Advice on a 99 purchase

[johnroyale]

High Mileage

After much thought (OK, and obsession), I've realized that my main hesitancy is the mileage. Given a good maintenance history, should I really worry about 94k miles?

I read that a properly taken care of LC will last 300k. So it seems like I shouldn't worry, but I've owned mostly German cars and have never kept them past 50K (for good reason, things started breaking)-- so 94k seems extremely high to this first time Toyota buyer!

 

[uzj100]

If he has no record of the 90k service, I would use that in the price negotiation. That is about an $800 required timing belt change. Other than that, change all the fluids and you should be good to go. Check the CVs to make sure they are not leaking.

uzj100

 

[spressomon]

After much thought (OK, and obsession), I've realized that my main hesitancy is the mileage. Given a good maintenance history, should I really worry about 94k miles?

I read that a properly taken care of LC will last 300k. So it seems like I shouldn't worry, but I've owned mostly German cars and have never kept them past 50K (for good reason, things started breaking)-- so 94k seems extremely high to this first time Toyota buyer!

Make sure it didn't come from floodville. I would imagine there would be quite a number of vehicles coming onto the used market from hurricane ravaged areas...but maybe I'm just being paranoid!

 

[Campfire]

Make sure it didn't come from floodville. I would imagine there would be quite a number of vehicles coming onto the used market from hurricane ravaged areas...but maybe I'm just being paranoid!

I agree with Spressomon on this point. If you find one that you think is "too good" start looking under trim. Pull out the jack & tool kit and look for silt deposits. Under the seats, pull a rocker trim off, and run your finger over the top of the frame rail. Also check to see if the carpet has "cleaned" recently with Febreeze or the like. Run a CarFax report just to see where it came from. Try looking on CraigsList.com in different areas. Don't give up too soon, they'll be one out there for you.

 

[johnroyale]

Floodville and mileage thoughts

Campfire and spressomon-- a local mechanic suggested the same thing. I checked the Carfax and it's a 2 owner Texas car, first from Dallas then Frisco, a town just north of Dallas. However, I will definitely inspect the areas you suggested.

I'm considering taking it to the Toyota dealer closest to Frisco on Saturday and having the pre-buy check done as well as having them run the VIN (hoping it was serviced there).

Also, I found two 00's with 56k miles and 70k miles. They want $21k for the 70k and $23.8k for the low mile (although it's also on ebay). The low mile is originally from New Mexico, then TX according to Carfax, 3 owner. I'm thinking about taking a look at both-- might be able to get one for $20k?

But, I'm leaning towards the '99, mostly due to the flexibility to negotiate, as uzj100 pointed out. The lower price also gives me some room to add suspension and/or tires up front.

What do you guys think of the miles? Is 94k too high to start with? Would I be better off spending 2 grand more and getting 20+ less miles and then waiting a little while before modifying?

 

[Campfire]

What do you guys think of the miles? Is 94k too high to start with? Would I be better off spending 2 grand more and getting 20+ less miles and then waiting a little while before modifying?

I bought my 98 with 131,000 on the clock. It has a few little wear things due to milage, but I sold my Tahoe with 122k on it and it was falling apart. I don't think milage is the issue, but keep yourself happy and get what you feel comfortable with. We tend to buy something fast and then find what we really wanted later, oh, that's why we have toys, Right?

 

[uzj100]

I purchased my 99 with 100k on the clock. I think 200k may be a little high but if the records are there, it would be a fine purchase.

uzj100

 

[johnroyale]

I purchased my 99 with 100k on the clock. I think 200k may be a little high but if the records are there, it would be a fine purchase.

uzj100

UZ-- It has 94k, but it's cool to hear that 200k doesn't scare the pros!

 

[johnroyale]

I bought my 98 with 131,000 on the clock. It has a few little wear things due to milage, but I sold my Tahoe with 122k on it and it was falling apart. I don't think milage is the issue, but keep yourself happy and get what ypu feel comfortable with. We tend to buy something fast and then find what we really wanted later, oh, that's why we have toys, Right?

After hearing from you guys I'm feeling better about the mileage. My fear is based on inexperience with Toyotas.

Our Audi was great under warranty, but literally 30 days after it expired we were hit with a $500 bill for a vacuum tube. Then every window failed one at a time at $250 a pop and the last draw was the tie-rod ends which went with only 40k miles-- and this was my wife's well maintained, dealer serviced car!

 

[Kaderabek]

99 runs on 93 octane fuel.

TJK

 

[Campfire]

After hearing from you guys I'm feeling better about the mileage. My fear is based on inexperience with Toyotas.

Our Audi was great under warranty, but literally 30 days after it expired we were hit with a $500 bill for a vacuum tube. Then every window failed one at a time at $250 a pop and the last draw was the tie-rod ends which went with only 40k miles-- and this was my wife's well maintained, dealer serviced car!

We gave our daughter my 1991 Nissan Pathfinder for high school and now she's at college. Yes, I've had to drive there and slap a altenator in it, but with 212,000 miles I feel safer with her that than the Tahoe. A co-worker bought his daughter a BMW for college. One year and $2k worth of repairs later it was sold for "reliable transportation", a ForeRunner with 112k on it.

 

[firetruck41]

99 runs on 93 octane fuel.

TJK

Sure? I just checked the 98 manual and it says 91 octane.

Octane rating

Select premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91
(Research Octane Number 96) or higher for optimum engine
performance. However, if such premium type cannot be
obtained, you may temporarily use unleaded gasoline with an
Octane Rating as low as 87 (Research Octane Number 91).
Use of unleaded fuel with an octane number or rating lower than
stated above will cause persistent heavy knocking. If severe, this
will lead to engine damage.

If your engine knocks ...
If you detect heavy knocking even when using the recommended
fuel, or if you hear steady knocking while holding a steady speed
on level roads, consult your Lexus dealer.
However, now and then, you may notice light knocking for a short
time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is no cause for
concern.

 

[Kaderabek]

Sure? I just checked the 98 manual and it says 91 octane.

Positive. Tacoma timing in 1999 only.

TJK

 

[johnroyale]

Octane

99 runs on 93 octane fuel....Positive. Tacoma timing in 1999 only.

TJK

Hmm, 93 is readily available in Dallas, but I could only find 91 when traveling through New Mexico.

I read through a few threads re. premium fuel and there seems to be a pretty mixed opinion. I pretty much decided to run premium unless I don't have a choice, regardless of what year I purchase.

99 guys-- what octane are you running?

 

[Kaderabek]

I couldn't find any 93 in Arkansas to satisfy the Sissy Wagon's supercharger. 91 had to do.

I always ran 93 in our 99. Then I sold it.

Ask Christo what he thinks. That's why I ran 93.

TJK

 

[firetruck41]

I was pretty sure 98-99 were the same. There is no 93 widely available in the Pacific NW. 93 at higher elevations (CO) would be equivalent to 91 at lower elevations.

 

[Kaderabek]

No idea. All I know is that 99 has the same timing as the Tundra trucks and needs 93 octane. Available or not.

TJK

 

[SWUtah]

No idea. All I know is that 99 has the same timing as the Tundra trucks and needs 93 octane. Available or not.

TJK

99 manual that i have indicated 91

 

[aedgington]

I sold my '99 w/ 78K on it for $17-ish a few months ago here in Houston. I think that guy is priced pretty high.

 

[SWUtah]

Used vehicles are all a crap shoot. One of the members bought a used 2000 from a friend. Knew all of the maintaince background etc. The transmission failed at around 50K miles. Cost him several thousand $$$ to fix it. He is also having some electrical problems and problems with the sun roof. Also when you are looking at a 99 or 2000 you will need to change the timing belt no matter what mileage because of the number of years (6 year "or" 90K mile interval). Have a qualified machanic check it out and then buy the lowest mileage used LC/LX you can afford, change all of the hoses, belts, timing belt and water pump. Repack the wheel bearings, change all of the fluids and it should be good for up to 250K+ miles with just regular continued maintance. Think of it this way, say you can get into a 99 or 2000 LC/LX with 50-70K miles on it and do all the above recommended service and you can do all of this for under $24K and then drive it for the next 200K miles. Not a bad deal driving a luxury SUV that is built like a tank and looks like a new LC/LX for under $24K. Even if along the way you have to spend another $2-3K for new manifolds and starter you are still way ahead of everyone else that bought a 2003 - 2006 and might have to spend the same $2-3K for a starter and manifolds and they started out in the mid $30K when they bought their LC/LX. These older LC/LX's are the biggest bargains out there since with the gas prices being so high their value in the market place has dropped like a rock. JMHO