I really found a very sweet well kept 2011 LC (technology of 2012, build date Oct 2011 see post #2) with only 79K mile (HWY mile) fully loaded for my first 200 series. Found this back in January, but I'm now sadly getting it ready to sell. I would have sold sooner as never meant to keep, but it's been so nice to have around. Seems each new rig I find, gets hard and hard for me to part with.
Picked this one up for a temporary DD as @dace voit was buying The Black Knight (TBK) from me and The Unicorn was in the shop with blown engine. This was going to leave me without anything to drive. I had 5 rigs (Two 200 series near Aspen CO and three 100 series between CO front range and TX) on my short list. This one rose to the top!
Dace was so helpful in meeting me on the HWY at I-70 & US 40, driving up to Glenwood Spring, CO. where we closed our deal. Thanks again Dace! As he drove off in TBK, seller of this 200 series meet with me for inspection and closing in GS, CO.
Three hours later I was on I-70 eastbound driving a 200 for the first time with clean title in hand.
Can you believe this was January 2018 in Vail? Where's the snow.
So sweet with power to spare, so much so I had to set cruise control going up passes to avoid speeding. MPG near 20, could this be a "LAND CRUISER" wow.
Some of you may have seen postings when I was inspecting this, my first 200 series. I spent a good deal of time on mud (world's greatest resource) searching on for what to look for. What are the issues seen over the years that I should focus on with the 200 series, beyond a general inspection. Which I'm happy to report this 2011 did NOT have even one of these known reported issues.
I feel by the time Toyota built the 2011, they had the bugs worked out for the most. This is generally the case with any manufacture in 3rd or 4th year of a production cycle. In any case this one checked out free from the list of leak and known issues.
I've inspected/worked on many 100 series and have developed a pretty good eye spotting issues fast. In Fact I've yet to meet anyone or shop that can find as much as I can during pre purchase inspection. Even so I always find more issue on post inspection, then even more as I work through restoring.
This 200 series has really surprised me mechanically. I've had for longer than any other restore project and only found one (sensor) issue not discover in Pre or post inspection. Which is one clearance sonar sensor in LH front bumper. Sonar was turned off during my pre & post (didn't know it had) so I didn't notice LH front is too sensitive. @Ali FJ80 mention he had same issue, ended up replacing the sensor to clear it up. I'll get more into what else I've found mechanically later in thread.
As for cosmetics I don't think interior could be any better.
Body & paint is a 9 of 1-10 scale. I should be able to bring to a 9.8. It has about 1/2 dozed small dings PDR repair can easily correct, a few mild scratches my DA buffet will soften/correct. The chrome has staining that should buff out nicely. It has a few rock chip that I'll touch up with paint. Touch paints up means, although just a drop, can't be called a 10.
Index:
Inspecting; Page 1 post #1-9 and Pre Purchase Inspection, Post Inspection & PM of Toyota or Lexus 200 series
Oil dip stick O-ring leak repair; Page 1 post #10-
Gear lube; rear differential & transfer case flush. Page 1 post #15-16
Differential (front) drain plug; Page 1 post #16 and Any tips to remove front diff drain plug?
Oil filter change; Page 1 post #19
Propeller shaft slide yoke & spider joint lubing; Page 1 post #20, 22 & 29
Air filter and inspecting vacuum lines; Page 2 post #30
Battery, MAF sensor & throttle body cleaning; Page 2 post #34
Power Steering flush & bleeding; Page 2 post #36, 38
Missing molding clips under hood; Page 3 post #41
Brake fluid flush; Page 3 post #42-43
Brake fluid topping & testing; Page 3 post #44
E-brake inspection & Adjusting shoes; Page 3 post #45.
Sonar sensor (front) for parking assist; Page 3 post # 46-53
Windshield molding replacement with paint chip repair: Page 3 post #54-58
Cleaning debris traps that produce cabin odor; Page 3 post #59
Rain gutter molding Page 4 post #64
Name plate (rear) replacement; Page 4 post #65-66
Cleaning up interior; Page 4 post 67-69
Clear bra removal; Page 4 post #70
Rock chip repair; Page 4 post #71
Paint less dent repair Paintless Dent Repair Denver | Auto Hail Damage Repair : Page 4 post #72
After clay bar, correcting compound & waxing pictures; Page 4 post #73.
My thought on the 200 series; Page 4 post #74
Picked this one up for a temporary DD as @dace voit was buying The Black Knight (TBK) from me and The Unicorn was in the shop with blown engine. This was going to leave me without anything to drive. I had 5 rigs (Two 200 series near Aspen CO and three 100 series between CO front range and TX) on my short list. This one rose to the top!
Dace was so helpful in meeting me on the HWY at I-70 & US 40, driving up to Glenwood Spring, CO. where we closed our deal. Thanks again Dace! As he drove off in TBK, seller of this 200 series meet with me for inspection and closing in GS, CO.
Three hours later I was on I-70 eastbound driving a 200 for the first time with clean title in hand.
Can you believe this was January 2018 in Vail? Where's the snow.
So sweet with power to spare, so much so I had to set cruise control going up passes to avoid speeding. MPG near 20, could this be a "LAND CRUISER" wow.
Some of you may have seen postings when I was inspecting this, my first 200 series. I spent a good deal of time on mud (world's greatest resource) searching on for what to look for. What are the issues seen over the years that I should focus on with the 200 series, beyond a general inspection. Which I'm happy to report this 2011 did NOT have even one of these known reported issues.
I feel by the time Toyota built the 2011, they had the bugs worked out for the most. This is generally the case with any manufacture in 3rd or 4th year of a production cycle. In any case this one checked out free from the list of leak and known issues.
I've inspected/worked on many 100 series and have developed a pretty good eye spotting issues fast. In Fact I've yet to meet anyone or shop that can find as much as I can during pre purchase inspection. Even so I always find more issue on post inspection, then even more as I work through restoring.
This 200 series has really surprised me mechanically. I've had for longer than any other restore project and only found one (sensor) issue not discover in Pre or post inspection. Which is one clearance sonar sensor in LH front bumper. Sonar was turned off during my pre & post (didn't know it had) so I didn't notice LH front is too sensitive. @Ali FJ80 mention he had same issue, ended up replacing the sensor to clear it up. I'll get more into what else I've found mechanically later in thread.
As for cosmetics I don't think interior could be any better.
Body & paint is a 9 of 1-10 scale. I should be able to bring to a 9.8. It has about 1/2 dozed small dings PDR repair can easily correct, a few mild scratches my DA buffet will soften/correct. The chrome has staining that should buff out nicely. It has a few rock chip that I'll touch up with paint. Touch paints up means, although just a drop, can't be called a 10.
Index:
Inspecting; Page 1 post #1-9 and Pre Purchase Inspection, Post Inspection & PM of Toyota or Lexus 200 series
Oil dip stick O-ring leak repair; Page 1 post #10-
Gear lube; rear differential & transfer case flush. Page 1 post #15-16
Differential (front) drain plug; Page 1 post #16 and Any tips to remove front diff drain plug?
Oil filter change; Page 1 post #19
Propeller shaft slide yoke & spider joint lubing; Page 1 post #20, 22 & 29
Air filter and inspecting vacuum lines; Page 2 post #30
Battery, MAF sensor & throttle body cleaning; Page 2 post #34
Power Steering flush & bleeding; Page 2 post #36, 38
Missing molding clips under hood; Page 3 post #41
Brake fluid flush; Page 3 post #42-43
Brake fluid topping & testing; Page 3 post #44
E-brake inspection & Adjusting shoes; Page 3 post #45.
Sonar sensor (front) for parking assist; Page 3 post # 46-53
Windshield molding replacement with paint chip repair: Page 3 post #54-58
Cleaning debris traps that produce cabin odor; Page 3 post #59
Rain gutter molding Page 4 post #64
Name plate (rear) replacement; Page 4 post #65-66
Cleaning up interior; Page 4 post 67-69
Clear bra removal; Page 4 post #70
Rock chip repair; Page 4 post #71
Paint less dent repair Paintless Dent Repair Denver | Auto Hail Damage Repair : Page 4 post #72
After clay bar, correcting compound & waxing pictures; Page 4 post #73.
My thought on the 200 series; Page 4 post #74
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