Wanted CA - 2004 LCs - Trying to decide

I'm scheduled to look at two LCs tomorrow, and they're almost identical.

The key difference is one lacks service records, but has no accident history, while the other has extensive service records, but also what appears to be a significant accident.

I'm interested to hear what folks think. Here are more details on the two trucks -

Similarities

• Both are 2004
• Same color (Grey).
• Similar mileage (around 130,000)
• Both are one-owner trucks
• Both priced around $17k
• Interior and exterior appear to be in good condition (based on photos)

Differences

• One is for sale by owner, and has few service records on Carfax or MyToyota. Owner says he did most of his own service. Timing belt is done. No record of accidents. Garage kept.
• The other is a trade-in at a Lexus dealer, and it has extensive Toyota/Lexus dealer service records on Carfax and MyToyota. Before selling it, dealer is planning to do front/rear brakes, new tires, new valve cover gasket and new rack and pinion. But here's the catch: MyToyota website shows accident repair in 2005, and it looks significant. Here are the parts listed on My Toyota:

LAMP ASSY, FR TURN S
FENDER SUB-ASSY, FR
LINER, FR FENDER, RH
BRACE, FR FENDER TO
MOULDING, FR FENDER,
MOULDING, FR DOOR, O
KNUCKLE SUB-ASSY, ST
ARM ASSY, SUSPENSION
ARM ASSY, SUSPENSION
BEARING, TAPERED ROL
BEARING, TAPERED ROL
MOULDING, RR DOOR, O
MOULDING, QUARTER, O
BRACKET, FR MUDGUARD
PANEL SUB-ASSY, FR D
ABSORBER, SHOCK
HUB SUB-ASSY, FR AXL
GASKET, KNUCKLE SPIN
SEAL, TYPE K OIL
SEAL, TYPE T OIL
END SUB-ASSY, TIE RO
MOULDING, RR DOOR OU
RING, SNAP
GASKET, FLEXIBLE HOS
BRAKE FLUID
DISC, FR
HOSE, FLEXIBLE
BOLT, UNION
WASHER, LOCK
GASKET, FR AXLE OUTE
UNIT SUB-ASSY,
CHECK ASSY, FR DOOR,
REGULATOR SUB-ASSY,
GASKET KIT,POWER STE
ANTIFREEZE GALLON W
FILTER, OIL
GASKET
CONVENTIONAL MOTOR
OIL
USED WHEEL
USED WHEEL
PS FLUID
HI TEMP GRS
BRAKE CLEAN
TIRE VALVE
DRIVEAXLE
REB.PS.RACK
P/S 12.OZ

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading!

What's the better bet? No accident and few service records? Or extensive records and what looks like a serious accident?

 

[AlpineAccess]

Neither sound great, no offense intended. I'd wait a bit longer.

 

[WeBeCinYa]

For 12k sure. 17k is too high.

 

[TLCJC]

$12,000- $13,000 to wait or negotiate. $17,000 would have to be mint for 16 year old LX.

My 2004 with 149,000 miles was $8,500 after negotiation with extensive local Lexus dealership maintenance records and two prior owners with no accident reported....but i did find right front fender didn’t have serial number and paint was slightly off color.

Very good body shop was probably paid well by 1st Owner, but didn’t report. Also had its undercarriage protection plates rusted out, but oddly frame and core steel parts were fine. Rear tailgate plastic trim piece bracket also dropping chips of rust, but inside and out the steel is good. Must have had a bad run in Japan for these steel parts that year?

Paid cash on the day after the ad was posted. Army LTCOL and great guy who upgraded to 570. Have put 6,000 miles on it in 4 months with great results and no worries. Battery and T Connectors will be next.

PS. Everything though as you know in California is expensive! I’m in the DC area and we are still less than SoCal.

 

[gregnash]

I agree with the others. With prices right now, end of years stuff, inventory on hand, etc. I would either try to negotiate down to $13k-ish or wait it out. Depending on the "significant damage" on the one, I would really hesitate on that depending on what and where. Plus it is Cali so prices are going to be higher, if you can travel and don't mind adding the cost of a plane ticket plus gas back home, you could potentially find something better in AZ or TX.

 

[RidgeRouted]

An update...

The one at the dealer sold before I could get there.

And the one on Craigslist did not look taken care of. Between that and the lack of service history, I passed.

The hunt continues!

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[gregnash]

Ok so what are your preferences? Willing to travel? If so, how far?

 

[RidgeRouted]

Prefer a clean, well-maintained LC, 2003-2007, with mileage under 175,000. Budget is under $20k. Willing to travel if I can drive it back to SoCal within a day.

 

[gregnash]

Use Autotempest.com to place your search criteria... It searches places like Ebay, TrueCar, Cars.com, AutoTrader, CarGurus and the local CLs for your zip code. That is how I have found a bunch and then also don't forget about Facebook Marketplace.

 

[RidgeRouted]

Use Autotempest.com to place your search criteria... It searches places like Ebay, TrueCar, Cars.com, AutoTrader, CarGurus and the local CLs for your zip code. That is how I have found a bunch and then also don't forget about Facebook Marketplace.

Thanks. Those sites have definitely been helpful. Have you found a better way to sift through Facebook Marketplace? When I search Land Cruiser, it returns a bunch of stuff I'm not looking for - 4Runner, Rav4, and a mess of other things that seem to be totally unrelated.

 

[gregnash]

Yeah unfortunately the FB marketplace is still new enough that the search engine is not incredibly refined. However, do sift through it as you can find some good items on there.

 

[RidgeRouted]

I agree with the others. With prices right now, end of years stuff, inventory on hand, etc. I would either try to negotiate down to $13k-ish or wait it out. Depending on the "significant damage" on the one, I would really hesitate on that depending on what and where. Plus it is Cali so prices are going to be higher, if you can travel and don't mind adding the cost of a plane ticket plus gas back home, you could potentially find something better in AZ or TX.

Good call on AZ! I picked up a 2-owner '03 LC in Phoenix with 152,000 miles for $12k a couple weeks ago. It's super clean inside and out. After months of looking, and growing discouraged by under-maintained but overpriced trucks that I kept finding in SoCal, it was well worth the road trip.