290k mile 1st gen ok to buy?

I'm looking at buying a 1999 Tacoma v6 4x4 5 speed. It has a 6" lift with 33" tires on it And 290k miles. He's asking $3800 obo. I know people say these little trucks can run forever, but I'm worried about one with this many miles. He says the only issue is it has a hard time shifting into first sometimes. Can anyone tell me if I should be weary of a truck with that many miles or if I should be ok as long as it hasn't been beaten to craps and possibly what to look for when I go see it in person? Thanks in advance!

 

I mean is the truck in decent shape? Any rust on the frame? What kind of lift is it and are the 33 inch tires new or have decent tread on them? For that many miles i would turn it down, especially if it will be your DD. Your call OP.

 

Yeah from the pictures I've seen it looks very clean and the tires are near new. Not sure on the lift. My only issue is my budget. I'm looking to spend no more than $5,000 on a DD truck, which leaves me somewhere in the 200-300k mile range.

 

lol sounds like a good deal then.

 

Everything really does go in the 2nd gen section...

 

seems a bit high for the mileage... Personally, I wouldn't be looking to get something with 300k miles for a DD, maybe for a toy to go dink off on the weekends. I had a 96 4runner that got pretty tough to shift into first, then it started kicking me out of first. Had to have the first and second gears replaced eventually. I think it was about $1000, roughly 7 years ago. If I were you I would keep looking. Seems to me you should be able to find one with lower miles for maybe a little bit more money.

 

Save your money and keep looking. Bought my truck with 160xxx miles for less than his asking. People put some shitty ass lifts on trucks. Which only helps wear out other components in the suspension system and drive worse. Also any 4cly year 2000 and under is going to have cracked headers most likely. Have you looked at any 4runners? They are pretty neat. Or even getting a Tacoma with a busted motor and having a junkyard motor installed at the junkyard.

 

Ok thanks guys. I'll keep looking. He blew me off when trying to contact him again anyways.

 

i just bought a 1990 toyota pick up with 125k on it with no rust on the frame with a 6in lift on 35s and i paid 4k for it and was really happy because most people in VA ar asking that much for one with over 250k, so thats not a bad price as long as the frame looks good and it runs great.

 

I wouldn't worry about the mileage as long as it's been maintained and taken care of. Make sure and inspect that frame like a finicky health inspector though, it's the goddamned achilles heel on these trucks is the frames can literally rot out from under them if they aren't kept clean.

 

well the only thing is with these engines, they WILL last a long time and go many miles but only "IF" there are well maintained with adjusting valves, replacing timing belts, and changing oil religiously as need without letting the maint lack.

if it wasn't well maintained then your buying something with an engine that is very likely ready to go out on you.

that's the key, to buy in the mileage range you are shopping you need to be damn double sure the owner took care of it like his baby so rule out any young people and buy from an older person hopefully one who brings it in for oil changes and maint.

if you don't rush things and just keep shopping you will find one under 200k miles for sure but don't jump on something only to regret it later. on a what if note you can source a replacement salvage yard engine if needed for about $1000 so if the unthinkable should happen its not that bad to replace an engine, the key is getting a good solid rust free truck.

also as to the shifting issues, it might be a minor fix but go in expecting to need another tranny from the salvage yard and figure that in to your budget.

what part of the country are you located in?

 

I'm a young guy and maintain the hell out of my vehicles and keep them running top notch. Not all young guys are like dumb kids that go out rodding the piss out of everything and not taking care of it. You can tell by the overall condition of a truck and the way the engine sounds, and transmission shifts if it's been maintained and driven conservatively.

 

didn't mean to insult you but it is the truth that "most" young people defer maint on their cars and if you are buying anything with over 200k miles on it, you have to admit you would think an older person would be more likely to have maintained it well.

its not a slight on young people but its just the law of averages that people like you are rare in the younger demographic and you don't spend enough time with the seller to get to know the person they are or form an opinion on how they can be trusted or their character