2004 vs 2005 LC? Need serious opinions (from prev thread)

[yahtzee]

As most know, im new (havent even bought yet) and in need of some addtl advice. I have been looking at a 2004 LC, loaded with 24k miles and two small scratches on the car. It is acertified pre-owned toyota at a dealership. Remaining factory warranty, plus 3k/3 month warranty plus 7yr/100k powertrain and 7yr/100k roadside assistance. Price - $45,500. See Carfax here - http://www.carfax.com/cfm/ccc_DisplayHistoryRpt.cfm?partner=ATD_W&vin=JTEHT05J242059648

The 2nd LC is a 2005 (Not CPO but at a reputable high-end dealer), with 8k miles fully loaded but doesnt have the contrasting molding around the wheel wells and doesnt have the scratches. (The carfax does say that it was registered as a fleet vehicle at one point. They are asking $54,900 but have instructed me to make them an offer as they would like to move it (it also has been sitting on their lot for a while). It is a one owner drs car in my old hometown (Roanoke, VA). What would be a fair price (Edmunds says dealer retail is $48,778) and should i go for the 2005 or should i take the 2004 deal and be happy?

Second Carfax here - http://www.carfax.com/cfm/ccc_DisplayHistoryRpt.cfm?partner=ATD_W&vin=JTEHT05J652071528

1st pic is the 2004 and the 2nd pic is the 2005.

Dont let the contrast of the picture fool you...the pic makes the first pic look a little dirty...it isnt.

 

[e9999]

the 45K doesn't sound like such a great deal
the 55K one is ungodly high

this at first glance

hope these are serious enough opinions, though...

 

[tabraha]

I'd shake both prices down and see what you have then. The starting price is nothing to make a decision on; it's just a start.

I tend to think a lower price with the CPO tag on the first one pulls me towards that one a little more though. Any mileage under 50k is negligible on a Land Cruiser. That number may be even higher! So given all that, why not pocket a little more money. I'd let each of them know that there is a similar vehicle in the same situation and play off of that. Let them know that they don't have the only low mileage cruiser on your shopping list.

That ultra high end shop that has the 8k mile cruiser better have a warranty of some sort for that price. That being said it is still not going to be as good as having warranty work done by the toyota dealer like a CPO car will get.

 

[Josh83]

I would offer 45k for the 05. People are buying new 06 models for about 50k.

 

[flyfish4life]

I would offer 45k for the 05. People are buying new 06 models for about 50k.

I would like to know where I can buy a new one for 50K - best I have seen is $55K with the "standard" options they force on you (NAV, roof rack/running bods, curtain air bags).

 

[kcdude]

FWIW, I just purchased an 06 for under invoice as calculated by Edmunds...total price (not counting sales tax and tax/DMV registration fees) was $57k loaded w/ rear DVD, including TDA, 7yr75k Platinum Toy Warranty, everything but no convenience package BS (fake wood grain trim)....by my calculations that is about $1600 under invoice. Hope that helps.

 

[MoJ]

OMG I would HAVE to have that contrasting molding!

 

[yahtzee]

I'd shake both prices down and see what you have then. The starting price is nothing to make a decision on; it's just a start.

I tend to think a lower price with the CPO tag on the first one pulls me towards that one a little more though. Any mileage under 50k is negligible on a Land Cruiser. That number may be even higher! So given all that, why not pocket a little more money. I'd let each of them know that there is a similar vehicle in the same situation and play off of that. Let them know that they don't have the only low mileage cruiser on your shopping list.

That ultra high end shop that has the 8k mile cruiser better have a warranty of some sort for that price. That being said it is still not going to be as good as having warranty work done by the toyota dealer like a CPO car will get.

Both cars have the remaining factory warranty - the 2005 obviously has much more warranty to utilize that the 2004.

 

[yahtzee]

OMG I would HAVE to have that contrasting molding!

are you serious? or pulling my chain? why?

 

[SINCITY100]

I like the second one..That flare may be hard to get later down the road if it becomes damaged..I dont, however remember ever seeing a 100 with those wheel mouldings before..

I think the bottom line is... They are both nice rides, so DRIVE both and go with the one that FEELS better..

I am not talking about road noise, smoothness, etc...

Just the one that you have a better feeling about...

I dont think you can go wrong (w/either one) though !!

 

[e9999]

white is the 2nd best color IMO, after silver...

 

[kcdude]

are you serious? or pulling my chain? why?

I think he is saying I am some kind of lush for buying a loaded machine

 

[Jim_Chow]

That's over-priced, IMHO. There's an 03 LX470 at Thousand Oaks Lexus (LA), certified w/ 25K mi, full Lexus maintenance records and 3 yr/100K mi factory warranty listed at $46K. I'm sure you can get it down.

Do the LC's you're looking at have the DVD nav and front/rear side curtain airbags? For $54K, I think you can almost buy a new '06 w/ vvti.

One thing I've noticed when shopping for used LC's/LX's is most people are overcharging for the used LC's. '03's are going for $40-45K, '04's for $45-50K. That's one reason why I got the LX...you get more for your dollars (double-layered sheet metal body w/ asphalt sandwiched in between, nicer audio system that would cost way more to install separately, more creature comforts, projector headlamps/fogs), especially if you plan to maintain it yourself for the long-term (and that's why we're all here, right?). For $54K, I'd pay a couple of grand more and get a new '06 LC w/ vvti.

 

[yahtzee]

That's over-priced, IMHO. There's an 03 LX470 at Thousand Oaks Lexus (LA), certified w/ 25K mi, full Lexus maintenance records and 3 yr/100K mi factory warranty listed at $46K. I'm sure you can get it down.

Do the LC's you're looking at have the DVD nav and front/rear side curtain airbags? For $54K, I think you can almost buy a new '06 w/ vvti.

One thing I've noticed when shopping for used LC's/LX's is most people are overcharging for the used LC's. '03's are going for $40-45K, '04's for $45-50K. That's one reason why I got the LX...you get more for your dollars (double-layered sheet metal body w/ asphalt sandwiched in between, nicer audio system that would cost way more to install separately, more creature comforts, projector headlamps/fogs), especially if you plan to maintain it yourself for the long-term (and that's why we're all here, right?). For $54K, I'd pay a couple of grand more and get a new '06 LC w/ vvti.

I'd rather have the LC. You don't as many and they just look classic. Both models I am looking at are loaded with rear dvd/navigation and side airbags. The 2005 doesn't have a hitch nor the gray wheel well moldings. What should I pay for the 2005 (8890 miles)?

 

[e9999]

I think the dealers will way overprice on asking for high-ticket items like these because they are hoping for the MD or trophy wife to come by with no clue of real prices and buy on an impulse. I can see getting easily 5K or more down from asking at that level, with little haggling.

An 05 with 8K miles should be at least 10 or 15%, and maybe 20% under actual selling prices for 05s. So about 45K or so maybe?

 

[Jim_Chow]

Yep, exactly in my case. They asked KBB retail for it. No way! Do your research and find out the KBB trade-in price. If it's certified, it costs the dealer some amount of money they have to pay Toyota for the warranty and bringing it up to spec. Add that on, then a reasonable profit so they can pay their bills. This should give you a ballpark amount to shoot for. Remember, the more you have on the table (maybe you want a longer or more complete warranty), the more flexible they can be with the overall price. I wouldn't let a few hundred bucks get in between you and the rig of your dreams. You'd be regretting it for long time (well, until you found a similar or better rig).

 

[LXPearl]

The dealers are asking high prices. The 04 has some factory warranty left with 13+ months remaining and with CPO is close to reasonable - low 40s OK. Ask for the upgraded CPO equivalent to Platinum and offered through Toyota Financial Services (TFS) instead of a 3rd party.

The 05 is out of line. I would have been able to get a brand new one last year with under 200 miles on it for about $53K.

The fender flare feaures are offered by Gulf States as part of a pricey pkg B.

Don't short change a used CPO LX470. The CPO is better than Toyota - equivalent to a new car, and lasts longer 3yr/100K. It is more refined and just as capable. My wife insisted she liked our LC better until we found an LX in outstanding condition - after driving it around she eventually admitted she actually liked it better than the LC. However, both are outstanding vehicles. Get the one that is in the best condition with the best value on price. The LX is available with CPO at the prices you are willing to consider.

 

[jp213a]

A Toyota dealer in Arlington, TX is offerring a new white 2005 LC on E-bay. It has 450 miles. The dealer's name is visible in the photo so you could phone direct. Shipping to VA would be roughly $750.

 

[yahtzee]

The dealers are asking high prices. The 04 has some factory warranty left with 13+ months remaining and with CPO is close to reasonable - low 40s OK. Ask for the upgraded CPO equivalent to Platinum and offered through Toyota Financial Services (TFS) instead of a 3rd party.

The 05 is out of line. I would have been able to get a brand new one last year with under 200 miles on it for about $53K.

The fender flare feaures are offered by Gulf States as part of a pricey pkg B.

Don't short change a used CPO LX470. The CPO is better than Toyota - equivalent to a new car, and lasts longer 3yr/100K. It is more refined and just as capable. My wife insisted she liked our LC better until we found an LX in outstanding condition - after driving it around she eventually admitted she actually liked it better than the LC. However, both are outstanding vehicles. Get the one that is in the best condition with the best value on price. The LX is available with CPO at the prices you are willing to consider.

Thanks for the replies....i love the look of the LX, its just that i like the LC better. To me, its more classic looking and you dont see as many. What else was offered in the Pkg B option?

 

[98LXand99LC]

Yep, exactly in my case. They asked KBB retail for it. No way! Do your research and find out the KBB trade-in price. If it's certified, it costs the dealer some amount of money they have to pay Toyota for the warranty and bringing it up to spec. Add that on, then a reasonable profit so they can pay their bills. This should give you a ballpark amount to shoot for. Remember, the more you have on the table (maybe you want a longer or more complete warranty), the more flexible they can be with the overall price. I wouldn't let a few hundred bucks get in between you and the rig of your dreams. You'd be regretting it for long time (well, until you found a similar or better rig).

This is sound advice, I've always used "trade in" value as my basis for arriving at the amount I will pay for a vehicle.

BTW, all the new(er) land cruisers are "loaded" some have DVD as you said and some don't. And, Moj is yanking your chain about the flares. Many here see them a future trail debris after they're ripped off on the trail. Get what you want, but be prepared to take some crap for things folks on mud deem "bling' (flares, running boards, >16" rims, and for God's sake don't ask which brush guard is best).