Buying/Selling - what year, how much, etc. - ask for opinions here (2 Viewers)

[LakeNorman_FJ40]

Looking for a 100 Series in as of mid-March '10?

Been looking for a 100 Series now for about a month and here's a synopsis of several trucks on the market that I've done some research on...I have ZERO percent ownership or interest in these trucks. Simply sharing my findings with the MUD community. Caveat Emptor!

'01 TLC in Boston, MA area
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50K MILES
Initially was leaning heavily towards this truck b/c of the low mileage, but don't be fooled...it's not that pristine. The combination of Boston winters and being driven by a nanny to cart kids around shows on this truck.
COLOR = Grey over tan
OPTIONS = Rear A/C, roof rack, trailer hitch
NEEDS: A pre-purchase inspection at Wellesley Toyota found:
- mechanically very sound with no leaks
- typical Boston underside is rusted all over
- needs new rear A/C lines (leaked when pressure tested) $918 in parts/labor
- muffler is rusted and has a hole in it $1,143 parts/labor
- driver seat is broken and needs a new motor and track $1,754 parts/labor
- driver side 3rd row seat latch is broken $429 parts/labor
- rear door repainted (garage door was closed on it)
- rear hatch has quarter sized rust bubble
- passenger front fender dinged at least 2x
- possible that both front and rear bumper caps have been repainted
- kept offering the dealer 16K and got them down to $18K on the truck...they wouldn't budge below that #...they think they are sitting on a cream-puff...with the above $4K worth of repairs (sure, you can do it cheaper yourself...maybe $1.7K if lucky...a USED seat track/motor and new A/C lines alone are $1K in parts) I told them to keep it
- if anyone buys this truck, I'll forward the documentation from the pre-purchase inspection as well as all service performed over the life of the truck at Wellesley Toyota


'01 Lexus LX470 in Fairfax, VA
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65K MILES
The second truck I was fairly serious about too and it seemed to check out OK. Another low-mile truck but originally from NYC and then spent time in VA.
COLOR: River Rock Metallic over Tan
OPTIONS: NAV, DVD system
NEEDS: A pre-purchase inspection at Ourisman Toyota found:
- needs a 60K service
- all fluids on this truck need to be flushed
- needs new belts
- there is no spare wheel/tire???
Rest of truck seemed to check out ok. Few minor door dings here and there... The hold-up for me is this dealer is your stereotypical used car dealer. Complete PITA to work with on details regarding the truck, getting it 2 blocks away to the Toyota dealer for the PPI, and lastly no negotiating on price. After some online research this dealer has a spotty track of happy customers. So this and the price, I got them to $19.3K down from $19.9K on the truck, convinced me to just keep looking...my gut says there's a story on this truck but I can't 100% identify it so I just walked away... If anyone on MUD buys this truck I'll send you the pre-purchase inspection paperwork.

'02 Toyota Land Cruiser in Fredericksburg VA
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62K MILES
Didn't go too far on this truck...it took me no less than 4 times of calling the salesWOman to request photos, the CarFax, and some details on this truck. Got the CarFax after call #2 but still waiting for the photos...idiot. Was able to get them to $20,323 on the truck... Another salesman (MUCH more helpful) tried to interject but she blocked him. If you go look at this truck, stay away from any salesWOman that tries to "help"...
COLOR = Tan/Gold metallic
OPTIONS = DVD system
NEEDS: Tires

'01 Lexus LX 470 in Conroe, TX
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58K MILES
Didn't go far on this truck, but found out the dealer's cost on this truck is $19.6K...they just spent over $1,500 prepping it to go on the lot. And the truck still has a set of mis-matched tires on it??? (3 different brands!)

'01 Lexus LX 470 in Memphis, TN
58K MILES
There's another post here about this truck...mismatched seat backs and floor mat colors. Photos show a vehicle not really prepped for sale at a Lexus dealership (fast food cups left in the truck during photos???). Didn't even inquire...but it looks like it may have sold.

'01 Toyota Land Cruiser in Venice, FL
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71K MILES
The pictures show a dirty truck that hasn't been prepared for sale...yet it's at a dealership??? Called and got the usual used-car pep-talk about all the stuff they've done to prep the truck (like remove the limo tint from the windows?!?!). They wouldn't negotiate past $17.5 so I told them to have a nice day...

 

[LakeNorman_FJ40]

And here's the one I bought...

...more pictures next week once I take delivery, but it's a '99 w/ 62K miles and 2 owners (never leased). Looks like it had an easy life as a 2nd or 3rd family car that was garaged.

If you are looking, like any used car, just be persistent and patient. A good one will come along...but be ready to move quickly...and don't believe that prices on these trucks aren't negotiable well below asking prices.

Looking forward to being more active on the 100 Series forum! This is my 3rd Land Cruiser...in the mid-'90s I had a pristine FJ-60...currently have a FJ-40 that I personally restored...and now this LX-470. I'm not known for keeping things 100% stock and this truck with it's locking diff keeps me from having to perform that modification! First thing will likely be to migrate my massive Con-Ferr roof rack over to this truck. Any general thoughts on the '99s appreciated...and especially suggestions on tires as this truck needs a new set.

 

[Topmounter]

Patience is key. The LC market seems to be on a bit of a rebound right now. The price / condition ratio on some of these trucks is ridiculous compared to when gas prices were north of $4/gallon.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Nice low mile truck! Just for reference for others, ballpark what'd you pay?

 

[bbalicki]

I appreciate your post which I discovered after driving this LC this morning. My gut on the car was ~ $16 -$17K and I didn't even know about most of the stuff your pre-inspection found. They did disclose the seat issue, but nothing else. BTW, the truck drove very well.

I didn't think the underside looked all that bad, but then again I've been in the Northeast all my life and everything looks like that after a few years.

 

[LakeNorman_FJ40]

Are you working with Bill at Muzi? They should disclose the 3rd seat latch issue as that is a LIABILITY if the truck rolls over and someone is in that seat! Also, they can't get the truck (legally) safety inspected with that muffler according to the Toyota dealer.

Come Monday morning you should hit him up with all the issues that you now know about the truck make an offer price of $16K as thats the number where I held firm. Just don't tell him from where you know of these issues or you will lose the upper hand in negotiations. They need to realize they gave too much in trade for this truck and they should be happy to break even at $16K or risk having to pump their own $$ into the truck.

But then there's always a less sophisticated buyer thay may come along and pay full retail on the truck...and I think that's what they are hoping to get.

Pull a Car Fax and see how long they have been sitting on the truck...they told me they "just got it" but I don't believe them...

 

[Zoolander]

Good posts Lake Norman_FJ40. I too spoke with a salesman on the LX470 in Fairfax, VA too. The best I could get him to was $19200. Everyone I spoke to at that dealership were not the most helpful. I had also spoke to the local lexus dealer to have a PPI done. Good to know that you have had one done and are offering the info.
I have found a white 01 LX470 with 60k for $19k but I am not crazy about the white color.

 

[bbalicki]

I dealt with a new salesperson (Van) and a manager whose name I think was Brian. According to the CarFax they showed me the 100 was offered for sale on 2/25.

 

[bigdaddy]

2000 LX 470 w/59K for $18.9k at a Toyota Dealer

2000 LX 470 w/59K for $18.9k at a Toyota Dealer in (Seattle, WA) no affiliation.

I went and looked at it even though it is out of my price range. It is a clean rig, all fluids looked good, well detailed (Didn't check the AHC). I wasnt digging the brown color, but if I had the money and seeing the low miles, I could live with it.

Here is the link to the Dealer which has link to free CarFax, but the Craigslist post has the cheaper price.

 

[SirHumphreyAppleby]

Considering buying an LC or LX470

Hi all,

I am new to the forum.

I am looking into a 100 series Land Cruiser or Lexus LX470...considering the GX as well. I can spend approximately $15k so I think I am stuck with a higher mileage model.

I currently drive an old XK8 which is nickle and dimeing me left and right. Just took it to the shop and I am looking at a $3800 bill...so I am going to dump it. I also drive an old 911 which is expensive to fix but it is so simple there really is not much to go wrong with it.

Would a high mileage LC be an affordable car to maintain? I am a student and I really do not have a lot of money to spend on expensive maintenance and repairs. I know a LC is a $70k vehicle but I cannot afford much more than $500-$1000 worth of maintenance each year.

I do not have a whole lot of experience with Land Cruisers and I want to know how bad they are to repair and what to look out for when purchasing one. I would like to avoid navigation and air suspension if possible. I will be buying a good warranty (this will be on top of my $15k budget for the car) to go along with it but I do not want to see $1000 bills every time I take it to the shop.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Topmounter]

Isn't the whole point of buying a warranty to protect yourself against potential repair bills?

 

[SirHumphreyAppleby]

Isn't the whole point of buying a warranty to protect yourself against potential repair bills?

Yes if I find one that covers wear and tear then it should get rid of most repair bills. But if it is just mechanical failure than no. Hoses, clutches (irrelevant on a 100 though), brakes, brake pads, valves and all sorts of other crap are likely not to be covered.

 

[firetruck41]

If I didn't have a good chunk of money set aside for unexpected repairs, and was not willing to DIY, I would get a newer and "cheaper" type of car. I think that Land Cruisers are reasonable to DIY maintain, and very reliable, but for instance, if you don't want to change the starter contacts yourself (and they are a common repair), you could be looking at a $600 repair bill. A full fluid/filter change at a shop could cost upwards of $2-300, as the mileage goes up these will be common things that need to be done, not just for a Land Cruiser. I think the best solution is to learn to DIY, there are plenty of write ups and tips on most jobs you will need to do. The second best solution, is to get a 2 year old Honda Civic and keep the change.

 

[bljww]

HI all, I like my cars pre-dented. But I'm not sure about this one. It's a 98 model but with 260K on the odo. The owner let a local guy do all the service and I haven't got that info yet. The interior is bad. namely the seats. She said to make an offer. I'm not looking for a nice cruiser. but I want something dependable. Any thoughts on what to offer. I don't have any pics, but the exterior can be decieving. It has rear locker!
Any advice on what to offer? I'm thinking $4K max!

Thanks everyone.

 

[Topmounter]

The second best solution, is to get a 2 year old Honda Civic and keep the change.

I'd say that if a 2 year old Honda Civic suits your needs, then you shouldn't be considering a Land Cruiser (or any off-road capable vehicle for that matter) in the first place... Especially if routine maintenance and repair costs are a concern.

 

[nautilus]

Just picked up a rust free mall cruiser, 98 with rear locker, 135k, with recent 120k service done.
Paid $9,100 how'd I do?

 

[mpho]

You did well! Not sure where you are...But here in Utah...11-14 isn't out of the question...

 

[Zoolander]

I just committed to a 2001 LX470 with 59,200 miles in mint condition for $19000. I would like to believe I did ok? I seal the deal this Thursday!! Will be posting an introduction and pics soon.

 

[LakeNorman_FJ40]

Zoo - That's seems within range of the going rate currently for that year and mileage, but depends on condition, options, and whether or not the 60K service has been done to the LX. At a Toyota dealer, the 60K is a $400 - $500 job and if you also do belts add another $150. Does it have NAV and DVD?

 

[Zoolander]

The 01 does not have NAV or DVD which is what I preferred. The 60K has not been done to my knowledge but the car is in very very good shape. The brakes are new along with the OE Michelin tires(less than 500 miles on them). The engine bay is almost spotless. Belts looked to be in good condition. Pics with intro soon.