Getting my First Landcruiser - Things to Consider (1 Viewer)

[zlikezebra]

Living in beautiful Scottsdale (ok it is getting f... hot right now) - we really need to explore more of the area (moved here from TX 5 years ago) and therefore I had to buy the kids some dirt bikes and then of course not surprisingly I had to buy one for myself (need something to chase after them and obviously I can't use my street bike - so I had to sacrifice).

That required a trailer and supposedly the family Prius will not do well with that (FYI - it can and has been done and staying within a 50 miles radius I haven't blown the transmission yet). Anyway - the Prius has to go and obviously a LC is required to trail the bikes and of course do some off-roading. Somehow the wife believes in some nefarious plan of mine (not sure where she got that idea from).

I am now looking at a 100K 2011 LC for about $32K - with some options like Nav, Coolbox - but I don't think the full upgrade package.

Here are some questions:
* Is that a decent deal?
* Should I have the timing belt / waterpump etc. done (the Toyota Dealer I am getting it from - is quoting me $1,250 for the entire service - supposedly at cost)

I came across an offer for a 2013 with 45K miles for $38,500 yesterday - but when I call today it was already sold. Is that even possible or was it a scam (offer from a third party dealer without any reviews).

I am having the car inspected (as I can't go an see it). Anything specific I should have the inspector pay attention to?

The only other option I could consider is a LX 570 - but interesting enough they don't seem to hold their value as well as the LC - so I have seen them online for cheaper. I prefer the LC styling over the LX - but I guess the LX has an upgraded suspension? Is that really an improvement on pavement / Off-road?

Thanks - can't wait to get started.

ZlikeZebra

 

[DeckerT4R]

Living in beautiful Scottsdale (ok it is getting f... hot right now) - we really need to explore more of the area (moved here from TX 5 years ago) and therefore I had to buy the kids some dirt bikes and then of course not surprisingly I had to buy one for myself (need something to chase after them and obviously I can't use my street bike - so I had to sacrifice).

That required a trailer and supposedly the family Prius will not do well with that (FYI - it can and has been done and staying within a 50 miles radius I haven't blown the transmission yet). Anyway - the Prius has to go and obviously a LC is required to trail the bikes and of course do some off-roading. Somehow the wife believes in some nefarious plan of mine (not sure where she got that idea from).

I am now looking at a 100K 2011 LC for about $32K - with some options like Nav, Coolbox - but I don't think the full upgrade package.

Here are some questions:
* Is that a decent deal?
* Should I have the timing belt / waterpump etc. done (the Toyota Dealer I am getting it from - is quoting me $1,250 for the entire service - supposedly at cost)

I came across an offer for a 2013 with 45K miles for $38,500 yesterday - but when I call today it was already sold. Is that even possible or was it a scam (offer from a third party dealer without any reviews).

I am having the car inspected (as I can't go an see it). Anything specific I should have the inspector pay attention to?

The only other option I could consider is a LX 570 - but interesting enough they don't seem to hold their value as well as the LC - so I have seen them online for cheaper. I prefer the LC styling over the LX - but I guess the LX has an upgraded suspension? Is that really an improvement on pavement / Off-road?

Thanks - can't wait to get started.

ZlikeZebra

uhhhhhhhh the 5.7 has a timing chain unless i missed something. The toyota dealer offering the timing belt service seems fishy....

 

[zlikezebra]

uhhhhhhhh the 5.7 has a timing chain unless i missed something. The toyota dealer offering the timing belt service seems fishy....

May be it was just me being stupid. I asked for it because I thought I read somewhere it is needed (but may be it wasn't for a 200). OK - so no need to have that timing chain / water pump etc. done?

 

[DeckerT4R]

May be it was just me being stupid. I asked for it because I thought I read somewhere it is needed (but may be it wasn't for a 200). OK - so no need to have that timing chain / water pump etc. done?

Im new to the 200 series as well but generally timing chains don't need to be dealt with until 175K + miles. Im sure some others with more experience can jump in here.

 

[zlikezebra]

The other item - that I am being offered is a Extended Warranty Package - supposedly the premium package by OSI - 3 yrs 36,000 miles for $2,700. Is it really worth it? I know that these extended warranties are usually very profitable - for the seller.

Still, many years ago I bought an MDX with 80K miles on it - and the extended warranty was the best deal ever (I got about 3x its cost in service out of it).

On the other hand the LC should be way more reliable than the MDX from what I heard. And the LC I am looking at - seems to have complete service records (always been with the same Toyota Dealer until traded in for a new LC).

 

[steenh]

If you can get them to do some of the 120k service stuff early, I'd take them up on it. I would get them to do the water pump as they do tend to start weeping around that time. At my 120k, I took care of all of the pesky items. WP, Radiator and Starter. You may not need to, but if you can get it done "cheap", I'd take them up on it.

Congrats!

 

[Cruisin911]

The 5.7 has a timing chain that does not need to be serviced, except during engine overhaul. Water pump approx every 120k or when it starts weeping. If you make it to 120k and don't see any weeping, watch the coolant reservoir. Other than that, routine maintenance only.

 

[ranma21]

The LC is a highly sought after truck if the price is right, people snatch them up quick if it is in great condition, it is just not a lot out there. The 13 is cheap with that kind of mileage. I will snatch it right away (assuming in great condition) if I haven't bought my LX. I paid $36.5 for my 11 with 78k miles 8 months ago. You will see the LX is bit cheaper because there are just more LX in the market, supply and demand. If you do not plan to mod the truck much, LX will be a good buy as it is cheaper with more bell & whistles and more luxury than LC.

 

[zlikezebra]

Well - actually it is a black 2011 LC with 105K miles and sand colored interior for $31,900 and to my surprise the full upgrade package (the pictures from the pre-purchase inspection confirmed it).

Mechanics are all good and the tires have a lot of thread left - some minor dings / scratches on the outside and some wear on the inside (but in line with normal wear) So I decided to pull the trigger - I am not looking for a garage queen anyway.

Now arranging for it to be shipped to AZ

Thanks !!!!

ZlikeZebra

 

[EPUro2019]

did you have the undercarriage and especially the KDSS valve checked? Not sure where it is coming from but if in a rust area you should definitely check that out.

 

[sPaulp]

Well - actually it is a black 2011 LC with 105K miles and sand colored interior for $31,900 and to my surprise the full upgrade package (the pictures from the pre-purchase inspection confirmed it).

Mechanics are all good and the tires have a lot of thread left - some minor dings / scratches on the outside and some wear on the inside (but in line with normal wear) So I decided to pull the trigger - I am not looking for a garage queen anyway.

Now arranging for it to be shipped to AZ

Thanks !!!!

ZlikeZebra

$31,900 for an '11 with 105k miles is a GREAT price if everything else checks out. Like others have mentioned, check the water pump and other routine maintenance items. If you can get the dealer to throw in a water pump service, then cherry on top. Inevitably, you will need to replace the radiator (a known failure at 100k plus miles), and while you are at it, replace the starter and then check your KDSS valves (this is only necessary if you plan to lift the vehicle). Search "KDSS" and there is tons of info. Also, to reiterate, the 200 series has a timing chain instead of a belt. Other than that, you're good to go. How does the undercarriage look? Just as a point of reference, I purchased my VERY clean '11 from down south 3 months ago for $43,500 and it had 49k miles. So, I would hop all over this deal quickly....it will not last at that price, I assure you.

 

[jblatl]

Things to look for:
OIL LEAKS:
Cam boxes
Front cover
Steering rack

The list above will cost you thousands if they come up!

TRUST ME...

The steering rack is $3,200 installed!

That was last month!

Mine is a 2011 with less miles than that!

BUT dam I love my truck!

 

[txtortoise]

The extended warranty he's offering is all profit. If you buy, you want a Toyota Platinum, but with that many miles you won't get but about 20K more coverage. Toyota polices, varying by year/miles, are doable in the $1500-2000 range, but not convinced you get much value at this point.

You can go to your local Toyota dealers and see what they will price one for you. Just like buying tires except can't do it over the Internet any longer.

 

[jblatl]

Getting your money out of a warranty is a lot like flipping a coin, my truck has the CPO warranty through Toyota but I paid handsomely for it when I bought the truck.

I must say though, I more than doubled my return but that is not always the case.

Toyota dealerships will not want to do a large majority of the work, the warranty only pays a portion of the repairs and the dealer is left eating the rest of the bill.

My front cover was leaking along with both cam boxes, this is a $4,000 repair give or take a hundred dollars. The dealer was only paid $3,200 for the job. My brother in law is a certified Toyota technician, he looked at my truck before I bought it in to have the work done and said he was accustom to seeing those leaks on the 5.7 and would just wash the oil off as directed by the service manager.

My point is, even if you get the warranty you will need to find a good service writer that will help you get the repairs done.

Ps. My brother in law left the dealer he was working at six months ago because he hated management.

 

[zlikezebra]

Thanks everybody. At this stage I will pass on the extended warranty given that it is not clear whether I might need it at all and even if I do I can't be sure that I will get the right coverage / service (Toyota Platinum not being much of an option given the miles on the car).

I had a last minuted excitement about another car coming on the market in Houston - White 2011 LC with 107K miles for $33,500 after a little negotiation - and given some savings in shipping only about an extra $1K (and the wife likes the white much better - I like that it is easier to keep clean).

The car looked really good on the photos - and I was able to confirm that it comes with the Upgrade Package ( I want that COOLBOX - not that I would ever put a can of beer into it ....) - but the fact that it spent its live in Galveston, TX near the Ocean concerned me. Well I had the car inspected and specifically checked for rust (undercarriage) - and the verdict was rather grim "... excessive rust starting to build up .....". Darn ....... i really liked the look of it ......

So back on track with the car I mentioned initially ......

ZlikeZebra

 

[mreedbmwm3]

I'd save your money and splurge for the 2013. All the additional upgrades are worth it. The 2008-2011 have the ugly green cluster lights etc...

 

[Utah200]

Don't forget to budget for lion damage. Their claws are hell on paint.

 

[zlikezebra]

Ha Ha - seems lately Tigers have been more successful to get a snack out of these thin boxes on wheels coming their way.

I am looking for a workhorse that we can use to get the kids to school during the week and I can use to trail our dirt bikes on weekends and on do some off-roading with the family in general. We have a couple of other cars for the general day to day (that way are way too nice for greasy finger prints and way to low to venture off the smoothest asphalt)

Meanwhile for me the extra $8-10K for a 2013 with similar miles is less about affordability but more about thinking that it is quite a bit of cash for some extra options that do not really impact the driving performance of the car and the way I look at it - I can always sell the 2011 probably without loosing too much if I want to upgrade.

Is it possible that I will get some major repairs hit me yes - but then again the same could happen with a high mileage 2013.

We will see how the 2011 works out and within 6 months how I feel about some repair bills .....

Cheers

ZlikeZebra

 

[zlikezebra]

I will post pictures once I get the car

 

[TonyP]

I'd save your money and splurge for the 2013. All the additional upgrades are worth it. The 2008-2011 have the ugly green cluster lights etc...

You'll get a lot of differing views, but I agree completely. The '13 is a good balance between features and price. You'll be happy with any year 200, but I (personally) am glad I opted for the '13.