How many miles is too many for buying used?

Miles can be useful when judging a vehicle, but there are too many other important factors. A vehicle beat to death for 50,000 miles is not that different than a vehicle driven correctly for 200,000. As they say, a candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long. That can be especially true of transmissions. Maintenance is also critical, as well as the quality of the materials or parts used. Age can be important, but where and how is was stored can over-rule that. There is no "blanket" answer to your question. Another thing to consider is how you will drive it. I sold a 73 Grand Marquis to a kid years ago. I told him that the 1-2 shift has always felt sloppy for all the years I owned the car and cautioned him about hot-rodding. He blew the tranny within 200 miles, but had no ill will towards me because I gave him an honest warning.

Any and all can be a danger. Many factors; what lubrication was used, how was the vehicle cared for, etc.
Your best resource is to find a reliable and trustworthy mechanic to go over it with a microscope. Then make the decision. Mine is a 2006 with 197 thousand on it. The mechanic said it was an excellent vehicle. So far, he's right.

To bad you are not in California I am selling my 2007 limited el with 129000 miles. Just got my 2022 last month and love it.

I purchased an 03 with 205k almost 4 years ago. It's at 251k and change now. It's been one of the most reliable vehicles I've owned. Only bested by my regal that was bought with 73k old lady miles. I've done the basic maintenance. Fluids, oil, brakes, tires. The only failures I've experienced are a caliper seized, u joint wore out and my lift gate glass hinge broke when I opened it at the grocery one day. That was a fun one to catch. All in for parts not counting the maintenance items as any age vehicle would have those is under $300. As long as you are competent in the repairs yourself they're relatively affordable trucks.

This was purchased as a temporary vehicle while we shopped for something specific for the wife. Ended up keeping it for myself after we found her Navigator.

Being mechanic owned is a double edged sword. The skill set to maintain to perfection is there but the ability to hide and minimize issues is also present. If you aren't well versed in the platform or mechanically inclined enough to spot and feel issues I would bring someone who is or pay a few bucks to have it inspected if you aren't in a position for a financial surprise. No doubt the seller would probably feel insulted being a mechanic but you have to look out for yourself.

I bought my 2013 Expedition in May of 2021 with 210,000 miles, and now have 245K on it. Very reliable with very few problems. I'm not afraid of high mileage on vehicles nowadays.

ski_rush said:

I’m looking at a 2007 EL Limited. It has 200k miles…but it was owned by a mechanic. I live in a very small town in the Midwest and I know the guy who owned the vehicle. He’s a respectable mechanic. This vehicle is a 3rd car for me and wouldn’t be a “main” family car. That said, I also need it to reliably do a couple hundred miles per week.

Am I crazy for considering this vehicle with 200k miles? It’s very well taken care of, but I’ve never bought a car with this many miles…I’ve sold them with these miles but never bought one with them. Thoughts?

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I purchased a very well maintained , high millage, if I get 2 years ,I'm happy-then slap a create engine. Don't pay to much $2000-4000

CUSTOMBUILDWERX said:

I purchased a very well maintained , high millage, if I get 2 years ,I'm happy-then slap a create engine. Don't pay to much $2000-4000

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240,000 miles

The engine must be close to run out at 200k. I would pass and look for something under 100k.

I think most 3rd gens near/past the 200k mark will be in need of major engine work or replacement relatively soon. If you can do that yourself or don't mind the expense though, that changes things. It also depend on how many miles you drive per year. Someone driving 25k year might only get 2 years out of the truck, but someone driving 5k/yr might get another 10 years. And of course, no one one knows for sure what any particular vehicle will get so even if 80% of them are falling apart at 200k, yours may go to 400k.