2000 LX tail gate rust: deal breaker? (1 Viewer)

[TeacherMan]

Hello, all.

Last week, I totaled my 2000 LX. Devastating. I have very little time to find a replacement, which of course is adding extra stress. Looking for another 2000 with less than 200k miles, and with solid records in Missouri or surrounding area. Obviously not an easy find. It took me three months to find the beauty I just wrecked.

Anyhow, I thought I'd found the one yesterday (and only a two minute drive from my house in STL city). Beautiful black mamba. I went back today for another test drive and a closer look. Right before I was gonna talk numbers, I noticed that the cladding on the tail gate, just below the liscense plate cove, had separated just a bit from the body. I knew that meant water, and rust. When I poked and peered in, it was just super crunch town, and my heart sank. When you grab/squeeze the bottom of the gate in that area, you just hear and feel the grind, with small flakes dropping out the bottom (pics attached).

They're asking $9,995, reduced and moved from their main lot after 20+ days. It has 127k miles, and the timing belt, transmission fluid, and some other were items hit at 93k. Has a couple other small rust spots, some minor scratches, some carpet stains, and a clear coat spot on the hood that will start peeling, and some lights issues. When I turn engine over, all lights pop up as they should except for the diff lock light, and the diff lock light doesn't come on when I engaged it, though I hear the click on/off and it feels engaged (maybe a light or fuse?). Aside from those, my concern is the gate rust. Prior to finding this rust in the gate, I had planned on negotiating. When I showed them this issue, they took the NBD "just seal it" approach, of course. In my mind, this is a major compromise. I've just started looking into this issue, and have searched for and read several threads, but I'm needing more input.

Is this a deal breaker? Is it a possible bargaining chip with a replacement gate plus paint match in the near future? How tough are they to find? Is a cheap fix truly possible?

Thanks for the time,
TM

 

[geanes]

That doesn't bode well for other areas of the vehicle you haven't "discovered" yet (wheel arches, other cladding areas, lower door sills, etc.). I'd get under that vehicle and inspect with a fine tooth comb before considering it. Rust, it seems, is the only thing that can kill these rigs. I'd rather get something with higher miles and less rust than low miles with more rust.

Sorry to hear about your 2000 LX. I hope you find another great rig soon.

 

[TeacherMan]

That doesn't bode well for other areas of the vehicle you haven't "discovered" yet (wheel arches, other cladding areas, lower door sills, etc.). I'd get under that vehicle and inspect with a fine tooth comb before considering it. Rust, it seems, is the only thing that can kill these rigs. I'd rather get something with higher miles and less rust than low miles with more rust.

Great avatar, and thank you.

I spent a long time crawling around under it yesterday, though now I want to look closer at rest of cladding. There's actually little rust underneath for the year, which made the tail gate situation even more of a bummer. If the gate is only true rust problem area, would you proceed and try to deal down?

 

[geanes]

If that were the only true rust spot, I'd strongly consider negotiating it. Tailgates show up on eBay pretty frequently in decent condition. For probably $4-500 you could procure a new tailgate + whatever paintmatch would cost. I'd budget probably $700 for a cheap replacement.

Here's just one example I found:
1998 98 1999 99 00 01 02 Lexus LX 470 Rear Lower Gate With Tail Lamp OEM USED

Having said that, I'd definitely be checking out any and all of the gasket interfaces, especially the sunroof which is a common rust area along with the front of the rear wheel well.

Not sure what the condition of your 2000 is, but you may be able to salvage to tailgate from it. Just a thought. Plus, you'd have a piece of your previous LX included in your new one...if you're into sentiment

 

[TeacherMan]

If that were the only true rust spot, I'd strongly consider negotiating it. Tailgates show up on eBay pretty frequently in decent condition. For probably $4-500 you could procure a new tailgate + whatever paintmatch would cost. I'd budget probably $700 for a cheap replacement.

Here's just one example I found:
1998 98 1999 99 00 01 02 Lexus LX 470 Rear Lower Gate With Tail Lamp OEM USED

Having said that, I'd definitely be checking out any and all of the gasket interfaces, especially the sunroof which is a common rust area along with the front of the rear wheel well.

Not sure what the condition of your 2000 is, but you may be able to salvage to tailgate from it. Just a thought. Plus, you'd have a piece of your previous LX included in your new one...if you're into sentiment

I'm definitely into sentiment, but as it happens, my old gate had a ding/rust spot that would have needed attention soon. Go figure. I will probably go back up and go further rust hunting once it's not raining. Many thanks for your time, insight, and searching.

 

[FLWookie]

Mine looks worse than that at 147k living in maine. but my upper hatch is even worse. Mine didn't look to have a lot of rust on first glance. Do yourself a favor and check the front right sway bar bracket is still in good shape. The AC drips right on it and mine was pretty much gone. Wish I had seen that problem before I bought.

Good luck.

 

[bctlex]

How long are you planning to keep the car? For next several years, maybe not a big issue without fixing it. For the next decade, you may need to get a new tailgates. Good thing is, tailgate is a bolt-on part. You can replace it and you are done, as oppose to a rust that cause a hole in the frame, which would be harder to fix.

Regardless, use it (and everything else you find) to negotiate. Good luck!

 

[TeacherMan]

Mine looks worse than that at 147k living in maine. but my upper hatch is even worse. Mine didn't look to have a lot of rust on first glance. Do yourself a favor and check the front right sway bar bracket is still in good shape. The AC drips right on it and mine was pretty much gone. Wish I had seen that problem before I bought.

Good luck.

Thanks, man. I'll be sure to inspect that closely, too. There's a quarter size of rust on the inside of the lift hatch, too, that will likely keep growing. There's a tiny gap in the seal above rear handle, like there was on my 2000. I guess hate where it's coming from. On mine, I would just apply clear nail polish for temp fix. Hopefully, the hatch wouldn't also need replacing if I get this black one. Thanks again.

 

[TeacherMan]

How long are you planning to keep the car? For next several years, maybe not a big issue without fixing it. For the next decade, you may need to get a new tailgates. Good thing is, tailgate is a bolt-on part. You can replace it and you are done, as oppose to a rust that cause a hole in the frame, which would be harder to fix.

Regardless, use it (and everything else you find) to negotiate. Good luck!

Yeah, this would be my DD plus camping/off-roading rig, so I'd keep it as long as possible. It seems like no matter what, I'd need to get a new gate. Thanks, and yes, I suppose it could be worse. Have a good one!

 

[TXSunDevil]

I think there are better deals out there. Just saw this one down this way. I know nothing about it but most of the vehicles from down here are rust free.

2000 Lexus LX470, Excellent Condition! Runs and Drives Like New!

 

[FLWookie]

Damn, that's what I paid for mine and it looks to be in way better shape from the pics!
Also, Go Devils! ASU!!

 

[TeacherMan]

D

I think there are better deals out there. Just saw this one down this way. I know nothing about it but most of the vehicles from down here are rust free.

2000 Lexus LX470, Excellent Condition! Runs and Drives Like New!

Dang. That's nice. Similar to one I lost. I'm a teacher and my meetings start next week. If I had the means, I'd look into that. Thanks for looking into it, though! I will check Nashville and some other areas though (even though last summer, I drove all the way down only to get completely BS'd). With my limited window, if I don't find any other problems on this black one, I might just have to fight them down because with that gate and aforementioned issues, their ask is way, way high. Thanks, and take care!

 

[TeacherMan]

That doesn't bode well for other areas of the vehicle you haven't "discovered" yet (wheel arches, other cladding areas, lower door sills, etc.). I'd get under that vehicle and inspect with a fine tooth comb before considering it. Rust, it seems, is the only thing that can kill these rigs. I'd rather get something with higher miles and less rust than low miles with more rust.

Sorry to hear about your 2000 LX. I hope you find another great rig soon.

So I ended up going back up for final inspection before negotiating. I crawled around in the rain and looked closely at the bottom of each door. The passenger sides had a thin line visible rust. When I squeezed the front corner of the front passenger door, it crunched a bit, and some rust flakes dropped out. I was so bummed, because the engine was so clean and well-maintained, but I don't have the funds to deal with gate, maybe hatch, and doors. Overall, probably a good pass. Just now it's back to the drawing board. Anyhow, I wanted to say thanks because I'm not sure I would have looked so closely at the door sills. Take care!
TM

 

[Kabanstva]

That sucks about the tailgate. Seems like a very common rust spot on these. The underside looks pretty clean with just some light surface rust.