Considering 2014 LC - how to value it? (1 Viewer)

[StampCollectorNFA]

I have been looking at a 2014 LC for sale locally with 106k miles that I want to finalize tomorrow. The vehicle looks to be in excellent condition inside and out and I doubt it has ever been off road. It is fully stock, no modifications and was likely just a family hauler. The only downside is when I plugged the VIN into Toyota Owners to view service records it looks like the dealership recommended a lot of probably routine service at the last visit (front/rear differential service, coolant flush, transfer case service, brake fluid flush, power steering flush, fuel system cleaning) which the customer declined, They also noted an engine oil leak (no details) and front brakes for which repairs were declined.

Brakes are expected, so no big deal but I will have the oil leak investigated before purchase to see if it's a big deal. The LC is at a Toyota Dealership so I may ask that they complete all those services and address the leak with documentation as part of my purchase. Can anyone tell me if all the fluid flushes/services are likely just the normal stuff a SA tries to recommend/upsell or might it indicate there is an issue with the transfer case etc? I don't see those services on the normal scheduled maintenance.

Here is the big question - asking price is $38,000 which seems to be in-line with KBB. Does this sound like a fair asking price?

Bigger question, purely guesstimate - but if I buy this thing, drive it for 2 years and put maybe 15k miles on it - how much value does it stand to loose in two more years? I know then are desirable and hold value well, but I don't have a full grasp on values. I think I ultimately want a new Tundra, but I am looking to buy and enjoy this LC for a bit while the dust settles on the Tundra recalls, see how that works out, see if newer ones really are ok or if the recall expands etc... and who knows, maybe I'll find that I want to keep the LC long term.

 

[Willie G]

Based on the various service histories I have seen, the services you listed are basically a laundry list that is part 100k service recommendations from the factory and anything else the SA can think of. The truck probably won't die on the side of the road if they are all not done immediately - for instance, why do the coolant change without replacing the radiator (which we know will eventually be needed) ?

Then there's the question of having the dealer do it as part of the $38k (which I think is reasonable, BTW) or reducing the price to cover the cost and then doing it yourself? It hinges on your opinion of the dealership and the quality of their service department.

As far as depreciation goes, vehicles are seldom a good investment. But a well maintained LC will likely do as well as as anything else.

HTH.

 

[Sandroad]

Whether or not it’s an upsell on the services, for an 11 year old with over 100k miles, IMHO if there is no record of it being done, they should all be done anyway (except the fuel system cleaning). It’s a crapshoot trusting the dealer to do them, but as part of the sale it’s probably worth the risk. I would also have them lube all 6 grease points on the propeller shafts. Don’t let them change the cabin filter. It’s too easy for someone to force the mechanism open and break it. For sure do the brake thing. The oil leak may or may not be important. There are some things that can weep a bit of oil with no consequence, but I like your idea of having that checked and documented.

I have no idea about values, either now or in the future. But I bet you’ll keep the LC!

 

[ryanCA]

since you want a Tundra, dont get a LC as a stop gap

If you want high resale, 16+ is where its at

 

[TheIcemanCometh]

As it is at the Toyota dealer I would have them do all of the needed service as part of the sale. As mentioned the cabin filter door breakage is something to look at now before they do the service. There are threads on it. The bigger item to look at is undercarriage rust.

As for short term vs long term. Those of us on mud are long term owners so most are not thinking resale but initial sale price for the long haul.

 

[grinchy]

I am doubtful rigs getting 14mpg are going to resale well during the economic contraction. This should give you some negotiating power at your purchase though, dealers are already in trouble.

There is a purchase price thread over in the for sale forum, maybe that can help re: the asking price.

 

[StampCollectorNFA]

Thank you everyone, this is all great info for me! After careful consideration, I just placed an offer on a 2019 Tundra Platinum. If that offer does not work out, I will plan to have this LC inspected at an independent Toyota specialist and possibly move forward with it if they are willing to negotiate. I feel 38k is a touch high given everything mentioned here.

I appreciate the information!

 

[pcut]

I bought an immaculate '14 in Sept of '23 with 42k miles. Texas/Montana car (lived the last 4 winters in a garage in Bozeman while the owners lived in Houston). New front struts, battery and tires with all maintenance up to date for $42,000 all in.

 

[ryanCA]

Thank you everyone, this is all great info for me! After careful consideration, I just placed an offer on a 2019 Tundra Platinum. If that offer does not work out, I will plan to have this LC inspected at an independent Toyota specialist and possibly move forward with it if they are willing to negotiate. I feel 38k is a touch high given everything mentioned here.

I appreciate the information!

congrats on the Tundra!

 

[gray rider]

Is it just me...or is a Tundra different from an LC?

 

[coleAK]

Is it just me...or is a Tundra different from an LC?

To some yes, to others no.

 

[ryanCA]

Is it just me...or is a Tundra different from an LC?

some peoples Japanese VIN pinnacles are other peoples texas built trash

 

[gray rider]

“And the wind cries “Mary””

 

[StampCollectorNFA]

Is it just me...or is a Tundra different from an LC?

You are 100% correct, very different vehicles. I am shopping for a reliable, low maintenance, and most importantly comfortable full size SUV or Truck. I am a large guy, so smaller trucks and suvs are generally not comfortable. In either case - I will not be pushing the off road capabilities or towing anything heavy short of a utility trailer. I had a Tundra for 10 years and found it comfortable, but decided I wanted something "cool and fast" so I've spent the last 6 years in Audi/BMW performance cars - my back, sciatica, and wallet have had enough of the hard sport seats and poor reliability. I've decided if I can't have "cool and fast" I might as well have something useful and dependable which brought me back to Toyota. LC's are definitely cool, but a newer Tundra with perfect maintenance record vs an older LC for the same money edged me toward the truck. I am still hashing out that truck offer, dealer is a little too proud of it so I may still be in the market after today.

 

[MRego]

Considering the forum we are in this might be obvious, but I would only buy a 2019 Tundra over a comparable 2014 LC if I reeeeeeally needed that bed. Just saying.

 

[ryanCA]

Considering the forum we are in this might be obvious, but I would only buy a 2019 Tundra over a comparable 2014 LC if I reeeeeeally needed that bed. Just saying.

should we suggest a 250 to him? Heard they are the hot things now

 

[hoser]

I am still hashing out that truck offer, dealer is a little too proud of it so I may still be in the market after today.

With new tariffs, I imagine used vehicle prices to edge up a little. Don't wait too long. The mighty 200 will go up in value too! ha.

 

[StampCollectorNFA]

With new tariffs, I imagine used vehicle prices to edge up a little. Don't wait too long. The mighty 200 will go up in value too! ha.

I think you are right - part of my decision process when making this post is trying to figure out the chances I could park my cash in this 2014 today, drive it for a couple years to see how the tariff thing works out and see how the gen 3 Tundra issues play out...If I love the LC, which I very well might, keep on driving it for years to come, and if not, I just bought myself a couple years to really figure out what's next.

Fully aware that all cars depreciate, I am just trying to get an idea of what this thing might be worth say two years from now with say 120k miles on it. Has it hit the point in the deprecation curve where it will start to level out and I might only loose 3-4k value in that time period, or is it going to lose 4k a year like my German cars? I know we don't have a crystal ball, just trying to make an educated guess.

 

[gasman4u]

I don’t know if dealers are front running tariffs with existing inventory or not. But aren’t tundra’s built in TX? Or is it a percentage of assembled parts playing into tariff eligibility?

Cool name @StampCollectorNFA options are out there for fun, just be patient.

I remembered my test driving a v8 tundra and thinking it was really slow compared to my 3.5 eCoBoOSt fORd. But with the caveat being - it’s a fORd. I wouldn’t trade my 200 for any ford I’ve seen short of a GT.

 

[coleAK]

I think you are right - part of my decision process when making this post is trying to figure out the chances I could park my cash in this 2014 today, drive it for a couple years to see how the tariff thing works out and see how the gen 3 Tundra issues play out...If I love the LC, which I very well might, keep on driving it for years to come, and if not, I just bought myself a couple years to really figure out what's next.

Fully aware that all cars depreciate, I am just trying to get an idea of what this thing might be worth say two years from now with say 120k miles on it. Has it hit the point in the deprecation curve where it will start to level out and I might only loose 3-4k value in that time period, or is it going to lose 4k a year like my German cars? I know we don't have a crystal ball, just trying to make an educated guess.

Since you’re asking on a very Land Cruiser bias forum. The majority of people will tell you these things never depreciate, don’t even get broken in until they cross 1,000,000 miles, are wired better than aircraft, ….

Your depreciation question is a tough one. Much of it depends on where you live, is there a large cruser following in the area? And what the future holds in terms of economy and people’s willingness to pay >$30k for a >10 year old truck that gets 12-14 mpg.

Also, let’s be honest it more than 10 years old major things could go wrong (even with a 200). Does it have the new updated radiator?

If I have to commit to my guess I’d say best case scenario you lose $2k in depreciation. Worst case scenario you have to replace the radiator, water pump, idler, head unit, and do a top end rebuild. And are out $10k and take another $6k in depreciation.

Last thing I’ll say when it comes to vehicles is buy one as least often as possible. That is whatever you buy plan on driving it for at least 10 to 15 years. So based on what I know and have learned (in buying and selling cars for >30 years and selling Porsche for 4 years) buying a cruiser when you want a tundra is not a smart financial decision.