Dependability of 80 w/ 103K

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Hmmm. Sucks!
 
78crzr said:
I'm in a bit of a quandry....We've got a 2002 Jetta 1.8T with 40K miles that we bought new, but has given us a lot of trouble over the last 4 years. I'm seriously considering a '97 80 series with 103K as a replacement for the Jetta. Will I be going from bad to worse buying an 80 with 103k? What kind of preventative maint. will it need at that mileage? Front axle rebuild?

He's willing to take 14.5K for it, down from the original 16K asking price, and it's in mint condition. Desert Dune/Silver-Gray combo. No lockers, but it will be my wife's DD/mall Cruiser so it's no big deal. How much $$ do you forsee it needing in the near future based on your experience at this mileage? I know it's a subjective question related to curent condition and past maintenance, but give me your best guess? Should I pay Toyota $150.00 to check it out for me?

Thanks!
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78crzr, Is he a dealer or an individual? If individual, you can get it down from $12,750 to about $13,500. I would recommend taking it to a Toyota dealership and do a prepurchase inspection and compression check. Tell them to pay close attention to the areas that are prone to leak. Have you test driven the Cruiser yet?
 
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It's an individual in Dallas. I haven't driven it yet, just viewed about 20 pictures of it. Problem is, there isn't a lot he can tell me about the maintenance history as he is the 3rd owner. First owner leased it from Toyota in Dallas and turned it in at around 50,000 miles. 2nd owner was an old guy from Arizona and he had it until about 93,000 miles. Current owner has had it since. He stated that a previous potential buyer took it to the Toyota dealer and the only thing they found wrong with it was a burned out license plate light, which he replaced. He tells me that buyer didn't go through with it for financial reasons...although he had enough money and sense to have it checked by a dealer?

The dealer did mention that the front axle had a yellow mark on it indicating that it was a rebuilt or remanufactured axle installed at some point during its life. I've been talking with this guy for about 2 weeks, and this appears to be as low as he will go as he's rather proud of its condition.
 
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concretejungle Quote:


read post #10
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Aren't WE proud of ourselves! :flipoff2: :grinpimp:

Actually, I was reading all this, thinking LX450... (*blushes* :princess: )

Hey, I bought mine from Sterling-McCall Lexus, sight unseen, for $12,900, with 97,900 on the clock. (Actually have paper in the truck that they started this at $17k, and were eBaying with a buy it now of $15k, threatened to put on the lot at $13,900, and I grabbed it for my price!) Has run like clockwork for almost 20k since. You may want to enquire at local Toyota dealers for the VIN, to see if they have a service history on that baby. As several have already posted, use the commentary here, and what you may be able to glom onto from El Mariachi, and smash the price down a bit further. You will not be disappointed by Toyota quality/reliability, nor the go everywhere, sees others off without a care ability of this beast!

Good luck, and let us know how you do!
 
I wouldn't worry much at all about the miles. This particular engine is known for longevity. As long as the exterior/interior shows that someone at least cared for the vehicle, I wouldn't worry too much. I purchased my 80 with 149K on the clock and didn't hesitate to take it on a 1300 mile trip on the way home the dealer. Sorry to say I wouldn't do that with my 80K miled BMW.

Good luck either way.
 
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