Buying/Selling - what year, how much, etc. - ask for opinions here (6 Viewers)

[AATLAS1X]

So this is s a '99 LX470 with AHC, is this normal?

157k, nak radio, full load.

 

[AATLAS1X]

Thanks for the offer of help, enjoyed talking to you.We'll see what happens...

Ben,

Found one (above) not sure if it will fit the bill or not. I am trying to get the details on the $$$$

 

[firetruck41]

Interesting. I saw one on craigslist up north, but tough to get the logistics in place to look at it, etc. May still give it a shot.

Oh, and regarding the pic, that is not normal unless it is set to "low", but it will automatically raise and default back to "normal" when you go over about 3-5mph. You can only lower it when parked, basically, and you have to press the button each time.

 

[cbmontgo]

Guess it was a good deal. The one I posted about above sold the same day it was listed. Found another almost exactly the same with 72,000, but they are asking 19750 (the dealer value for an excellent condition) for a private party sale. I emailed to see if they want to be reasonable.

This sounds like what I went through in my search. These things sell very fast. I had 3 or 4 sell before I had a chance to look at them. Even lost a bid on Ebay one night. Finally found a local, low-mileage 2000 model about 6 weeks ago and I'm lovin' it.

 

[danny noonan]

Half of the ones I call about are already sold. The 99 mentioned above with 72,000 says 19,000 even is as low as they will go. Guess I'll keep looking.

 

[cbmontgo]

Half of the ones I call about are already sold. The 99 mentioned above with 72,000 says 19,000 even is as low as they will go. Guess I'll keep looking.

The part I always like is when the vehicle has been sold for weeks and the ad is still up. Had a bunch of those too...

 

[bkgee]

disregard the post showing the undercarriage. Guy was not willing to budge at all.

I have a 2000 LC in my area that has 139K miles on it. Had it inspected this morning. Timing belt and water pump have not been changed. Also the wheel bearings need to be repacked. They mentioned it needed cv boot joint kit. Its close to 1700.00 worth of work. Owner's final price was 12,500.00. Should I take it at that and drop the 1700 in it or just keep looking?

If the truck is in good condition and car fax checks out, that might be an OK deal. at least you would then know the absolute facts regarding the belt/pump/CV/bearings. For reference, I paid $16k for a 2001 with all these things already attended to, with 122k miles.

 

[smm3]

If the truck is in good condition and car fax checks out, that might be an OK deal. at least you would then know the absolute facts regarding the belt/pump/CV/bearings. For reference, I paid $16k for a 2001 with all these things already attended to, with 122k miles.

Thanks for the info. I actually bought it for that amount Sunday. Doesn't need the wheel bearings repacked and doesn't need the cv boot kit. Looking at about 1,200 worth of work for a total of 13.7K. I thought that seemed like a good deal considering it is in great shape otherwise....

Will be posting some pics here shortly!

 

[dhagberg]

Looking at 2000 LC tomorrow 1/13

Hi All -- I'm very new to this site, but have been dreaming about an LC for a long, long time. So far, I've decided on the FZJ100 range to fit my budget, somewhere between $11-14k. This would definitely be a second car for me and will look quite large parked next to my MINI, so gas mileage, etc isn't a big deal. Comfortable for 4-5, safe & reliable on road trips to Moab, room for a pile of people and/or ski & camping gear and occasional trailering duty are the main things and kinda tough to do with the MINI the ex left with me...

I've been running a craigslist search for quite a while in areas that are about a day drive from Boulder CO and joy, here one shows up almost in my back yard yesterday. So I'm off to see it tomorrow night. The basics are on the post: $14k and 117k mi, originally from AZ. Seller says it has been problem-free as I would hope for an LC.

It sounds like the main issues discussed here are just to check basic maintenance records, right?
- belt: should have been changed at 90k right?
- pump: should have been replaced?
- CV: replaced? or just visually check boots?
- bearings: repacked? or replaced at this mileage?

Any other things to ask about?

Other than checking for battle scars underneath, holes in the CV boots, general cleanliness, steering response (I'm sure it's no MINI), weird noises, ... is there anything else that can be field checked in a 1hr test drive/inspection?

Thanks for all the great info on this site -- sounds like almost as much enthusiasm here as there is for my other car.

-=- D. J.

Craigslist post:
2000 Land Cruiser

 

[bkgee]

DJ - sleeoffroad.com has a good reference for inspecting an LC. you would have to really focus to hit all the points in 1 hour. at a minimum i would recommend reviewing all records for the major service items, physically testing all electronic functions (power windows etc), engaging all drive modes (H-L/CDL) in a dirt lot, peak around the under carriage for the obvious (tattoos and leaks), and of course city/hwy handling.

dont forget to review the carfax before you spend your time traveling for inspection. its a cheap insurance policy.

 

[danny noonan]

Found another possiblility

2002 Gray Land Cruiser
89,000 miles
Has Nav
Looks Clean inside and out

Has not had the 90K service done

Asking 18,900 but quickly added he wasn't firm and wanted to move it.

What would be a fair offer?

General Question - About half of the dealerships won't give out any information about prior service citing privacy concerns. Bull****?

 

[dhagberg]

Thanks all --

The 2000 LC in Niwot looks like it is in good shape and definitely an Arizona car. HOWEVER, the owner does not recall getting a timing belt change or water pump on it. There was also a leak under the power steering reservoir which was drooling fluid from the top of the right wheel well down to the suspension. Otherwise, no leaks. All the electrical seemed to check out except the CD player doesn't play - apparently never did since he bought it from the 1st owner.

Basically, I think the guy just *drove* it and took it in to Boulder Toyota whenever it hit a major service interval (do Land Cruisers have a Service interval light?). I'll call the dealer and see if they can pull maintenance records tomorrow to double-check the maintenace -- I assume Toyota's maint. systems are all connected so they can pull up service done both in AZ and CO - right?

There are about 3 good scrapes on the car, just cosmetic so no biggie. One on the running boards where his daughter tried to back it over the big boulder decorating the side of their driveway -- but those will be coming off soon enough anyway.

My inclination is to offer $1700 under his $14k asking price since that's about what it would cost (I think) to get the maintenance items done. So about $12,300. KBB puts a price around $13k. Edmunds Fair Market Private Party is about $11.5k I think.

Do those numbers sound fair to the folks here in this group?

 

[willgabriel]

2003 LC, 100k miles for $18,500

I found a sonora gold, 1 owner, clear Carfax LC for $18,500. Dealer is checking to see if timing belt has been done. If it hasn't how much would that cost? What do you guys think this rig is worth if everything else checks out (NADA has it worth about 22k retail and 17k average trade-in). I was thinking about offering 17k IF everything checks-out (even if it needs the timing belt) figuring they probably gave the original owner about $16.5k for it on trade.

 

[spressomon]

I found a sonora gold, 1 owner, clear Carfax LC for $18,500. Dealer is checking to see if timing belt has been done. If it hasn't how much would that cost? What do you guys think this rig is worth if everything else checks out (NADA has it worth about 22k retail and 17k average trade-in). I was thinking about offering 17k IF everything checks-out (even if it needs the timing belt) figuring they probably gave the original owner about $16.5k for it on trade.

Assuming it is in very good condition (clean CarFax, no big body damage repairs, etc.) and assuming its not a rust belt vehicle and assuming the 90K PM have been done their asking price is very good from what I've seen. Even if you have to do the 90K PM its a very fair deal...but use that as a bargaining chip if it hasn't been performed. Even better if its sans the Nav unit!

 

[dhagberg]

FYI - I got an estimate from Boulder Toyota of about $900 to do Timing belt & water pump for the 2000 LC I was looking at. And the "big" service at 120k miles would be about $800 on top of that.

 

[willgabriel]

Assuming it is in very good condition (clean CarFax, no big body damage repairs, etc.) and assuming its not a rust belt vehicle and assuming the 90K PM have been done their asking price is very good from what I've seen. Even if you have to do the 90K PM its a very fair deal...but use that as a bargaining chip if it hasn't been performed. Even better if its sans the Nav unit!

Well, it has spent its whole life in Cincinnati, OH (close to the rust belt; hope nobody on here snatches this one away from me before I can make an informed decision). Again, very clean, one owner Carfax history, with clean pics of everything except the undercarriage which the dealer is sending to me today. I do plan on having a Toyota dealer up there do a pre-purchase inspection that I might get a better idea of what I am looking at. The LC does have navigation (is that really such a bad thing?), and has been on the lot since early November. If things check out (even if I have to do the timing belt and water pump), I think I would offer them $16,500 knowing I would likely give them $17k.

 

[hfaucett]

I've been lurking here a while, originally thinking I was going to buy an 80, but I bit the bullet and paid the extra to step up to a 100 since this will primarily be a daily driver that just needs towing capabilities and occasional ability to bust snow drifts and drive on the back 40 here. In the end, I drove north of Chicago to pick up:

1999 LC
103,000 miles
Rear AC
One Owner
Very clean
Clean CarFax
Out the door: $12,250

A few oddities worth mentioning: no spare tire, slow driver's side window, no floor mats. No knowledge of 90K maint. Overall, pretty happy with the purchase.

First tank of gas from trip back from Chi-town: 19.8 mpg
Second tank of gas driving in town and letting the wife test: 14.4 mpg

 

[spressomon]

Well, it has spent its whole life in Cincinnati, OH (close to the rust belt; hope nobody on here snatches this one away from me before I can make an informed decision). Again, very clean, one owner Carfax history, with clean pics of everything except the undercarriage which the dealer is sending to me today. I do plan on having a Toyota dealer up there do a pre-purchase inspection that I might get a better idea of what I am looking at. The LC does have navigation (is that really such a bad thing?), and has been on the lot since early November. If things check out (even if I have to do the timing belt and water pump), I think I would offer them $16,500 knowing I would likely give them $17k.

Sounds like a great deal! Just be aware if this rig has spent anytime on salted roads you will need to be prepared with drill bits, taps as every 6-8mm bolt on the underside; they will be difficult to impossible to remove when needed. No scare tactic but just wanted you to know Toyota Land Cruisers don't offer any undercoating protection and rust quite easily especially when exposed to salt. This is why the values on LC's that have lived their life in the Western desert/arid states are generally higher.

The Nav unit is a personal thing. I use my 100 for lots of off-road exploring. Touchscreens get scarred up fast out here in the land of sand and decomposed granite . The Nav unit in the LC has zero benefit to me. Whereas the non-Nav versions, which are a relatively rare find in '03+ years, are simpler and less to go wrong.

 

[willgabriel]

Sounds like a great deal! Just be aware if this rig has spent anytime on salted roads you will need to be prepared with drill bits, taps as every 6-8mm bolt on the underside; they will be difficult to impossible to remove when needed. No scare tactic but just wanted you to know Toyota Land Cruisers don't offer any undercoating protection and rust quite easily especially when exposed to salt. This is why the values on LC's that have lived their life in the Western desert/arid states are generally higher.

The Nav unit is a personal thing. I use my 100 for lots of off-road exploring. Touchscreens get scarred up fast out here in the land of sand and decomposed granite . The Nav unit in the LC has zero benefit to me. Whereas the non-Nav versions, which are a relatively rare find in '03+ years, are simpler and less to go wrong.

I certainly appreciate your sound advice. Hopefully, the undercarriage pics (and PPI) will not reveal any rust or other issues.

Otherwise, I also located a 2001 LC, white/tan, 91k miles, no nav, no rear a/c that has spent its life in TN (3 owners). Carfax and autocheck come back clean. Dealer is asking $17.9 though. I think it's worth about $14k.

I know of the interior dash cosmetic and hp differences in the 2001 and 2003, but are there any significant advantages to either model year? Would you pay $16.5k for a 2001 w/91k miles (let's assume it needs the 90k service) over paying $17.5k for a 2003 w/100k miles (again, let's assume it needs the 90k mile service)?

 

[spressomon]

I certainly appreciate your sound advice. Hopefully, the undercarriage pics (and PPI) will not reveal any rust or other issues.

Otherwise, I also located a 2001 LC, white/tan, 91k miles, no nav, no rear a/c that has spent its life in TN (3 owners). Carfax and autocheck come back clean. Dealer is asking $17.9 though. I think it's worth about $14k.

I know of the interior dash cosmetic and hp differences in the 2001 and 2003, but are there any significant advantages to either model year? Would you pay $16.5k for a 2001 w/91k miles (let's assume it needs the 90k service) over paying $17.5k for a 2003 w/100k miles (again, let's assume it needs the 90k mile service)?

I have not personally driven an '03+ but from my friends that have or do own both they say the 5speed makes a rather large difference overall. I think the '03 would be the better choice IMO. If I could figure out a reasonable cost effective way to stuff the 5-speed (A750F) tranny in my '99 I'd do it! Having said that there is a "way" but the bridge computer/controller is $1800