Advice need on a potential purchase of 2001 Land cruiser (1 Viewer)

[pakiboy]

Good morning everyone. I recently joined this site and first time posting on this forum . I have soaked up a lot of info lately and now have started looking around for that vehicle.
I came across this listing locally yesterday: Toyota Land Cruiser LOADED 33’s 20x12 LOW MILES 1-Family Owned MINT!... - https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/d/anna-toyota-land-cruiser-loaded-33s/7265087855.html

Can I get some help or suggestions on the following things:
1) what questions should be asking the seller to determine if this is a well taken care car and the value
2) how to determine if this is a good asking price or what should my offer be?

 

[Runner2aCruiser]

It looks nice. Get pics of the underside. Should be rust free if from Dallas.
Was the water pump changed along with the timing belt?
Get all maintenance records. Check CV boots for leakage. Check everything for leakage.
Any previous accidents?
Price isn’t bad. I would try for around $12-13k if everything checks out. If the seller is firm it’s probably worth it if it’s what you want.

 

[ramangain]

Have a PPI done and have them follow these instructions: 100 Series Newbie Guide - Slee Off Road - https://sleeoffroad.com/tech-zone/100-series-newbie-guide/

 

[gregnash]

Second a PPI and shots of the undercarriage. Also ask what service records he has, pull carfax and toyota service site information to see what has been done and what has been neglected/refused.

 

[pakiboy]

Thank you all for the feedback. I have requested records and additional pictures.

Does anyone here have a recommendations for a shop for PPI? Should it be taken to Toyota dealership?

 

[ramangain]

Whatever place you chose, ensure the PPI report specifies whether something needs to be fixed/replaced immediately, or anticipated service life before replacement is recommended. Pay additional money for pics too as they always help to justify the PPI report words. This is especially useful for squishy bits (bushings etc). A lot of "wooliness" of how a Hundy feels when driving can come down to the condition of the squishy bits.

 

[Tanner H]

The only red flag I got from that ad is he says he no longer has the room to keep the truck, but he's also willing to trade for a vintage muscle car.

 

[nissanh]

That's why Scotty say NEVER trust a seller... they cheat, lie, steal....

 

[Texsun84]

Pull the VIN and service records...

 

[Red Beard]

This is what I had in my notes app on my phone that I would mostly go through when seeing a cruiser. I'm sure others have their own checklist items. A lot of these are already answered or don't apply to this car but might in the future.
You can ignore all the rust items

About the Cruiser

• What’s the backstory on this vehicle?
  • Where did it come from? Auction? Trade in?
  • How many owners?
• Do you have service records? I would like to see them to help me better decide. (Depending what service was done and not done so I know how much money I’ll have to put in to get it up to snuff)
• Signs of accident?
• Signs of repaint?

To do in the Cruiser:

• Check coolant color before starting or check coolant reservoir for color
• Checking oil before starting
• Listen to it on cold start
• Check bulbs before turning over (ABS and Check Engine should be there)
• How do brakes feel?
• Interior quality?
• Speaker test, fade, balance
• Does the sunroof work?
• Power windows work?
• Back vents work?
• Power antenna?
• Heat and A/C work?
• dB Test on highway
• Braking pull to one side?
• AHC up and down work?
• Check low gear
• Check center differential locker
• Check tailgate, is the top hatch handle rusted?
• Check heat and a/c
• Underbody check:
  • Leaking CVs and or Steering Rack components?
  • Rust check: frame, Brake lines rust, rear wheel rust?
  • Rust covered up?
  • Full size spare in there?

Definitely check the carfax and you can use the toyota owner's portal to get access to any service done by toyota. Just sign up and input whatever cruiser you're looking at. As far as I know, it doesn't alert the seller you did it (not that should be an issue). Logged Out My Vehicle Page | Toyota Owners - https://www.toyota.com/owners/my-vehicle

I agree with the PPI. I once asked for a PPI but the guy got weird about it. So we stopped communicating after that. It's a little bit of a hassle, so maybe others can share how to set one up. Most garages I called didn't know what I was talking about. The one that did, said "oh yeah, we can tell you a ton of stuff is wrong so you can get the price down or whatever. bring it in whenever and I'll see if I can get it on a lift for ya". Your mileage may vary or whatever.

In general, get to know the seller and the car's backstory. I normally probe to ask where it came from, how they got it, what they did with it. Finding out the lies is up to you. Judging by the post, he seems to be a car guy. It is interesting he's open for a trade. Maybe he's tired of working on it or he knows its got a bit issue. I hate seeing "LOADED" in the title. Also, 33's might put a little more wear on your drivetrain than if it was stock. And did he change out the wheels on the spare too? Does he have the original wheels sitting around?

Love the color. Hate the wheels. Good luck!

 

[Pucker5]

Nice lookin rig, 13k sounds better if it all checks out

 

[pakiboy]

Thank you all for your input so far. I have reached out and will keep you posted when I hear back.

 

[pakiboy]

The seller took off the ad and never responded.

 

[Red Beard]

I bet the seller is among us...