Buying a 2016-2017 Land Cruiser far away from home...

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To help answer your original question, other people are correct on this thread about negotiating a price before you get there. Ask tons of questions about the car and get as many answers in writing as possible. Also, I’ve placed refundable deposits to hold cars in the past with success, BUT, I’ve only done it with reputable dealers.
 
Dealers taking deposits depends on state law. In some states they won't even take them as any consumer friendly law would make it impossible, if not illegal, to take your money and not provide a good or service.

I've found working with used cars, particularly with luxury dealers, if you sound serious and commit to seeing the car they'll set it aside for 24 to 72 hours for you to show up and check it out.

Personally, I disagree with the idea of negotiating sight unseen if you know you're going to show up in person before buying (obviously if buying sight unseen that's impossible). The last thing I want to do is show up with an agreed number and then attempt to back out of it due to condition/flaw, etc. Yes, if you have a legitimate concern, the dealer would likely work with you but meh, personal choice.
 
My 1.5 cents:

I would only agree to making a deposit if it is agreed that it will be returned to you UPON ACTUALLY SHOWING UP...not upon necessarily buying the truck.

Most reasonable dealers will hold it for you if you make it clear you have a deal pending final personal inspection, as long as it’s a short delay. They just don’t like holding trucks and then the person doesn’t even show up.

I negotiated my 100 series over the phone when I bought it used from a Chevy dealer. They held it for me without deposit...and when I got there, I inspected it...then made the deal. After it was officially mine...I discovered there was literally a guy waiting to see if I took it. But the dealer was honest enough to NOT tell me that at all. I only found out when I ran into the guy and he was obviously disappointed...and told me why he was hanging around outside.

But anyway...a reputable dealer will help you make a deal pending final inspection. If they won’t allow that without threatening to take your money via deposit...keep looking.
 
I picked up a 2018 in Texas last month...I drove 12 hours to get it.

Deals are out there you just need to be patient and look frequently. I looked for over 3 months until I found the deal I wanted.

Yes, I paid a refundable deposit because Land Cruisers go fast if they are priced right. Like someone else said, pay a reasonable refundable deposit with a credit card. I would also negotiate a price so you don’t drive halfway across country to find out they won’t deal...

Good luck!
 
The last two Cruisers I bought in Arizona and I live in Colorado. One was private party one was at a dealer. We bought our 2016 LC last September from a dealer (23K miles, CPO, clean Carfax, not a fleet or rental, $59.6K). I asked some local Mud folks to take a look at it. I tried to get the dealer to take a deposit to hold it but they refused. The Mud folks that inspected it did a great job, drove it, and sent me photos (I was in Europe at the time). I flew my wife and son down to the dealer, they drove it, bought it (it was a cash deal and I already had an agreed to price), and they drove it home. the dealer was a big pain in the ass, but it worked out.

The 2016 you mention seems very expensive to me and I would not buy a rental. Good luck!
 
So I bought the 2017 in Jackson. Love it so far. It was 99 mint condition. I did manage to close the windshield wiper end in the hood and stripped that part, but have a new one on order.

The only other thing I need to do to it is replace the plastic camera lens cover on the driver mirror. This is the camera that points down to show the curb, etc.

Anyone dealt with this before?

Loved driving it back with the cruise control radar, etc. Big step up.
 
I bought one from Stevinson Toyota in CO. I flew from Louisiana to aurora co to get it I put a deposit and negotiated a price over the phone and I brought a cashiers check for it , the sales man sent tons of pics and only sent 2 showing to minor scratches , he said its super clean one owner the whole spill . when I get there it was not like he said , the alignment was off, had scratches all over and touch up paint ect, I was pissed and called him a liming bitch to his face and called the sale manager and showed him the texts, so I own a detail shop and new I could do a paint correction as I was going to ceramic coat it anyway , so I renegotiated the price and had them pay for and alignment once I was home due to the service dept being closed at the time , they had to send me another check back in the mail when the title came in but after about 10 hrs of paint correction and a good detail it looks great. I hope that sail guy was fired
 
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