Buying an old high mileage Rav 4... Am I crazy?

[tmontague]

Two things you need to consider for a purchase like this.

1. Cost, does it fit what you're willing to pay
2. You will have to do some work on it guranteed even if it passes safety today, things will need to be replaced (unless the current owner replaced so ist everything which they likely didn't). This will cost you a lot of time and some cash (if you wrench yourself) and it will cost you a lot in cash if you have a mechanic do your work. Guaranteed the 10mm bolts throughout the engine bay are rusted through even if the body is in fine condition. This makes short 2 hr jobs sometime 5+ hrs for yourelf or add cost to the original job for a mechanic to do.

As you can see #2 will have an effect on point #1. In the end this on ultimately a decision that can only be made by you.

I would bring ramps with you and drive the car up on them to inspect everything. Don't buy it if the current owner won't let you do it.

I've done that with my last 2 car purchases (both >10 years old) and I've either been able to get the car for much less due to easy for me to fix gasket leaks or I've gotten a car in great mechanical shape and both have been great reliable cars bought for a low price.

Keep in mind oil burning will be an issue in an engine w/ 450k km. You'll have to check oil levels every week and keep a hug of oil in the car.