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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: Khan on December 19, 2013, 06:47:20 AM

Title: Buying a truck... what are your thoughts on mileage?
Post by: Khan on December 19, 2013, 06:47:20 AM
To make a long story short, I have no automobile(I have 2 motorcycles and a bicycle with trailer), but I have need for the next couple months of a truck to do a major backyard overhaul and get some furniture for my house too. I'll likely be picking something up in about 2 weeks.

My goal is to get the shittiest 4 wheels I can(that will run with fewer issues), that likely will resell for about what I bought it for.

That said, I've never owned an older/high mileage vehicle.

So, Mustachians, what are your thoughts on older/high mileage vehicles? Where do you think a decent sweet spot for price is?

I live in Arizona, so salt corrosion is a non-issue out here.
Title: Re: Buying a truck... what are your thoughts on mileage?
Post by: bogart on December 19, 2013, 07:36:37 AM
Per KBB, the 1994 toyota (2wd small pickup, extra cab, manual) I sold in 2007 to my cousin for the KBB value of $2k back when it had ~200K miles is now worth ... $2k (with ~225K miles on it today).   Runs just fine.
Title: Re: Buying a truck... what are your thoughts on mileage?
Post by: .22guy on December 20, 2013, 10:23:06 AM
I think you will definitely want to go with a Toyota truck on this one.  They hold a decent value, even with insanely high miles.

Have you considered other options?  Like borrowing or renting a truck from a friend or neighbor?  It might be cheaper when you consider potential costs like starting insurance, registration, sales taxes, etc, etc.
Title: Re: Buying a truck... what are your thoughts on mileage?
Post by: Jamesqf on December 20, 2013, 12:11:52 PM
Second (or third?) the '80s to mid-90s Toyota.  My '88 still runs fine, and I'm sure I could sell it for about what I paid for it 4-5 years ago.
Title: Re: Buying a truck... what are your thoughts on mileage?
Post by: judgemebymyusername on December 20, 2013, 01:02:41 PM
+1 for a Toyota truck. Just set your budget, and go out and find one that fits in it. Even if it has 200k miles, you should be fine. Just change the oil and do whatever maintenance comes up. If you haven't seen the Top Gear episode on Toyota trucks, look it up on youtube. There's one on craigslist in my area for $4k, and I could probably drive it for 2-3 years and still sell it for $4k.

I currently drive a 2006 Tacoma with 100k miles, and I plan on driving it until it dies. My goal is to get 300k miles on it.
Title: Re: Buying a truck... what are your thoughts on mileage?
Post by: CDP45 on December 20, 2013, 01:24:04 PM
Toyota, little more spendy than others but you can trust it. That or a diesel ford 250. Depends on how much you're hauling.
Title: Re: Buying a truck... what are your thoughts on mileage?
Post by: Thegoblinchief on December 20, 2013, 03:43:51 PM
Or, depending on exactly how many actual RUNS you'll do with the truck, rent one from Home Depot or the like for $20 a throw for a few hours (that's what they charge up here at least).

Figure out what insurance, maintenance, plus your time in reselling the vehicle is going to cost. That's a few hundred $. How many rental trips would it take to make it worthwhile?