Do I proceed with purchse after being taken for a "rollover"?

[MH_Stevens]

In the morning I have to pick up and pay for my '99 LX470. I have a PROBLEM as a friend who is a car dealer says I have been SCREWED and should recind. The salesman "lied" to me about the 90K mile service having been done - it hasn't - he even said the LX470 has no timing belt that need changing: My dealer friend in these circumstances the 90K service could cost me $4000!. Secondly his offer of a months warranty on everything became a drive chain only at the deals close and this is significant as I did not test the AHC/suspention based on that statement. Also he charged on the contract for $400 of bogus extras for which no value has been recieved.

The price of $20,995 is now looking not so good. What should I do? I'm really suffering with indecision here so any quick input from you guys is greatly appreciated.

 

[firetruck41]

No way a 90k service should cost $4k, I don't have a 100 series, but if it is similar to other vehicles it involves the timing belt (and water pump is a good idea) which you can have a shop do and a bunch of fluid/filter changes and inspections which you should be able to do yourself. BTW it's drive train not drive chain. Drive train would relate to engine, transmission, axles and not sure what else, but suspension may be considered as part of it, it ll depends on what the warranty specifically includes and/or excludes. As far as the suspension, if you decide to purchase it just insist on driving it (and checking it's operation) prior to completing the deal. Still does not sound like a bad deal based on prices listed in my local classifieds...

 

[hoser]

Timing belt and 90k service at the local Lexus dealer around here is $1600 not including a new water pump. Of course, an independant shop would charge much less. Ask for proof of the 90k service. Still might not be a bad deal.

 

[calamaridog]

Mike,

I would take the truck to the Lexus dealer or Inland Trucks for an inspection before purchase. It will be worth the fee for the pre-purchase inspection.

And the timing belt change and waterpump shouldn't cost more than $1000.

And I would have already walked on that dealer. I don't like hidden fees or lies.

 

[Josh83]

How did he add all that stuff to the deal without you knowing it? Did you not read what you were signing?

 

[FirstToy]

If you can get the 90K service included, drop the bogus fees and have a pre-sale inspection than maybe.

If it were me, I would walk. Sounds shady and you are playing with fire if you knowingly proceed w/ someone who is less-than honest. What else is he lying about?

 

[tabraha]

This truck reaks of needing a pre-purchase inspection. Tell the seller that if it passes the inspection and if the service needed is under $2k then you'll buy it. Even if you sink $2k, I think you will have gotten a good enough deal to make going through worthwhile. Of course if you are financing this vehicle I would go over that with a fine toothed comb. This dealer sounds like a prime candidate for selling a vehicle at a low price with the interest rate of a credit card. Be careful.

Whatever you do I would not trust this dealer to have taken care of ANYTHING at this point.

 

[CPJONES1231]

You can do most of the 90k yourself, all it is really is new air filter, oil change, plugs, cleaning the throttle body with carb cleaner(most techs dont do this anyways) diff fluid and trans fluid change, and drain and refill coolant, and maybe a balance and rotate.

 

[ff347]

i believe that i would continue my looking elsewhere! dealing with a lying salesperson is not a good start or go to the next highest person in line and start there, maybe you can work on that price!

 

[rule303]

Once a liar always one. There's plenty of cruisers or Lx470s for sale out there. Buy another one.

 

[DMX84]

Once a liar always one. There's plenty of cruisers or Lx470s for sale out there. Buy another one.

+1.

 

[ace10]

You can do most of the 90k yourself, all it is really is new air filter, oil change, plugs, cleaning the throttle body with carb cleaner(most techs dont do this anyways) diff fluid and trans fluid change, and drain and refill coolant, and maybe a balance and rotate.

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

+1.

+2 Just walk away.
Got a great deal on mine at the time....but the dealer sucked. The stuff you catch them on is just the start. For me it was the carpet that had been dyed/painted to cover up some serious abuse. First time I cleaned it I could not believe the condition. Did have Toyota call me to confirm what I put on the customer survey though.

Middletown (CT) Toyota sucks!

 

[firetruck41]

If you wait to buy from an honest dealer, you will never get a Cruiser. Just do your own homework, don't believe a thing he says, and try to get one over on him!

 

[hoser]

If you wait to buy from an honest dealer, you will never get a Cruiser.

Haha, ain't that the truth!

 

[cruisermaine]

+2 Just walk away.
Got a great deal on mine at the time....but the dealer sucked. The stuff you catch them on is just the start. For me it was the carpet that had been dyed/painted to cover up some serious abuse. First time I cleaned it I could not believe the condition. Did have Toyota call me to confirm what I put on the customer survey though.

Middletown (CT) Toyota sucks!

I purchased my 2000 from Middletown back in Feb.. I did not have a problem although I was _lucky_ in that the CEL came on in the middle of the test drive! This was lucky because I got them to agree to cover the underlying problem at no cost at my local (Maine) dealer. Unlucky for them it turned out to be two cracked manifolds

They did cover the first manifold by reimbursing my dealer but I had to drive back to CT to have them do the other one. I can't complain since the truck was in excellent condition otherwise and the price was very good.

 

[Bohot]

If you have doubts, don't do it, there are plenty of other LXs out there.

 

[Jim_Chow]

Haha, ain't that the truth!

Not only that, you'll never get a car!

Maybe it's better to buy private party? Either the seller would have all service recs, or just by talking to him, if he knows all the stuff like where the starter is located, how to repack front wheel bearings, radiator/bottle has no sludge and the coolant is translucent red and not murky, brake fluid isn't dark brown, I'd trust that the guy did the PM right.

After the throttle body...it's often overlooked. I've seen a number of messages on the Lexus forum from LX470 owners saying they had to replace the throttle body at 100K mi, etc. I bet they were starting to muck up w/ sticky carbon, and the dealer obviously isn't going to spend 5 min w/ a wire bristle brush and $3 of carb cleaner to clean it out. Those LX owners had their Lexus dealers replace their TB's at $1500!!! Maybe this is how Lexus dealers indirectly pressure people to trade in their "aging" 60K mi rigs? They begin thinking, "this car is way too expensive to keep beyond 100K mi...I'm gonna trade it in for anything the dealer will give me."

--Jim

 

[joshuaham]

MY neighbor just serviced his for 1,050$.

 

[MH_Stevens]

Thanks guys - I walked. Took the VIN to the Lexus dealer and seem the car had been put in for the 90K service but the work was DECLINED as too much to do then it went to the used car lot. Think I did good to get out , and yes there are a lot more 470's out there.