How high of mileage is considered worrisome for Tacomas?

[RatOmeter]

I'm mostly with the "Toyotas are tough" crowd and wouldn't be too concerned about 60 or 75k miles. BUT, as with any used car that's priced higher than your monthly beer budget, have a mechanic that you trust check it out for you before buying.

Anyway, but I'll give you my story and let you make up your own mind about quality.

1994 2x4 Xtra cab, 2.4L 22RE engine.

110k miles today, mostly town and country miles.

Measured about 27 MPG highway 2 weeks ago.

Parts replaced:

2003: starter
2002: don't buy a cheapo aftermarket thermostat, had to replace it again. Use OEM parts.
2001: timing chain (stupid plastic guides broke, so I replaced the chain too along with the oil pump and water pump since I had it all apart anyway).
2000: battery
2000: thermostat
1999: brakes pads/shoes
1999: spark plugs
1998: plastic unions for windshield washer hoses
1997: drivers-side rear-view mirror.

Just this year, the plastic latch for the rear sliding window broke and the plastic tailgate release handle broke. Grrr, plastic parts. Haven't replaced those yet. Danged 11 year old trucks anyway...

One final note, my truck drowned out in a flooded street in 1997... got a snoot-full of water. Water was in the cylinders (wouldn't turn over). I had it towed to the (not automotive) shop where I worked, removed the spark plugs, put oil in the cylinders and cranked it. Blew lotsa water out while I sweated bullets. Changed the oil that night and again 2 days later.

That incident had me worried that I was going to have premature engine failure, but at about 85k miles later, it's still going strong.

That's my story, for what it's worth.

[bearcat329]

Tacoma's were not produced until 1996

[RatOmeter]

Originally Posted by bearcat329

Tacoma's were not produced until 1996

True enough. I suppose that I should not stray from the "Pickup" forum.

[RonNW]

I bought my 1995 Tacoma 4wd extra cab, 2.7 L, 16 valve OHC , 5 speed when it was 3 1/2 years old from a private party who took mint care of it ... after owning it now for 16+ years, and receiving hundreds of compliments on it, and as many "would you be interested in selling this truck ?" inquiries, I can say this is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned in my 50 years of driving. It now has 204,000 trouble-free, reliable miles on it. I have used Valvoline Full Synthetic oil and Synthetic lubricants, Fram or Purolator oil filters, NGK Platinum plugs, Japanese ignition parts, Japanese or US Made belts and hoses, Toyota anti-freeze and thermostats, do most of my own maintenance work.
Engine always passes State emission tests with flying colors, I can still get as high as 28 mpg on long highway trips, winter driving here in the NW is no problem due to the easy starts with Synthetic lubricants, the 4wd has been bulletproof ... clutch, pressure plate, and throw-out bearing replaced at 170,000 miles, starter at 155,000 miles. Original brakes went 110,000 and the calipers were replaced at 162,000. Check light came on at 201k, and small $90 electronic device right side of engine was replaced, no problem now. I have used Chevron gasoline and Chemtool B12 gas tank additive my entire length of ownership...also I use the Chevron car wash 2 to 4 times per month and always get the wash/ wax / clean undercarriage option. I add 2 ounces of Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant in the gas tank once per month ( I buy it in 32 oz size at WalMart ..best deal). Change my oil and filter every 5,000 -5,500 miles and add 1 can of Restore at that time. My friend in Minnesota has a 600k + Tacoma just like mine that he purchased new, and has followed nearly identical maintenance (he uses Mobil 1 and Purolator and several different brands of gasoline) as mine but at longer intervals. Both our trucks have near 90% highway miles, we consolidate errands, and keep them in our garages every day. These trucks are an incredible value. By NOT making truck payments for all those years, I saved a lot of money, paid off my home way early, invested in good companies, and do major international travel every year, and major road trips often. Life is good

[jimmerj]

I retired 5 years ago. So, I took a job as a courier for an analytical laboratory in NorCal just for something to do. We use almost exclusively Tacomas. The oldest Tacoma is a 1997. It has 672,000 plus miles on. It is the four cylinder with an automatic. Original engine, original transmission, original rear end. Three other Tacomas in the fleet include a 2002, a 2003 and a 2004. Each of these have in excess of 425,000 miles on them, all original powertrains. I lucked out and got a 2006 Taco that they purchased last April with only 52,000 miles on it. All trucks have camper shells and all carry numerous heavy coolers filled with ice and water samples daily. Sometimes when I really load the thing up, I worry that the front end might rise up off the freeway when I hit a bump, but they truck on. My 2006 Taco has the 2.7, better than the 2.4 used previously. It now has 126,000 miles and counting without a tick. We change oil at 7,500 miles and do other factory maintenance pretty much on schedule (timing belts, transmission fluids, rear end fluids, brakes, power steering pump flush ,radiator flush, and so on.) We have a guy inhouse that does the work. If you religiously check the oil weekly, check tire pressures and don't keep the poor Taco floored all the time, it just might last 1,000,000 miles. (My personal pick-up is a 2005 Taco PreRunner TRD Access Cab (no timing belt). It has 146,000 plus and has only been in the shop for tires and brakes. I personally do the rest of the maintenance and it has never failed me. So, if you are looking to buy one with 75K on the Odo, you are probably going to be alright. You can tell if a truck has been maintained or not by looking under the hood and driving it. Smell the tranny oil on the dip stick. No burnt smells and not dark in color. Engine oil should be almost invisible on the dipstick. No chunks in the antifreeze. No rust on the side of the block and look for worn bolts, indication things have been removed and replaced. Finally, ask for the service records and CarFax. Pretty obvious. Truck ON!

[onyxtellancer]

Even with high mileage Tacoma still works fine if the owner is taking care of it properly especially when it comes to maintenance.

[Andrew Hansford]

Hey, y'all. new to the forum. thanks for being here. I'm looking at buying a 97 tacoma 2wd with 211k( forgot to ask what the engine is, hilariously enough). havent seen it yet but owner tells me it was used on a ranch for pretty heavy work. I've read there have been some problems with suspension failure due to rust, but all those folks were midwest/back east. winter time salted roads. not the case where i live.
I'll look close at the suspension and leaf springs( read about some problems can happen with them), but im wondering if anyone has any experience with this model used pretty roughly, with this high of mileage. Any tips? engine, suspension, body, whatever I want it all, y'all!

[Avrios]

Originally Posted by brandon_k_w

Hi, the only Tacomas that are in my price range will have some hefty miles on them (60k-70k miles and up). Is there a website that will show common problems with tacomas with this high of mileage? I don't want to buy a Tacoma, only to have something wear out because of high mileage, then having to spend $2,000 to fix it. TY


Example:

Looking at a 2002 Tacoma Prerunner Regular Cab from the dealership, and has 75,000 miles on it. Cost is $12,998, but I can probably knock off a grand. Is that too many miles? I'd like to drive this truck for like 5 years

That isn't too many miles, but the cost is a bit high. I'd shoot for something around 10k.