Buying/Selling - what year, how much, etc. - ask for opinions here (8 Viewers)

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Just purchased my first cruiser on Monday. 2004, 240k miles. I paid $10,500. I offered 9,500 but he had a few other buyers lined up and I didn't want to lose it, so I ended up at full ask. Runs great, interior is super clean. Service records showed all the oil changes but no major items. It was sold originally with the Gold Service plan, up to 75k miles, so I'm sure it was well taken care of them. I'll be taking it to a mechanic soon to see if he can tell what has/hasn't/needs to be done.

I plan on taking it to 300k over the next 6 yrs.
 
Long time listener, First time caller. :happy:

I have been watching this forum for a long time and dreaming about getting a 100 for a while. I am finally in a situation where I am looking seriously at a 2006-2007 for a family hauler and weekend rig. I am looking for something that is reliable and going to last a long time!
I have found an LX here in canada that is almost exactly what I am looking for, with one HUGE question hanging over it.... RUST!

It's from the east coast where they use salt on the roads. I have asked for pictures of the underbody and received these. I really need to put it to the experts here. I know the underside has been coated, but I can't really tell what the damage is underneath and whether or not it's hiding more than it's helping....

Please help and give me your opinion...

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Don't buy rust.

That said;

Do your homework, look for records on how often rust protectant applied, where and from what location. Then inspect, inspect and inspect! If it checks out "clean", then pay to have it inspect by a body shop or better yet a restoration shop.
 
Am I crazy for considering this?

2001 LC for $9500. Clean carfax but eems a little pricy for 280k mikes.
Recent tb/wp, tires, axles and boots and brakes all around. Supposedly very clean, not many service records. OME lift but no diff drop. How big of a deal is the diff drop anyway? I've seen reports of driving for 5+ years without issues sans drop kit. Hard to find trucks of any age or quality in Vegas...
 
Just keep in mind I am a wholesaler and purchased the truck as a trade in at one of my dealerships, needs front accumulators and carfax shows "minor accident" back bumper was repainted. I've wanted one for quite some time, when I got the phone call on this truck I knew it was the one.
Nice looking truck! Mind if I ask what you paid?
 
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Am I crazy for considering this?

2001 LC for $9500. Clean carfax but eems a little pricy for 280k mikes.
Recent tb/wp, tires, axles and boots and brakes all around. Supposedly very clean, not many service records. OME lift but no diff drop. How big of a deal is the diff drop anyway? I've seen reports of driving for 5+ years without issues sans drop kit. Hard to find trucks of any age or quality in Vegas...
Way to high of a price...$6k max with that many miles
 
Am I crazy for considering this?

2001 LC for $9500. Clean carfax but eems a little pricy for 280k mikes.
Recent tb/wp, tires, axles and boots and brakes all around. Supposedly very clean, not many service records. OME lift but no diff drop. How big of a deal is the diff drop anyway? I've seen reports of driving for 5+ years without issues sans drop kit. Hard to find trucks of any age or quality in Vegas...
Condition more important than miles IMHO. A clean 00 w/260k just sold in 24 hr. with buyers standing in line for about that.
 
I am hoping you guys can give me some advice on a LC. So I have been looking for a couple of months now and I am scheduled to get this '04 LC inspected Wednesday at the local Toyota dealer.

It is a Nebraska/South Dakota LC, when I first heard that from the owner, I almost hung-up. The longer I talked to the owner, the more he just seems like a really trust worthy guy. I was on the phone with him for over an hour and this car sales thing is a side business for him and his business partner. They have always been car guys and were finding cars for free for friends, family and employees and they realized they could make a little money at it. They focus on clean hard to find vehicles (If you look at his other listings, they are all higher end). Anyway, he gave me 3 references, one being his mechanic that worked on it. All of the references spoke very highly of him and the mechanic said the LC was extremely clean with no rust. He replaced brakes, AC lines, the battery and the TB looks new. Everything else looks good mechanically. The owner of the dealership also didn't like the silver/goldish bumpers and door moldings (he thought it looked dated along with he gold lettering which he switched out) and had his paint guy paint them white to match the rest of the LC. The LC also has all of its service records, so thats a huge plus.

If the inspection comes back good and the pictures of the under carriage look good when its up on the rack, what do you think on price? I have him down some. NADA is saying clean retail $16,800 and Cargurus is saying $18,500. I know clean, rust free LC's with all service records are hard to find and are at a bit of a premium. I appreciate your input.

2004 Toyota Land Cruiser, $18997 - Cars.com
 
Looks clean which counts for a lot in my book. It also appears the seats have been dyed, which is common dealer detail job. Most time dye will not hold well, just heads up. Not sure what you mean on molding as it looks stock, possible replace with OEM upper rear hatch molding. Missing Lower hatch molding, which is not something a dealer would pull, a DIYer like me might. It would surprises me if an 04 needed replacement molding. So I'd look very closely at rear hatch. No accident, good factory paint is important, as is no rust.

Very few mechanics know how to properly maintain, even 50% Dealer mechanic don't. So be ready to DIY wrench ~$1,200 in parts, or pay shop $4K. The 04 has a TSB "Low speed shutter", which dealer replace transmission for. If this one is done that's a plus , if not well. Unless records on T-belt figure as you should do. Looking good on T-belt is fine for sub $9,000 but not full bore ~$18K

Inspec, inspec, inspec.
 
Thanks 2001LC. Thats good to know on the transmission, I am assuming its the same on the LX for '04's? The molding was just painted white, it wasn't replaced. Its hard for me to inspect since I won't be there. Buying long distance is tough.

There is a '04 LX with 104K miles that popped up in Texas, 1 owner and pulling the service records it they look great, they brought it in for every little thing. This is the same price, $18.9K. Maybe I will check that one out since its local.
 
Thanks 2001LC. Thats good to know on the transmission, I am assuming its the same on the LX for '04's? The molding was just painted white, it wasn't replaced. Its hard for me to inspect since I won't be there. Buying long distance is tough.

There is a '04 LX with 104K miles that popped up in Texas, 1 owner and pulling the service records it they look great, they brought it in for every little thing. This is the same price, $18.9K. Maybe I will check that one out since its local.
Dealer service or equivalent every are ~5K to 7K miles for factory recommended maintenance, is top shelve. Paint & body must be 100%, for excellent condition. Once your ready to pull tiger, pay for inspection that includes body & paint. If your flying to pick up make deal conditional on your finally inspection. Keep in mind your paying top dollar, don't except anything not 100% (excellent condition) which hard to find with ~100K miles. Offer according to condition.

Some here feel pay asking price if excellent, I don't. I make offer based on condition!

All 04's & early 05's FIFTH GEAR SHUDDER Models: '04 - '05 LX 470 (includes LC according to other post) January 28, 2005. Some reports, just flushing corrects.
 
@atx33

Did you log on to the Toyota owners website or Lexus owners website to review any service records/history?
 
I'd love some input here, as I've been learning from you all as much as possible and am excited to join the club with my first LC/LX... my budget is tight at $9k to start, but will hope to do tire and lift upgrades in the future.

Live in rusty old Illinois, and found this '98 LX 470 in Southern California.... carfax shows 2 owners and all maintenance done at dealer... obsessively, it seams!

Any tips on what to look out for with these and can I get an opinion on the condition of the undercarriage? Being from Illinois, I'm only used to see 100% rust coated under bodies haha!!

Interior Looks great... so - a solid buy at $9k?

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^looks like the underside has been touched up with spray paint.

Consider getting it inspected.
 
Don't make me cry... :( spray paint??

153k miles on it. Very regular dealer service on carfax.
 

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