I came to this site looking for information on how to fix the broken LC I bought, and have learned a great deal on how to avoid buying a Broken LC/LX in the future.I think we can create a Buyers guide with all the info on mud. If everyone contributes their Technical Knowledge, I think we can help a great deal of people.
I will start:
Check the Maintinance Records, if they just have mileage and dates, but no actual service record of the work performed, request it. Just because they serviced it doesn't mean they serviced it right! led alone did the work.
Tell the seller you need a front and back copy of the title for the Credit Union and no you don't want thier finance guy handling your paperwork. Then google the previous owner and ask them what they sold it for and how they took care of it. Most people are very open about this.
Use a credit Union(best rates), and go to www.annualcreditreport.org and get a free(government mandated free) annual copy of your report. If there are issues you can go back and fix them. Don't buy the scores. It is a waste of money, you have to use the scores from the report the bank pulls. If they say you are below 680, ask them to pull all the scores. Most of the time they will giv eyou the rate for the highest score of the 3.
Have a professional check the tire tread depth. Use it as an independant Value indicater. New tires= $700-1300, Excellent opportunity to upgrade!
Same for the brakes, they might be "new" and severely worn. Or better yet new and installed incorrectly. 400-1000 per set. some after market available, consensus seems to be OEM are the best.
Ask for an alignment and balance paperwork, they should have done this already anyway. This can be very telling
The Toyota and Lexus warrenty that comes from Toyota Financial Services, referred to as the Platinum warranty tends to be worth it.
Prices vary from as low as 800-2500+, several threads on this
If the 100, is more than five years old and has the original Antenna, ask them to replace it. It will most likely go out anyway. PITA to replace.
Check all of the panels to make sure they are the same color, look under the bumpers to see if you can see anything out of place.
Check the Vin #'s, (can someone please elaborate on where these are located)
The timing belt and water pump replacement are a big deal. If they are not done by about 90K, this should affect the value by at least $900.00
Edmunds.com, KBB.com, Fightingchance.com, Autotrader.com are other good sources of information. Values vary considerable from site to site.
( a little help here is appreciated)
Edmunds has a good list of the Differences from year to year. Some significant changes are
98-99 REar Locker
2000-2002 No rear Locker, VSC
2003-2005 5 speed Transmission
2006-2007 LX Suspension added to LC, More horsepower
Just because it is certified does not mean that is has not been in an accident! Toyota and Lexus Can/will/do certify vehicles that have been in an accident.
Carfax and Experians Auto Check rarely come up with the same info, ask them to pull both.
The same parts with the same part numbers vary widely in price between dealers, Especially between Toyota and Lexus. They will all come in a Toyota Box.
Core Differences bewteen LC and LX is the Suspension, Trim level, Warranty and Service. the LX comes with a few upgrades. ( not going into that here, to many threads on this)
If the Shocks are in Question, don't worry this is an opportunity. Bilstien makes a shock that is Highly respected for non-lifted vehicle. Stiffer than the OEM, although the OEM is not bad at all. If you plan the MOD them for off-road, Old Man Emu is Popular, and Fox Shocks are coming on very strong.
Some LC's have an In cabin Air Purifier filter behind the glove box, All LX's do.
If the Bumpers on the Vehicle you are looking at have been bruised/scraped, don't worry, it is an easy fix. You can get refurbised bumper covers for $150.00
(275.00 new)a peice and get them painted for about $200.00 at the body shop. Or you can check out some awsome aftermarket bumpers From Sleeoffroad.com
they have slee, kaymar, and TJM
Please add and correct at will, I will be very happy if someone more organized than me can make sense of this. Thanks
I will start:
Check the Maintinance Records, if they just have mileage and dates, but no actual service record of the work performed, request it. Just because they serviced it doesn't mean they serviced it right! led alone did the work.
Tell the seller you need a front and back copy of the title for the Credit Union and no you don't want thier finance guy handling your paperwork. Then google the previous owner and ask them what they sold it for and how they took care of it. Most people are very open about this.
Use a credit Union(best rates), and go to www.annualcreditreport.org and get a free(government mandated free) annual copy of your report. If there are issues you can go back and fix them. Don't buy the scores. It is a waste of money, you have to use the scores from the report the bank pulls. If they say you are below 680, ask them to pull all the scores. Most of the time they will giv eyou the rate for the highest score of the 3.
Have a professional check the tire tread depth. Use it as an independant Value indicater. New tires= $700-1300, Excellent opportunity to upgrade!
Same for the brakes, they might be "new" and severely worn. Or better yet new and installed incorrectly. 400-1000 per set. some after market available, consensus seems to be OEM are the best.
Ask for an alignment and balance paperwork, they should have done this already anyway. This can be very telling
The Toyota and Lexus warrenty that comes from Toyota Financial Services, referred to as the Platinum warranty tends to be worth it.
Prices vary from as low as 800-2500+, several threads on this
If the 100, is more than five years old and has the original Antenna, ask them to replace it. It will most likely go out anyway. PITA to replace.
Check all of the panels to make sure they are the same color, look under the bumpers to see if you can see anything out of place.
Check the Vin #'s, (can someone please elaborate on where these are located)
The timing belt and water pump replacement are a big deal. If they are not done by about 90K, this should affect the value by at least $900.00
Edmunds.com, KBB.com, Fightingchance.com, Autotrader.com are other good sources of information. Values vary considerable from site to site.
( a little help here is appreciated)
Edmunds has a good list of the Differences from year to year. Some significant changes are
98-99 REar Locker
2000-2002 No rear Locker, VSC
2003-2005 5 speed Transmission
2006-2007 LX Suspension added to LC, More horsepower
Just because it is certified does not mean that is has not been in an accident! Toyota and Lexus Can/will/do certify vehicles that have been in an accident.
Carfax and Experians Auto Check rarely come up with the same info, ask them to pull both.
The same parts with the same part numbers vary widely in price between dealers, Especially between Toyota and Lexus. They will all come in a Toyota Box.
Core Differences bewteen LC and LX is the Suspension, Trim level, Warranty and Service. the LX comes with a few upgrades. ( not going into that here, to many threads on this)
If the Shocks are in Question, don't worry this is an opportunity. Bilstien makes a shock that is Highly respected for non-lifted vehicle. Stiffer than the OEM, although the OEM is not bad at all. If you plan the MOD them for off-road, Old Man Emu is Popular, and Fox Shocks are coming on very strong.
Some LC's have an In cabin Air Purifier filter behind the glove box, All LX's do.
If the Bumpers on the Vehicle you are looking at have been bruised/scraped, don't worry, it is an easy fix. You can get refurbised bumper covers for $150.00
(275.00 new)a peice and get them painted for about $200.00 at the body shop. Or you can check out some awsome aftermarket bumpers From Sleeoffroad.com
they have slee, kaymar, and TJM
Please add and correct at will, I will be very happy if someone more organized than me can make sense of this. Thanks
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