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

[Blackwater]

Thanks for all the help everyone.

I offered 16,500 cash. He stated he would think about it for a day and get back to me. I should hear in the AM.
The truck is spotless, perfect carfax history, absolutely everything works and has absolutely zero rust. If he accepts the 16.5 I would be content/happy with the deal, if not I will keep looking. I decided I wont go any higher ($) on my end.
I may extend the search to a few years newer and plunk down a little more. We will see.

Blackwater, I'd say $17500 is too high. I picked up my 00 last October (Jeeze...am I really closing in on a year of ownership already?), and paid $13900 with 134000 on it, timing belt had been done at 94k, clean inside and out. Very little deferred maintenance. After taxes and the rest of the BS fees, I was at $15400 out the door. Don't forget to take uncle Sam into account when considering the price.

Dennis is right though, this is a very strange market...especially when taking into account that prices vary by region, by as much as several thousand dollars. With all of us being scattered around the country, hearing different prices from different folks makes it easy to think you're either getting a steal or getting hosed.

 

[wngrog]

Don't let $1000 get between you and a spotless Cruiser.

 

[OregonLC]

Don't let $1000 get between you and a spotless Cruiser.

^ Needs to be a sticky. Using MUD posts as a reference will lead you to believe you're overpaying regardless of how good of a deal you get. There will always be someone who got a super deal for less, it's just how the world works. Know thy market and be willing to pay a reasonable price. If you find a steal good for you. If not, don't wait 2 years only to find that you're bargain was someone else's problem child meanwhile you past over 10 other market-priced examples.

 

[cgailey]

Buying a daily driver

Hello all-

I have been poring over the mountains of FAQ's, descriptions, and advice threads regarding 80's and 100's. What I am asking for here is some direct advice/opinions regarding a decision to purchase my first LC. As it stands, I am in the market for either a 96-97 80 or a '99-'00 100. I have a growing family (2 already, one due in about 2 wks), and want to get a reliable, relatively safe, and somewhat sexy rig for my wife and kids as a DD.

We have been a subaru family for about 5 years, and currently have an '05 outback that we purchased new, and have been mostly happy with it. We plan to sell that and have been looking at 03-05 honda pilots (boring), and land cruisers. I have a friend who has a moderately built '97 80, and swears he will never own another vehicle.

My thoughts are this. I love toyota vehicles. I have an '07 tundra, and have not regretted buying it one bit. My father in law has an '89 4 runner with 325k miles that he bought new and still uses on a regular basis. My wife had an '88 celica that she drove the piss out of before she bought the OB. I know the LC is built better than all of these vehicles and has the reliability to prove it. I know that parts can be expensive, but if they last a long time, its fine with me. I don't mind doing some preventive maintenance on the vehicle myself, so long as I'm not doing so all the time. When I buy vehicles, I buy them to keep for a loooong time. My last car before the tundra was a '94 subaru legacy that I drove for 260k miles.

The question then is, why would I not buy a cruiser. I have a budget of about 12-14k (what we can sell the outback for) and will pay cash. I can handle some maintenance (brakes, suspension, maybe the front axle seals on an '80), but would rather let an experienced wrench handle the major work. I don't plan to do heavy wheeling, and this rig will spend a lot of its time on the pavement. While I can see myself becoming a cruiser head, I don't really think I'll be sinking a bunch of $$ into mods. Maybe a stereo, maybe a 2" lift, but that's about it. I'm a skier, climber, biker, hiker guy who isn't your typical wheeler type. This would be an access vehicle for our family. What I don't want is a money pit. I would buy a LC because it will go for a long time, and will get me and my family where we want to go in relative comfort and style.

So what say you all? Is my family equipped and appropriate for the adoption of a cruiser?

Thanks in advance for any and all input, and thanks for all the great info you have already amassed on this site. It has been a great help.

 

[Bigtrain333]

2000 with 74k miles $16,000

2000 Toyota Land Cruiser for sale in Matthews, NC - Liberty Buick GMC - JT3HT05J9Y0105003

So I made this offer which they accepted and took my deposit to hold it. I was supposed to pick it up yesterday and they called and said that in their inspection of it they found that the rack and pinion? Was slightly leaking and that they had ordered the part from Toyota . They said this was costing them $1,000 but that it was figured into our agreement and they were not telling me this to effect the price but rather because the part is not in from Toyota yet so the car won't be ready till next week. They said everything else on the car checked out perfectly 100%. You can click on the carfax report on their website and see that it was well maintained in Miami until last year. I've never owned a lc or an old car. It will be a daily drive, about 5 miles per day and trips to beach monthly. Would you be concerned about this problem.?

 

[OregonLC]

concerned about what? them replacing a broken part with OEM for free? sounds like you're getting a great low-mile truck for a very reasonable price to me!

I'm assuming that you're buying it sight-unseen? Do you have any ability to back out of the deal if it's not to your liking when you see it?

 

[Bigtrain333]

Yes buying it unseen. If I'm not pleased with it I can get out of deal as long as I show up. Do you think that I should get it checked out before buying? I feel like they could've not even disclosed this if they had wanted to and I would not have known for awhile so it probably is ok. Is there any worry about rust from it's time in Miami or is the rust worry just from northern roads? Thanks for your input. Just nervous about buying such an old truck but I've always wanted one!

 

[OregonLC]

In Land Cruiser years, 2000 anything but old. And at 73k it's virtually brand new. One of the top threads here is about users with over 200k using them as their daily driver. LC's are designed to go 300k and the good thing is that everything from the door handle to the glovebox latch was designed to last that full time as well. This isn't like a Dodge diesel where the power train might make it but everything else will rattle off.

If it were a private party and you couldn't check it out yourself then I'd have them take it to a shop to have it inspected. Since it's from a dealer and you have the option to back out I wouldn't worry. FL isn't known for rusting out vehicles. If it were from a rustbelt state (think MI or NY) then yes, I'd either avoid it categorically or at least ask to see pics of the underside.

 

[CandyPants]

Looking at a 2003

Hey y'all. I am looking at a 2003 in Houston with 97K miles on it. Here is the ad:

Cars for Sale: 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 in HOUSTON, TX 77005: Sport Utility Details - 301117669 - AutoTrader.com

I drove it today. It's a one owner and pretty clean. Some staining on the carpets, a few dings here and there. It's been hit on the trailer hitch and the rear bumper is a little off kilter. It needs new rubber, and it hasn't had the big "service" I've heard a lot about yet.

Suggestions on what you think I should pay for this? It seems like it's in good shape for how old it is, and it's under 100K miles which seems to be hard to find.

I appreciate anybody's advice and help.

 

[OregonLC]

Hey y'all. I am looking at a 2003 in Houston with 97K miles on it. Here is the ad:

Cars for Sale: 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 in HOUSTON, TX 77005: Sport Utility Details - 301117669 - AutoTrader.com

I drove it today. It's a one owner and pretty clean. Some staining on the carpets, a few dings here and there. It's been hit on the trailer hitch and the rear bumper is a little off kilter. It needs new rubber, and it hasn't had the big "service" I've heard a lot about yet.

Suggestions on what you think I should pay for this? It seems like it's in good shape for how old it is, and it's under 100K miles which seems to be hard to find.

I appreciate anybody's advice and help.

$23k would be expected if the vehicle were in great shape and with the 90k complete. With the flaws you mentioned and sans 90k service I'd say $20-21k. Figure $1200-1500 for the 90k (at a dealer) and $1000 for rubber not to mention the cosmetic repairs.

Just how "out of kilter" is the rear bumper. If something hit the hitch hard enough to move the bumper then it's tweaked at least the rear cross member if not the frame. The stuff above is negotiable, but I'd avoid it if there's more to the story with the rear end damage. OTOH, it might just be that it impacted the hitch and the bumper. Hard to tell without seeing it in person. The photos don't look bad, maybe just a little low on the driver's side?

 

[CandyPants]

$23k would be expected if the vehicle were in great shape and with the 90k complete. With the flaws you mentioned and sans 90k service I'd say $20-21k. Figure $1200-1500 for the 90k (at a dealer) and $1000 for rubber not to mention the cosmetic repairs.

Just how "out of kilter" is the rear bumper. If something hit the hitch hard enough to move the bumper then it's tweaked at least the rear cross member if not the frame. The stuff above is negotiable, but I'd avoid it if there's more to the story with the rear end damage. OTOH, it might just be that it impacted the hitch and the bumper. Hard to tell without seeing it in person. The photos don't look bad, maybe just a little low on the driver's side?

Thanks for your feedback. It is just a little low on the driver's side. I looked under the truck, and I couldn't see anything amiss. Now, I am not an expert by far, but I am no schlep either. Before I bought it, I would have it inspected and I would ask speficially about the rear end damage. But I would use this as a bargaining chip.

 

[Blackwater]

Hey Guys, Just wanted to check back in here. The gentlemen contacted me today accepting the 16,500. I will be going to pick her up on moday.

1st things first she will be going to the Toyota dealer for a TB/WP/tranny flush. Then off to Colorado for a week and a half. Ouray/Moab here I come!!

Pics to follow

 

[2000UZJ]

Thanks for your feedback. It is just a little low on the driver's side. I looked under the truck, and I couldn't see anything amiss. Now, I am not an expert by far, but I am no schlep either. Before I bought it, I would have it inspected and I would ask speficially about the rear end damage. But I would use this as a bargaining chip.

Under the "bumper" there are wings that support it's flimsiness. Betting those are either bent downwards from being stood on or just loose. Pull the bumper and adjust it up to level.

 

[355spider]

LC 100 questions

First off i'd like to introduce myself to the 100 forum. I've been here a few times and have just registered. I did see you guys presence at the FJCruiser ralley in Ouray a few weeks ago. Great event. I'm a long time LC fan having owned an FJ80. My first decent car when I got out of College. Loved it alot. I have an FJ Cruiser TRD now. Long time member of fjcruiserforums. My FJ is pretty well rigged out for expeditions(3in lift, 305-16, skids, sliders, scuba mod, on board air w/tank and impact tools, tool box built in, 2 batteries, 3K watt inverter, roof basket w/8 lights, Ex One front bumper with 9K warn, ARB fridge, jump seat in back for kids, amp, sub, back up camera, NAV).

It's been great to me but were going to have a 4th child so it's getting a bit crowded on long trips. It's also a bit underpowered when loaded up with gear and kids. It constantly donwshifts when cruising at 70+. This is very annoying when traveling all the way to Colorado and back to Texas. Plus it gets terrible gas mileage doing this. My FJ80 did this as well. Similar weight and power so I am not surprised. Love the offraod capabilites of both of these rigs though. They would both go nearly anywhere I asked.

We were thinking Sequoia but I can't lift it high enough due to the IRS and it would be tough hustling that beast through Imogene Pass. My buddy does it in his Tundra but I i'm not feeling it. So it looks like LC 100 or 200 or LX570. I assume they can both do 3 in lift and 33s? What I am wondering is how easy a 100 cruises at 80mph fully loaded with gear and kids. I know a 200 would cruise without gear hunting but I am not sure about a 100. I could add a supercharger but I am not sure the boost kicks in low enough to keep it from hunting. Anyone seen a dyno for a boosted 100? My guess is 80mph produces 2500rpms+? My 80 wandered all over the road at 65+ due to the mushy suspension. Can the LC 100 be driven easily with one hand on the road? Any other considerations. Great forum guys.

FJ Porn

read the sign if you can. Classic.

 

[B-RAD]

I bought my 100 in 2000, new, and am still lovin' it. I have loaded it down with camping gear and 3 kids and my wife, looking like the Clampits occaissionally, for epic road trips all over the west and it rides just fine. I do 80-85 mph on the interstates, most of the time. Sometimes I have to shift down even when I am not loaded down, when driving in the mountains, but it's not a big deal. On the open road, with no booster enhancements, I think you will do just fine with a 100, loaded with your family, and gear to boot.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

^^ Yup... we too ride Clampit style, with 4 kids and 2 dogs. Rides just fine, even hauling a trailer too.

 

[Gottagetone]

I am sure that you saw my 100 along with the white one. I have been to the Summit four times in a row and will continue to attend with my 100. The FJ has been great but the 100 is just all around a better fit for me and my family. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[CappyKD]

Welcome! If your worried about downshifting on the highway when fully loaded, just regear. Best fix for that ever. But I can load my whole family (Wife and 4 Kids) into my 100 and cruise at 85 no problem at all. I use the power mode on the Trans ECU to keep it from kicking down when climbing hills.

 

[MoJ]

If you're really worried about having enough power you might consider a later model (2006+) 100 with the additional HP. I'm assuming it would be within your budget since you mentioned considering a 200 series.

 

[355spider]

If you're really worried about having enough power you might consider a later model (2006+) 100 with the additional HP. I'm assuming it would be within your budget since you mentioned considering a 200 series.

Thanks alot guys. How more hp does it have?