Advice on a 99 purchase

[johnroyale]

Update and sappy thank you

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.

I agree. I made an offer today of $17k, basically subtracting the cost of a 90k service, timing belt and room for incidentals, as SWUtah pointed out.

He wouldn't budge so I walked. My guess is he'll change his mind as gas prices go up 30 cents over the next couple months and it's still in his inventory.

Regardless, I'm really pumped about cruisers now thanks to you guys. I'll admit, when my wife thought we should get an SUV I had visions of soccer moms on cell phones in the drive-thru at Charbucks with screaming kids in the back spilling ice cream all over place watching Telly Tubbys on the DVD player for the 100th time (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Discovering that 100s can really offroad has been my saving grace and I've been bragging about you guys to all of my buds over the past week. It is really cool for new junkies like myself to have this huge support group available to them.

I feel like you all have my back and I owe each of you at least a couple

Mike aka johnroyale

 

[SWUtah]

I agree. I made an offer today of $17k, basically subtracting the cost of a 90k service, timing belt and room for incidentals, as SWUtah pointed out.

He wouldn't budge so I walked. My guess is he'll change his mind as gas prices go up 30 cents over the next couple months and it's still in his inventory.

Regardless, I'm really pumped about cruisers now thanks to you guys. I'll admit, when my wife thought we should get an SUV I had visions of soccer moms on cell phones in the drive-thru at Charbucks with screaming kids in the back spilling ice cream all over place watching Telly Tubbys on the DVD player for the 100th time (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Discovering that 100s can really offroad has been my saving grace and I've been bragging about you guys to all of my buds over the past week. It is really cool for new junkies like myself to have this huge support group available to them.

I feel like you all have my back and I owe each of you at least a couple

Mike aka johnroyale

Take your time the right LC will come your way. Line up a good master mechanic for the inspection when you find the one you want. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Cruiseronland]

Hi, I am newbie too. I bought my 98 with 115K on the clock. I have owned 7 toyota from different type of vehicles with high miles on the clock (100K-180K). I consulted my friends who work at dealership as tech. They stated since 90K svc and starter done. I won't buy the Bimmer or Rover more than 70K miles. It will be the trouble maker. Toyota built for the last! Recently 120K miles svc done, flush all fluids and it runs like solid.

 

[aedgington]

Let me know if you find one in Houston that you want inspected.

 

[johnroyale]

Mechanic

Take your time the right LC will come your way. Line up a good master mechanic for the inspection when you find the one you want. Good luck and keep us posted.

I've been looking around Dallas for a good mechanic, but what's the consensus on using a Toyota dealership for inspection? I've got a guy I trust, but I thought it might be nice to find an expert with cruisers.

 

[johnroyale]

Let me know if you find one in Houston that you want inspected.

Thanks-- If I come across one I'll definitely be in touch. Do you have a mechanic you trust for the inspection?

 

[johnroyale]

Hi, I am newbie too. I bought my 98 with 115K on the clock. I have owned 7 toyota from different type of vehicles with high miles on the clock (100K-180K). I consulted my friends who work at dealership as tech. They stated since 90K svc and starter done. I won't buy the Bimmer or Rover more than 70K miles. It will be the trouble maker. Toyota built for the last! Recently 120K miles svc done, flush all fluids and it runs like solid.

It's great to hear more positive feedback about LCs' reliability! I'm feeling a lot more comfortable about buying a cruiser with higher mileage.

 

[hoser]

I've been looking around Dallas for a good mechanic, but what's the consensus on using a Toyota dealership for inspection? I've got a guy I trust, but I thought it might be nice to find an expert with cruisers.

Try posting over in Clubhouse corner. You'll get responses from members who are more local to you.

 

[johnroyale]

Update 2

The dealer called me today-- he was able to pull records that indicated that neither the timing belt or the 90k service had been done and has offered to have the service completed at Toyota and of course, he wants his full asking price of $18.8k.

I'm thinking he's still too high. So after the work I'm considering only raising my offer to $18k, barring any other mechanicals that arise on the inspection. What do you guys think, too high?

Recap: White '99, 94k miles , rear locker, rear AC, great cosmetic shape, 2 owner TX car, clean carfax

 

[johnroyale]

Try posting over in Clubhouse corner. You'll get responses from members who are more local to you.

Will do-- THX

 

[johnroyale]

Update, 3/24

Made final offer of $17.5k, he accepted, having the inspection done today and if all goes well I'll have my cruiser by the weekend!

 

[uzj100]

Saweeeeeeeeeeeet.

 

[SWUtah]

Made final offer of $17.5k, he accepted, having the inspection done today and if all goes well I'll have my cruiser by the weekend!

Just looked at the pic's that 99 looks new. Your's is much cleaner then mine was. Mine had rug rats in it and it showed, also mine had the body side molding starting to peel.

 

[johnroyale]

Officially an LC owner!

I bought it! I'm pretty happy with the purchase. The mechanic said that it's in incredible shape-- just needs the timing belt. I'm going to have that done probably this week and change out all of the fluids while I'm at it.

I'll post a pic this week as well.

Now to search the forum and see what to do first?!?

 

[uzj100]

That is awesome. Welcome to the 100 club.

There are other items that go along with the timing belt change. I would recommend getting those done at the same time. Timing belt, water pump, camshaft oil seals and new serpentine accessory belt.

Tires are always a good start. 285s...

uzj100

 

[johnroyale]

That is awesome. Welcome to the 100 club.

There are other items that go along with the timing belt change. I would recommend getting those done at the same time. Timing belt, water pump, camshaft oil seals and new serpentine accessory belt.

Tires are always a good start. 285s...

uzj100

I appreciate it, it's great to be in the club!

Also, thanks for the extra advice; I didn't come across this recommendation in my initial searches-- so I should replace the water pump?

Also, I'm clueless on the acceptable tire sizes-- I posted on bull's project thread (he hasn't answered yet) and I'm watching another newbie's post on a similar question, but can you point me to a thread that explains how big you can go with/without lift. I'd like something that can handle some offroad use, but also drives decent on the pavement (not too loud or squirmy, etc).

 

[uzj100]

The WP does not have to be replaced however if it starts leaking, they will charge you a boat load of labor just to get to it. Much easier to replace while the engine is already apart.

285/75 R 16 wihout a lift. Tire brand is an opinion. I had BFG ATs but they are useless in NC red clay so I am running Copper Discoverer STTs. They are louder thou.

 

[mikeacs]

I love my 99, It's at 106K now, and I wouldn't hesitate to head cross country in it, some of my previous vehicles were unreliable at 60K.

 

[SWUtah]

I love my 99, It's at 106K now, and I wouldn't hesitate to head cross country in it, some of my previous vehicles were unreliable at 60K.

My 99 only has about 62K miles on it and I only drive it around 8-9K miles a year. So it will take another 5 years until I reach your mileage. I think mine will rust before it wears out.

 

[tabraha]

congrats johnroyale! You got a fair price IMO and once you get the t-belt done you are in good shape. I'd also have the CV boots looked at just to make sure that the rubber hasn't cracked and begun to leak the grease out. Sorry I didn't chime in earlier but I didn't see this thread till it got bumped back up today.

Welcome to the club.