Purchasing 2nd Gen about 150k-175k miles

Hey Gang in the market for a Tacoma and 2nd gens in the 150k-175k mile range seem to consistently be at my price point.

This would be the highest mile car I’ve ever bought but I need a small truck and love Tacomas.

Anyone ever bought one with this many miles? If so what is your experience with it? I got no problem fixing it up but if it’s going to incessantly break down I might save a bit longer.

It appears these things make it to 200k if you know how to take care of it and I don’t need it to last a lifetime just a couple years while I continue to save money. If I got 50k miles out of it that would be perfect. Just wanted to see if anyone else has experience buying a taco with this many miles and how it went for you?

 

I think it mostly depends on what your skillset is. I bought my tacoma at 100K and now it has 180K and only went through normal wear parts (brakes, bushings, balljoints, ujoints). I dont think I will have any major problems with it until 250K + and it gets beat pretty hard.

I also bought a toyota matrix as a daily that had 206k on it and fixed it up and it is a great daily driver.

#1 thing to look for is rust

 

Bought mine with 140k, about to hit 200k a few years later and I second everything above although I hope to get more like 300k without major issues. Mine doesn't get beat very hard though. Fair warning maintenance does start to add up if you want to stay really on top of it and use good quality parts, and it's a slippery slope with modifications when you're on this site often lol. The good thing is there's so many resources that if you're willing to learn you can do almost everything DIY with cheap hand tools.

 

I have a 3rd gen but just from reading a lot around here about high mileage 2nd gens, I don’t think that’s a bad idea at all. As long as you can confirm the truck’s service record is good and that there’s no rust I think you could easily get a 2nd gen over 300,000 miles if you’re willing to replace some stuff along the way.

 

Thanks fellas. This is all good to hear. I’m def totally fine with replacing things and like to do it and have a pretty good arsenal of tools.

I also have a paid of sedan that I use around town. This will be mostly for light to moderate off-roading probably driven once or twice a week until my sedan blows up

 

My 2G has less miles than that, but I'd caution that when you look at these trucks, REGARDLESS of mileage, you gotta get under them and look at the frame. In my area I saw 2G's with just over 100K that had significant rust. I eventually drove south of the Mason Dixon line (southern Tennessee) to find one with a pristine frame.

The other thing I would caution against, like on any used car, is buying one that has a CEL lit up....or at least make sure you get a major discount if it is. Mine did have a CEL and I got super lucky to get it fixed under an outstanding recall (needed new cats...and there was a recall on my truck for that which hadn't been done)....but that could have cost me a couple of grand to fix without a huge bit of luck there.

Speaking of luck....Good luck to you on your search!

 

I bought my 2010 in 2019 with 148k miles on it. Honestly that's not a lot of miles for these trucks. I had to put new shocks on it shortly after purchase and Toyota replaced the leaf springs for free under the TSB for certain model years. I changed out the transmission fluid with the help of a couple of write-ups on here, full fluid exchange with Valvoline MaxLife full synthetic. Also did the spark plugs, transfer case, and rear diff. Redid the headlights with an HID projector kit, learned that on here too. Put sound deadening in the doors and new Rockford Fosgate speakers in a couple years ago. Put in a Pioneer head unit the first year I had the truck too.

It really doesn't take a whole lot to keep these things running 300k miles or more. My biggest expense was to have the front end rebuilt in 2021 I think. I got a really good deal for $1100 at a small local shop. They installed refurbished LCA's, replaced a CV axle, gusseted the spindles, put in new hub seals, a whole bunch of stuff. My biggest DIY project was the transmission fluid change, it ran a lot better after that. I only thought it would shift better but it runs and idles a lot smoother than before. Otherwise I change the oil every 5k, air filter when needed, and it runs like a top at 170k miles now.

 

That mileage is not much for this truck.


1. Check ownership length (the longer the better)
2. Check buyers age (the older the better)
3. Obviously frame rust but that is not a concern in my area so I didn't look for that
4. Assuming you are after a truck with a factory hitch ( make sure it doesn't look like a Fleet F-250s and all scratched and rusty)
5. Trashed bed
6. If a buyer won't meet at his home for inspection don't bother
7. Excessive detailing, greased, armor all, tire shine (makes me wonder what are you covering up)


FWIW it's worth my BiL sold his 03 4Runner about 7 years ago when it HAD 315K miles. It ran great. . He had to replace some small things like seals and some rubber parts but not bad.

 

Thanks fellas this is all great news I really appreciate the input

 

I recently bought a 2014 TRD/OR with 148K for under $20k. Single owner Florida truck that's mechanically perfect and not a speck of frame rust to be found. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with this mileage as long as you can verify the maintenance and get it checked out by a trusted mechanic.

 

Frame check first and foremost. Then determine what the miles were, eg., heavy tows, wheeling, etc. Maintenance records, then assess. If frame good, and no red flags with history, buy with confidence and look to join the 500k club!

 

I purchased a 2014 with 104k in 2021. Currently at 141,000 and just routine and scheduled maintenance. The only minor issue I have seen is a very minor wandering tendency traveling straight ahead at highway speeds: little corrections to maintain course.

Suspension checked and all is tight and in spec, so I attribute to either the no-name tires that came on it (even wear on all of them and alignment is good) or maybe it's the old-school front-end 4x4 set-up. It doesn't wander at all on non-highway roads and lower speeds.

One of the best vehicles I have ever owned. The 4.0L V6 and A750 are excellent, but if had I found an access-cab 4x4 with the 6' bed witthe 2.7L and a stick first, I would have jumped on it. As it was, I was hoping to find a LWB double-cab with the 6-foot bed, but never saw one for sale. I have only seen one in the wild since 2021.