How many miles are too many miles?

So I have been looking at used cars and it seems everything in the 3-6k range has quite a few miles. I have seen 1990's toyota tacoma with over 200k for 5k and NA miatas with 140k+ going for 5k. So my question to you is how many miles are too many for a daily driver. Primarily looking at a NA Miata(practicality be damned)possibly a NB, but I really miss my 95 M-Edition.

Also what is the best place to find a decent one, I live in NJ and all the ones I have seen are rusted to hell or they go for a stupid premium and are Red (can't do red). I have no problem travelling and driving it back within 6-8 hours, but nothing has resulted from my searches of any interest.

Oh and I saw the one on craigslist with the SC, problem is it is red and I want one close to stock.

travel as far south that you are willing to go, stay off the coast line too because the saltwater spray will eat cars just the same as us here in the rust belt. my DD has 198k and up until yesterday, i would have taken it to oregon from mass. it all depends on how well it was cared for, maintained ect. but you really cant go wrong with the 1.6 or 1.8 miata, i mean mine had 165k on it and i redlined it every single possible chance i could....

tjbell wrote: travel as far south that you are willing to go, stay off the coast line too because the saltwater spray will eat cars just the same as us here in the rust belt. my DD has 198k and up until yesterday, i would have taken it to oregon from mass. it all depends on how well it was cared for, maintained ect. but you really cant go wrong with the 1.6 or 1.8 miata, i mean mine had 165k on it and i redlined it every single possible chance i could....

^^^^This. All depends on maintenance and service. Just about anything can go the distance with proper care. I have a friend that has a Saturn with 380K miles on it.

I have a 4Runner with 441,000 on it, so...no, miles don't matter.

200K on a Hyundai excel? Not buying. 200k on a rust free truck? buying.

I have opened up many NA miata motors after 200k and the etchings were still on the bore of the cylinder walls. Some manuf engines can go forever and some wont make it to 100k. Properly maintained, the BP motor in a miata is just broken in at 140k. At worst, you may need valve stem seals. Guides rarely wear out.

I just had the engine on my work van re-sealed. The mechanic said it looks new inside. It turned over 370K Monday.

Miatae are long-lived little suckers. I wouldn't shy away from one with 200k for the right price, if it looked like it had been taken care of. Where you're at, rust is going to be the killer. Time to do a fly and drive-apparently in GRM land (Florida) they're everywhere. However, if you get a high-mileage one (or even a low-mileage one that hasn't been garaged), expect to do a top soon, and replace all that stupid-expensive weatherstripping around the windows.

Wait....you want an NA Miata that's not red? Did they even make those?

Also, you're buying at the wrong time of year to get a Miata. Around here, they'll be ~25% cheaper come October or November. It's a great time of year to buy a 4wd truck, though.

Miles are important when you are reselling a vehicle. Miles are also to be used to trigger regular maintenance. There isn't a limit for too many miles for a daily driver. The question is, do you like your car or truck enough to put in new or rebuilt engines and transmissions?

Interior wear is also a concern with higher milage, it's not just about maechanicals.

In reply to mr2peak:

Yes - true. Although I use this to judge the authenticity of the "all highway miles" claim that 99% of sellers around here use. If the drivers seat bolsters are worn/ripped/otherwise obliterated, chances are the driver was a "heavy" person, or that the "all highway miles" claim is a load of crap.

In reply to doc_speeder:

Very true! Also check the door hinges for sag. Could indicate lots of in amd out short trips

Great point on the sagging doors, I know Miatas are at a premium at the moment. I am also considering a YJ Wrangler 6 cyl, Tacoma, or 4Runner , I know polar opposites but I loved my Tacoma and my Cherokee. It makes me drive a little slower

I figured once I buy something with high miles I will need to catch up on any maintenance, I am budgeting 1000 for parts. I have no problem replacing an engine, done one or two before. The plan is to keep this vehicle after I buy something else, so the miata would become my toy/donor, or the truck/jeep would get a plow (maybe) and be used to tow other toys.

Flying someplace is out of the question as my budget is limited unless it was an amazing deal. I am looking within 6-8 hours of NJ and hopefully will find something soon as my current car should be sold this week.

My old Chevy P-U went 608K, and it was used to tow trailers until the rust would not allow it to pass inspection. It let me sit at 422K with a timing chain issue. That was the only breakdown I had.