When buying an american car, what is the highest acceptable odometer reading? how about for a japanese car?

I think its up to you and how long you want the car. I wouldnt buy an american car with over 100k period. I would buy a honda or toyota with 100k+ because I trust them. however I have a 80 mile commute everyday so I need a low mile car. I am currently looking in the under 45K section. My honda has 110k no problems, my wifes toyota has 187 no problems. my old nissan I sold at 175k it was in excellent shape and finally my old camary lost its transmission at 205k... but like I said its comes down to what your comfortable with and how far you go and how long you intend to keep it...

If it were me, I wouldn't touch an American car. They are fine, relatively reliable compared to some other makes, but once they get a few years old, they aren't the same. A Japanese car is going to be basically the same car 5 years old in comparison to when it was new.

I wouldn't touch an America car (used) with more than 45k miles. A Japanese car, depending on what it is, will last for quite some time, but I drive my cars 250k miles, so I would say no more than 80k miles. Also, many cars use timing chains, so it could be another thousand to on top of the price. Around that mileage, it will most likely need to be replaced.

American - 75K tops, and even then only with FULL records of IMMACULATE maintenance. While some trucks are considerably more robust and longer-lived, trucks are not cars. Every American car I have driven over that limit had one wheel in the grave and died catastrophically.

Japanese - Depends. Honda about 200K, Mazda and Nissan about 175K, and Toyota is unlimited. I have yet to see a Toyota die of old age. It has always been abuse and neglect, and even then they tolerate the punishment remarkably well. Properly maintained 'yotas simply DO NOT die.