Checking out a UZJ100 / Pre-Purchase Inspection (1 Viewer)

[NoTempoLimit]

Hello!

Been reading and learning a lot from this site for a while, now the time has come to search for a UZJ100, hence my first post.

I'm in the hunt for a Series 100, either LandCruiser or LX470, between 2003 and 2007 model year.

Can anyone suggest a good shop for a pre-purchase inspection in the Southern California area, particularly Burbank / Glendale / North Hollywood / Pasadena?

I'm sure checking out a used UZJ100 has been covered before here. If anyone can post a link to a good thread on that subject I would appreciate it.

BTW, my first (and so far only) Toyota was a N180 4Runner. Most reliable and durable vehicle I've ever owned. Never visited the dealer during warranty period (except to buy oil filters). I put 210,000 miles on that truck in 13 years. I might still be driving it today had some stupid kid not crashed into me from behind and his sleazy insurance company killed the title on the 4Runner.

Been driving BMW for the last 9 years. Although I love the driving experience of a sport package manual transmission BMW, a newer one is too costly to own in SoCal (sales tax 10%+!!!, car tax every year, smog every other year and insurance), and I've found regrettably that even when very well maintained, the older ones (talking over 10 years old) require constant work.

And in L.A. the only way to keep a nice car in good condition is no NOT TAKE IT OUT OF THE GARAGE. No matter how careful you are bad things will happen.

Also I'm moving to where it will snow in the winter (yes, another California economic refugee).

Durability, reliability and sure-footedness are what I will need most, along with good cargo-carrying capacity.

Thanks!

 

[NoTempoLimit]

No one can suggest any pre-purchase inspection service for LC / LX in Southern California...?

 

[knewstance]

I have never lived in CA myself, so I can't provide any help on that front. Here is an excellent resource for a DIY inspection if that is something you'd be interested in doing.

Slee Off-Road 100 Series Newbie Guide

 

[NoTempoLimit]

Thanks, I've seen the Slee FAQ, it is helpful.
I got steered to the right place on ih8 forum with the answer to my original question:

So Cal recommended LC mechanics

bleh

forum.ih8mud.com

Some good suggestions of reputable shops there.

 

[95Fantasma80]

RPM Garage which should be nearby to you and they specialize in 100 series.

 

[NoTempoLimit]

RPM Garage which should be nearby to you and they specialize in 100 series.

Yes, looks like the best located shop for me and highly rated.

What do you guys think is a reasonable price for a low mileage (under 150k) 06 or 07 Landcruiser with a clear title, good service history and no problems? I see a lot of crazy asking prices but wonder what these vehicles actually sell for. Interestingly the LC prices are higher than for LX 470. I figure it's because of availability.

 

[guerasfj60]

15K would be nice but as you said, prices are crazy for that criteria.

 

[Infinity00]

06/07 always go for much higher in my experience. There’s a good thread documenting some of this - I don’t have a link. But here’s an example, if and when one comes up for sale they are closer to 20k-22k depending on mileage but I was looking last year so things might have changed. A friend looked for a year and “got lucky” found an 07 with 105K miles listed for around $19k. He liked it and got it for around $17.5. Then we started looking at it more closely and it’s from the east coast, has rust and has needed $3-4K of work. So make sure you know what work has been done and know what it needs before you make an offer.

 

[mdcoa]

I just bought mine last October—if the market now is similar to then, the truck you describe is probably a $19k or more purchase (not asking) price vehicle....

I looked for ages, nearly closed on a 170k 2004 for 16 or 17k, nearly got a 160k 2005 for $12k—I’m pretty’s ure the seller weaseled out on me when he had someone offer him 2-3k more. And then I finally got a very well maintained but lightly body damaged 140k 2004 for $14900–I didn’t even try to take them down, as it was a fair price and I didn’t care about the damage.

All that to say that finding one locally and having it inspected locally might happen but it seems unlikely—rust free ones tend to fly off the shelves pretty quickly.

All of the above is LC specific—I couldn’t get past the ugly Lexus front clip—so you may have much better results with an LX.

Happy hunting!!

 

[KraziAzn]

I second RPM Garage, Steve is a stand up guy, ( shop owner), and he is a Cruiser enthusiasts. They have a great team of techs who are very familiar with Toyota 4x4 s.