Buying/Selling - what year, how much, etc. - ask for opinions here

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I'm looking at a 1999 LC with 150k.

1. There are no service records (owner threw them away when his father gave him the car about a year ago) and no way to verify if the timing belt and water pump were ever changed. The same family has owned it since new and there are entries that the car was serviced when I pulled a carfax, but not much details about what services were performed other than oil changes.
2. It is rust free, and appears to be all original except for the aftermarket head unit and the windshield was replaced at some point because it isn't oem. I didn't see any rust around the windshield.
3. The black paint is in decent shape but can use some TLC. The seats have cracks but no rips. A good clean and condition would go a long ways.
4. I brought it to a mechanic for an inspection and everything checked out except for a leak at the transfer case (current owner is paying to install a new seal), front lower ball joints are leaking, valve cover seepage and the sway bushings are shot. Everything else checked out fine.

I plan to replace the TB/WP right away if I buy it. Any opinions on the value of this LC?
 
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I'm looking at a 1999 LC with 150k.

1. There are no service records (owner threw them away when his father gave him the car about a year ago) and no way to verify if the timing belt and water pump were ever changed. The same family has owned it since new and there are entries that the car was serviced when I pulled a carfax, but not much details about what services were performed other than oil changes.
2. It is rust free, and appears to be all original except for the aftermarket head unit and the windshield was replaced at some point because it isn't oem. I didn't see any rust around the windshield.
3. The black paint is in decent shape but can use some TLC. The seats have cracks but no rips. A good clean and condition would go a long ways.
4. I brought it to a mechanic for an inspection and everything checked out except for a leak at the transfer case (current owner is paying to install a new seal), front lower ball joints are leaking, valve cover seepage and the sway bushings are shot. Everything else checked out fine.

I plan to replace the TB/WP right away if I buy it. Any opinions on the value of this LC?

Can't you go to the shop where they had it serviced? Surely they would remember the place(s) they took it. Take advantage of knowing who the previous owners were...
 
Just purchased a 2002 LC with ~180k miles. The interior is very clean, the only thing wrong is it is missing the 3rd row cup holders. Mechanically seems solid, except has the R to D clunk. Bought from second owner, no repair history, clean car fax, has many a little more external dents and dings than I would like, but no rust. Purchased for 8k, what say you did I get a decent deal?
 
Has anyone seen this one. It was on Craigslist and eBay twice but never sold. I emailed the guy, he said it was in the DC area for most of its life until he got it. Seller is a broker, Toyota service history is very limited. It looks like it was taken care of though. He sent me pics of the frame and it looks rust free. Service history worries me.
He was originally asking 14k. Finally ready to buy and it seems pickings are slim.

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Been looking for an 03+ buy a buddy offered his 2000 with 178k for $8500.

Needs timing belt, CV boots, steering knuckles. I will check, but I think it's rust free, it's been in NM for at least the last 5 years. It's not as new/ not a 5 speed / not the color I'd like, but I haven't been having any luck in my search.
 
04 LX470 with 115k on the clock. Said it had the timing belt replaced. Good condition save a number of bumper scuffs.

I offered 15k, they countered me at 18k. I think 16k is on the higher end of fair, but 18 seems high. What say you knowledgable people?
It's a SW rig, no rust.
 
04 LX470 with 115k on the clock. Said it had the timing belt replaced. Good condition save a number of bumper scuffs.

I offered 15k, they countered me at 18k. I think 16k is on the higher end of fair, but 18 seems high. What say you knowledgable people?
It's a SW rig, no rust.
Paid 19k for my 04 LC in 2015 – 100K, 1 owner all service and no rust. If it's in good shape, it may sell for that – really good ones are tough to find. There were 5 people in line after me so had to move quick.
 
It has some dings, plus the bumpers are pretty scratched up. It is hard to find something under 170k right now. From what I'm seeing LC's are pulling a premium over LX's.
 
Paid 19k for my 04 LC in 2015 – 100K, 1 owner all service and no rust. If it's in good shape, it may sell for that – really good ones are tough to find. There were 5 people in line after me so had to move quick.
So what would you say is a fair price, 17k?
 
So what would you say is a fair price, 17k?
At some point you simply have to ask what it is worth to you. Ok so you may pay more than a bunch of people here would pay and loose low ball bragging rights, but if its local, in the color you like and comes with some assurance of PM history, go for it. A thousand bux over the life of vehicle operational costs is really small money.
 
At some point you simply have to ask what it is worth to you. Ok so you may pay more than a bunch of people here would pay and loose low ball bragging rights, but if its local, in the color you like and comes with some assurance of PM history, go for it. A thousand bux over the life of vehicle operational costs is really small money.

Good point.
 
So what would you say is a fair price, 17k?
I agree with @REDrum on this completely. These trucks are only racking up mileage at this point. Finding well maintained versions in good condition is quite a hunt. I had to do the timing belt service on mine not long after I got it, but have no regrets as I plan on keeping it for a while - best vehicle I've ever owned by far. Have it inspected and jump if it's good. If you don't someone else will.
 
04 LX470 with 115k on the clock. Said it had the timing belt replaced. Good condition save a number of bumper scuffs.

I offered 15k, they countered me at 18k. I think 16k is on the higher end of fair, but 18 seems high. What say you knowledgable people?
It's a SW rig, no rust.
I agree with others here. I don't think 18k is way out of line. I almost bought an 04 right before I found the 07. It's hard to find Clean, low mileage, rust free, service records, etc... There will always be someone who "got it for less". These rigs are not a dime a dozen, still negotiate hard but I learned it's different than buying an f150 where there are 5 on every car lot. I shopped for a year, got really serious in the last few months and there were only 5 or 6 rigs that would fit the bill. 3 of them were northern trucks which ruled them out for me. It was a race to buy the 07 as there were several people after it. Buy the cleanest, best maintained one you can find. Good luck with your search, hope this helps.
 
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Just bought a 00 LC. 145k miles. Black w/tan interior. No rust, interior is basically perfect and almost like new (not joking). 1 owner w/all records. Timing belt, water pump @ 125k miles. All preventive maintenance and fluid replacements were done. $10.1k.
Wasn't planning to buy but found the car and never seen one in such nice shape w/all maintenance. After coming back from test drive there was another party waiting to look at it so I bought it. Nervous at first but now feel very luck to have found it
 
Thanks guys. We agreed on 17.5k, contingent on an inspection. I was ready to buy a plane ticket, and I talked to the guy on the phone (all this was via eBay). He said I didn't need an inspection because it was just serviced for a tsb, then he agreed to it, but will be out of town until Wednesday. He also wanted to do the deal away from eBay, which I'm not wild about.

So I'm not saying it's a dead deal, but I'm a bit on the defensive now. So this one is a possibility, but I still have my eyes open.

Thank you all for the sanity check. Keep ya posted.
 
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Outside of Ebay? I think the only thing Ebay protects is that they guarantee you will
receive your vehicle. I purchased my 2002 LX via Ebay but had to wire the rest
before they would ship. If the seller will allow an inspection and you are going to
fly out and pick up and pay when you arrive and inspect yourself, sounds legit to me.

I have also purchased an Isuzu Trooper via Ebay. This time it was different than
with my LX. The auction timed out without meeting reserve so I contacted seller
and offered $3000. Wife and I drove to Stauton, VA and made deal at the sellers
work location.

When dealing with an individual be sure and get the Title signed by the seller
and notarized. I didn't get it notarized but I had the seller sign a Bill of Sale
form I took with me.
 

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