Get a "100 series" education from Mud. Thanks guys.

[OregonB]

As in life, in cars it is also a good thing to shut up and listen.
About 2 weeks ago I was forced to start looking for a mid-2000's LC/LX (to replace my '01 LC, RIP). I recommend anyone wanting to learn, get their burning q's answered, etc., to avoid the urge to type in your question. First just sit down and read thru all the posts, all the relevant forums, everything on MUD...take an hour a night for a week. Take notes even. YOU WILL LEARN EVERYTHING about these trucks, a little more about some very smart and funny car fanatics, and you'll be a better person for it. Thanks everyone for passing on the wisdom, experiences, funny (mostly) stories, etc.

And now, the one question I have not found answered. I'm looking at a 05 LX, 151k, that is in near-perfect condition, EXCEPT...there is a blistering/"pimpling" on the lower console surround where the shifters and seat heater switches are located. Sorry, forgot to photo - haven't purchased yet, it's across town. Not a deal breaker, but strange. The owner was a heavy smoker (we've 87.4%-way thru solving the odor problem) who burned numerous holes in the drivers seat (already repaired). Could this have been the issue, either the smoke or ash getting dropped - maybe on its' merry way to the ash tray? Rest of interior is fine.

 

[PLROD]

Good post. I can tell you my 99 was a smokers car & I finally figured out a way to get rid of all the odor. After replacing the cabin filter and detailing the interior, I placed several large containers, plastic, aluminum or whatever you have, but ones with low sides about 1" or so worked well for me, put a couple of paper towels lying flat on the bottom of them and pour in just enough white vinegar to cover keep the paper towels soaked. I put several in the car, one in the back with rear seats folded up, another in the middle row and one on each passenger foot well. Now close all the windows and park the car for a few days. I parked mine in my garage so I cannot say as to weather or not in the sun would be better but I suspect not as the vinegar would evaporate quicker that way. After a few days of this, park the car outside and let it air out with all windows open. I think I did this twice and after the vinegar smell goes away, so does the smoke smell. I also let the car run with AC on recirc while the vinegar was in there a couple of times.

 

[OregonB]

Good post. I can tell you my 99 was a smokers car & I finally figured out a way to get rid of all the odor. After replacing the cabin filter and detailing the interior, I placed several large containers, plastic, aluminum or whatever you have, but ones with low sides about 1" or so worked well for me, put a couple of paper towels lying flat on the bottom of them and pour in just enough white vinegar to cover keep the paper towels soaked. I put several in the car, one in the back with rear seats folded up, another in the middle row and one on each passenger foot well. Now close all the windows and park the car for a few days. I parked mine in my garage so I cannot say as to weather or not in the sun would be better but I suspect not as the vinegar would evaporate quicker that way. After a few days of this, park the car outside and let it air out with all windows open. I think I did this twice and after the vinegar smell goes away, so does the smoke smell. I also let the car run with AC on recirc while the vinegar was in there a couple of times.

Great idea, thanks so much!
I think if the previous owner had hung some pork ribs in the car, used your vinegar idea, there's an idea somewhere there.

 

[ih8everything]

My cruiser smelled heavily like smoke when I bought it. To get rid of the smell you have to clean every surface to remove any residue, especially fabrics like headliner and carpet. That ensures that the smell won't linger. Then I purchased a cheap o-zone generator, about $80 on amazon and that completely removes any odors.

To answer your question, if just the wood trim is peeling up that's not a big deal. You could just peel it off and leave the black plastic underneath showing or you could replace it if you really wanted to.

 

[labcab]

Tell them you'll split the parts and labor to repair it. Have them knock $300 or so off the price for the part, then go grab one from a junk yard and put it in yourself. It's not difficult. I've seen where detailers have worked some magic sanding, buffing and recoloring plastic parts to look new, but it never turns out well when I attempt it, and ultimately, I end up buying a new part anyway.

Keeping the rear quarter windows cracked and the AC on fresh will cut down on the stank when you hop in...until the vinegar works it's magic.

 

[Sandroad]

I looked at 2 LCs last year that the dealers were getting desperate to sell because they had been on the lots for loooonnnngg time due to cigarette smoke smell. I wouldn't touch them once I found out, since my family is very sensitive to smoke smell and even with hours of labor and treatments, on a hot humid day there may be some lingering effects. In the end, both were auctioned off and showed up elsewhere. Lesson learned for me is that if you are wiling to buy a smoked-in vehicle, expect a huge discount on the price because they are hard to sell.

That console surround is easy to remove and could be refinished. Odd that it's blistered. Most are just faded and scratched. However, stuff does get spilled on them occasionally and that could have damaged the finish.