For Sale Buyer Beware - LX 470 in NM

Year

2005

Vehicle Model

1. LX470

Location

United States

I was hoping to be driving route 66 from Albuquerque to LA as a new LX 470 owner, but instead I'm back at home with a warning.

2005 Lexus LX 470 [Toyota Land Cruiser] - cars & trucks - by owner -...

This 2005 Lexus LX 470 combines reliability with exceptional 4x4 capability. CARFAX available upon...

albuquerque.craigslist.org

I've been in contact with this owner for a week. I did as much due diligence as I figured I could from LA. Pre-purchase inspection which everything turned up mechanically good and assurance from the owner that despite a few scratches everything with the vehicle was good. Owner seemed like a straight up guy and also owns a 100 series and has had cruisers in the past.

I bought a one way ticket to ABQ and visually it was as expected but there were a few body rust spots which weren't disclosed and I would not categorize as excellent condition which it's listed as. But that's not a big deal.

The killer was the ride. It harsh from the get go on residential streets. With more speed on main streets you could feel everything. There was a bottle of suspension fluid in the door notch, but the seller never disclosed any issues with the AHC. Pre-purchase never mentioned an issue. It did go up and down, albeit a bit clunky. I tried it in comfort and sport, felt the same.

When I mentioned this to the owner he didn't seemed surprised, so now I feel snookered.

We got the price right if the truck didn't have this issue, but adding another $1,800-$2,000 for a suspension conversion was not expected, so I walked. Maybe it's a great deal for someone who can do the conversion at a good price or go down the rabbit hole of fixing an AHC, but to not be made aware of this is shady. I've got an FJ62, so I know a stiff ride and this was worse than leaf springs.

Sucked flying twice when I'm trying to limit covid exposure, not to mention the cost.

Just felt I had to get this off my chest in case someone else is considering looking at it. Ad says NM rig, but Carfax reveals it spent 90% of it's life in CT and amazingly the undercarriage is free of rust which is amazing.

Not sure if there is any way to mitigate this from happening in the future, just don't want anyone else to make my same mistake.

 

[abuck99]

Takes some resolve to get yourself over buying a 1 way ticket and then walking from the deal- to then have to buy a last minute 1-way ticket home. FWIW I've done a few like this and rarely found the fly & drive/ride purchases to be as described.

 

[DomSmith]

I too have been in your position. I agree that you did the right thing. Hard to do but you’ll be happier in the end.

Edit: In the end I found a different truck in a far away state a year later that was well worth the flight and drive home. Don’t be discouraged!

 

[dahlmaker]

Takes some resolve to get yourself over buying a 1 way ticket and then walking from the deal- to then have to buy a last minute 1-way ticket home. FWIW I've done a few like this and rarely found the fly & drive/ride purchases to be as described.

Yeah - I could get over some missives here or there. He did budge $500 when confronted and if it was super clean I probably would have taken it. But with not disclosing stuff just turned it sour. Like I said, someone local will probably get a nice truck if they fix the ride.

 

[dahlmaker]

I too have been in your position. I agree that you did the right thing. Hard to do but you’ll be happier in the end.

Edit: In the end I found a different truck in a far away state a year later that was well worth the flight and drive home. Don’t be discouraged!

Thanks - I feel like I just need to cool my heels a bit and I know the right truck will present itself at some point.

 

[Banzai Run]

Sorry to hear you had to go through all that for nothing, but I give you credit for being a champ and making the trek. I used to have other interests in life as a younger man that found me on long road trips to unknown places in search of unicorns and other fine specimens. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn't.

Now I am an old man - and despite my desire for a 100 series I find myself too lazy to even drive an hour away to look at them, unless they literally check every single box for me. With persistence I am sure you will find a better one soon enough. Good luck

 

[ace10]

JTJHT00W953554817

 

[dahlmaker]

That’s the one

 

[LXstalker]

I’ve been there on the AHC stiff ride. Test drove a 2003 LX and hit an imperfection in the road, felt like I ran full speed Over a Chicago pot hole, like knock your car out of alignment jolt. Really wanted it but couldnt justify the suspension headache, a few weeks later ran across my 2005 LC, while not perfect it’s been great.....good luck with your search, sucks for the wasted time.

 

[dahlmaker]

I’ve been there on the AHC stiff ride. Test drove a 2003 LX and hit an imperfection in the road, felt like I ran full speed Over a Chicago pot hole, like knock your car out of alignment jolt. Really wanted it but couldnt justify the suspension headache, a few weeks later ran across my 2005 LC, while not perfect it’s been great.....good luck with your search, sucks for the wasted time.

yeah I’ll find one eventually- it’s all about the search right?

 

[dahlmaker]

Sorry to hear you had to go through all that for nothing, but I give you credit for being a champ and making the trek. I used to have other interests in life as a younger man that found me on long road trips to unknown places in search of unicorns and other fine specimens. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn't.

Now I am an old man - and despite my desire for a 100 series I find myself too lazy to even drive an hour away to look at them, unless they literally check every single box for me. With persistence I am sure you will find a better one soon enough. Good luck

Thanks - Yeah a couple decades and a few dollars ago I may have jumped on it without a thought.

 

[LXstalker]

yeah I’ll find one eventually- it’s all about the search right?

Yes, that’s what I tell myself as I look at 200s the search always continues, its what you are looking for that changes

 

[LCT]

I reached out to the seller this morning and was feeling good about it and then I see this thread. bummer. Thanks a bunch for sharing your experience @dahlmaker
Kudos to you for walking away....don't know if I would have.

 

[golfer2000]

Is it listed on here?

 

[LCT]

Is it listed on here?

Don't think so.

 

[Beau]

It's one thing when sellers are unaware of problems and mistakable don't tell a buyer. But when a seller attempts to sell something that has an obvious problem. Well that's just shady and makes you think what other problems could be lurking. Even if you knocked the price down $1500 further. It's a risk knowing the owner's attitude and mentality.

To top it off, I'd much rather hand over a larger stack of cash to a genuine nice seller, than a smaller stack to a dirty seller.

 

[onemanarmy]

Who did the PPI?
They are to blame for your issues too. AHC issues are very easy to spot.

 

[eljefe83]

Good to know. I'm local and have seen this out there for a while. Sorry you had to fly all the way out to find out.

 

[dahlmaker]

Who did the PPI?
They are to blame for your issues too. AHC issues are very easy to spot.

PPI was done by a recommended Toyota Specialist called Super6. Yes, I was surprised they didn't come up with any major issues.

 

[dahlmaker]

I reached out to the seller this morning and was feeling good about it and then I see this thread. bummer. Thanks a bunch for sharing your experience @dahlmaker
Kudos to you for walking away....don't know if I would have.

It's in decent shape. If you want to track down the issue or just convert the suspension you might have a good truck on your hands.