Close to first LC, out of state buying advice?

[OregonLC]

I have to disagree with Dennis a little on this one. I am from the South but I lived up North for about 10 years where I saw what happens to cars in 4-5 years. I even owned a 60 up there that was so rusted out that the body bounced off the frame rails whenever I would go over a speed bump.

I purchased an 02 100 Series last year that lived its whole life in Chicago and all it took was a full day underneath it with a wire wheel, steel brushes, Rustoleum and rubber undercoating and it was good to go. Yes, they do look horrible at first but there is something about the LC steel that is more resistant to corrosion. I was surprised (and elated) at how easy it was to get the rust off. After an hour I was certain that everything I was looking at was just surface rust.

Maybe the PO (a doctor) had a short commute and had the truck garaged at both destinations, I don't know. I do know that 10 years in Chicago will destroy lesser vehicles.

No worries on the disagreement. Mine was showroom clean underneath when I got it so no comparison for me to make. I was just trying to convey that my 'rust beware' warning wasn't meant to imply that they're rust-prone vehicles.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Well, once they get it stopping it is a chore. Plus, while you may be able to wire wheel a frame, working on bolts with a rusty truck will introduce plenty of new vocabulary words.

 

[NMuzj100]

Does the LC rust more than other vehicles of the same vintage?

It shouldn't.

 

[00N8]

All good comments, I'm looking at a rig in California, I can make up an excuse to take a business trip out that way that way I don't have to pay for the plane ticket. I'll have to take a look at it too. I think I'll plan to get the pictures first, have in inspected 2nd and if all that works out put it under contract with escrow.com and flyout to do the final check. From CA to DC is further than I'd like to drive it, so I'm still interested in having it shipped. I asked on the Buying Selling thread but if anyone see this that has shipped a vehicle and can pm me a recommendation I'd appreciate it.

 

[patrickfinley]

As a different point of view than everyone else, I bought an 04 sight unseen and it worked out very well. For the most part the owners of these vehicles are not slobs and they take care of their trucks. These are beloved vehicles. We're not picking up ranch trucks off people. 2003 is still a very young truck and should be in excellent condition. If this where the 80 forum and we where talking about a 96 LC that would be a very different story.

That's not to say you aren't taking risks buying sight unseen, but if you mitigate your risk you can take a reasonable gamble. I couldn't get there in person for my purchase. It worked out very well in my favor, the truck is super clean and it was a great price. Would I do it again? Hard to say.

Perhaps there is someone here on this forum that lives near the truck that can look it over for you and give you their opinion.

 

[OregonLC]

I'd like to agree with Patrick and he's probably right about the younger LC's. But I remember looking at a 2001 with only 80k on it that showed well in photos but was indescribably horrible in person. Everything from the smell of puke in the carpet to interior panels that didn't completely fit together anymore.

Unless it was such a good deal that I knew I could turn it quickly for what I paid for it I'd never buy one without touching it in the daylight. I bought mine out of OC and had the seller meet me at SNA for inspection. This was after all of the pics and him taking it to Toyota of Irvine for a pre-buy.

 

[Loyota]

I took the family on a 9 hour road trip to buy a 2004 cruiser with only 70k miles. It was one owner doctor owned and at a Toyota dealer in Mississippi with records. Seemed ideal. 5 minutes after looking at the truck , we turned around and drove 9 hours home. It had been trashed, repainted and generally abused.

It wasn't funny at the time but now I have a good story and a different cruiser I love.

 

[Gottagetone]

Ask a local dealership to pull the history via the VIN then get the inspection done. Fly out and enjoy the drive home...at least thats what I did..sort of.

 

[hoch]

I wouldn't even bother with escrow.com. Just put in a condition in the contract that the transaction is pending on personal inspection and if it's not in the condition that the seller stated, he needs to reimburse you $xxx for your travel expenses. That's what I did. I also took a cashier's check, which I held on to until I saw the vehicle.

And I agree with driving it home yourself. I drove 9 hours home and it was the most comfy 9 hours of driving in my life. You will love your 100.