I recently purchased a 128K mile 2007 LX from a dealer in the northeast. The car was transported back and finally arrived yesterday. It spent the first 6 years of its life in New Jersey, and then was in Virginia until early this year. Timing belt was done at 105K miles in 2018. Cosmetically, it's in great shape inside and out, and I paid a premium for that, and the low mileage. I'll preface all of this by saying that I DIDN'T fly out to look at it myself (I should have) and I DIDN'T pay to have a pre-inspection done on it. I was too trusting of the dealer and already regret it. But it's water under the bridge at this point, and lesson learned for the future.
The AHC system was removed at some point in the past and converted to regular springs and shocks, however according to the dealer, whomever did the work did not change the torsion bars, so that is something I want to get done.
Fast forward to yesterday, when I get it off the transport truck. It's making a squealing noise when driving (regardless of whether or not brakes are applied), that I am assuming has something to do with the brakes. It's emitting some sort of a burning smell from the engine compartment or somewhere underneath. Obviously there is rust, however it's tough for me to tel how bad, as most of it was coated at some point (don't know whether it was done by the selling dealer or not, and it doesn't really matter at this point). Based on what I've seen online, there are others from the NE that are much much worse. This one doesn't look THAT bad to me, but I know that there are ways to hide it, and it bothers me that I can tell that someone sprayed most of it with either paint or some sort of coating.
I am reluctant to really drive it until I have an inspection done on it. It also doesn't have any plates I've spoken with both Landcruisers NW (Matt) and Landcruiser Specialities (Tim); both Landcruiser shops in the Portland area. LC NW can get it in for an inspection at the end of next week. LC Specialties is booked for 2 to 3 weeks before he can inspect it, and then several months before he could work on it. I've seen some questionable reviews online for LC NW, however I know it's impossible to keep everyone happy.
I already have a really bad feeling that I got screwed over. Let me correct that...I let myself get screwed over. Again, however, I have the car now, so I'm just going to have to live with it and hope for the best. If it's too bad, I'll have to get rid of it. I'm fine spending several grand to sort any minor issues out (and I'm hoping they are minor). I just want a car that is dependable and fun, and I know these cars have a cult following out there, and for good reason.
Does anyone have any experiences (good or bad) with either of these local shops in Portland? I just need someone honest who isn't going to take advantage of my obvious lack of knowledge. And I need a trustworthy opinion and a list of what the car needs before I am comfortable relying up it as dependable transport. Luckily I have other cars to drive, so not having access to this one for a while, while I wait for the diagnosis, and then the associated repairs, isn't the end of the world.
Thanks in advance.
The AHC system was removed at some point in the past and converted to regular springs and shocks, however according to the dealer, whomever did the work did not change the torsion bars, so that is something I want to get done.
Fast forward to yesterday, when I get it off the transport truck. It's making a squealing noise when driving (regardless of whether or not brakes are applied), that I am assuming has something to do with the brakes. It's emitting some sort of a burning smell from the engine compartment or somewhere underneath. Obviously there is rust, however it's tough for me to tel how bad, as most of it was coated at some point (don't know whether it was done by the selling dealer or not, and it doesn't really matter at this point). Based on what I've seen online, there are others from the NE that are much much worse. This one doesn't look THAT bad to me, but I know that there are ways to hide it, and it bothers me that I can tell that someone sprayed most of it with either paint or some sort of coating.
I am reluctant to really drive it until I have an inspection done on it. It also doesn't have any plates I've spoken with both Landcruisers NW (Matt) and Landcruiser Specialities (Tim); both Landcruiser shops in the Portland area. LC NW can get it in for an inspection at the end of next week. LC Specialties is booked for 2 to 3 weeks before he can inspect it, and then several months before he could work on it. I've seen some questionable reviews online for LC NW, however I know it's impossible to keep everyone happy.
I already have a really bad feeling that I got screwed over. Let me correct that...I let myself get screwed over. Again, however, I have the car now, so I'm just going to have to live with it and hope for the best. If it's too bad, I'll have to get rid of it. I'm fine spending several grand to sort any minor issues out (and I'm hoping they are minor). I just want a car that is dependable and fun, and I know these cars have a cult following out there, and for good reason.
Does anyone have any experiences (good or bad) with either of these local shops in Portland? I just need someone honest who isn't going to take advantage of my obvious lack of knowledge. And I need a trustworthy opinion and a list of what the car needs before I am comfortable relying up it as dependable transport. Luckily I have other cars to drive, so not having access to this one for a while, while I wait for the diagnosis, and then the associated repairs, isn't the end of the world.
Thanks in advance.