Discounted Price, but Needs Work. Thoughts Welcome!

[OUbobcat20]

Guys,

Former 80 owner looking to purchase a 100 series. Found a 1999 Land Cruiser through a friend of a coworker. Decent interior, not pristine. A good amount of Maintenance records. Pretty good condition. No leaks. 140k miles. Not much rust underneath. Garage kept for last 10 years. White with tan leather.

1. Has a dent in the front fender that will need repaired. I imagine it will be $500-$800.
2. The 90k service has not been performed
3. Tires are old and will need replaced in the next couple months.

I have used these 3 issues to negotiate the price down to $7,000

Truck has never been offroaded and the retired couple selling says they just don't need a 3rd vehicle. Only 19,000 miles over the last 3 years.

From 0-65k carfax shows it was a corporate vehicle which has me nervous. Since then, the owner has changed the oil every 7500-8000 miles (also has me nervous).

Thoughts?

 

[BigSwede]

That oil change interval wouldn't bother me a bit for synthetic. As far a corporate vehicle, that can mean anything from regular professional maintenance to neglect until something obvious is wrong. Usually a large company will have a fleet maintenance program, but smaller companies are more of a gamble.

 

[TXLX100]

7500-8000 mile oil changes aren't necessarily a bad thing if good oil was used. I'd check all the usual suspects like the steering rack, cv boots, check if ignition has been replaced, windshield, heater T's, thermostat, valve cover gasket leaks, etc.

Still, $7000 bucks for those miles, it could be a little rough and still a very good deal. I'd probably plan $3-5k for the next year or so if it needs odd bits, repairs & maintenance. My my just bought a 1999 with 140k that had all major repairs & maintenances done already and I've spent $700 on parts & repairs (most of the labor done myself) in the last couple of weeks for minor stuff & preventative maintenance.

 

[Mike6158]

I did my my second oil change and analysis about a month ago. It had 7272 miles on it and the folks at Blackstone said it would go 9,000. I have 161k on mine.

The 90k service hasn't been done and it's at 140k?

 

[OUbobcat20]

Correct. They were proactive with routine oil changes but thats about it though. They replaced things when symptoms came about. Breaks, sway bar, starter, o2 sensor, battery.

Records show cv boots were spitting grease and they were quoted $350 for that job but chose not to have it done. They do have records from another shop outside of the dealership.

Im not sure if tranny fluid has been replaced at all. Also assuming its stock radiator. Not sure if antifreeze has been flushed ever.

Its hard talking cruisers and maintenance with an 80 year old retired couple

 

[Bomar]

Buy it and enjoy.

 

[99toylc]

Sounds like perfect purchase for $7k if you don't buy it you will miss out !!

 

[OUbobcat20]

I purchased today. Been a family/grand kid hauler for the last 10 years so im going to rent a rug doctor w the attachment to suck all the dirt out.

Needs new tires soon so im thinking a set of AT 285 75 r16.
Undercarriage doesnt have much rust for it being a lifetime midwest car.

Some small surface rust in its early stages on the front driver wheel well that ill need to learn hoe to combat.

Radiator cap is literally rusty and it has the original radiator. Toyota antifreeze looks good though.

Lots to do! The interior and ride quality is night and day over my old 80 series. The v8 is very noticeable when compared to the 6 cylinder too. No endless head gasket paranoia to deal with!

 

[tabraha]

Enjoy, I think you got a solid deal for that low of a mileage.

 

[blatant]

I would say a great deal for that mileage as well. There will always be things that need doing.

 

[fireball]

Congrats and welcome aboard! Sounds like a good deal. At that price you can do the 90k service and some other PM and be race ready for a great price. Maybe have a few dollars left over for some sliders. new tires. a rear bumper. a front bumper. a winch. etc. etc. etc!!!!

 

[00LX]

Great purchase!! Any pictures?

 

[92LXAZ]

Sounds like a great deal. Enjoy...and yes pics!

 

[OUbobcat20]

Just got done getting a set of 285 75 r16 goodyear duratracs installed. Looks like a whole new truck. Finishing up work and then heading to airport for wedding. Will try to get some pics up when i get back Sunday if im not too hungover.

I just haaaaaaad to get those tires today...... couldnt wait until next Monday when i got back in town haha.

Im interested to see how well the interior will clean up. Last ten years its been a kid/grandkids/dog hauler. Rug doctor and scrubbing the interior should do wonders.

 

[TXLX100]

[QUOTE="OUbobcat20, post: 9420128, member: 102305"

Im interested to see how well the interior will clean up. Last ten years its been a kid/grandkids/dog hauler. Rug doctor and scrubbing the interior should do wonders.[/QUOTE]

If it's real bad, you can pretty easily remove the carpet from the vehicle to power wash and scrub on. Just be sure to separate the jute pad from the carpet if you are going to get it wet. Some of the restoration threads here look like night and day for the carpet. I HAD to remove the front seats in one I'm cleaning up to clean all the nasty from in between the seat & console.

 

[OUbobcat20]

A quick shot before heading out to airport. Loving the transformed look thanks to 285s