Hey everyone, been lurking on the forum for a long time now, and I'm finally in a position to pull the trigger on a new LC/LX so I made an account to seek some advice.
Brief intro before the meat of the question. I live in St. Louis, MO and I have an '01 Tundra that I 've owned since '03 that I absolutely love and was the vehicle that kickstarted my relationship with Toyotas. Unfortunately, it's only a 2wd access cab and with a wife, two kids, and a dog it's getting pretty cramped if I have to drive anyone other than myself. Logically, I figured a 100 series would be the next best option, as I'm already quite familiar with the robustness of the 4.7L and love the driving dynamics of these trucks. I also don't really need the pickup bed (Tundra is staying in the family, so two trucks is just redundant) and all the Sequoias I've looked at are pretty clapped out and abused. I'd like to do more camping/offroading/overlanding around Missouri and possibly do a road trip out to the "real" mountains in the next few years with whatever rig I've got, so I'm looking for a long term investment.
But enough about me, lets look at a potential acquisition target.
This just popped up at a dealer nearby. It's a '99 LC with 196k on the odo, and the truck looks like it's had a bit of a past. According to the Carfax, it's spent most of it's life in CO, and is only in St. Louis because the previous owner (who owned it for around 13 years) was driving it back home to Telluride from Connecticut, when it started making a noise from the front end somewhere in IL. He found the dealer in St. Louis, who had a '16 LC on the lot and instead of fixing the noise the guy just said "F it", I'm getting a 200. Dealer diagnosed it as a worn CV joint/axle which they're replacing. Asking price is 13k, including the axle service.
The Good:
Frame doesn't look too rusty (although I'm welcome to feedback in case I've missed something)
Interior is in good shape, with only a seam rip on the drivers seat, and some carpet stains in the cargo area
Engine starts right up and sounds good
Has a 2in lift installed (I'm assuming from the yellow shocks that it's OME) with newer BFG KO2's
Has had some of the common problems addressed within the last 60k miles (fuse block replaced, brake master replaced, cooling clutch fan, AC system serviced)
The Meh:
No factory rear diff lock
Antenna motor needs to be replaced
No third row seats
Paint is OK with some scaping on the bumpers/faded trim
Interior trim is fading
Wheel hubs are missing some of the toyota logos
The Bad:
No record of a timing belt/water pump service (I don't have a complete history, but nothing in the Carfax or under hood indications of it ever being done)
Body damage to the front drivers side quarter panel, that has been partially repaired, but now has a rust spot. where the bumper and the panel meet.
I guess the question is, is 13k too high? What if I can get them to do a timing belt/water pump service while they're replacing the axle? All I have to go on for pricing is online auctions, where $15-$20k is now the new normal, so to my brain this seems like a good deal, but I still want to make sure.
Thanks in advance guys!
Brief intro before the meat of the question. I live in St. Louis, MO and I have an '01 Tundra that I 've owned since '03 that I absolutely love and was the vehicle that kickstarted my relationship with Toyotas. Unfortunately, it's only a 2wd access cab and with a wife, two kids, and a dog it's getting pretty cramped if I have to drive anyone other than myself. Logically, I figured a 100 series would be the next best option, as I'm already quite familiar with the robustness of the 4.7L and love the driving dynamics of these trucks. I also don't really need the pickup bed (Tundra is staying in the family, so two trucks is just redundant) and all the Sequoias I've looked at are pretty clapped out and abused. I'd like to do more camping/offroading/overlanding around Missouri and possibly do a road trip out to the "real" mountains in the next few years with whatever rig I've got, so I'm looking for a long term investment.
But enough about me, lets look at a potential acquisition target.
This just popped up at a dealer nearby. It's a '99 LC with 196k on the odo, and the truck looks like it's had a bit of a past. According to the Carfax, it's spent most of it's life in CO, and is only in St. Louis because the previous owner (who owned it for around 13 years) was driving it back home to Telluride from Connecticut, when it started making a noise from the front end somewhere in IL. He found the dealer in St. Louis, who had a '16 LC on the lot and instead of fixing the noise the guy just said "F it", I'm getting a 200. Dealer diagnosed it as a worn CV joint/axle which they're replacing. Asking price is 13k, including the axle service.
The Good:
Frame doesn't look too rusty (although I'm welcome to feedback in case I've missed something)
Interior is in good shape, with only a seam rip on the drivers seat, and some carpet stains in the cargo area
Engine starts right up and sounds good
Has a 2in lift installed (I'm assuming from the yellow shocks that it's OME) with newer BFG KO2's
Has had some of the common problems addressed within the last 60k miles (fuse block replaced, brake master replaced, cooling clutch fan, AC system serviced)
The Meh:
No factory rear diff lock
Antenna motor needs to be replaced
No third row seats
Paint is OK with some scaping on the bumpers/faded trim
Interior trim is fading
Wheel hubs are missing some of the toyota logos
The Bad:
No record of a timing belt/water pump service (I don't have a complete history, but nothing in the Carfax or under hood indications of it ever being done)
Body damage to the front drivers side quarter panel, that has been partially repaired, but now has a rust spot. where the bumper and the panel meet.
I guess the question is, is 13k too high? What if I can get them to do a timing belt/water pump service while they're replacing the axle? All I have to go on for pricing is online auctions, where $15-$20k is now the new normal, so to my brain this seems like a good deal, but I still want to make sure.
Thanks in advance guys!