Why hasn't this sold?

rtarh2o · 06-10-09, 05:18 PM

I have been watching this Cruiser go through ebay a few times and wondering why nobody has jumped on it? Is the reserve too high? I know the first time he wanted way too much for it but I am surprised it hasn't sold? Has anyone seen it? Could anyone go look at it?
I am extremely happy with my G350 but if I could pick this up for the right price I might consider getting rid of it!
Rusty

Atlanta Cruiser · 06-10-09, 05:19 PM

Did you forget the link?

lt1fire · 06-10-09, 07:39 PM

Rusty we're not mind readers

D'Animal · 06-10-09, 07:52 PM

I was going to look at that one but I could not find it.

77HesterSue · 06-10-09, 08:16 PM

I'm so curious now - send a link!

retrofive · 06-10-09, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77HesterSue

I'm so curious now - send a link!

Unless you have Cruiser ESP you can't have access to it I guess.

slowgrowler · 06-10-09, 08:29 PM

If it's the diesel on it is in Cali, but can't be titled there. He tried. Has no import papers, but was able to get a valid fl title. If I can title the truck in co I want it, but not having a 17 digit vin might be a problem? Is it not a problem now if he has a valid title?

rtarh2o · 06-10-09, 08:39 PM

Sorry, I did forget the link! I was in a hurry. Here it is.
Toyota : Land Cruiser:eBay Motors (item 140325473638 end time Jun-10-09 18:00:00 PDT)
The auction is over but it isn't bringing much money, probably because because of the fact that people get more suspicious the more it is run on ebay.
The same thing happened on my Mercedes, I ended up getting a pretty good deal on it because the guy started off way too high the first time around, that combined with some previous engine problems, not legally imported etc, very similar to this Land Cruiser!
I am guessing it is a combination of the title and potential problems that are making people hesitant to bid.
As for my Mercedes it did not have any paper work either, just a Delaware title. I called the state office here in Texas and they said they did not care about importation if it has a US title they will accept it. I was still a bit worried but everything went ok and I now have a Texas title. I am sure it varies state to state but it might be worth looking into.
I got a good enough deal on my Mercedes that I was willing to take a chance but so far everything has been great!
Like I said, depending upon what he wants out of I might be willing to take a chance on it if the price is right, meaning I could sell my Mercedes and come out ahead on the Cruiser.

Anybody near it so they could take a look and drive it?

Rusty

slowgrowler · 06-10-09, 08:51 PM

He is letting it go for 16500

D'Animal · 06-10-09, 08:54 PM

Why does he list it as a 1980 Toyota if it is a 1991 Land Cruiser?

Corbet · 06-10-09, 09:05 PM

I'd just want to make sure what ever state I was taking this to will accept the Florida title as the truck is short a few digits on the VIN. What ever DMV you have to go and register it at is going to be pretty confused very fast. Also any smog testing could be trouble. I'd ask to get an email with a scan of the title for inspection and take it from there. Other than the title its like buying anything else on ebay.

RavenTai · 06-10-09, 09:21 PM

South American 80, was it made in Japan or under liscence locally?

rtarh2o · 06-10-09, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowgrowler

He is letting it go for 16500

That is cheaper than what he originally wanted, probably a pretty good price but the market for diesel Cruisers seems to have gone down (as with the rest of them)
Possibly if there were fewer question marks about it maybe it would have sold for that.
If I didn't already have my diesel G I would probably buy it even with the potential problems.
When I first started looking for either a diesel G or Land Cruiser about 2 years ago there wasn't anything for sale, much less below $20,000. I told myself then that if anything ever came along for less than $20,000 I would buy it, the G came first. I don't regret it but I sure would like to drive the diesel Cruiser to see what I am missing!
Rusty

ThePookieBear · 06-10-09, 09:34 PM

Thats kind of a weird looking climate control console area. Looks like a '95-'97, no?

sprocket3 · 06-10-09, 10:19 PM

"Currently Titled & Registered in Florida where I was going to take it (sec. residence) but the car is in CA, parked. I could not register in CA."

This is a grey market car and was not federalized which is the real problem i would guess. They (grey market cars) seem to show up a lot on ebay from CA with out of state titles. Some states don't care and never check with the feds. Of course CA and other states do check. I would bet the guy purchased it from FL not knowing that CA would never let him title it. The feds have a hotline you can call and run the VIN to see if it's a legal import or a grey market import. So you may be stuck with a rig that is "off road use only" so to speak.

Legal import means they have been modified to meet Fed laws at a huge expense.

Look into federalizing a car built within the last 25 (or 20)years. Older cars are exempt after a certain point. Google will bring this up a hundred times on the forums. It's not worth the trouble to federalize this cruiser. It is what it is and don't think you will ever change it now.

nicholas · 06-10-09, 10:22 PM

I threw in a bid on this cruiser over a month or so ago during one of the previous auctions. I didn't get close to the reserve, so it was just a pipe dream anyway.

A while after the auction ended I got this spam/scam email:

Dear XXXXXX,

Hi,
This is (laurel.braucher@live.com),seller of --- Item#
140313392140 Toyota : Land Cruiser
--- ( you placed a bid on my auction ).The high bidder was unable to complete the transaction,so the item is now available for purchase at your last bid offer.
I am contacting you from my daughter's eBay account because eBay blocks any communications after the auction is over (ebay policy).
I need your agreement on this so I may contact eBay to confirm you the winning position, otherwise I'll relist the item.
I am sorry for the inconvenience, but I need an answer as soon as possible as your last BID OFFER will be taken into consideration .
So,if you`re still interested please email me at: laurel.braucher@live.com .
Thanks for your interest and participation,
PS: Please do not contact me through the eBay system because this is my daughter's eBay user account and i can't access it all the time. PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY AT laurel.braucher@live.com

- adrot1

I emailed the ebay member that was listed on the REAL auction and he/she said that they didn't know what that email was all about and that they were going to re-list it soon.

I'm not sure how the spambot got my ebay info that I had placed a bid on that cruiser, but the whole deal seemed a little fishy. For all I know the seller could be legit, but I figured I should share this info with you to help out your research.

rtarh2o · 06-10-09, 10:40 PM

I am guessing from looking at the instruments that it was never federalized, they are still in KMH. My Mercedes is the same way, at first I wanted to change it but now I think it just adds to the uniqueness of it. ( I am also getting pretty quick at converting everything in my head)
The spam letter from ebay wouldn't scare me, I don't know how they get that info either but it has happened to me more than once, kinda scary.
The other question is whether or not it actually has a title from Florida. I would assume that is what registered means but seeing the title would be very important to me.

Rusty

Brian894X4 · 06-11-09, 01:55 AM

The Vin Tag indicates it was made in Japan, so imported to whatever country in South America it was originally sold in. So, most likely not a Venezualian vehicle.

I think if someone really wanted to be dead sure they were legal and had no issues, including with insuring it, they would do well to buy it, strip it and put all the goodies in a U.S. spec Land Cruiser. Many states will allow a diesel exception from emissions testing, California not being one of them.

Even for $16K, after buying a used 80 with a blown headgasket or whatever, spending the time to swap out parts, you'd have a pretty darn cool rig, perfectly legal and insurable.

It may be hard to get a vehicle titled with a non U.S. vin, but I've always wondered how people are able to get past insurance companies with vehicles that don't have VIN numbers that are reconsiled in their data bases. Seems like insurance companies would run the other way quicker than you can blink.

By the way, anyone notice the low frame number? 0000308

d0ubledown · 06-11-09, 02:03 AM

that truck seems to be way more of a hassle/headache than $16500 would be. not being able to register it, ac/heater problems, electrical problems..beat up etc. he's probably just trying to get rid of his headache, while getting as much money for it as he can. put $16K into a half cut or a motor/tranny from here or japan, and you'll be better off doing the swap on your own.

Ebag333 · 06-11-09, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian894X4

It may be hard to get a vehicle titled with a non U.S. vin, but I've always wondered how people are able to get past insurance companies with vehicles that don't have VIN numbers that are reconsiled in their data bases. Seems like insurance companies would run the other way quicker than you can blink.

I don't think most companies do all that much checking on the VIN.

I know on the

truck (a '96) somehow the VIN was off a digit, so that it was listed as a '97. After adding my truck (a '97), I had to call in to check something for mine, and they asked me "which vehicle?" "The '97." "They're both 97's." "...Wait, what?"

They updated the VIN on the spot, no checks, not questions, nuthin'.

I also know a couple people who have gotten new VIN's for their vehicles for whatever reason. The insurance company just swapped 'em, no questions asked. I've also seen vehicles with the wrong VIN, IE: a dodge truck with a ford truck VIN. Evidentially they didn't have any problems setting up the insurance, and didn't have any problems correcting it.

Lot of states grey market vehicles aren't that big a deal. Easiest way to deal with them is simply a VIN swap, then claim you swapped engine/body/etc. I guess it's really technically the same thing, I mean what's the difference between disassembling an entire vehicle around a VIN and swapping every part, and swapping VIN's?

For CA though they're quite a bit pickier. Still possible, but much more effort.

WarDamnEagle · 06-11-09, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtarh2o

I am guessing from looking at the instruments that it was never federalized, they are still in KMH. My Mercedes is the same way, at first I wanted to change it but now I think it just adds to the uniqueness of it. ( I am also getting pretty quick at converting everything in my head)
The spam letter from ebay wouldn't scare me, I don't know how they get that info either but it has happened to me more than once, kinda scary.
The other question is whether or not it actually has a title from Florida. I would assume that is what registered means but seeing the title would be very important to me.

Rusty

Living in the UK, I've looked extensively into importing anything diesel back to the US and it's all but impossible unless it's 25 years old or older. Having a speedometer in KM/hr is not a problem. Complying with all DOT and EPA regulations is a major issue and don't assume that it's just a question of money because often it's just impossible.

That LC is not legal in the US, Florida title notwithstanding, and the Federal fines for having that vehicle in the US are large and can include jail time.

And while I'm on the subject, I have no clue how vendors are importing front clips from Japan with diesel engines in them legally. The legislation is pretty explicit that you cannot even bring an engine back into the US unless it has a US-EPA compliant sticker on it from the manufacturer and I can assure you that those diesel engines do not meet EPA regulations. They are probably importing them as farm or industrial parts in order to exempt them from complying with EPA regs but it's illegal to install these diesel engines into a road titled vehicle.

Can you get away with it? Obviously, but I have decided it isn't worth the risk to throw a diesel engine into a container with my household goods (as tempting as it may be!).

slowgrowler · 06-11-09, 07:38 AM

I have the guys phone number if needed. He states it's titled in FL, Insured in FL for full coverage yada yada. Does not want to give a copy of the title out to everyone but if it was a issue he would send you a copy to check with.

RichElliott · 06-11-09, 08:35 AM

A few things don't add up. He says it's a Spector Off Road conversion, yet based on the VIN it really looks more like an import. Also, what's the receipt for work done in TX? Why the lies, charades, and missing information?

slowgrowler · 06-11-09, 08:57 AM

Yea, I'm passing because the last few times he never said anything about conversion. It's a you buy it your problem now type deal.

Skillet · 06-11-09, 09:30 AM

I am going to send him a cashier's check for $6K more than the actual price and he is going to give the $6k to a shipping guy to have it sent to me because he is actually in London right now because his Mother is in peril due to the Nigerian government wanting to give her $1,000,000 usd after she one the Pakistani lottery for Muhammed Frank Tom and because I am a very trustworthy individual he will gladly ship prior to cashing his check which he will actually return after he gets his Mother's winnings...

God bless and hello dear.

Marco7 · 06-11-09, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skillet

I am going to send him a cashier's check for $6K more than the actual price and he is going to give the $6k to a shipping guy to have it sent to me because he is actually in London right now because his Mother is in peril due to the Nigerian government wanting to give her $1,000,000 usd after she one the Pakistani lottery for Muhammed Frank Tom and because I am a very trustworthy individual he will gladly ship prior to cashing his check which he will actually return after he gets his Mother's winnings...

God bless and hello dear.

thanks, I needed a laugh today!

firewalker · 06-11-09, 05:48 PM

Well, who is selling front halfs or both of a cut? I need a new farm only vehicle.

rtarh2o · 06-12-09, 02:46 PM

From the way I read the auction I don't think he is saying it is a conversion, just comparing it the price of a conversion. The VIN says HDJ so it must have had a bad engine and they replaced the long block. If you read the work order it says something about tear down engine/build up long block so it must have had the 1HD-T in it to swap the parts onto the replacement long block.
As far as the title, it is the exact situation I had with my Mercedes G350. It was not legally imported but had a Delaware title. I called the state office for vehicle registration and explained the situation to them before I bought it. They assured me that if it had a US title they really didn't care if is was legal or not. I asked them all the possible questions I could think of but they still said it did not matter to them. Even still I was worried all the way through the process of safety inspection and registration but it went off without a hitch and I now have a Texas Title for it. It doesn't seem possible that they could come back and penalize me, or take the vehicle and crush it or any other horror stories you hear about it now that I have gone through all the proper channels.
My statement about the metric instruments was simply the fact that all of the federalized vehicles I have seen have the instruments converted to US measurments, as far as I know this is part of federalizing the vehicle.
Here is my question about "legally imported." A friend of my fathers years ago moved to Germany for 2 years. While he was there he bought a car and was able to legally bring it home with him. I also sold a vehicle to someone years ago, they bought the vehicle to ship over to Germany with them so they could sell it there and legally bring home a car from Germany. What about these vehicles? I am sure these people do not keep those cars forever so they must be on the market. It is possible my Mercedes and others like it could have gotten here legally but not federalized?
Still though, for $16,500 I would convert my 97 myself before getting into the other potential problems this Cruiser might have.
Rusty

WarDamnEagle · 06-12-09, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtarh2o

My statement about the metric instruments was simply the fact that all of the federalized vehicles I have seen have the instruments converted to US measurments, as far as I know this is part of federalizing the vehicle.
Here is my question about "legally imported." A friend of my fathers years ago moved to Germany for 2 years. While he was there he bought a car and was able to legally bring it home with him. I also sold a vehicle to someone years ago, they bought the vehicle to ship over to Germany with them so they could sell it there and legally bring home a car from Germany. What about these vehicles? I am sure these people do not keep those cars forever so they must be on the market. It is possible my Mercedes and others like it could have gotten here legally but not federalized?

First of all, "federalizing" is a new term to me so I can't help you there. I started to say that in my last post but thought it extraneous. The vehicle has to meet all EPA and DOT requirements for the year of manufacture and has to have the stickers/documents to prove so or it's not legal. The speedometer units aren't in the regs as far as I know so KM is not an issue. Neither is the side of the steering wheel. There's no problem bringing in a right hand steer car as long as it meets all the other requirements. I looked at a 2001 Aston Martin DB7. The good new is that it met all the EPA requirements and had the stickers to prove it. The bad new was that it needed 2 pages of modifications to meet the DOT requirements. It would have cost as much as the price of the car to have it modified to be compliant. (But how cool would it have been to drive a right hand steer Aston in the US?)

If they imported cars from Germany then they were either compliant (very possible), at least 25 years old, or lucky. Unfortunately there aren't any diesel engines that are compliant. Keep in mind that these regulations haven't been around forever so if your friend's father did this years ago then he may have done it before everything got so restrictive.

FWIW, don't call the feds about your Mercedes as you might not like the response.

D'Animal · 06-16-09, 06:18 AM

www.SOR.cpm has them once in awhile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by firewalker

Well, who is selling front halfs or both of a cut? I need a new farm only vehicle.