Deal or No Deal? $2350 for '97 LX450 w/233k

[erea77]

Last week I picked up a '97 LX450 for $2350, and I want to get your expert opinions on whether this was a deal.

Here's the run down:
-230k miles
-Mechanic quoted $730 for repairs to get it up to top condition. (New rotors, pads, AC compressor bearing, valve gasket seals, power steering leak repair, replace dash backlight behind rpm and temp gauges, etc)
-interior clean w/minor tears in front and passenger leather
-exterior clean w/ some rust on tow package and running boards
-head gasket hasn't been done
-daily driver for the wife of the seller
-never taken off-road
-full service records since '97
-oil changed every 3k miles since '97
-no lockers (use will mostly be for camping, mountain biking, winter driving, etc)

So what do you think? Did I get a good deal on this? I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts. Thanks!

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Does it really mater at this point? You got it.

I got mine with 150k miles with lockers for $2000 FWIW.

 

[DetroitStyle]

Does it really mater at this point? You got it.

I got mine with 150k miles with lockers for $2000 FWIW.

If you're going to say that... you should tell the rest of the story:

Truck: The Toyota Land Cruiser/LX450 is in my case a 1997, I got it 3 years ago from a young lady that had owned it for 10 years and driven it into the ground. I spent 5 months going over every system of the truck and rebuilding most of it from engine to axles.

 

[erea77]

Does it really mater at this point? You got it. I got mine with 150k miles with lockers for $2000 FWIW.

To me it does. I'm new to the LC scene and so the opinions of the veterans on here are really valuable to me. I'm also trying to learn as much as I can about these rigs as I can.

Yours sounds like a screaming deal. Where did you get it from? Thanks!

 

[erea77]

If you're going to say that... you should tell the rest of the story:

The rest of the story is definitely good to hear. I was starting to reevaluate everything I've learned about the value of LC 80's.

Thanks DetroitStyle.

 

[OverLand Cruisers]

Sounds like one to me, much rust?

 

[Wheelingnoob]

If you're going to say that... you should tell the rest of the story:

Yep put about 10k into it since getting it back up to snuff. Does it change my original point? Not in my mind.

If you are buying a truck with 230k miles then you need to be good at working on cars. Also need to be ready to put money into it as I did. I was looking at HZJ75 Troopies before finding the deal on my 80. So money wise I knew getting the 80 and the cost of PM would get me a truck totally PMed and in good nick for less than I was planing to spend on the Troopie.

The truck when bought was drivable and could have been driven but I am particular about my vehicles.

Yes I got a good deal on the truck but like anything spend it now or spend it later it will cost you one way or another.

 

[erea77]

Sounds like one to me, much rust?

Not really. The roof rack was fine, and underbody was pretty rust free. The mechanic I had check it out was pretty surprised actually.

 

[DetroitStyle]

The rest of the story is definitely good to hear. I was starting to reevaluate everything I've learned about the value of LC 80's.

Thanks DetroitStyle.

To give you an idea on mine (and I'm a relative noob, so we're probably on the same page here):


1994 with lockers and 178k. Bought it for $3200. It had good tread on the tires, but it sat on a dealer lot for over a year and had some dry rot. So I spent $800 on tires.


Now, 1 year later, I'm doing a head gasket that I suspect was probably leaking the whole time. I'm about $600 in for parts and looking at 20+ hours of wrenching. I'm going to be replacing a lot of stuff at the same time, so I will feel much better about the truck when I'm all done.


My goal was the have a lifted, locked, reliable winter ride and occasional wheeler for $5000. Looks like I'm going to end up closer to $7000. It adds up quickly with these trucks.

$3200 - truck (done)
$800 - tires (done)
$600 - head gasket and baseline PMs (in progress)
$800 - 2.5" lift (near future)
$300 - light duty sliders (near future)
$900 - front winch bumper (distant future)
$500? - 12,000 winch (distant future)

 

[erea77]

To give you an idea on mine (and I'm a relative noob, so we're probably on the same page here): 1994 with lockers and 178k. Bought it for $3200. It had good tread on the tires, but it sat on a dealer lot for over a year and had some dry rot. So I spent $800 on tires. Now, 1 year later, I'm doing a head gasket that I suspect was probably leaking the whole time. I'm about $600 in for parts and looking at 20+ hours of wrenching. I'm going to be replacing a lot of stuff at the same time, so I will feel much better about the truck when I'm all done. My goal was the have a lifted, locked, reliable winter ride and occasional wheeler for $5000. Looks like I'm going to end up closer to $7000. It adds up quickly with these trucks. $3200 - truck (done) $800 - tires (done) $600 - head gasket and baseline PMs (in progress) $800 - 2.5" lift (near future) $300 - light duty sliders (near future) $900 - front winch bumper (distant future) $500? - 12,000 winch (distant future)

Great to know.

It sounds like you're not exactly a noob when it comes to mechanical. My dad owns a tire shop and I spent a summer when I was 17 doing oil changes, tire repairs, and break jobs there. I'd still be intimidated to do the head gaskets on my own though.

 

[styyy]

I just paid $4000 for a 1992. I really wanted a 1993-97 but they all had over 200000 miles and were either in need of many repairs or too expensive(north of $6000). I ended up with the 92 because it was well taken care of,,new suspension,no rust ,new tires,aftermarket panhard rods,brakes,bluetooth,etc.... It drove very well for a raised vehicle(2.5" OME lift). If I had found yours vehicle I would have jumped on it. I am mechanically inclined and would have done all except the dash light replacement(pita).
Enjoy.

 

[styyy]

Oh forgot it also had only 148,000miles!

 

[erea77]

I just paid $4000 for a 1992. I really wanted a 1993-97 but they all had over 200000 miles and were either in need of many repairs or too expensive(north of $6000). I ended up with the 92 because it was well taken care of,,new suspension,no rust ,new tires,aftermarket panhard rods,brakes,bluetooth,etc.... It drove very well for a raised vehicle(2.5" OME lift). If I had found yours vehicle I would have jumped on it. I am mechanically inclined and would have done all except the dash light replacement(pita). Enjoy.

That's good to hear that you would have jumped on this one. I'm jealous of yours though with only 148k. Maybe I need to just go for it and do the repairs myself. Only problem is I'm living in a condo and I don't know if the HOA would be vet happy if I was doing car repair in the underground parking.

 

[DetroitStyle]

Great to know.

It sounds like you're not exactly a noob when it comes to mechanical. My dad owns a tire shop and I spent a summer when I was 17 doing oil changes, tire repairs, and break jobs there. I'd still be intimidated to do the head gaskets on my own though.

This is by far the biggest job I've tackled. We'll see if it ever runs again!

 

[erea77]

This is by far the biggest job I've tackled. We'll see if it ever runs again!

Good luck, I'm sure you'll rock it!

 

[Peru Darrell]

Send it to Peru

That same Cruiser/Lexus you bought would be worth about $17-20,000 dollars down here in Peru.

I know it's crazy, but the import taxes wouldn't be worth the trouble of trying to import it and make a few bucks on it.

To me, it sounds like a great deal considering what I had to pay to buy a Cruiser LC105 here.

 

[mattafact]

I paid $2900 for my locked 94 with 130k miles and a new paint job.

Since then I have spent at least that much baselining and upgrading it (mostly baselining) and that's doing virtually all the work myself. The previous owners neglected it mechanically and should be taken out and shot.

The hates my projects because they take away time she feels should be spent with her. Something to consider that you can't exactly put a price on.

That having been said, today it went into the shop to get the head gasket done as I am running low on time before we move.

 

[MtMan]

Flat out...it's a good deal. You should feel good about it and never look back. I bought a pristine unlocked '97 in march of '12 for $6500. It had 180k. You pay what you have to pay to get a good truck that will last you a long time, take you wherever you want to go and make you feel like one heckuva man driving it. That's worth a lot.

So far I've probably put $2k in baselining, tires, and rebuilt frontend. Took it in a 4k mile camping trip last fall. Loved every second of driving this Landcruiser.

You're gonna have a blast and it's gonna be worth every penny.

 

[erea77]

That same Cruiser/Lexus you bought would be worth about $17-20,000 dollars down here in Peru. I know it's crazy, but the import taxes wouldn't be worth the trouble of trying to import it and make a few bucks on it. To me, it sounds like a great deal considering what I had to pay to buy a Cruiser LC105 here.

Wow, that is crazy. Why are they so much more expensive down there?

 

[erea77]

I paid $2900 for my locked 94 with 130k miles and a new paint job. Since then I have spent at least that much baselining and upgrading it (mostly baselining) and that's doing virtually all the work myself. The previous owners neglected it mechanically and should be taken out and shot. The hates my projects because they take away time she feels should be spent with her. Something to consider that you can't exactly put a price on. That having been said, today it went into the shop to get the head gasket done as I am running low on time before we move.

Sounds like you got a great deal. Thanks for the info!