new? My truck was a 2003, my commuter is a 1996.

So as I shop around for another truck and begin to retire my commuter, I see all these vehicles for 10-17k in price with 170-200k miles, and I kept thinking there's not much life left in those vehicles for that purchase price. So, is that actually true or are these vehicles good to 300k on average in this day in age?

For the sake of argument, let's assume nice condition and well maintained.

Your opinion?

There's a lot of variables. Location, who the owner was, how it was driven, maintenance, modifications and probably most importantly make, model and year.

If I could only afford a truck like you are describing, I would want to make sure everything has been maintained and it hasn't been modified extensively. Then a thurough inspection by a good shop and I would be satisfied.

With any vehicle that age, you just have to know it's not if, but when you will have a repair. Just have cash set aside for that reason.



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[Rob5589]

For myself, I am a firm believer in maintenance. By being vigilant, my previous Silverado is over 200K (son has it now), Honda Fit that went 376k, two Jeeps both over 100k, without major problems. If you can be assured that they were maintained well, then it may be worth the gamble. Used is always a gamble.

That said, I drive a ton. My current 19 Ram is barely two years old and hit 56k yesterday, so buying used didn't make financial sense being that I got a smoking deal on it. If you drive a bunch, it's something to consider when buying a vehicle with 150k or more.

 

[WRM]

With a '97 approaching 200k and no signs of giving in (knock on) .... it's a total crapshoot. Bought it new off the lot and I've done virtually all my own work, so I know exactly what's been done (and not done). The death knell on mine will be the engine mgt computer--mfr hasn't made them in years and it was nearly $5k last time they did. Pretty much all mfrs. "legacy" their vehicles relatively quickly now and the sensors and computer control will, at some point, prevent you from fixing what may otherwise be a drivable vehicle. I wait to see how the mfrs will similarly screw us when they go "all electric". I'd be very hesitant to drop much money on a used more than a few years old period, and not with super high mileage.

But, if you can find a pre OBD II in decent shape, get it and rebuild it.

 

[cjdewese]

Outside of this crazy used car market we have seen the past 2 years I have always steered my friends towards older Toyotas, I know i'll be called a fanboy, but I haven't had a single Toyota fail under 300K miles. I know there are other great cars out there but for 0 of mine or my families toyotas to fail before that have led us to them time and time again.

My argument to them is when you buy a Toyota at 100K, you will get another 200K worry free miles out of them as long as the previous owner took care of it and they did too.

Now, with used car prices what they are it's getting more difficult to stomach that argument. How much are you paying for 100-150K miles before you start to worry about reliability regardless of what manufacturer you have.

There are so many variables, but ultimately I think it comes down to what you can afford and if you like car payments or not. I personally don't and won't buy a car I can't pay cash for but that's me. Luckily I drive a 4Runner right now and don't have to worry about it for several more years.

 

[danwattsmessick]

I had a 97 Grand Cherokee with 276k on it before it went tits up.

Had a 92 Grand Cherokee with 240k before I traded it in.

As long as they're well maintained, I don't see any reason some of these used rigs can't run for over 300k.

 

[WRM]

So many "ifs" and "as long as". It's a crapshoot. Step up to the line and put down your money--if you dare! You'll either feel like a genius, a chump, or somewhere in between.

Helps A LOT if you can turn a wrench and aren't afraid to pull most of the front end apart.

 

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

Aren't these the funnest subjects

The used market is full potatoe rn for sure...

I'm kind of a truck nut and know a good amount in that area, as well as repair all my own vehicles and build up toys for crawling, ect.

It's hard to stomach 40k+ for a new rig and the older ones for the most part just don't have the powet, mpg, and comfort of modern era rigs.

Maybe that's why the 2005-2012ish used marlet is off the wall?

 

[browning2480]

I just had this conversation with my wife. I have an 03 Tahoe with 293,xxx miles in it. I am the second owner and have had it for 15 years. It had 40,000 omit when I bought it. I have decided I will drive it and just keep fixing things on it. Can’t bring myself to pay what they are wanting today and this one I know what I have done to it and when. Still had the factory transmission and everything. It has been great and will be pulling a trailer with 2 ATVs to Colorado in a few weeks then make another trip in December from Arkansas to NW Nebraska. It has already been from Arkansas to the Smokey Mtns this year. Just can’t bring myself to pay big money for an unknown vehicle

 

[Fordguy]

300k is the minimum that I expect from my vehicles, but I usually buy them with 40k-50k and I keep up on the maintenance. I also tend to buy vehicles with simple, durable engines that I'm familiar with (that's quickly becoming a thing of the past). Ford's old 300 straight 6 was a heck of an engine if a guy used it the way it was meant to be used. I drove one (a 1984 f150) to 386k and sold it running- it was a daily driver and I used it to haul horses on the weekends). A friend of mine had a similar truck (92 f150) that he hit 400k with though it was burning oil for the last 50k. Heck, even my last ford escort hit 300k before I sold it running. I was hardly gentle with the escort. I used to pick up square bales with it, drive around and feed horses- stacked on the roof and on the trunk as well as in the passenger seat. I managed to pile a dozen bales on that little car. Lol. It didn't owe me a thing when I sold it.

 

[mtnwrunner]

1997 Ford f350 powerstroke.......current mileage is 358,000 and still strong. Nothing major done on the truck. I have people ask me all the time if I want to sell it.

Randy

 

[Poser]

I’ve taken 3 vehicles, all 90s Chevys, to 300k. My current, a 95 Tahoe, just rolled over 300k. Drop it off with your mechanic once a year and tell him to call you if it’s over $1000, otherwise, fix it.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Regular mantainance works wonders. I have a 2004 Yukon XL that not only runs great it looks almost like the day I got it, if you look past the brush burns down the side, which are minor.

 

[gburk]

300k isn’t a bad bet unless it’s been in the salt bath of a northern city winter. If I still lived there I’d lease.

 

[Mosby]

If I am only driving a vehicle locally then I keep it forever and fix it as I need too. My hunting vehicles are a bit different. I can't have them leaving me stranded in the middle of no where or have to sit in some small town waiting for parts and repair. Normally, I start looking for a new hunting vehicle when they get over 250,000 miles. They can always be fixed but I want somebody else to fix them at that point.

I bought a new hunting truck in 2018. A Chevy Colorado ZR2 with a diesel. I bought it with the intention that it will likely be the last hunting truck I buy but who knows. My dad's brother landed on Normandy, was captured by the Germans at the Battle of the Bulge and lived to be 93. Maybe I got two trucks left in me.

 

[Duramax_Diesel1]

1997 Ford f350 powerstroke.......current mileage is 358,000 and still strong. Nothing major done on the truck. I have people ask me all the time if I want to sell it.

Randy

I made that mistake in 2007 and regret it to this day.

 

[Robster]

I've got a 2014 GMC Sierra with 212000 miles on it. All works well on it except starting to burn some oil. replaced transmission at 110,000. Tranny is starting to do some weird shifts and I use it to tow a horse trailer so am looking to upgrade to a 3/4 ton.

I know a lot of folks are in the Toyota fan club. I have no problem with them but I have not had the experience of reliability they have. Ex wife's Toyota Tundra, catastrophic head gasket blow, maybe even a cracked cylinder. Was trading it in on a newer truck for her and had to trailer it to the dealer for the trade in as it was sucking antifreeze so bad i had to stop every 10 minutes to top it off.

My 2001 Toyota Tacoma, something happened to wash cylinder three, scored the cylinder, had to drop in a used engine. This was at 150,000 miles. Up to 177,000 and still running now though. It's a two wheel peel, 2.4 liter standard. Perfect commuter bomber for me and the two dogs. it's a little over 80 miles to work round trip every day.

 

[elkyinzer]

Mileage is just one factor. Gotta do an investigation into the prior owner likely driving habits. Some of you rural western guys drive 100 miles on the interstate to get groceries. That's not much wear and tear but sure clocks the miles. I do a lot of city driving, short trips and constant starts and stops. I don't put mileage on at a very high rate maybe 15k a year, but I wouldn't want to buy my last couple vehicles when I am done with them.

 

[NW Hunt€r]

If I am only driving a vehicle locally then I keep it forever and fix it as I need too. My hunting vehicles are a bit different. I can't have them leaving me stranded in the middle of no where or have to sit in some small town waiting for parts and repair. Normally, I start looking for a new hunting vehicle when they get over 250,000 miles. They can always be fixed but I want somebody else to fix them at that point.

I bought a new hunting truck in 2018. A Chevy Colorado ZR2 with a diesel. I bought it with the intention that it will likely be the last hunting truck I buy but who knows. My dad's brother landed on Normandy, was captured by the Germans at the Battle of the Bulge and lived to be 93. Maybe I got two trucks left in me.

Hey Mosby,
How is your baby duramax treating you? I’ve thought about this truck hard.

 

[rclouse79]

The last three vehicles I bought were a crv, Yukon xl, and a Toyota camery. All were just under 100k miles and were right around $10k. Maybe I got lucky, but all three have been great. I have no doubt we would have still been driving the crv if my wife hadn’t totaled it. My Yukon has 144k on it now and I have been happy with it. I think if you divided the cost of the vehicle by miles driven I am about 1/4 the $/mi compared to the original owner and that will continue to improve. You can do a lot of repairs for the price difference between new and used if you don’t mind not having the latest and greatest. My trick is to always stay a decade or two behind the times so when I do upgrade to a used car it seems awesome compared to what I had. I hope to get to 200k and beyond! I hear used vehicle prices are ridiculous right now.