I am looking to get a used truck to use for weekend home jobs, pulling a camper, and for all the reasons a truck would come in handy. I do not have a lot of $ to spend and am looking for something with the basics and not a lot of flashy items and add-ons. That being said, many of the trucks that meet my requirements come with 150K+ miles already on them and are 10 years old. They look and seem to run fine, but I don’t know if I am being foolish in even considering buying a truck with that many miles on it. Has anyone ever done so with success? failure? Any feedback appreciated. Thanks,
It really depends on the truck and it’s history… a truck thats been abused for 100k miles is a worse buy than one thats been babied for 200. Service records are your friend.
What nodel, year, engine and tranny. Some are better than others. Diesel at 15th is barely broken in. 150k on a 5 like could be stressed.
Sorry, no advice.
Just wanted to say I have a 10 yr old Dodge Ram that has been great. 105K, I use it all the time. Gas mileage sucks, but I can’t have everything.
As others have said, depends on the vehicle the make and the model. My Toyota Landcruiser is a 1999 with 275,000 miles. It has no problems and I expect it to last another 5 years at least.
I bought it I think in 2004 but that was so long ago I have lost track. It had 40,000 miles when I bought it and was halfnthenprice of new. I may end up giving it to a noecenor nephew in a couple years, than they can screw it up and destroy it in 6 months. 
It all depends on how well the vehicle has been services and the make/model.
We have a 2000 F150 with 237K miles on her. Put in a used/low mileage transmission around 160k. My mechanic also has an older F150 and says my motor can make it to 300k without any problem if serviced properly. When getting an older truck, plan on spending $500-1000 every year to replace things but that sure beats $6k annually on car payments
“a used truck to use for weekend home jobs, pulling a camper, and for all the reasons a truck would come in handy”
I’m in a similar boat. I could certainly use a used beater truck for truck type jobs and intend to eventually get one. I just don’t want the gun rack, baseball cap, Bud Lite and c&w music that comes with it.
Stereotype much?
I have a 1999 Chevy truck that needs a motor. Everything else is fine.
Cheap.
Good news is, when you put a motor in it, it will have zero miles on the motor.
Pm me
Looks like everyone has said the same thing. Depends on make model and how abused the truck was. Im a truck and car guy, plus i have two teenage drivers.
I have had several high mileage trucks and dont buy vehicles with less than 40k miles on them. a Ford 250 diesel i bought at about 150k never gave me any problems with engine or driveshaft. I sold it for a decent price with 225k miles on it.
I currently have a Ford Bronco 93 model, cherry condition runs and drives perfect. The previous owner babied it and did alot of the service regularly. It has 165000 miles on right now. I did a tear down and motor rebuild on my 79 ford truck, headers rods all gaskets. I have about 8,000 miles on it since a partial rebuild with new carburetor. Its the original engine block and manifold, 30 something years old, solid as shit, I have no idea how many miles are on this beast it runs great and is my favorite truck to drive
The things that you should look for and try to determine prior to purchase :
Are fluids changed regularly and kept topped off. Gasket seals, O rings, hoses are the first parts to start wearing out with old trucks and might require maintenenance especially if the fluids are old and or running on less than the right amount.
Second how much pulling was done with the vehicle. Vehicles that pull alot tend to have parts in the tranny and differential wear out quicker. Gears just wear down over time and they wear down alot faster pulling fifth wheels and tractor trailers. Also brakes wear out quicker stopping heavier loads.
Lots of great insight and thoughts. I agree with most of them.
My biggest fear is the unknown. When buying from a dealer and/or a private seller you can only find out so much. My father-in-law was a neat freak with his cars. Anyone who bought a used car from him was getting a gem because he was anal about its upkeep and condition. However, many others I know run their vehicles to the bone and then clean it up nice and sell it as “lightly used”.
How common is it for a dealer/private seller to let you take the vehicle to a mechanic to get a 2nd opinion? Anyone ever done so?
For the record, what I am looking at is a a 10+ year old truck and under $10K. 4 doors is a must as I need to be able to take the kids and dog with me if necessary. Not the exact vehicle I am looking at, but something like this: 2003 Dodge Ram
thanks again!
In my paper - 2007 Ford F250, diesel 125k miles, crew cab, good cond. $12,500 Should I go for it?
In my paper - 2007 Ford F250, diesel 125k miles, crew cab, good cond. $12,500 Should I go for it?
I would not buy a Ford Diesel in the 2004-2009 range. Disasters…
I just sold my solidly running 2003 GMC Sierra with 175k miles SLE (loaded with heated leather, etc) and it was only $3900. $10k for a gas engine that is 11 years old seems like a complete rip off. If it was a diesel I’d say it would be a good deal.
In my paper - 2007 Ford F250, diesel 125k miles, crew cab, good cond. $12,500 Should I go for it?
I would not buy a Ford Diesel in the 2004-2009 range. Disasters…
/\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ Yeah. Problems.
Generally, I wouldn’t get a truck with more than 125K regardless of make or model. I was close to buying a really nice 2002 Tacoma 4x4 with ARB lockers that had around 120K, but unfortunately, it was sold in-family by the seller. Bought a 2002 Dakota 4x4 with 108K for less than $5K. Granted, I don’t drive it daily since I travel a lot for work, but it has done some long road trips…Tahoe/Yosemite…Colorado and back…Grand Canyon. No problems. Really hard to find 4x4 for what I paid. Good value in my eyes.
I just spent $3,800 on a used 18’ flat bed dual-axle trailer that came with a '95 Chevy 2500 4x4 - or visa versa, whatever. I got them with the same goal in mind as you - a weekend hauler and chore vehicle.
The truck had 180k miles on it and it looks like hell. I had/chose to change out a few parts on the truck (alternator, starter, upper control arms, new tires, all exterior lights, fluids, misc parts) to get it back to solid running condition. All in I spent another $500 in parts (did the labor myself and I’m far from being a mechanic). I’d recommend a few things to look for when buying used, but a google search will provide a far better checklist than I could ever come up with. Just be prepared to spend a little extra cash to fix the broken parts. I use them both ALL the time now. I can’t imagine how I survived so long without them.
I do recommend Craigslist as a great source of used trucks. Also keep in mind - the junkier the truck the less you care about dings or what you put it through. So long as the engine, transmission and suspension are solid there’s very little you need for weekend work truck.
here ya go -http://spacecoast.craigslist.org/cto/4584483909.html
Low mileage for a 7.3 , maybe a third of usable life,
sell the boxes and you will make back half the vehicle cost.