Buying Advice: 2 Great Options Need Help (1 Viewer)

Location

United States

Hi all,

I've been on the hunt for a hundy and feel like I'm finally closing in. I've narrowed the search down to 2 options which are detailed below. I would appreciate any input as it seems like a tough decision but maybe an obvious choice for those with more experience. This will be my daily driver and roadtrip / camping vehicle. I don't wrench, but wouldn't mind learning. Thanks again!

Option 1
2004 LX 470 | Blue Vapor Metallic
Miles: 164,000
Condition: Excellent, Interior 9/10, Exterior 9/10. No rust.
Owners: 2
Service History: excellent, serviced at Lexus entire life. Alternator replaced at 146k. Right valve cover gasket replaced at 157k, left valve cover at 151k. heater hoses and tees 161k
Added Context: Would need to fly 2 hours to get it then drive it back.
Price: $17,000-$18,000 (pending negotiation)

Option 2
2003 LX 470 | Black
Miles: 207,000
Condition: Great, Interior 8/10, Exterior 8 /10. No rust.
Owners: 1
Service History: excellent, meticulous service at Lexus from 0-90k and highly rated local mechanic from 90k - 200k. Brake master cylinder, radiator, alternator, and serpentine belt replaced at 206k by a LC specialist shop
Added Context: It does need a new timing belt kit....
Price: $13,000-$14,500 (pending negotiation w/ timing belt factored in already)

 

[Couvi]

Tough decision. I might choose the 1 owner 03, as the difference in mileage is really not a big deal. Would this be the first or second timing belt service? Assuming it’s the second, do you know the date of the first TB change? Any photos of the vehicles?

 

[T4R2TLC]

Sounds like you couldn't go wrong with either, but I would be leaning towards option 2. The master cylinder and radiator (assuming OEM parts) are great to have out of the way and the cost savings can build a cushion for maintenance as either option is 20+ yrs old now.

 

[Bisho]

I would get the 04 because its Blue. Black trucks always look dirty, and they're a dime a dozen. Mechanically they're close enough that it doesn't matter.

 

[Exiled]

Sounds like the blue truck might be a better buy if the interior/exterior are in better condition. Interior bits for the 100 series are expensive (things like door cards are NLA), so something to consider. I agree with @Bisho that the difference in mileage/mechanic is likely negligible.

The 2 hour flight to go get it actually sounds like a pro to me, always up for an adventure. I bought my white 100 in Boulder, CO and flew out to pick it up and drive it back to Austin, with good stories to tell along the way!

 

[erse]

Option 1 if you can get it within 3k of option 2.
Otherwise option 2 sounds solid but unless its got some kind of build on it 14500 is a stretch IMO

 

[clindsay123]

Thanks all for the replies thus far.

I will be adding some photos below. You'll note both trucks are stock.
I'm leaning towards option 2 because I like black and the price is lower and big ticket items have literally just been done, I figure I can save some extra money as well on a lower "purchase price" because it's a private part seller. Option 1 is a dealer and price might be firm at $18,000.

It also appears someone is coming to see option 2 before I can, as I'm waiting for funds to deposit to my bank for selling my 5th gen 4runner :

Praying to the 100 series gods right now that these both don't get swooped in front of my eyes.

Option 1: *pictures were taken BEFORE vehicle went into detail....pretty remarkably clean.

 

[clindsay123]

Option 2:

Only driven to and from work in SD "garage kept." The black obviously shows scratches.
Font seat bottoms have been reupholstered.

 

[clindsay123]

More photos of option 2:

 

[GerLC100]

I was on option 2, but seeing the pics I'd prefer option 1. Option 2 paint and seat condition is not really great, although you can't really see option 1 paint condition.
and technically they both seem to be sound...

 

[Bisho]

#1 needs nothing, and is probably 16k miles away from needing a timing belt ($400 if you do it yourself, $1400 if you farm it out, but very location dependent). It could be another 100k miles before it needs other work, or it could start to need other things right away. You never know with a 20 y/o vehicle. Some brake boosters never fail, others fail at 150k miles. A new brake booster is $1400, a new radiator is $300.

#2 needs new leather seat upholstery sooner than later. Unless you plan on this being a trail rig and seat covers are no issue for you. You can get decent new leather seat covers in the $2k range installed, or $1100 if you do it yourself.

I'm still a fan of #1, but I'm spending your money. #1 is really clean, and the maintenance done on #2 is less than the value of the nice interior and paint. I would probably think of this a bit differently if the use case was I was building an overland or trail rig, but that is not what you described.

 

[clindsay123]

#1 needs nothing, and is probably 16k miles away from needing a timing belt ($400 if you do it yourself, $1400 if you farm it out, but very location dependent). It could be another 100k miles before it needs other work, or it could start to need other things right away. You never know with a 20 y/o vehicle. Some brake boosters never fail, others fail at 150k miles. A new brake booster is $1400, a new radiator is $300.

#2 needs new leather seat upholstery sooner than later. Unless you plan on this being a trail rig and seat covers are no issue for you. You can get decent new leather seat covers in the $2k range installed, or $1100 if you do it yourself.

I'm still a fan of #1, but I'm spending your money. #1 is really clean, and the maintenance done on #2 is less than the value of the nice interior and paint. I would probably think of this a bit differently if the use case was I was building an overland or trail rig, but that is not what you described.

Ya I hear you. I will throw on some 33" all terrains and a roof rack on it and call it a day.

I also noticed 1 accident on the blue truck. Does this seem like a cause for concern? Took place in 2014 at about 96k miles.

 

[Bisho]

Ya I hear you. I will throw on some 33" all terrains and a roof rack on it and call it a day.

I also noticed 1 accident on the blue truck. Does this seem like a cause for concern? Took place in 2014 at about 96k miles.

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It wouldn't necessarily bother me, but I would look underneath at the frame and hitch cross member and look for any buckling.

 

[Gartenmeister]

Sure wish I had options like you do.

 

[clindsay123]

Sure wish I had options like you do.

What you mean?!

 

[Couvi]

Ok, option 1 after seeing photos. When I bought mine back in 2015, I looked at ALOT of LCs and LXs — most were worn like your option 2. I eventually found a dealer trade in at Toyota, 100k miles, 1 owner, interior like new. It needed a timing belt but otherwise good to go. Having such a well taken care of interior is hard to beat, mine is still in great shape 10 years and 165k later.

 

[diesel22]

Option 1! Clean interior says a lot in my opinion!

 

[clindsay123]

Ok, option 1 after seeing photos. When I bought mine back in 2015, I looked at ALOT of LCs and LXs — most were worn like your option 2. I eventually found a dealer trade in at Toyota, 100k miles, 1 owner, interior like new. It needed a timing belt but otherwise good to go. Having such a well taken care of interior is hard to beat, mine is still in great shape 10 years and 165k later.

agreed - they sent even more photos and it's in fantastic shape inside and out.

I also found a 2007 LC for sale in Texas for $19,000 firm w/ 206k miles
Corporate fleet for 2 years, then 1 owner vehicle after that. Lots of maintenance records from the Toyota dealer outside Denver. Some minor surface rust, but otherwise looks to be in very solid condition inside and out.

I prefer the LX luxuries, but the looks and VVTI is tempting in the LC. Do do you think the VVTI is worth it if giving up the Lexus amenities like sound deadening, ML stereo, and nicer seats?

Do you think that Araco built rigs are actually made to a higher standard?

 

[Couvi]

I think that the ARACO stuff is a bit of a myth but some say they can feel the difference. 03s/04s were assembled in that plant, from what I remember reading. At this point I’d be looking at best maintenance records and overall condition (mud’s overall advice) — the 04 is still very tempting. We have an 05 Sequoia with VVti and it’s noticeably peppier, but that’s also due to it being only 2WD I believe. I prefer the simpler engines (non VVti) one less thing to worry about in a 20yo vehicle but that’s just me — there’s a premium on 06/07 that some would say is justified. That 04 LX seems really clean and taken care of — garaged as well? Mine was and paint and gaskets are still good.

 

[Bisho]

agreed - they sent even more photos and it's in fantastic shape inside and out.

I also found a 2007 LC for sale in Texas for $19,000 firm w/ 206k miles
Corporate fleet for 2 years, then 1 owner vehicle after that. Lots of maintenance records from the Toyota dealer outside Denver. Some minor surface rust, but otherwise looks to be in very solid condition inside and out.

I prefer the LX luxuries, but the looks and VVTI is tempting in the LC. Do do you think the VVTI is worth it if giving up the Lexus amenities like sound deadening, ML stereo, and nicer seats?

Do you think that Araco built rigs are actually made to a higher standard?

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Does the 07 have AHC? If so, I’d be tempted, but it’s all about your preference at that point.