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

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If you have the $$$ a 2006 or later is worth it... I drove s bunch of them before buying my 06 and don't regret it for a minute over an earlier year. The the 06 motor just moves the truck well.



Sprocketnose said:
HI, I have been looking for a TLC and found a 2006 with 46,000 miles on it and in pristine one owner condition. They are asking $37,500 for it any thoughts and ideas on what i should be looking for. I'm really wanting to get into the TLC family with a 2006 or newer.

thanks in advance.
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austintx said:
A friend of a friend is leaving the country and not taking his 98 LC, it has 305k - i offered him $4,000.

Is there anything i should be extremely concerned about?

I plan on doing a vehicle inspection before i buy at the toyota dealership.


It has the RR diferential locking, i plan to build this thing into a offroad, weekend vehicle.



Overall vehicle shows real well.


Thanks for opinions concerns - and is $4k reasonable? i live in central texas
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anyone have an opinion or comment?
 
austintx said:
anyone have an opinion or comment?
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I would ask for all the service records and carefully inspect the vehicle including a compression test on the dealer PPI. Use Christo's newbie guide at sleeoffroad.com Under the technical section.

I would also want to make sure that mechnically and electrically everything was working reasonably well. ~300k is a lot of miles. If it was maintained it might be a great buy.

Good luck.

:cheers:
 
Any Advice??

So does anyone have advice for me? 2002 132k LC Clean Carfax for 13990. My questions are: what do I need to look at for the future? I have a toyota sienna, totally different car, it runs well but with 155k I feel it needs an overhaul. I can't believe the difference between the LC and my car. Like Night and Day. Is this a good opportunity to get my dream car, or a nightmare waiting to happen? My DH is in Iraq, and don't want to stress him. Please help if you can.
 
cheftrish said:
So does anyone have advice for me? 2002 132k LC Clean Carfax for 13990. My questions are: what do I need to look at for the future? I have a toyota sienna, totally different car, it runs well but with 155k I feel it needs an overhaul. I can't believe the difference between the LC and my car. Like Night and Day. Is this a good opportunity to get my dream car, or a nightmare waiting to happen? My DH is in Iraq, and don't want to stress him. Please help if you can.
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Hello Trish,

First, a sincere thank you to you and your husband for his service in Iraq.

Regarding the Cruiser, 132K is considered 'mid life' at most for these vehicles. There useful life is realistically up around 300k. But like any vehicle, it's more a matter of how the previous owner took care of it than the actual miles on the clock. I would recommend that you arrange to take it to a Toyota dealer for a pre-purchase inspection. It will cost in the $150 range and will tell you if there is anything major wrong with the vehicle and what maintenance/repairs are due. From there you can make a decision. Again, a lot depends upon the quality of the specific vehicle, but a 2002 with those miles should probably sell in the $12k-$14k range if well taken care of, less if rough. This is a very general guideline and will vary depending upon whether it's a dealer/private party, what part of the country you're in, etc.

Two other thoughts: I'm assuming that since you have a van you probably have little ones? The Cruiser is a very safe vehicle and I would have no hesitation entrusting my loved ones inside it. Second, I'm sure you're aware, but your mileage will drop to around 14 in town and 17 on the highway.

Good luck with your purchase!
 
cheftrish said:
So does anyone have advice for me? 2002 132k LC Clean Carfax for 13990. My questions are: what do I need to look at for the future? I have a toyota sienna, totally different car, it runs well but with 155k I feel it needs an overhaul. I can't believe the difference between the LC and my car. Like Night and Day. Is this a good opportunity to get my dream car, or a nightmare waiting to happen? My DH is in Iraq, and don't want to stress him. Please help if you can.
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Cheftrish,

In addition to the good advice you have already gotten, you may want to ask a local Land Cruiser enthusiast to take a look at the vehicle for you. There are many of us on Mud that have helped one another out. I also have a Word document with questions I asked sellers about their Land Cruisers that was helpful in sorting out which vehicle I wanted. If you are interested in it PM me.
 
Cheftrish,

I second the idea of taking it into either a trusted mechanic or a local dealer for a "look-see". I own an '02 and absolutely love it. We have 4 kids that we have hauled them all over in it. Depending on your kid's ages, the back seat can be a tough ride, but may not be a big deal if they are fairly young. We went from a '95 Honda Odyssey to the LC and have never regret it. It makes us both smile every time we drive it.

Good luck and also, my many thanks to you, your husband, and you family in the support of our country. I remember well, what it feels like to be in that land away from family. Send him as many hand written letters as you can. He will never forget it.

Jonathan
 
I just bought a 03 LC with about 88k miles for 21k. There is some cosmetic stuff like the front and rear bumpers and a cracked passenger tail light. I bought the LC because I just sold my 4runner, and really wanted a LC. I should of done more research but I just bought it by impulse. This might be a deal breaker for all of you but it had 3 owners and the first owner leased it in AZ to about 66k. The 2 other owners were personal. Being very picky the LC drove pretty well, shifting fine, except when I'm coasting and step on the gas I feel a clunk. Also when I move from the transmission from park to drive, I hear a light clunk. Is this normal or am I screwed?
 
The clunk should not scare you too much. Read the forum section anbout clunk and thunk. It may be as simple as greasing the drive shafts. 21 k sounds reasonable for an 03. I just paid 22k for my 2003 with similar miles. One owner and pristine though. Welcome to the family!
 
goped said:
I just bought a 03 LC with about 88k miles for 21k. There is some cosmetic stuff like the front and rear bumpers and a cracked passenger tail light. I bought the LC because I just sold my 4runner, and really wanted a LC. I should of done more research but I just bought it by impulse. This might be a deal breaker for all of you but it had 3 owners and the first owner leased it in AZ to about 66k. The 2 other owners were personal. Being very picky the LC drove pretty well, shifting fine, except when I'm coasting and step on the gas I feel a clunk. Also when I move from the transmission from park to drive, I hear a light clunk. Is this normal or am I screwed?
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Welcome to the club! Don't let the 3-owner thing bother you. It's all about the how it was taken care of, not how many times the title changed. If it's a good rig and you like it then you should be very happy and have miles of smiles in front of you. Let's see some pics!
 
thanks, I'll get the pics up when it doesn't rain. Is it normal to feel vibration on the h/l shifter when driving. Also, when shifting to H to L I end up grinding the gears sometimes and it is very difficult to shift. Why is that? Thanks
 
goped said:
thanks, I'll get the pics up when it doesn't rain. Is it normal to feel vibration on the h/l shifter when driving. Also, when shifting to H to L I end up grinding the gears sometimes and it is very difficult to shift. Why is that? Thanks
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Depends on what you call 'vibration' :) You can feel the drivetrain harmonics through the 4H-4L lever linkage. If it's a 'Bucking Betty' then it's not normal, but if it feels like putting your hand on a clothes dryer then it's fine.

Regarding the grind, if you're completely stopped and have the trans in N, the it's possible to do a grind-free shift. The stiffness is slowing you down causing the grind. It's probably just from lack of use. If a strong, rapid pull doesn't shift into 4L without extended grinding then it's probably worth looking into. A couple of 'clicks' of the gears sorting things out isn't too out of the ordinary. Hope this helps.
 
goped said:
thanks, I'll get the pics up when it doesn't rain. Is it normal to feel vibration on the h/l shifter when driving. Also, when shifting to H to L I end up grinding the gears sometimes and it is very difficult to shift. Why is that? Thanks
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You should be stopped and in neutral our paik when you shift from H to L or vice versa, it should not grind.
 
@Chetfrish,

x10 on the advice to have a 3rd party mechanic look at a vehicle you are interested in. I had a dealership check out a cruiser in Sacramento for me that had a "spotless" Carfax on a nearby used lot. It cost me $150 to find out that the rig had front end panels w/ three different vin numbers and had been in pretty major front-end crash. ...best $150 I ever spent.

I eventually settled on an '03 in Denver (148k selling for $16k in '08 when gas prices had been courting $4 all summer) and a fellow Mudder spent some time going over it before I flew out to purchase it. I still need to pay that particular favor forward.

I use AutoTrader and Search Tempest to keep an eye on the market. Prices have gone back up. I could now sell my truck for ~$20k but I couldn't buy a replacement for any less. $14k for the '02 you are looking at sounds pretty decent depending on condition.

Good luck!
 
firetruck41 said:
You should be stopped and in neutral our paik when you shift from H to L or vice versa, it should not grind.
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It is possible to shift from LO to HI with a 5-10mph roll with the transmission in neutral. No grinding. But not sure of the possible problems of doing such. Of course, the safe way is to be completely stopped.
 
I still worry about failure of NAV screen on 2003+ and losing HVAC since they are all controlled by same head unit.

Hopefully that will change or someone will come with aftermarket unit that is cheaper than replacing Nav ECU or Head Unit.

Love thought of 5 speed and slightly larger engine...dont care for rear wing either actually...but still a great vehicle.
 
Need to make a decision soon

I have been looking for a Cruiser for the past couple of months to replace our Expedition as a family vehicle. I have owned a 96' Cruiser in the past and hate that I got rid of it.

I have now decided to try and purchase a 2000 - 2003. I have found two fairly close by and wanted to get some advice from you guys. The first is a 2000 with 106K miles and the asking price is $14,900 at a dealership with no maintenance history. Its jade green (I believe thats what its called) and in the photos it looks really nice. Same for the interior....looks great.

The second is a 2001 with 93K miles and it just had the 90K mile service done. This is a private party deal with most maintenace records and the asking price is 17K. The color is champagne (which is my least favorite color possible). Funny thing the owner says its gray. If so, its the strangest looking gray I have ever seen.

Here are my questions / concerns.. I have read on the forum that the 2000 model years may have some transmission issues. Is this correct? Did Toyota do something different in 2000 that made the trannys weaker than previous years? I know they went to a 5 speed auto in 03, but wouldn't that mean that 98 - 02 had the same 4 speed auto? Are there any other issues to look out for with the 00 and 01 in the mileage range that I am looking at?

Any thoughts? I need some quick responses....I may try to make a decision by this Friday on purchasing one of the two.

Thanks!!
 
hurricanes99 said:
I have been looking for a Cruiser for the past couple of months to replace our Expedition as a family vehicle. I have owned a 96' Cruiser in the past and hate that I got rid of it.

I have now decided to try and purchase a 2000 - 2003. I have found two fairly close by and wanted to get some advice from you guys. The first is a 2000 with 106K miles and the asking price is $14,900 at a dealership with no maintenance history. Its jade green (I believe thats what its called) and in the photos it looks really nice. Same for the interior....looks great.

The second is a 2001 with 93K miles and it just had the 90K mile service done. This is a private party deal with most maintenace records and the asking price is 17K. The color is champagne (which is my least favorite color possible). Funny thing the owner says its gray. If so, its the strangest looking gray I have ever seen.

Here are my questions / concerns.. I have read on the forum that the 2000 model years may have some transmission issues. Is this correct? Did Toyota do something different in 2000 that made the trannys weaker than previous years? I know they went to a 5 speed auto in 03, but wouldn't that mean that 98 - 02 had the same 4 speed auto? Are there any other issues to look out for with the 00 and 01 in the mileage range that I am looking at?

Any thoughts? I need some quick responses....I may try to make a decision by this Friday on purchasing one of the two.

Thanks!!
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The transmission issue is blown out of the water, it's the exhuast manifolds you should check.

Since you don't like the silver color, go with the green and tell the dealer since it does not have service records (if the 90K is not done yet), then have them do the 90K on there dime and call it even.

I'd go with the 2000 with the 90K service in the deal (assuming it is not done, if it is. Negotiate with the exhaust manifolds, assuming those are leaky. Trying to point out some of the points you may be able to negotiate with). More money in your pocket. Otherwise you would be paying 4K more for the same truck, and a color you don't really care for.

A good deal on a bad car is still a bad deal

go with what your gut is telling you, either way. You will come out happy and enjoy the cruiser for many years.
 
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