Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

[lowkee]

Personally I've never had a vehicle live beyond 160K miles, but given a slim budget for buying a new 4x4 pickup truck, I have relegated myself into considering 200K+ mile pickups in my search.

Here is an example (2004 Dodge 1500 4-door 4x4): http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/1627511720.html

Now, I assume, even though this example truck is a 2004, there will be some issues just having to do with high mileage. What should I expect to run into for high costs issues?

I'm guessing an engine rebuild is in order for nearly anything I buy.. what would an average rebuild cost? How about a tranny rebuild?

Some of these trucks look great, and I think I could save some decent money by just putting a few thousand into them as repair work rather than paying a premium for 'low mileage'. Am I crazy or is this a smart direction to go?

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

Crazy is just a state of mind.

My 2001 Suburban 2500 Assault Vehicle has almost 200k on it and I expect it to go at least another 100k before major repairs. Runs great, tows great and rides great. (Note: I'm a Ford man for some messed up reason). Needs a new ABS module, still on the original brake pads, replaced the oil pan gasket... pretty much the basic long term maintenance issues.

My SAV 2500 will stay in the family for a long time, so NO, you're not crazy for considering such a thing, especially these days.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

My buddy bought a BEATER '94 Chevy 1500 with a 5-speed and a 4.3V6 4x4. It had 275k on it. He had to do some exhaust work to it off the bat but otherwise not much. It runs and drives really nicely considering the age and mileage. I can't believe it. Looks like hell though that's for sure. Has that Chevy dark blue paint that falls off.

I'd get all the fluids changed and be prepared for wheel bearing failures and things like that. If you weren't making it your daily driver it will probably hold up fine.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

If it was maintained, 200k is nothing nowadays....ask to see maintenance records....and know how to check the early warning signs for yourself. One big one is check the air filter housing for oily residue..it's one of the first signs of blowby. Trans should show in a roadtest, other than that it'd be about suspension components and wheel and axle bearings. I just bought a 2001 Chevy 2500 HD 4x4 with 178k and it runs great for the most part. abs light comes on once in a while, it's caused by the aftermarket L/F hub assembly I put on, and I had to install new knock sensors. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it 4 or 5 hours away......

 

[jimr]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

I wonder what they towed that Dodge behind to get over 200K on it. I would plan on a transmission job within a year of anything with over 200 on the clock if it hasn't been done already. I would not pay that much for something either with high mileage.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

I bought a 1985 c1500 off my dad which he bought new and I drove it until my wife was crossing an intersection and got slammed by a guy who ran a red light and totaled it a day after I got it re painted ( I loved that truck) the only thing I ever did to that truck was change the oil every 3000k and put a holly replacement quad on it the hole time Me and my dad owned it it got 22 miles to the gallon hwy and the odemeter read 220000 I bought it off the insurence company and sold it to my friend and he rebuilt it and is still driving it to this day 400,000 he did put new heads and a tranny in it though.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

My jeep cherokee has 256k on it and still running strong. I have had to do a lot of maintenance on it recently, but vehicles reach stages in there lives where this is necessary. I am planning on driving it until it blows up or i die, whichever comes first.

As long as it has been maintained well, milage means nothing to me. I am not afraid of a car that has high milage, as long as it has been treated right during it's life.

 

[JB]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

Number one daughter's Subaru Forester (2005) has 265,000 miles and still seems like a new car. She is a Nurse Practitioner (NICU) and covers hospitals all over N. Texas. Driving her Forester is why I leased the one I have.

For a truck, particularly a used one, over 200K I think I would have to limit myself to a diesel from a fleet that gets a lot of TLC.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

I listen real close when I start up a high mileage vehicle I plan to buy. If it's been abused, or run a bit low on oil, you'll hear the rods sing slightly before the oil pressure comes up. If it's quiet, it's probably been well oiled.

I drove a 4.3 in an Astro to 328,000 miles. I had to quit because all the doors fell off the van. I think with gaskets and seals, the engine might go another 150,000 miles. It still doesn't sing on startup.

I'm a firm believer in synthetic oil.

edit: I just looked at the ad. Plan on engine work, and I also know from experience that whenever you do anything to the front end of a dodge 4x4, it hurts in the back pocket.

 

[avenger79]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

also keep in mind that newer engines are costing 5 grand easily and newer style trans are getting 3 grand or better. any money you may save by buying a high mileage could quickly get eaten up if it fails in the near future.

also check ball joints, u joints, shocks etc. lots of things start needing attention as the miles rack up. if you're in an area where rust is an issue you will have to deal with breaking things loose that are very stuck together.

not saying i wouldn't go for one but i would definitely get it VERY cheap.

 

[ChrisNCarrie]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

Find your local auto auction and you'll find one at a price you can live with. Definately get there early and check them all out.

Our Jeep Grand Cherokee has 189k and pulls our boat without a hiccup. It runs great and will for a long time. We've had other Cherokees, and even a CJ7 with quarter to half a million miles with no major repairs. We also used to own an Acura that I bought at an auction for $500. After driving it for about 2 years, I gave it to my sister she drove about a year, and she gave it to my brother who sold it running just fine with almost 400k miles! Nothing major was ever put into that car. I wouldnt recommend buying a Saturn with high miles, but there are alot of good cars out there. Keep looking till you find the right deal.
-Carrie

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

I listen real close when I start up a high mileage vehicle I plan to buy. If it's been abused, or run a bit low on oil, you'll hear the rods sing slightly before the oil pressure comes up. If it's quiet, it's probably been well oiled.

That sound is not rods....it's either pistons or lifters.....rods get noisy when the oil thins out as it warms.

edit: I just looked at the ad. Plan on engine work, and I also know from experience that whenever you do anything to the front end of a dodge 4x4, it hurts in the back pocket.

True dat....

 

[lowkee]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

Man, it's too bad to see all of these great truck bodies get scrapped because of engine trouble. What I'd give for that dodge with an old chevy 350 in it. All this electronics and bleeding edge engine business kills the used market. There will be no such thing as a "classic" car from this era.. too much electronics and too many integrated items to go wrong. They sit, they die, you drive em, they die.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

True that. I hope to be able to keep this beast forever. Has 105k on it. Had a new engine put in around 85-90k. Jasper 350. (previous owner never drove it an apparently didn't maintain it either but at least it was in a garage!)

I replaced the steelies with some factory alloys as can be seen in this not-as-good picture http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Chris Boat/DSCF2291.jpg The other chevy in the picture is the aforementioned W/T my buddy has with 275k miles on it.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

I can see something like this being a decent deal...
Good price if the engine runs good...
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/1638932267.html

 

[kend301]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

I have 413 k on my 88 mustang GT and 230k or so on my Jeep If it was maintained no need to worry unless there is a very particular problem with the vehicle related to the current mileage .

 

[j_martin]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

That sound is not rods....it's either pistons or lifters.....rods get noisy when the oil thins out as it warms.

I beg to differ, it's rods or mains clearance. I know what a lifter tick sounds like.

With .0015" clearance, and dry, you'll hear the bearings sing just a bit. The noise lasts only a few revolutions. When the oil hits, it'll quiet down and hold normal pressure. When you tear them down, the babbit is visibly thin in the middle of the inserts.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

I beg to differ, it's rods or mains clearance. I know what a lifter tick sounds like.

With .0015" clearance, and dry, you'll hear the bearings sing just a bit. The noise lasts only a few revolutions. When the oil hits, it'll quiet down and hold normal pressure. When you tear them down, the babbit is visibly thin in the middle of the inserts.

O.k., I stand corrected. Now that I think about it and get the exact noise sorted out in my head, I've heard what you are talking about...it's very quick and stops as soon as there is any oil pressure at all.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Possible costs of buying a 200K+ mile truck?

Well that ad is a no brainer 207 G's in miles is about 330g's in kilometers ...and needs motor work.....well I guess it's a Dodge ....it's probably limped around for at least 50 k....30 thousand miles.......Go auction hopping find a chevy...Don't throw away your money buddy
forgot to say GM rates their frames for 400k [250 g's miles} humm like timming chains I'm not positive on Dodge maybe someone can tell the truth LOL's...run away quick