Any concerns buying at high-mileage?

[lc7]

Looking for some advice here. I'm replacing a 2000 LX470, with a budget around 30k. I was initially thinking I'd find a later year 100 series, would love to find a 200 if I can, but there's not many of either option around here.

I've run across a couple of '10 or '11 cruisers with high miles for that year, like 150-160,000, but that mileage does get them close to my budget.

Here's my question- am I insane for considering spending over 30k for a truck that already has 160,000 miles on it? I know they're reliable and all, but that just feels crazy. What say y'all?

 

[Romer]

Thats a very generic question and the only answer is, it depends

• The overall condition of the vehicle
• Type of mileage (Highway long trips?)
• Maintenance history and records

Those all play into an evaluation for a vehicle. You have to look at the data and I would have it professionally inspected. The results of the evaluation for that specific truck will tell you if it would be a good vehicle for the long term

You also need to be sure you are comfortable with that

I found quite a few with less mileage in a 5 min search like this one with 58K miles for $34K

Cars.com

I would also go older for less miles. Lots of 2008-2011s that have lower mileage for your price range

look at these results

 

[Markuson]

Looking for some advice here. I'm replacing a 2000 LX470, with a budget around 30k. I was initially thinking I'd find a later year 100 series, would love to find a 200 if I can, but there's not many of either option around here.

I've run across a couple of '10 or '11 cruisers with high miles for that year, like 150-160,000, but that mileage does get them close to my budget.

Here's my question- am I insane for considering spending over 30k for a truck that already has 160,000 miles on it? I know they're reliable and all, but that just feels crazy. What say y'all?

Scroll through this short thread from a guy who JUST bought a 2008 200 last week with 150k...for a mere $24k.

It is **unbelievably** pristine... So ya...you can get one for $30k.

I just paid $39k for my 2008 last year with only 48k miles...

But anyway... Here. Check out the one from last week... WOW.

2008 LC 150k - She's mine!

Markuson

 

[BookerNoe]

Yep I'm the Hucklebery who snagged one for $24k. Other than some vibration in the gas pedal at certain RPM which may be a driveshaft or UJoint it drives and looks like it has 30k. Based on some Tundra forums it may just be normal. I have seen samples pop up as well for $30-$32 with 60-80k so be diligent in your search. Every independent shop I talked to as well as my main Toyo tech said I could drive this to 400-500k if I stayed on top of maintenance as you might expect

 

[garymyman]

I found quite a few with less mileage in a 5 min search like this one with 58K miles for $34K

I'm sure it's possible to find one close to that, but that advertisement is a scam. The pictures are of a 200 for sale in Walker, LA for $39,900. Check out this 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser on Autotrader

On that note: there have been a LOT of scam cars.com/autotrader ads recently for Land Cruisers and LX570's. Generally they're pretty easy to spot because they all have the lowest mileage of any 4-6 year old cruiser I've ever seen.

 

[lc7]

Thanks for the input, guys. Yeah, well done on that one for 24k. I'm jealous. I had seen that thread earlier, but haven't seen anything approaching that in the southeast since I've been looking for the past couple weeks. Some of the listings above look like they are 2000 miles away from me, so that would be a bit of a haul. All the lower mileage ones I've found around here seem to have some sort of major carfax flags, but I'll keep scouring autotrader and cars.com and craigslist and anything else I can think of.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Romer]

car gurus is also a good site Used Cars, New Cars, Reviews, Photos and Opinions

 

[BookerNoe]

They are out there if you look. I missed a 2008 with 96k miles or so for $29k at a Jaguar Dealer in SFO

 

[linuxgod]

Thanks for the input, guys. Yeah, well done on that one for 24k. I'm jealous. I had seen that thread earlier, but haven't seen anything approaching that in the southeast since I've been looking for the past couple weeks. Some of the listings above look like they are 2000 miles away from me, so that would be a bit of a haul. All the lower mileage ones I've found around here seem to have some sort of major carfax flags, but I'll keep scouring autotrader and cars.com and craigslist and anything else I can think of.

Thanks for the advice.

I bought my 2013 from AutoNation. It was located in Houston, and they shipped to Chicago for $585. It had a Toyota CPO warranty so even though I wasn't able to inspect it until it arrived in Chicago I felt comfortable with the purchase. AN required a $1000 non-refundable deposit, so if it had been a complete disaster upon arrival I could have walked away.

If you find a well-priced vehicle far away many dealers are more than happy to ship them. Some dealers in your area may be willing to do a "locate" as well (which means either they do the purchase from an out of state dealer or they find one at auction for you).

If $30k is your budget, you should be able to find a 2008 LX or LC with about 100k on it. Recent Manheim auction prices for 2008 LCs with 125k were $22,100 to $26,700. Of course Manheim isn't the only auction company in the US but the MMR is ubiquitous in the dealer space. Most reputable dealers seem to ask $3-4k over auction price. Auction prices on the LX are higher but in my experience dealers will likely sell the LX at or below what the LC lists for, they will have a few extra features, and they be just as reliable, so if you're not planning to mod your vehicle it's a good way to go. I think most people on the forums expect the 200-series to go 250k-300k miles.

FWIW I looked at LXs and LCs from 2008 to 2014 for several months before I found mine, and although I was originally looking for a 2011 I'm happy that I stepped up to a 2013. With a 7 year/100k warranty (vehicle was 2 years and had 48k when purchased) I could justify a little longer loan.

 

[Deshet]

What would you consider run away mileage for a 200? Do the 200s have a hour meter?

Is the motor and a transmission a direct swap for a Tundra? I have a 1999 100 series now and was told that the motor is slightly different then the truck motor of the same era.

Thanks

 

[linuxgod]

What would you consider run away mileage for a 200? Do the 200s have a hour meter?

Is the motor and a transmission a direct swap for a Tundra? I have a 1999 100 series now and was told that the motor is slightly different then the truck motor of the same era.

Thanks

Not sure if there's an hour meter. I think it may be available in Techstream but not sure if it resets if power is removed from the ECU.

Some other folks can speak better to the Tundra swap but I don't think it's a direct swap. I know the Supercharger ECU tuning isn't identical, for instance. Probably doable but you may need ECU, wiring harness, etc to make it a direct swap

 

[TimCFJ40]

I bought my '08 earlier this year with 203k miles, recent lift, and TJM T13 bumper for $22k. If I were spending $30k, I'd look for less than 160k miles, but I wouldn't be afraid to spend in the low 20s for another 200k mile cruiser. The way I look at it, if you get a good well maintained cruiser with 200k miles at a minimum $10k discount compared to one with 100k miles, I can pocket the $10k and have enough to replace the engine AND transmission if I have issues. Good maintenance should get these trucks to over 300k without MAJOR failures, at least that's what I am banking on.

 

[anthracite]

I wouldn't have any concerns as long as you do your homework. I bought mine with 94K miles (2011) for $34K last April. It is pretty much MINT. I found out an old retired man owned it before me and took great care of it. A lot of these rigs are owned by wealthy folks that may use the vehicle for about 2% of it's capabilities. They usually take great care of them because they are a big investment.

Steve

 

[NHouston]

Bought a 1-owner, accident free 2010 Texas 200 series with 170k for $24k last year. Never off-road and excellent service records provided (serviced every 5k).

I put a few thousand into PM and expect to enjoy this vehicle for a really, really long time. It runs like a champ. I trust this to shuttle wife and kids daily.

If you pick up an older, higher milage 200 set back a few thousand to do all the needed PM. This will get you many trouble free miles to come.

You can check out my PM I did on my build thread (The Mall Crusher).