European-cars: Where do they find these 80s ?

[zpilot]

Here's the car I was interested in. It really looks nice in pictures. Attached is also a picture of the same car prior to the "reconditioning."

1997 Toyota Land Cruiser 108k Mi Diff Lockers Lock Fj80 4wd Carfax Serviced! - Used Toyota Land Cruiser for sale in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania | autoquid.com

Wrecked 1997 Toyota Landcruisr Cars for Sale | Autobidmaster.com Car Auction

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[thatcabledude]

Buying a Japanese TRUCK from

"European Cars"

 

[jaymar]

Can you say water, flood, storm Damage........ having almost been a victim of such a sale it pays to have some one crawl all over it before purchasing. I'm just saying

Yes I had a cruiser friendly shop go over mine before I bought it. Brought them a checklist as well. The vehicle I looked at before that, the owner started yelling at the mechanic when he told me what poor shape it was in!

 

[MPTank]

I flew up there to see a “mint locked 80”. It was horrible. Nothing like the pictures. I accused him of photoshopping the pics. Argued for about 30 minutes and left. Shady as F.

 

[jaymar]

I flew up there to see a “mint locked 80”. It was horrible. Nothing like the pictures. I accused him of photoshopping the pics. Argued for about 30 minutes and left. Shady as F.

Maybe he meant it came with complimentary dinner mints and a padlock?

 

[43andMe]

This thread has been very helpful. I was just enamored by several cars in the inventory at european-cars on ebay. Glad I had this forum to do a little research on this dealer!

 

[frenchielover]

The European-Cars on Ebay as well as Car Cheer and Cars of North East based in Feasterviile Trevose, PA (same outfit - many names - near Philadelphia) is sketchy as hell. They are masters of deception - Dave Gitman will con the money right out of your wallet. I bought a 2006 Lexus LX470 lasts November with only 92K miles on it. It looked better in the pics than in person, but the real problems were hard to tell without a a REALLY good mechanic. Parasitic power draw that the BEST mechanics took 6 weeks to solve for $3K. Rusted out underneath - glossed over by undercoating. 2 major undone recalls from Lexus. Brake fluid and trans fluid that look like black tar. The telescoping steering wheel motor was missing! (part of someone's solution to the phantom power draw) The hydraulic height adjustment blew out on first trip - $800. The Carfax had been altered to eliminate the accident report! Run the other way - they cannot be trusted AT ALL...

 

[ShepRunner]

Hi All - I just bought a 3rd Gen 4runner from Dave. Very glad I found this thread before buying. I checked badvin.org. I spent 3 hours with an experienced mechanic inspecting the vehicle at their location. They let me use one of their lifts. Then, at my request, they took it to Firestone to make sure it passed state inspection before buying. As part of the sale, they agreed to do some preventative maintenance. For 4runners, the Lower Ball Joint is known to fail and OEM is crucial. I instructed them to use OEM, asked them to take a picture of the part with the part # prior to install. They didn't, and installed an aftermarket. When I called them on it, they refunded me the parts and labor for the LBJ install. I still need to replace it. Right now, I'm very happy with the vehicle. And yes, I paid a premium price. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[ShepRunner]

Brought the 4runner to a trusted mechanic. The antenna mast they installed was aftermarket and has failed within 2 weeks. I will need to replace the entire antenna motor assembly. Also, there's vibration when I feather the breaks. According to my mechanic, Dave cut corners on the front brake rotors he had installed installed and this will need to be redone in a few months. So, as has been said numerous times on this thread, buyer beware.

 

[trowand]

FYI, I live near this place. It's about a 30-35 minute drive from me in Philly. I swung by their lot yesterday and they must have had a dozen 80's, 6 or 7 100's, 2 or 3 60's, plus plenty of Range Rovers, Discovery's, VW buses, old MB's and Jags... They definitely do A LOT of work to these things. Body work, piece mealing them together and paintwork. I bought my '07 LX470 'Limited Edition' from them with only 103,000 miles on it just over a year ago. I paid a premium price but overall, I'm happy with the vehicle. I would probably also buy an 80 from them but I'd definitely do my VIN checks, check it over very, very well and do my best to negotiate a lower price.

 

[ShepRunner]

Hi all. The stereo on my 4runner failed after a few weeks. I just replaced it. Other than that (and paying too much), so far so good. If you buy from them, definitely go through ebay, and definitely check badvin.org before you make an offer.

As Trowand said, it is something to go on their lot. They had about every car I was excited about sitting there. I'd never seen so many LCs, 4runners, Xjs on one lot. For someone interested in these things, worth a trip for that alone.

 

[goodwin1980]

I spoke with Dave this afternoon. Nice conversation. I had the same “too good to be true reaction.” Called my brother to say “I feel like he puts lipstick on a pig” (not trying to insult Land Cruisers). I decided to refer to ih8mud and found this thread as well as some others. Some interesting insights: (1) Dave only accepts cash, (2) Dave will only let you look/drive 1-2 vehicles, (3) inspecting a vehicle is by appointment only. I may be in the area soon and may go by his shop. The vehicles look nice. Then again, it may be too good to be true …