Go with the one with better documented maintenance. 5K mile oil changes, etc. If the same, go lower mileage.

 

You are taking a lot of chances buying a vehicle with very mileage unless you are knowledgeable about vehicle repair.
Suggest if you are not, pay the money to have it evaluated by a certified mechanic.

 

Thanks for the great advice. I have decided to adjust my search and find something with less than 150K miles.

I drove an hour yesterday and saw the one with 240K. It was impressively clean. Too good to be true. Upon further conversation, it was not one-owner. He was the second owner having bought it in November 2023. When I ask him why he was selling it, he gave me a half ass answer. The paint was immaculate and the interior was perfect but at 240K, something didn’t feel right so I walked away.

The 178K, I use the free feature of CarFax that you enter the ViN as if it were your own car and get all the maintenance entries. Toyota owners gives the same thing free. Turned out the car had 278K instead of 178. I wrote to owner and asked if this was a typo and he said CarFax was wrong (despite multiple entries in which the mileage was in the mid 200s. He then killed himself by sending me a picture with the mileage showing exactly 178,000. Who the hell parks a car at such an exact mileage. The games people play….

IMG_8217.jpeg

• tp44
• Oct 3, 2024
• 1

Here's the link to the one with 240K miles

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

 

I saw a video on FB just yesterday of a Toyota at a dealership. The poster went over it showing proof that it was both rear and front ended collision even though the sticker show no such thing on Carfax. Don't trust it. Receipts and/or MOT/DDOT usually lists accidents. In canada it does. It was listed more than a new model would cost!! LOL

 

Maintenance is key to keep these going high milage! I would be most concerned with maintenance records.

I bought mine at a dealer with 90K, it had a cracked windshield and multiple dents on the body but paint was good, inside was full of beach sand and dog hair.
The previous owner only serviced it at the dealer and followed proper maintenance scheduling.

The dealer had the windshield replaced and brought in a company to do a 6 hr interior detail. I then took it to a dent repair shop and removed all the dents for about $700 cash, after negotiating. It had a bunch of swirl marks on the paint from drive through car washes. I bought a polisher, used clay bar and did a one step polish on the paint.
End result looks like a brand new car, inside and out!
I currently have 180K and has not skipped a beat.

Both options you mentioned sound off, I would walk on both. Keep your eye out and a good one will pop up, the thing is they don't last long once listed. I was diligently looking for about 3 months, timing is everything, be patient if you can.

Oh yea, I see the pic shows it has an upgraded JBL system, mine had that too, but I did a serious upgrade and installed a whole new system.

 

I found a 2012 SE with the leather, the navigation and the roof rack. That’s all I needed, I think. GPS I don’t use for directions but I like the look of OEM radio. 105K miles in excellent condition inside and out.

 

Checkout the powertrain, you omit the most important. Looks don't count if you can't drive it and will need repairs. The light interior is nice and hard to find. I had black which I don't really like. You need to focus on the powertrain as thats where the money is when you buy it and its in bad shape. Cosmetics come after in consideration.

 

It's nice but I'd still want to get it checked out by a mechanic....can look for any leaks, rust, and as the suspension. Hopefully the owner has has a transmission service but, if not, 105K miles isn't too much to worry about a service harming anything. (Just a drain and fill....I'm not keen on the current "flush" craze going on.)

 

If no hitch it hasn't towed. Tranny would definitely not be an issue from mileage alone.
What is the powertrain, you neglect to mention that and its very important. A deciding factor for many.

 

Doesn't matter, OP bought the 2012 SE already.

 

OK, well we then assume it has an engine and at least one wheel drive. Oh and it moves.