2003 or 2005 cruiser?

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eljefe83

eljefe83

10 Year
Joined
Jul 29, 2015
Threads
37
Messages
263
Location
ABQ NM
I need help with a Purchase decision. I’m looking at a 2003 and a 2005 Land Cruiser.
The 2005 does not have Nav and has 95K on the clock. 2 owner and clean. Will need Timing belt service. For 20K . I have not seen this vehicle as the guy that posted the ad is out of town for a month.
The 2003 has Nav, is clean and has 149 on the clock and have no idea if the timing belt has been done. The Car fax reads that it has been in a multi car accident and was towed away. I checked all of the paneling, doors and hood and all the VIN stickers are there. The two Bumpers were re-painted. But I could pick this up for 14-15K. I wasn’t really too worried about the bumpers because I would put an ARB on the front and some sort of tire carrier on the back. I drove the cruiser and it drives very nice.
I’ve read buy the newest one you can afford and while 20K is ok, the extra 6k goes a long way in accessories.
Thanks!
 
I'd shy away from an accident rig.... and certainly at that price/ miles.

A non Nav 05' opens up some nice options on that end and lower miles is an advantage..

open to traveling for the right truck ? for reference I picked up my 02' w/ charger & serviced and 95k miles for under 20k.... mint condition.

Texas has a good supply of clean rigs.... seems like more hitting the market recently even.
 
Non nav 05 would make many of us jealous. The integrated nav is dated and makes stereo upgrades almost non existent. Low miles are nice too. Use the timing belt service as a bargaining chip. You might be able to pretend you wanted the nav to help talk em down too. "A 10 year old truck with no nav? I dunno...."


...via IH8MUD app
 
Odd to post an ad and then not be available for a month? I would get the '05 if it checks out when you see it. The non-nav is an envious feature and low miles too.
 
I think what happens is he didn't post any pics so no one called before he left for work. Seems legit. Talked on the phone send me pics and the Vin number to run.
 
How many years and miles ago was the accident? Use it as a bargaining chip to knock another thousand off. Don't shy away from a cat just because it's had an accident. Do your homework, and make it work for you. Two of the four cruisers I've owned have had accidents on their carfax report, and you know how many long-term, undisclosed issues I've had from them? Yep, none. Accidents happen. Also, don't let miles scare you. I think it's hilarious that we start threads and thump our chests about how these trucks will go 300,000 miles plus, then wring our hands over buying one that's halfway there... Also, the OEM nav thing is overblown. It's nice having (even the crappy OEM) nav in the truck. So ask yourself this. Are you REALLY going to upgrade it? Really? Or are you just buying into the group think? Can't remember if the '03 had a backup camera or not? I know '04 added Bluetooth, which is nice. Anyway, if it were me, I'd bargain hard on the '03 and use the difference for maintenance and upgrades that will change your everyday driving experience. But that's just one man's opinion...
 
I just bought a 2005 LX that has NAV. I have been upgrading the system to add HD and Satellite. I spent many hundreds of dollars to accomplish that. And I am still left with a crappy NAV system and a Nanny controlled system that doesn't want to let me use anything if the truck is moving. I would pay extra to NOT have a NAV system. I have looked at ripping the whole thing out and putting in an aftermarket system but it just isn't practical once the factory system is installed.
Also, the 2005 has the 5 speed transmission. Worth a bunch in my opinion.
All things considered, I would pick the 2005, and you should be able to talk him down a bit. True market value is a bit under 20 for that truck
 
I just bought a 2005 LX that has NAV. I have been upgrading the system to add HD and Satellite. I spent many hundreds of dollars to accomplish that. And I am still left with a crappy NAV system and a Nanny controlled system that doesn't want to let me use anything if the truck is moving. I would pay extra to NOT have a NAV system. I have looked at ripping the whole thing out and putting in an aftermarket system but it just isn't practical once the factory system is installed.
Also, the 2005 has the 5 speed transmission. Worth a bunch in my opinion.
All things considered, I would pick the 2005, and you should be able to talk him down a bit. True market value is a bit under 20 for that truck
 
The accident was last october. The guy selling was not the owner at the time. He was very upfront about everything that was fixed or that he fixed he's asking 15.5. Looks like the guy may have sold it, it's no longer online. Looks like I'll hold out for the 2005 unless something else comes along.

I dont mind traveling if i find the right deal.


re_guderian said:
How many years and miles ago was the accident? Use it as a bargaining chip to knock another thousand off. Don't shy away from a cat just because it's had an accident. Do your homework, and make it work for you. Two of the four cruisers I've owned have had accidents on their carfax report, and you know how many long-term, undisclosed issues I've had from them? Yep, none. Accidents happen. Also, don't let miles scare you. I think it's hilarious that we start threads and thump our chests about how these trucks will go 300,000 miles plus, then wring our hands over buying one that's halfway there... Also, the OEM nav thing is overblown. It's nice having (even the crappy OEM) nav in the truck. So ask yourself this. Are you REALLY going to upgrade it? Really? Or are you just buying into the group think? Can't remember if the '03 had a backup camera or not? I know '04 added Bluetooth, which is nice. Anyway, if it were me, I'd bargain hard on the '03 and use the difference for maintenance and upgrades that will change your everyday driving experience. But that's just one man's opinion...
Click to expand...
 
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1438351349.999263.webp
 
This is the 05 sans nav
 
Claims it has no rust was in Hawaii but those were my thoughts too.
 
eljefe83 said:
Claims it has no rust was in Hawaii but those were my thoughts too.
Click to expand...

That's interesting - my 100 was originally ordered in Hawaii as well which seems to be fairly uncommon. The guy was military (I'm assuming yours is as well being in the Springs), and he brought it back to the mainland with him. When I first looked at it, I realized it was the only 100 I had ever seen without heated seats! I also didn't have the rear heater, so you may want to inquire on those items if they're important to you. Having a Hawaii spec 100 definitely makes more sense that it doesn't have nav, as that's extremely rare in the US. Keep in mind as well the national Toyota's owner database and national dealer computers will not be able to pull up prior service history with the VIN - at least they weren't in my case due to the Hawaii situation.
 
mcgaskins said:
That's interesting - my 100 was originally ordered in Hawaii as well which seems to be fairly uncommon. The guy was military (I'm assuming yours is as well being in the Springs), and he brought it back to the mainland with him. When I first looked at it, I realized it was the only 100 I had ever seen without heated seats! I also didn't have the rear heater, so you may want to inquire on those items if they're important to you. Having a Hawaii spec 100 definitely makes more sense that it doesn't have nav, as that's extremely rare in the US. Keep in mind as well the national Toyota's owner database and national dealer computers will not be able to pull up prior service history with the VIN - at least they weren't in my case due to the Hawaii situation.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the heads up! I'll check on those things.
 
The guy is out of town until end of August. If it checks out i will.
 
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