Buying Advice: 2 Great Options Need Help

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)

 

[clindsay123]

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

It does, which makes the decision much more difficult as I really want a 100 w/ AHC. This made the LX a clear choice unless I found a LC w/ AHC.
Condition is pretty solid. I'm just wondering if being in Colorado most of it's life vs Seattle will create more maintenance later on. I bought my v8 4runner which lived in Colorado/Utah and had to sell due to electrical gremlins which I heard are much more common in states where there is any sort of road treatment being used.

Here are the pictures: Used 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser for Sale in Houston, TX (with Photos) - CarGurus - https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-2007-Toyota-Land-Cruiser-Houston-c5260_L34369#listing=396584811/NONE/DEFAULT

 

[Bisho]

It does, which makes the decision much more difficult as I really want a 100 w/ AHC. This made the LX a clear choice unless I found a LC w/ AHC.
Condition is pretty solid. I'm just wondering if being in Colorado most of it's life vs Seattle will create more maintenance later on. I bought my v8 4runner which lived in Colorado/Utah and had to sell due to electrical gremlins which I heard are much more common in states where there is any sort of road treatment being used.

Here are the pictures: Used 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser for Sale in Houston, TX (with Photos) - CarGurus - https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-2007-Toyota-Land-Cruiser-Houston-c5260_L34369#listing=396584811/NONE/DEFAULT

Make sure you get undercarriage pics. CO can be finicky when it comes to rust.

 

[clindsay123]

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

Make sure you get undercarriage pics. CO can be finicky when it comes to rust.

I do have them earlier in this thread but see below again or reference (LC). Does that seems okay rust wise?
LX on the other hand has almost 0 rust.

 

[Bisho]

Sorry, didn’t realize that was from the 07. That’s not bad.

 

[Irishpilot]

Buy the one that has the least amount of rust. It seems like both vehicles have good service records. Mileage is a secondary consideration with these vehicles.

 

[clindsay123]

Buy the one that has the least amount of rust. It seems like both vehicles have good service records. Mileage is a secondary consideration with these vehicles.

Sadly both of them sold before I could get there. Would you take an 07 cruiser with good records over an 04 LX with the same?

 

[Irishpilot]

That really depends on what you want the vehicle for. The ‘07 has the VVT-i, LED tail lights, and most likely doesn’t have AHC. The ‘04 LX has AHC and a more upscale interior. LX will get you more vehicle for your money, but the ‘06-07 LCs will probably hold resale better.

Don’t get discouraged. It took me about eight months of actively looking before I found mine. Patience is key.

 

[diesel22]

Sadly both of them sold before I could get there. Would you take an 07 cruiser with good records over an 04 LX with the same?

I would, solely based on appearance though. Most do have AHC like the LX (which I wanted) and the seats are damn nice still (even after 364k miles!). Perhaps the sound deadening makes a big diff (haven't been in an LX) but I just love the front end look on the LC and not a big fan of the headlight design on the LX. All personal preference though I know some people feel the opposite.

 

[clindsay123]

That really depends on what you want the vehicle for. The ‘07 has the VVT-i, LED tail lights, and most likely doesn’t have AHC. The ‘04 LX has AHC and a more upscale interior. LX will get you more vehicle for your money, but the ‘06-07 LCs will probably hold resale better.

Don’t get discouraged. It took me about eight months of actively looking before I found mine. Patience is key.

Luckily this 07 LC does have AHC, so I'm leaning that way.
It's funny I tried a new strategy of selling my current vehicle before having a new one...kind of a way to force me to find something and act fast instead of over analyzing options across the country. So as of today I own no vehicle

 

[clindsay123]

I would, solely based on appearance though. Most do have AHC like the LX (which I wanted) and the seats are damn nice still (even after 364k miles!). Perhaps the sound deadening makes a big diff (haven't been in an LX) but I just love the front end look on the LC and not a big fan of the headlight design on the LX. All personal preference though I know some people feel the opposite.

Good points. I also love the LC looks stock, where as the Lexus needs more mods to look as good which means more $$$ to factor in.
I'm thinking I am going to pull the trigger on this 07 w/AHC since I have no vehicle as of today.

Also great to hear that the LC seats are also comfy as road trip comfort is important to me.

Thanks!

 

[clindsay123]

So I am finally closing in on a 2007 LC 100 series for $19k and it is currently being inspected. Has 200k miles on the clock and the mechanics says it looks overall in great condition and great service records at Toyota (Colorado vehicle outside Denver). The only issues they can find are the following.

- Rust, the shop says it's minor but sems suspect to me (see photos below)

- AHC is going slowly from N to H. This is my biggest concern because I want to run this AHC system. They said the fluid reservoir was low, but they clearly don't know the system well.

- TPMS need replacement (2 out and 2 on low battery)

- Driver seat lumbar doesn't work or the steering wheel telescope in/out function.

What can I expect to pay for each repair and how much can I reasonably ask the the dealer to take off the asking price for these issues? Does anyone have some directions or images I can share with them on how to inspect the AHC lines to make sure they aren't rusted out?

Thanks!

 

[Gartenmeister]

- Rust, the shop says it's minor but sems suspect to me (see photos below)

I'm not sure I'd call that minor. Do you have vehicle history to see where it's lived? That would be fine in the northeast but I'm not sure why you'd want to drag it to LA considering how much cleaner your local cars are.

 

[clindsay123]

I'm not sure I'd call that minor. Do you have vehicle history to see where it's lived? That would be fine in the northeast but I'm not sure why you'd want to drag it to LA considering how much cleaner your local cars are.

It lived in Colorado. I'm going to pass on it and keep hunting.
I sold my 4runner (only vehicle) so you could say the motivation to find a 100 is high right now.

I was originally looking for 03+ LXs and 06+ LCs.

Might be time to broaden my search.

 

[diesel22]

It lived in Colorado. I'm going to pass on it and keep hunting.
I sold my 4runner (only vehicle) so you could say the motivation to find a 100 is high right now.

I was originally looking for 03+ LXs and 06+ LCs.

Might be time to broaden my search.

How is the search going did you end up with one

 

[ellexx470]

In my opinion, there are way too many of these rigs available rust-free to buy one with any rust issues at all. Of course, it took me close to a decade to buy the one I wanted (one owner, Vapor Blue '03 LX that was always parked at my Dentist's office). Rust is only the most obvious result of living in an environment with salted roads, but the salt affects more than the steel on a vehicle - it affects (and degrades) every surface, every material, from the rubber hoses to the aluminum to the plastic connectors. And can make even simple tasks like replacing O2 sensors into bigger, more frustrating jobs.

 

[clindsay123]

How is the search going did you end up with one

closing in on one of the trucks listed in the classifieds
Will post back once I finalize!

 

[clindsay123]

In my opinion, there are way too many of these rigs available rust-free to buy one with any rust issues at all. Of course, it took me close to a decade to buy the one I wanted (one owner, Vapor Blue '03 LX that was always parked at my Dentist's office). Rust is only the most obvious result of living in an environment with salted roads, but the salt affects more than the steel on a vehicle - it affects (and degrades) every surface, every material, from the rubber hoses to the aluminum to the plastic connectors. And can make even simple tasks like replacing O2 sensors into bigger, more frustrating jobs.

thanks for the advice here, and I think it's often not talked about enough how much the other parts of the vehicle are effected. At least in all the information I've read online ends to focus on the frame. But I bet my old v8 4runner that I had to sell because of electrical gremlins was the result of it being a Colorado / Utah vehicle.