how many miles are too many?

[jeep-N-montero]

I am going to look at a 98 Limited 5.2 with 211k miles on it and can get it for $2k. It is the color I like, white with tan leather, and the Carfax seems accurate with good service records. But at over 200k miles is it just a time bomb waiting to go off or is it worth $2k? The seller has been honest on the phone and told me all the little things that are wrong with it, just cosmetic like a seat tear and the heated seats don't work, as well as scraped rear bumper and busted fog lights. I see more 5.2's being parted out than 4.0's in the classifieds, so if the tranny or engine go out it shouldn't be too hard to find a replacement. What would you do?

 

[airmanwilliams]

um get it eric duh!

 

[jmaxj]

i just bought a 95 w/5.2 with 212k on it. the best part is it has records to prove that the motor and trans were rebuilt at 190k and i got it for 500 bucks so......


i wouldn't do it :greg:

 

[jeep-N-montero]

i just bought a 95 w/5.2 with 212k on it. the best part is it has records to prove that the motor and trans were rebuilt at 190k and i got it for 500 bucks so......


i wouldn't do it :greg:

You got lucky!

 

[jmaxj]

i won't argue that. the reason he sold it cheap was it needs unit bearings(which i have already)

 

[Gravy]

I bought lifetime warranty unit bearings for my XJ.
when that died I used them on my ZJ,
when that went to cali with the xwife, I use it on my YJ

Thank you autozone!

 

[Caleb]

I bought my powerstroke with something like 220K on it and sold it with about 280K (can't remember exactly, that was a while ago and several vehicles ago) and I never had once single problem with it beside one TPS sensor(I think it was TPS, maybe CPS??? not sure)...which is very common on powerstrokes so I had one in my glove box. However, with that said, having high miles was ALWAYS on my mind. I won't ever buy another vehicle with high miles...especially a gasser. Even if that vehicle was free, I wouldn't drive it for anything other than a trail rig. The other problem is that many miles is hard on a unibody...even if it's bone stock.

 

[Cody]

I wouldn't buy a vehicle like that with that many miles and feel very confident in it's ability to reliably get me to and fro on longer trips. Just too much wear and tear.

 

[spencevans]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a vehicle with over 200K on the ticker. You have to do your home work and check the car over really good. With a lower mileage car you can assume that certain parts are still in good condition like the suspension. But with high mileage cars you can assume that the suspension has seen better days.

 

[jeeper]

I frequently buy vehicles with high miles, actually I have never owned one under 150k
IMO:
2k is much more than you should pay. That seems like an average retail. Get it for about 1k. You will be a lot more likely to get your monies worth if it's cheap. I try for 40-50% of current value..

It's not going to be worth much when you try to resell it.. People don't like high miles. You will most likely end up selling it to a scrap yard or mexican..

A car is just parts.. Once the car has got high miles most of your parts have been replaced, or are due for replacement. Once parts start to be replaced it's just continual maintenance.. Ball joint, tie rods, brakes, tires, bushings, etc.. not really a big deal.

Again, just my opinion

 

[JL Rockies]

I bought my Runner at 197k miles, but it's a Toyota so yeah.

 

[Houndoc]

A car is just parts.. Once the car has got high miles most of your parts have been replaced, or are due for replacement. Once parts start to be replaced it's just continual maintenance.. Ball joint, tie rods, brakes, tires, bushings, etc.. not really a big deal.

In my mind that is exactly why I don't like high miles!

 

[Sawtooth]

I just bought this 80 with 250K.Not a leak to be found and runs great.I am crossing my fingers that it will get to 300K.Once again it's a Toy and got it for <1000

 

[jackjoh]

How do you explain all of those flat fenders out there that still do the job?

And the answer is: They are maintained to do the job the owner wants them to do.

So buy what you will maintain. Miles and years do not count.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

For all of those who are throwing Toyotas into the mix, unibody Jeeps AREN'T Toyotas and are cheap for a reason. I would have no hesitation in buying a higher mileage Toyota, but the 80 is bigger and heavier in comparison to the ZJ.

 

[sixstringsteve]

are you looking for a DD or a trail vehicle? Will it stay mostly stock?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

are you looking for a DD or a trail vehicle? Will it stay mostly stock?

It's a 3rd vehicle for us and will be getting all of the parts swapped over from my 96.

 

[Houndoc]

Jack hints at an inportant point- it all depends on what job you want it to do.

I was happy to relieve my MS from being my daily driver as now that it is at 180K. It should last a heck of a lot longer (mechanically at least) with the 5 miles per day my daughter drives compared to the 85 I do.

Little-use 3rd vehicle or short-trail trail rig with high miles is a different ball of wax than either back-country expedition rig or long-commute daily driver.

I would also consider the cost of having a mechanic you know and trust give it a very complete going over is money well spent.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Jack hints at an inportant point- it all depends on what job you want it to do.

I was happy to relieve my MS from being my daily driver as now that it is at 180K. It should last a heck of a lot longer (mechanically at least) with the 5 miles per day my daughter drives compared to the 85 I do.

Little-use 3rd vehicle or short-trail trail rig with high miles is a different ball of wax than either back-country expedition rig or long-commute daily driver.

I would also consider the cost of having a mechanic you know and trust give it a very complete going over is money well spent.

I used to be a mechanic by trade and can tear a ZJ apart with my eyes closed, inspecting or repairing one is easy but would rather spend my time doing other things.