Inspecting/Test Driving 2001 LX470 this Weekend - Any tips?

[koifish]

Hey guys,

First post here, but have been lurking/learning here for a while. I'll be looking at a 2001 LX470 w/nav 110000 miles tomorrow. Any specific advice you experts can give me during inspection/test drive? This will be my first LX/LC. lexus.com portal shows complete records since 2001. I will also be taking it for a PPI next week if I like what I see. Thanks!

 

[phsycle]

Here you go:

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbieUZJ100.htm

 

[PADDO]

Hey guys, First post here, but have been lurking/learning here for a while. I'll be looking at a 2001 LX470 w/nav 110000 miles tomorrow. Any specific advice you experts can give me during inspection/test drive? This will be my first LX/LC. lexus.com portal shows complete records since 2001. I will also be taking it for a PPI next week if I like what I see. Thanks!

Make sure AHC is working and damping is controlled thru the comfort switch position. Check for more than 7 grads on the reservoir during the high to low test, check damping comfort switch affects ride - soft thru to sport when you test drive. Have a look at the AHC fluid, new it's light pink color, old it goes very dark. Not a lot else you can do to check out AHC in a car lot but these basic things are a start. Good luck.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[Junglejack]

Hey guys,

First post here, but have been lurking/learning here for a while. I'll be looking at a 2001 LX470 w/nav 110000 miles tomorrow. Any specific advice you experts can give me during inspection/test drive? This will be my first LX/LC. lexus.com portal shows complete records since 2001. I will also be taking it for a PPI next week if I like what I see. Thanks!

You very much seem to be on the right track with this. Certainly would recommend looking under the truck for rust. Put the LX in the H position to assist and to test out the AHC. Very impressive to have complete records and if the truck is local you might want to call the dealer about the truck. Considering the service history, they should be quite familiar and it might lessen the need for a PPI.

 

[koifish]

Just drove it

Thanks for the help! First time driving one of these and its sweet. Nice driving position, good view of surroundings, drives smaller than it looks.

A few things i noticed were:
Rear subwoofer blown out
Steering wheel shimmy when braking from freeway speeds (rotors/alignment?)
Nav screen looks a little worn when screen is off (normal wear for age?)

Everything else worked fine. AHC, comfort settings, 90000 mile timing belt sticker matches online records from lexus.com

Gonna wait for my indy shop to inspect bu I think i might pull the trigger. Thots?

 

[VidereStudios]

Depending on price, seems like it may be a good rig. Too bad it has the navigation though. You are doing the right thing and finding a rig that has been maintained. Good luck!

 

[koifish]

The guy is asking 13k. Seems fair for my area (socal). He's pretty firm on price tho unless my inspection uncovers anything mechanically wrong. Im guessing he's pricing the rig taking into account some of its flaws. I also dont care for the nav, but i wanted ATRAC, LATCH, proof of maintenance, as close to 100k miles. Plus its been locally dealer maintained for half of its life.

 

[koifish]

Took her home!

Thanks for all the help guys. Really appreciate it. 33" Tires will be the first thing to go on. I want to pull the running boards next, but I'm too short haha! Might have to save for some sliders first so I can do a swap. Still undecided on whether to blackout (plastidip) the large front and rear chrome pieces. Here are some pics: