buying lx450 1997 (1 Viewer)

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i know this has been asked a few million times.. but i dont have much time .. going to look at a 97 model with the locking diffs.. lx450.. around 154k miles.. and he wants 6750.00 firm for it.. says it is in excellant mechanical shape and exterior and interior are nice as well.. but he has only had it for about 3 months .. but bought it from a guy he knew very well and has owned since 2000.. but no paper work .. except for the brakes he just had totally redone.. said he bought for the wife.. but her jobed changed and required her to drive almost 100 miles a day.. so a quick check list.. what too look for motor wise? prone to over heating? testing the locking diffs? and the tranny? maybe a quick run down or check list would be nice
 
I might be cynical due to personal experience with my LX450, but Buyer Beware cuz you better be ready to afford a headgasket replace at any given time....Good luck
 
are the head gaskets a faulty design ? if replaced is the problem solved with a newer designed head gasket? is the problem similiar in nature to the toyota 3.0 head problems?
 
Headgasket issue is well known and well documented. Makes no difference if its LC or LX, same engine. If its an LX you can at least get the service records straight from any Lexus dealership so you will know right away if the gasket was serviced.
 
i registered on the lexus website.. and here is what came up since 2005..

Dealer Reported04/19/2005 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 1301630084666TIRE ROTATIONDealer Reported04/19/2005 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 1301630084666NON WARRANTABLE OPERATIONDealer Reported11/30/2005 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 1361310090975NON WARRANTABLE OPERATIONDealer Reported11/30/2005 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 1361310090975TIRE ROTATIONDealer Reported01/20/2006 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 13726992394SFI.MFIDealer Reported01/20/2006 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 13726992394MISCDealer Reported01/20/2006 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 13726992394DISTRIBUTOR/HDLIGHT/T. SGNLDealer Reported08/03/2006 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 14238097989AIR CONDITIONINGDealer Reported08/03/2006 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 14238097989NON WARRANTABLE OPERATIONDealer Reported09/11/2006 Johnson Lexus of Raleigh 143295322932REPLACE HEATER HOSEDealer Reported08/07/2007 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 149592110278NON WARRANTABLE OPERATIONDealer Reported08/07/2007 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 149592110278INSPECT BATTERY CHARGE LEVELDealer Reported04/26/2008 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 1516030119151NON WARRANTABLE OPERATIONDealer Reported04/26/2008 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 1516030119151QUALITY INSPECTIONDealer Reported04/26/2008 Lexus of Lehigh Valley 1516030119151DISTRIBUTOR/HDLIGHT/T. SGNL
 
well i went to the dealership.. got the complete service history today..

at 151k a quality inspection was done.. "many oil leaks under vehicle"

at 143k heater hose to the block was replaced

at 142k the air conditioner was replaced

at 137k check engine light on...something about engine coolant temperature range performance.. and possible air pocket through line

at 122k clunking front end .. they replaced the hubs and wheel bearings...

looks as if most of the major services were done on time past 60k..65k..75k...80k..85k...100k.. and the last being 120k

along with various oil changes.. brake jobs.. and tire rotations..

but i saw no mention of any head gasket replacments..
 
So a head gasket is in it's future. Same with mine. The job isn't that bad and a well respected member has a DVD to make it easier. I would not pass up the truck simply because it will need a head gasket at some point - that probably applies to 90% of 80 series cruisers.

Read the FAQ linked in the first reply - it points where to look on a rig you are hoping to buy. Also read this thread as it makes a lot of sense: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-...y-80-costs-ownership.html?highlight=ownership
 
So a head gasket is in it's future. ...

Correction, maybe in the future. IIRC the mud poll showed only ~10% had changed them? My guess is less than that have in our local club, a couple are in the pushing 300K mi club with the original gaskets and AZ is very hard on cooling related systems.
 
looks as if most of the major services were done on time past 60k..65k..75k...80k..85k...100k.. and the last being 120k

along with various oil changes.. brake jobs.. and tire rotations..

but i saw no mention of any head gasket replacments..

I think that would be considered a well-maintained vehicle and nothing would stop me from buying that one if it has no rust, no major accident history (CARFAX might help), no major current issues, has the diff-lock option, and was in a colour that did not make me barf each time I looked at it.

That price seems reasonable also. Good luck with your purchase.

-B-
 
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I would also NOT take into consideration whether or not the headgasket has been changed. I would get the truck and now that it merely a higher potential.
 
I agree. The chances of you finding ANY 80 series with the HG already done, and that is in good street condition, is very low, in my opinion. Most people who did replace the HG did it for one of two reasons: 1. because they had to after it popped; or 2. because they wanted to do it as preventative maintenance. If it's the former, there may be other damage done to the motor when the gasket went, and you could be buying trouble, since you don't have any idea what all was done when the gasket was replaced. If it's the latter, most of those people did it so that they could keep the rig forever. So good luck getting one. I think in my years and years on this site I have maybe seen five or so rigs for sale with the head gasket replaced.
 
Correction, maybe in the future. IIRC the mud poll showed only ~10% had changed them? My guess is less than that have in our local club, a couple are in the pushing 300K mi club with the original gaskets and AZ is very hard on cooling related systems.

Agreed - a much better way of saying it.

BTW: Did you know that 76.7% of all statistics are made up?
 
the color is white with the lower grey color.. has the sunroof and roof rack..
 
the color is white with the lower grey color.. has the sunroof and roof rack..

Wow, repaint, flare change or did you mean to say ghey color?:D I have only seen white LX's with that :princess: ugly gold color like mine?

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