Would You Buy a 10-Year-Old Toyota With 200,000 Miles? Run These Numbers First

A 200,000-mile Toyota can still offer affordable transportation, but buyers should add expected repairs, maintenance, rust, and inspection costs to the purchase price before deciding – Shutterstock

A 10-year-old Toyota with 200,000 miles can look like either a terrific bargain or a very expensive way to avoid buying a newer car. The difference often has less to do with the Toyota badge than with what the car needs next.

A $7,000 purchase price sounds wonderfully cheap beside a $25,000 replacement. Then the inspection reveals worn suspension parts, aging tires, brakes, leaks, rust, and a transmission that has started sending subtle distress signals. Suddenly, that bargain has developed a shopping list.