Cruiser for $5K - Can you go wrong?

[JonD]

Hi guys- 1999 LC with 160K came up locally that I think I can get for $5K. It has an awful carfax- 4 owners / 4 accidents and some rust on the undercarriage, especially around the rear bumper. Bubbles in the paint around the right rear wheel well. Interior is pretty good. Not sure on the maintenance history.

Price is so low it has me tempted but I need this thing to be my DD and I currently drive a 2008 V6 rav4 limited with 66K that I like a lot except the road noise.

Should I hold out or is it too good of a deal to pass up?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

 

[e9999]

If all the damage is body and you don't mind dents and rust, it may be a reasonable purchase if the mechanicals and electricals are good, and if you don't mind and indeed can work on the truck yourself. If the drivetrain etc is not good, which one might think is likely given the other history, it could be a money pit and a major time drain. So I would check that side carefully if you think of proceeding. Check also for serious rotting rust underneath, not just surface rust. Very low upfront prices are attractive is money is tight, of course, but may not be the cheaper way to go in the long run. Btw, 160K for a cruiser is not close to disqualifying if all is OK, but it probably would not be as cheap and convenient a DD as your low mileage Rav4. May be quiet if runs well but then again, ear plugs are cheap... A LC is altogether another beast. They are not a cheap buy and forget kind of purchase ideally suited for run of the mill DDing.

 

[fumetsu]

Hi guys- 1999 LC with 160K came up locally that I think I can get for $5K. It has an awful carfax- 4 owners / 4 accidents and some rust on the undercarriage, especially around the rear bumper. Bubbles in the paint around the right rear wheel well. Interior is pretty good. Not sure on the maintenance history.

Price is so low it has me tempted but I need this thing to be my DD and I currently drive a 2008 V6 rav4 limited with 66K that I like a lot except the road noise.

Should I hold out or is it too good of a deal to pass up?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

What's your budget? If you can expand it a bit more, I think there are finer examples to be had. Being from the NE though, rust-free trucks might as well be unicorns locally.

 

[JOFS]

I am betting there are some significant rust issues. The engine will go for ever. It could be due for timing belt etc but for 5k that is nothing. Some of it does depend if you are willing to do your own work or not.

If the frame is rusting out though that is a different story. The body panel rust is not a big deal but the frame stuff can be. Look behind the wheels up underneath. If the sheet metal is perforated it won't pass maine inspection. Maine cruisers tend to be quite rusty.

If you need help I am in central maine and would help if needed. I am not a mechanic or vehicle guru but someone who loves cruisers and has had a bunch some of which had to be scrapped due to rust.

Good luck
John

 

[JonD]

If all the damage is body and you don't mind dents and rust, it may be a reasonable purchase if the mechanicals and electricals are good, and if you don't mind and indeed can work on the truck yourself. If the drivetrain etc is not good, which one might think is likely given the other history, it could be a money pit and a major time drain. So I would check that side carefully if you think of proceeding. Check also for serious rotting rust underneath, not just surface rust. Very low upfront prices are attractive is money is tight, of course, but may not be the cheaper way to go in the long run. Btw, 160K for a cruiser is not close to disqualifying if all is OK, but it probably would not be as cheap and convenient a DD as your low mileage Rav4. May be quiet if runs well but then again, ear plugs are cheap... A LC is altogether another beast. They are not a cheap buy and forget kind of purchase ideally suited for run of the mill DDing.

Thanks e9999- a lot of good points here. Rust on the bumper was rotting as you describe- there were actually pieces of it on the ground under the car, but that was the only place I could see the rust being really bad. Owner claims all service has been done and that it has always been well maintained. He also claims it has no rust... I am out of time now but if it has not sold I will take it for a test drive next weekend and give you an update. I have a feeling all of the carfax accidents were fairly minor fender benders... I think it has the potential to be a good buy, just not sure its the right buy for me. Would be perfect for a hunting rig or secondary vehicle.

 

[JOFS]

Think I found this truck. It looks clean from the supplied pictures. Take a look. I think I see a diff lock switch which is a bonus.

Just be careful with the rust stuff. Painful to work on.

John

 

[JonD]

What's your budget? If you can expand it a bit more, I think there are finer examples to be had. Being from the NE though, rust-free trucks might as well be unicorns locally.

Budget at the moment is 10K max. $5K is tempting as it allows me to start modding right away. Probably right about finer examples out there.

 

[woytovich]

You said it has to be a daily driver.... spend more for a less rusty truck. Hell, for under $10k you can fly to Arizona and road trip a REALLY rust free truck back to Maine!

 

[JonD]

Thanks John

Think I found this truck. It looks clean from the supplied pictures. Take a look. I think I see a diff lock switch which is a bonus.

Just be careful with the rust stuff. Painful to work on.

John

Thanks for the feedback John- happy to know there is another cruiser head close by. Truck is maroon and located in Portland- you probably found it. I'll keep you posted if I can drive it next weekend.

 

[JonD]

You said it has to be a daily driver.... spend more for a less rusty truck. Hell, for under $10k you can fly to Arizona and road trip a REALLY rust free truck back to Maine!

I'm not sure about the under 10K part put I realize fly and drive can be worth the effort. Right now with 2 small kids and busy job, the logistics are tough for me to go that route at the moment. Just checked out gotham city land cruises from your signature- looks cool!

 

[woytovich]

Thanks,
And check out the Yankee Toys club, they are closer to you and a great bunch of guys.

 

[ponytl]

Hi guys- 1999 LC with 160K came up locally that I think I can get for $5K. It has an awful carfax- 4 owners / 4 accidents and some rust on the undercarriage, especially around the rear bumper. Bubbles in the paint around the right rear wheel well. Interior is pretty good. Not sure on the maintenance history.

Price is so low it has me tempted but I need this thing to be my DD and I currently drive a 2008 V6 rav4 limited with 66K that I like a lot except the road noise.

Should I hold out or is it too good of a deal to pass up?

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

i can hook you up with a 99lx NO rust 250k miles full surface history normal 100 series wear no nav... for 5k or less if you are interested and don't mind a trip to texas

 

[RND1]

Definitely schedule a PPI if you're serious about this LC. The seller sounds unrealistic in his description - "excellent condition, no rust, no dents, all service work done, impossible to find in this condition, first to see and drive will buy, don't wait!!!" etc. etc. This sounds like a snake oil salesman to me and it sounds like you've already discovered rust bubbles on the body and possible frame rot underneath. Put it up on a lift and you might find that this is not such a great deal.

 

[JonD]

Thanks,
And check out the Yankee Toys club, they are closer to you and a great bunch of guys.

Will do- thanks for the heads up!

 

[JonD]

i can hook you up with a 99lx NO rust 250k miles full surface history normal 100 series wear no nav... for 5k or less if you are interested and don't mind a trip to texas

Thanks ponytl- prefer an LC and just can't swing the fly out/ drive back at the moment.

 

[JonD]

Definitely schedule a PPI if you're serious about this LC. The seller sounds unrealistic in his description - "excellent condition, no rust, no dents, all service work done, impossible to find in this condition, first to see and drive will buy, don't wait!!!" etc. etc. This sounds like a snake oil salesman to me and it sounds like you've already discovered rust bubbles on the body and possible frame rot underneath. Put it up on a lift and you might find that this is not such a great deal.

Totally. I have a toyota specialist here who is awesome and I would not be purchasing without a PPI. I have a feeling that this truck is being listed by a relative of the owner. Handicap tags in the window. I'm thinking older guy who keeps crashing it into parked cars because he just shouldn't be driving anymore. Just a guess but...

 

[Tummler]

FYI - I am facing a somewhat similar proposition as you (I posted about it in a thread where I asked bout a potential blown head gasket). I called around to my local salvage yards, and they basically wouldn't pay anything for a 2002 LC with 290k miles. The highest bid was $250.