I wouldn't be overly impressed with 'service records', that usually means they had the oil changed, and a XX-point inspection, where some dude making $7/hr looked at a few things and concluded that nothing needed to be changed. Or they did a wheel bearing repack, yet I know of few dealers who even do this correct according to Toy's procedure, and don't think a messy job is done by a mechanic making $20-30/hr, no..usually by some dude making like $8/hr, and he's working on a vehicle that isn't his, so he doesn't really care that much about it, other than he has to be done in say 2 hours or whatever. Not a recipe for the best work IMO.
I don't think there is any sure way to find the 'perfect' Cruiser, let's say you find one that has had everything replaced...that's not a good sign either, like a new radiator...then you wonder WHY it was replaced, and if it solved the problem, or just masked it till later. I'm very leary about vehicle that appear to have to much work done. Like one that will have had a full Toyota engine rebuild...that shouldn't need to be done, so WHY was it done...I'd pass on something like that.
It's always going to be a little bit of a gamble, but pick the best you can find, and plan on doing some work. Also IMHO finding one you really like is maybe better than finding one that would need less work. Very subjective, but if you like the vehicle more then you probably won't mind doing a bit more work to it, whereas if you get something that needs no work, but don't like the color, don't like the style, etc, you'll never be happy with it.
Just my -$0.01 worth (my value is dropping...)
