Another what do you guys think of this '03 LX470 post ;)

[thought]

Hey guys!

Long time lurker, first time poster etc... but I finally got the wife to think about adding a LX470 to the family fleet. I've always wanted a LC/LX and looking around I realized that the 100 series finally hit a price point that I could get as a big 3rd car for the fam.

I stumbled upon this one '03 LX470 and I'm wondering what you guys think of it. I would personally prefer a '04+ (for the backup camera and bluetooth) but this one stands out because of the small amount of rust for a NE car and the incredible service history. That said, it's also the Eucalyptus Mica color... and I find that color hideous.

Specs:
Asking 13k, will probably end up around 12k
'03 LX470
2 owners
125,000 miles.
No reported accidents but seemed to have bumped into the garage door once needing repair which they did at the Lexus dealership.
Every single service done by a Lexus dealership. They even had their turn signal bulbs changed by the dealership.
Belts were done at 80,435 miles
Last service was done at 121,996 miles and the list of repairs are:
PERFORM 120,000 MILE SERVICE
REMOVED AND REPLACED RADIATOR
REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, HARDWARE, AND REPACKED BEARINGS
REPLACED FRONT STABILIZER ENDS AND HARDWARE
REPLACED FRONT STABILIZER BAR BUSHINGS
REPLACED LEFT FRONT AXLE BOOTS
REPLACED RIGHT FRONT AXLE BOOTS
REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, HARDWARE, AND REPACKED BEARINGS
REPLACED LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS
REPLACED REAR BRAKE CALIPERS AND APPLICABLE HARDWARE.
REPLACE BATTERY
REPLACED RACK AND PINION

also, all fluids (differential, AHC, etc, etc) were done at 112,512 miles by the dealership.

Some minor cosmetic dings on the bumpers/front fender flair

I'm not sure why the PO wound up dropping a significant chunk of change on that service to trade it in 4k miles later but it seems that almost every single problem I could have was preemptively repaired in the last service. Barring AHC/heater hoses/t fittings etc.

I'm posting some pics below and it looks like it's only minor surface rust on the undercarriage (Northern NJ car) and I could not find any body rust, the rear hatch looks totally clean. Interior is ok for the age and it's most just the front two seats and missing the cover in the rear cup holder. Some odd rust on the seat rails for the passenger seat but that can clean up easy.

What do you guys think? I'm hesitating a bit because of the color, which I know does not matter in the scheme of things, but I really do find it hideous. Barring no backup camera... this car sounds a bit perfect. Am I missing something or should I just pull the trigger?

Thanks in advance!

More images in the following album:

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

 

[dchilds]

This is going to sound harsh but, yeah, I’m out on that color. It’s hard for me to imagine feeling cool walking up to it in a parking lot (or anywhere, for that matter). Service records to look good but the price isn’t great - given the overall shape and age; though mileage is low.

 

[Ninja Cruiser100]

I would be concerned as to why the rack and boots were replaced. Seems a bit early.

 

[thought]

This is going to sound harsh but, yeah, I’m out on that color. It’s hard for me to imagine feeling cool walking up to it in a parking lot (or anywhere, for that matter). Service records to look good but the price isn’t great - given the overall shape and age; though mileage is low.

No, I'm with you on that. When I first saw pics online I thought it might be better in person and it might have been the light... nope, it just looks like that.

What would you think would be a fairer price? I think 11k would be possible, 10k would be pretty tough

 

[thought]

I would be concerned as to why the rack and boots were replaced. Seems a bit early.

From the service records it seems like they were leaking.

Service: REPLACED RACK AND PINION. RECHECK OK
description: REPLACED RACK AND PINION. RECHECK OK ~|~RACK AND PINION, STEERING - REPLACE ~|~ ~|~121994 POWER STEERING RACK LEAKING FROM RIGHT SIDE AND LEFT SIDE BOOTS REMOVED AND REPLACED RACK AND PINION. RECHECK OK.

Service: REPLACED RIGHT FRONT AXLE BOOTS
description: REPLACED RIGHT FRONT AXLE BOOTS ~|~BOOT, DRIVE AXLE - REPLACE ~|~ ~|~121994 RIGHT FRONT AXLE BOOTS LEAKING. REMOVED AND REPLACED RIGHT FRONT AXLE BOOTS. RECHECK OK.

Service: REPLACED LEFT FRONT AXLE BOOTS
description: REPLACED LEFT FRONT AXLE BOOTS ~|~BOOT, DRIVE AXLE - REPLACE ~|~ ~|~121994 LEFT FRONT AXLE BOOTS LEAKING REMOVED AND REPLACED LEFT FRONT AXLE BOOTS. RECHECK OK.

 

[dchilds]

It would have my attention at $10k but, knowing myself, I think I would wait on another one to roll along. I have a tendency to dwell on things that I “settled” on and wish I had ponies up the extra cash when necessary to get what makes me happy to begin with.

No, I'm with you on that. When I first saw pics online I thought it might be better in person and it might have been the light... nope, it just looks like that.

What would you think would be a fairer price? I think 11k would be possible, 10k would be pretty tough

 

[Ninja Cruiser100]

The point on the racks and boots is not why they replaced them but the mileage they were replaced...

 

[Ramathorn15]

The point on the racks and boots is not why they replaced them but the mileage they were replaced...

My '06 had the rack replaced at 115k. Not super unusually to see it go bad early.

 

[Kabanstva]

My '06 had the rack replaced at 115k. Not super unusually to see it go bad early.

My brother works in service at Lexus and he said the same thing. They do LX470 racks all the time at that mileage or even less miles.

 

[95Fantasma80]

thats a nice unique color which stands out, i dig it...

i have a blue one so the rarer colors seem nice to me..

not your typical white or black.

 

[95Fantasma80]

I think that's a good deal because you have lots of service history and low mileage. I recently picked it up mine for $7k with 188k miles and thought I scored on this 1 owner trade in from California and had done all service at lexus, typically this would go for 10k on craigslist.

My LX470 had the CV boots replaced at 127k miles in 2012 and its a 2001, so i don't think its uncommon:

SERVICE: FRT SUSP/DRIVE AXLE - 05
DESCRIPTION: FRT SUSP/DRIVE AXLE - 05 ~|~REPLACE CV BOOTS ~|~ ~|~127200 REPLACED NEW CV BOOTS AND PERFORMED FOUR WHEEL ALIGMENT .FRT SUSP/DRIVE AXLE - 05 ~|~FRONT SHOCKS ARE LEAKING ~|~ ~|~127200 REPLACED NEW FRONT SHOCK GUEST WILL PAY FOR ONE AND LABOR.

 

[biggus]

I don't mind the color, my neighbor has one just like that and it's grown on me. It's kinda cool.
It appears that the RF fender has a dent in it, but it could be just a reflection. Seems minimal rust, but check behind the rear mudflaps under the cladding for rotten sheet metal.

 

[habakkuk007]

I cannot believe no one thinks it is one hell of a deal - grab it before it's too late!

 

[Ninja Cruiser100]

Ok I guess I was wrong on the rack. Mine went at 215k.

 

[Das Shtig]

I think the color is fine. Could look extremely cool with the right mods. Do iiiit

 

[klax18]

I was in this same predicament 2 years ago. I had been looking for a good clean 100 and one popped up locally with <100k and a bunch of recent dealer maintenance including TB+WP, but in eucalyptus mica. When I first walked up to the car on the dealer lot I thought it was hideous, but looked it over and test drove anyway. I left the dealer thinking I wasn’t going to buy it based on color. I knew whatever I bought was going to get modded which would give me some opportunity to change the appearance. I came back here looking for pics of other rigs in same color and there weren’t any. So I figured I’d blaze that trail.

This color is very chameleon like in that it changes significantly based on light and angle, and I think it looks great in bright sunlight, and I’ll admit it looks like a bad teal in low light. I’m all in on it now, and there were a couple times I considered trading for a different color.

 

[Quick]

My rack and passenger side CV boot developed a slight leak around 205,000 > replaced both. I guess depends on the condition of the roads and one's driving ?

Color is unique and if you can live with it, don't pass on a good LX for $1000... well maintained vehicles are hard to come by. You might find one bit lowered price and not as well maintained but it could be several hundred miles away and people don;t factor in the lost time and transport cost into the purchase price of the vehicle.

 

[FxFormat]

Paint looks great from photos, undercarriage is pretty clean as well with surface rust you can wirebrush off and coat it with some POR15. That color isn't my first choice but after you mod it like Klax did, it looks great.

I bet the dealership pushed them into replacing the rack, they're there to sell jobs on unsuspecting customers.

 

[Ninja Cruiser100]

The more I look at the paint the more I like it. As was previously mentioned it is far more rare than typical black or white.

 

[dchilds]

I’ll eat crow - color looks pretty great with the mods.

View attachment 1828268 View attachment 1828269 I was in this same predicament 2 years ago. I had been looking for a good clean 100 and one popped up locally with <100k and a bunch of recent dealer maintenance including TB+WP, but in eucalyptus mica. When I first walked up to the car on the dealer lot I thought it was hideous, but looked it over and test drove anyway. I left the dealer thinking I wasn’t going to buy it based on color. I knew whatever I bought was going to get modded which would give me some opportunity to change the appearance. I came back here looking for pics of other rigs in same color and there weren’t any. So I figured I’d blaze that trail.

This color is very chameleon like in that it changes significantly based on light and angle, and I think it looks great in bright sunlight, and I’ll admit it looks like a bad teal in low light. I’m all in on it now, and there were a couple times I considered trading for a different color.