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

[Anthony.L]

$22k is A LOT of money for a 2001 LC. You are paying for a pristine specimen with absurdly low mileage. Is it worth the premium, well that is only for you to decide! My priorities would be to find a normal mileage 2001 LC for $13k and spend the difference on upgrades. But to each their own, that is quick the find!

 

[captmuff]

it's going to be more a a daily driver than anything else. not really looking to modify it a lot right off the bat. the low miles make me think it's worth it. the seller (the executor of a trust) has a trade in offer of $24,000 from carmax, but prefers to sell it to me so he doesn't have to drive it down to denver i guess.

obviously it's a 10+ year old car, but given the low mileage, spare no expense type maintenance done by the property manager, and the fact the vehicle is so reliable (and of course b/c i miss my toyotas) make me think it's an opportunity i can't pass up. looking to drive this thing for the forseable future and then unload it as it gets older or modify it around 150K miles or so into more of a toy. there are some great 4x4 trails in my area (vail, co)

 

[Anthony.L]

Then go for it!

 

[mcgaskins]

it's going to be more a a daily driver than anything else. not really looking to modify it a lot right off the bat. the low miles make me think it's worth it. the seller (the executor of a trust) has a trade in offer of $24,000 from carmax, but prefers to sell it to me so he doesn't have to drive it down to denver i guess.

I personally find it highly suspicious when someone says they have a certain offer from Carmax that's a couple grand higher than what they'd be willing to sell it for. If he didn't want the hassle of driving it to Carmax then how did he get the offer from them? I know for a fact they must inspect the car in person before they'll make any offer to buy a car. If he's an executor of the trust, I highly doubt he'd walk away from an offer that good on a truck that old. Sometimes people will say "I want it to go to someone who will appreciate it" implying that for the sake of the truck they'll take less money in their pocket. BS in my opinion.

(As an aside, I had dealt with a member here on Mud trying to sell his 100 series, and a few shady things kept popping up that didn't quite make sense. He kept saying that everything was cool and legit, but I got a bad feeling. He told me Carmax would give him $4,500 more than what he was going to get from me, but "he wanted an enthusiast to enjoy it". Turns out it had title issues, and I'm glad I walked away. The whole Carmax will give me more automatically puts me on alert.)

I think it's a novelty and cool this one has so few miles, but unless you intend to just keep it pristine and keep the miles crazy low for some sort of collector value I don't think it's worth the asking price. The newer ones 03+ are far more user friendly with the 5 speed transmission, and I've seen a couple 03-04s here in Denver lately with around 100-120k with service histories for $17-$19k which I think is a better investment. If it's something you're totally set on and have no qualms about paying more for an 11 year old truck than what a lot of cars are selling for brand new in 2012, then I'd say go for it. But you don't need me to tell you that

 

[captmuff]

i offered 20K and they flat declined. i believe that they may be able to get 24K in denver but have more important things to do than deal with the car. i'd love to pay less but the idea of the low mileage is what i keep thinking about. the car has simply seen very limited use. i realize i could spend a bit less on a slightly newer car with 100K more miles, but is that really the right move?

came here to ask the experts and really appreciate all of the responses, you guys are great.

 

[phsycle]

captmuff - To echo mcgaskins, you're in the 03+ price range, which I would MUCH rather have a 5-sp auto and 100k miles vs a 4-sp and low miles. If you look a few pages back, some guy got a 2005 with 88k miles for $24.5k.

 

[tobyson21]

Sanity check

I've found a 2002 Land Cruiser with 92K miles. The carfax shows 4 accidents! EEK!

The person selling it for the owner says the owner was a bad driver and is now legally blind. He claims she hit a bunch of stuff, but it was all fender benders.

Obviously I'd have to checked over by a mechanic. I drove it and it seemed fine. The front bumper is smooshed in and it definitely needs a new support behind the bumper skin and metal bar.

Should I run away? How much would you guys/gals pay for something like this. Otherwise the truck needs: 90K service, new tires and a good cleaning.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
Todd

 

[Bismarck]

I've found a 2002 Land Cruiser with 92K miles. The carfax shows 4 accidents! EEK!

The person selling it for the owner says the owner was a bad driver and is now legally blind. He claims she hit a bunch of stuff, but it was all fender benders.

Obviously I'd have to checked over by a mechanic. I drove it and it seemed fine. The front bumper is smooshed in and it definitely needs a new support behind the bumper skin and metal bar.

Should I run away? How much would you guys/gals pay for something like this. Otherwise the truck needs: 90K service, new tires and a good cleaning.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
Todd

Run not walk unless it's dirt cheap. $11-13K?

 

[Bismarck]

i offered 20K and they flat declined. i believe that they may be able to get 24K in denver but have more important things to do than deal with the car. i'd love to pay less but the idea of the low mileage is what i keep thinking about. the car has simply seen very limited use. i realize i could spend a bit less on a slightly newer car with 100K more miles, but is that really the right move?

came here to ask the experts and really appreciate all of the responses, you guys are great.

The mileage is worth a premium only if you don't plan on driving it much. It diminishes quickly once you start piling miles on it. You're still buying a 12 year old vehicle.

 

[tobyson21]

more info

Thanks for the replies.

I talked to the guy selling it some more. He told me the truck was crashed 4 times in 4 years as the lady who owned it was losing her peripheral vision. She basically kept "bumping" into cars in a rotary she had to drive through every day. The bumpers took the brunt of the damage. The truck hasn't been driven by her in over a year, she gave up driving. He drives it weekly to keep it going.

Supposedly no frame damage, just bumpers and paint. I am assuming a mechanic may be able to see if the frame was repaired?

This is not going to be a daily driver. Mostly hauling the family on weekends. (hence my obvious apprehension with 4 accidents) That being said I want to feel safe letting my wife and kids drive in it. If the car was just in 4 fender benders, I don't believe that safety of the vehicle would be significantly affected.

I think I may plan to have it checked out by a mechanic and go from there. And yes, the truck is going for below market value due to the issues. In the range of what Bismark said.

Thanks!
Todd

 

[Chet Manly]

100 Series Model Year Opinions

I have been looking for a 100 series for almost 3 months now. I've done a lot of research here and on other sites. Originally, I was looking at the 2005 model year. Recently, I have begun to consider buying a low mileage 2001 LC or LX and using $$$ to mod it to my preferences. I like the idea of no NAV and being able to replace an audio unit for a price much cheaper than the multi-function unit in the '05s. Also, other simpler systems appeal to the amateur mechanic/modder in me. It seems to me that the biggest disadvantage (or not, depending on your opinion) would be not getting the 5 spd transmission. I've read the threads about the 4 spd vs. 5 spd and feel like there wouldn't be much difference (that said, I have not driven the 4). Anyway, am I wrong and the biggest concern should be the inherent age of parts on an '01, regardless of mileage?

Also, thanks to all the contributors on this forum for the knowledge I've already gained from lurking.

 

[SWUtah]

I have been looking for a 100 series for almost 3 months now. I've done a lot of research here and on other sites. Originally, I was looking at the 2005 model year. Recently, I have begun to consider buying a low mileage 2001 LC or LX and using $$$ to mod it to my preferences. I like the idea of no NAV and being able to replace an audio unit for a price much cheaper than the multi-function unit in the '05s. Also, other simpler systems appeal to the amateur mechanic/modder in me. It seems to me that the biggest disadvantage (or not, depending on your opinion) would be not getting the 5 spd transmission. I've read the threads about the 4 spd vs. 5 spd and feel like there wouldn't be much difference (that said, I have not driven the 4). Anyway, am I wrong and the biggest concern should be the inherent age of parts on an '01, regardless of mileage?

Also, thanks to all the contributors on this forum for the knowledge I've already gained from lurking.

Buy the newest example with no rust and documented maintance you can afford. Then enjoy!

 

[vilasman]

Help me decide whether to finish buying this cruiser

Can someone knowledgeable do me a favor. I have a deposit down on a cruiser being sold at monacy motors in Frederick md. You can view the carfax for the car from a link on the listing for the car. Can some look at the carfax and give some wisdom on whether I should go ahead and buy it. Trying to settle the deal tomorrow. Paying cash. The tires are probably at 50% tread. Cv joints and axles have been replaced. There is some debate on whether the trans and differential fluid has been changed.
My mechanic says he feels a soft thud when he puts it in drive.
Any help would ve appreciated. CV boots where busted when the dealer got it

 

[mcgaskins]

I have been looking for a 100 series for almost 3 months now. I've done a lot of research here and on other sites. Originally, I was looking at the 2005 model year. Recently, I have begun to consider buying a low mileage 2001 LC or LX and using $$$ to mod it to my preferences. I like the idea of no NAV and being able to replace an audio unit for a price much cheaper than the multi-function unit in the '05s. Also, other simpler systems appeal to the amateur mechanic/modder in me. It seems to me that the biggest disadvantage (or not, depending on your opinion) would be not getting the 5 spd transmission. I've read the threads about the 4 spd vs. 5 spd and feel like there wouldn't be much difference (that said, I have not driven the 4). Anyway, am I wrong and the biggest concern should be the inherent age of parts on an '01, regardless of mileage?

Also, thanks to all the contributors on this forum for the knowledge I've already gained from lurking.

I was in the same boat as you - I was looking at buying an 06 and not really being able to afford modding it or buying an older one and having lots of extra funds for fun stuff. I would like to have the 5 speed tranny, however I'm not missing it that much. The 4 speed also has lower gears in the differentials (4.30 ratio) than the 5 speed (4.10 I believe), so to me the ratio with my 33" tires I put on seem pretty adequate just about everywhere. I do wish I had the 5th gear on long trips, but honestly I never want to go much above 70 so it's no big deal.

I found a 1998 with only 109k miles (and factory locker )in great shape about 3 miles from my house for $13k cheaper than the 06 I was looking at with 115k on it. You know what else I saved a TON of money on? Registration and insurance! Plates for my 98 were less than $100 whereas the 06 would have been 5x that if not more. Also, my insurance was about $250 cheaper every 6 months with the 98 compared with the 06. I feel that that only pro for my situation with the 06 would have been one extra gear in the tranny - not worth it! YMMV

My choice came down to: price>maintenance/condition>miles>location>year

 

[hoser]

I would like to have the 5 speed tranny, however I'm not missing it that much. The 4 speed also has lower gears in the differentials (4.30 ratio) than the 5 speed (4.10 I believe), so to me the ratio with my 33" tires I put on seem pretty adequate just about everywhere. I do wish I had the 5th gear on long trips, but honestly I never want to go much above 70 so it's no big deal.

The 5sp does have a slightly higher 5th gear but to me, the main advantage is that it has a much lower 1ST GEAR. 5sp/4.1 has a much lower 1st gear combination than the 4sp/4.3. It's even lower than a 4sp/4.88 combination.

 

[Bismarck]

The 5sp does have a slightly higher 5th gear but to me, the main advantage is that it has a much lower 1ST GEAR. 5sp/4.1 has a much lower 1st gear combination than the 4sp/4.3. It's even lower than a 4sp/4.88 combination.

That and the RPMs at highway speeds are lower, resulting in better fuel mileage. Negligible for many people but over time makes a difference. No issues holding a decent pace in the mountains without revving the crap put of it in 3rd either.

 

[Bismarck]

My mechanic says he feels a soft thud when he puts it in drive.
Any help would ve appreciated. CV boots where busted when the dealer got it

Not knowledgeable by any means, but the thud is the rear driveshaft that needs to be lubed.

 

[Reno]

Hello everyone, first before my question id like to introduce myself, I am Joel, I came over from the Toyota-4Runner.org forums as my lifted, loaded 4Runner is now for sale. Currently I am in the market for a Lexus LX470. The one I have found is a 2003, which I know has the updated 5 speed correct? As well as some other changes in dash, etc. Well this vehicle is coming from a Lexus dealership where it has been serviced its entire life from being new. A mom drove it prior to me (Baylor Mom Sticker still on back window), She was the single owner, timing belt, WP, have been replaced, AHC fluid flushed and replaced, it is fully loaded with Navi, Rear Ent, ML Audio. It has 125,000 mi on it currently. It was listed for $24,900 which I have a family friend working there who has got it down to $19000 flat. What do you guys think? Please let me know I cant really find too many 03s to compare it with and would like to know with it being the first issued 5 speed are there any known issues? Thanks guys!

 

[marshotel]

Hello everyone, first before my question id like to introduce myself, I am Joel, I came over from the Toyota-4Runner.org forums as my lifted, loaded 4Runner is now for sale. Currently I am in the market for a Lexus LX470. The one I have found is a 2003, which I know has the updated 5 speed correct? As well as some other changes in dash, etc. Well this vehicle is coming from a Lexus dealership where it has been serviced its entire life from being new. A mom drove it prior to me (Baylor Mom Sticker still on back window), She was the single owner, timing belt, WP, have been replaced, AHC fluid flushed and replaced, it is fully loaded with Navi, Rear Ent, ML Audio. It has 125,000 mi on it currently. It was listed for $24,900 which I have a family friend working there who has got it down to $19000 flat. What do you guys think? Please let me know I cant really find too many 03s to compare it with and would like to know with it being the first issued 5 speed are there any known issues? Thanks guys!

buy it

 

[Reno]

buy it

Think so eh? Well I will be putting down my deposit tomorrow as he will be holding it for me until i get back in town. Look forward to joining the community. Is there anything else I should be looking out for in particular? Possibly CV boots, driveshaft u joints? What is most commonly replaced on these things? Thank you for the input mars. You sounded confident and made me feel the same!