What are your opinions on what this mechanic said regarding a 1995 VX that I had him look at today. I am about to negotiate a price. Any red flags stick out for you guys?
I live in Tanzania and the mechanic is a highly recommended German guy. hence the somewhat broken english...
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Car details of Toyota L/Cruiser VX T 121AXW
http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/q?vin=FZJ80-0113186
Japan Year 07/1995
Make TOYOTA
Model LAND CRUISER
Frame FZJ80-0113186
Vehicle characteristics
GRADE: VX all 4WD,
DESTINATION: JPN: JAPAN
ENGINE: 1FZFE: 4500CC EFI
FUEL SYSTEM: EFI: ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION (GASOLINE)
TRANSMISSION: ATM: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BACK DOOR: LUB: LIFT UP BACK DOOR
COLOR CODE: 045 white
Imported to TZ : 2009
Km on meter : 74750
Others:
Long chassis, 5 doors, upgraded version, semi luxury, later fitted alarm system
Central locking, electrical window winding, electrical side mirrors,
All door windows with plastic shades, not working electrical antenna,
Double a/c, Kenwood radio-cd, locked spare tyre at rear door with shifting holder
Two rear emergency seats, original two long side steps, roof window over front seats,
Open and close but not tilting (defect)
Note:
Km counting of 74.750 km can not easily be accepted, due to age and tear. I guess a 100.000 on top.
the car was re sprayed, a former red paint is still visible, but first colour must have been white like now .
Engine performance is so far acceptable, but it sucked for a while dust due to broken air inlet hose.
Test-drive:
Engine performance okay – cannot compare to other ones, never tested others--
Gear changing, kick down, okay
Little rattling or vibrations on rough road, due to better shock absorbers and coil springs, fitted by owner in Tz.
Braking power good and straight
Wheel alignment and balancing okay
Steering okay, but in idle speed a little bit stiffer than other cars. Sign of wearing out
Power steering pump.
Air condition, double action for front and rear seats, good cooling power
Engine:
oil leakage at bell housing ,could be engine oil through rear crankshaft oil seal or automatic gear box oil,
Otherwise dry engine,
Air filters okay, but air inlet hose defect, see above. Engine electronic was fed by wrong airflow meter signals, that should have caused wrong fuel injection , spark plugs should be checked.
V-belts, a/c belt okay, alternator v-belts cracking, rubber hoses okay
Idle running some misses, needs check up, also caused by dirty air influx, see above.
Engine components still in good shape
Exhaust system partly rusted at pipe connections and muffler brackets.
Serious damages or repairs not expected in near future due to size of engine
Battery age and voltage okay
Radiator coolant dirty, corrosion and deposits visible, radiator surely not 100% clean, cooling water was not treated with summer coolant concentrate.
Transmission:
Automatic gear shifting okay, oil level okay
Front differential oil very dirty, swivel seals defect and oily, need immediately service,
Other oil levels in order, oils clean
Propeller shafts cross joints, drive shafts okay, Wheel bearings okay, but front wheel bearings need special attention due to worn out swivel seals.
Four wheel drive okay
Gearbox oily due to oil leakage, see above, rear differential pinion oil seal okay
Diff, gearbox not noisy
Tyres:
Spare tyre Bridgestone Dueler 275/70R16 , like new on steel rim,
All other tyres, still 50 %, Dunlop Dueller Grand Trek, 275 /70 R 16 fitted on original aluminium rims, without dents and cracks, all tubeless. But wrong wheel nuts are fitted, which damaged the rim holes. Can be repaired, but original wheel nuts must be fitted
Brakes:
Front brakes okay, brake pads still 50%,
Rear breaks okay, 50 % brake pads, brake callipers and discs okay
Good braking power
Handbrake in good working order
Steering
No play, no rattling, but stiffer in idle speed, as mentioned above.
Tie rods and links okay
Steering wheel good condition, no wear.
Steering wheel adjustment okay
Suspension:
Shock absorbers and coil springs in good shape,
Little rattling or vibration
Car was used off road, but only few scratches in wheel arches and under body, chassis, sump guards, and exhaust
Electrical
12 volt system with one battery, Atlas 90 AH, sealed, from 30.06.2011
All fuses electrical okay and complete,
Indicators okay, left side front little water, due to safety bolt hole
Parking lights okay
Front head lamp glasses and rear lamps unscratched,
Switches and instruments in good order
Inside light, clock okay,
Electrical wiring in engine compartment proper
Battery, bracket slightly rusted, terminals old
Front wiper rubbers okay,
Body and interior:
Overall look normal,
Interior in acceptable shape
Paint work still good, few small scratches, more see above
Plastic covers and materials still good
Doors opening, closing okay,
Door rubbers still soft and undamaged
Some rust found on body parts, like luggage floor, lower back door not on chassis,
Chassis generally clean, was not re-sprayed
Both back seats are okay, carpets just dusty
Windscreen clean, no scratches,
Safety belts not retracting well -- matter of age and usage --,
Tools and jack in their place
Side mirror glasses okay, engraved, outer strips secured with rivets.
Front bull bar not properly fitted with right sized bolts
Owner should be advised to undertake a good car cleanup
Final:
The car is for its age in acceptable condition
The defects are repairable and not that serious
The car seems not to be involved in any accident, serviced not properly, because all mentioned faults could be avoided.
The buyer should be aware , that a big car with a oversized petrol engine will need a lot of fuel. The car is 17 years old, the components have reached their life time already. Regularly faults and service costs must be expected.
____________________________________________________________________
Thanks!
I live in Tanzania and the mechanic is a highly recommended German guy. hence the somewhat broken english...
___________________________________________________________________
Car details of Toyota L/Cruiser VX T 121AXW
http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/q?vin=FZJ80-0113186
Japan Year 07/1995
Make TOYOTA
Model LAND CRUISER
Frame FZJ80-0113186
Vehicle characteristics
GRADE: VX all 4WD,
DESTINATION: JPN: JAPAN
ENGINE: 1FZFE: 4500CC EFI
FUEL SYSTEM: EFI: ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION (GASOLINE)
TRANSMISSION: ATM: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BACK DOOR: LUB: LIFT UP BACK DOOR
COLOR CODE: 045 white
Imported to TZ : 2009
Km on meter : 74750
Others:
Long chassis, 5 doors, upgraded version, semi luxury, later fitted alarm system
Central locking, electrical window winding, electrical side mirrors,
All door windows with plastic shades, not working electrical antenna,
Double a/c, Kenwood radio-cd, locked spare tyre at rear door with shifting holder
Two rear emergency seats, original two long side steps, roof window over front seats,
Open and close but not tilting (defect)
Note:
Km counting of 74.750 km can not easily be accepted, due to age and tear. I guess a 100.000 on top.
the car was re sprayed, a former red paint is still visible, but first colour must have been white like now .
Engine performance is so far acceptable, but it sucked for a while dust due to broken air inlet hose.
Test-drive:
Engine performance okay – cannot compare to other ones, never tested others--
Gear changing, kick down, okay
Little rattling or vibrations on rough road, due to better shock absorbers and coil springs, fitted by owner in Tz.
Braking power good and straight
Wheel alignment and balancing okay
Steering okay, but in idle speed a little bit stiffer than other cars. Sign of wearing out
Power steering pump.
Air condition, double action for front and rear seats, good cooling power
Engine:
oil leakage at bell housing ,could be engine oil through rear crankshaft oil seal or automatic gear box oil,
Otherwise dry engine,
Air filters okay, but air inlet hose defect, see above. Engine electronic was fed by wrong airflow meter signals, that should have caused wrong fuel injection , spark plugs should be checked.
V-belts, a/c belt okay, alternator v-belts cracking, rubber hoses okay
Idle running some misses, needs check up, also caused by dirty air influx, see above.
Engine components still in good shape
Exhaust system partly rusted at pipe connections and muffler brackets.
Serious damages or repairs not expected in near future due to size of engine
Battery age and voltage okay
Radiator coolant dirty, corrosion and deposits visible, radiator surely not 100% clean, cooling water was not treated with summer coolant concentrate.
Transmission:
Automatic gear shifting okay, oil level okay
Front differential oil very dirty, swivel seals defect and oily, need immediately service,
Other oil levels in order, oils clean
Propeller shafts cross joints, drive shafts okay, Wheel bearings okay, but front wheel bearings need special attention due to worn out swivel seals.
Four wheel drive okay
Gearbox oily due to oil leakage, see above, rear differential pinion oil seal okay
Diff, gearbox not noisy
Tyres:
Spare tyre Bridgestone Dueler 275/70R16 , like new on steel rim,
All other tyres, still 50 %, Dunlop Dueller Grand Trek, 275 /70 R 16 fitted on original aluminium rims, without dents and cracks, all tubeless. But wrong wheel nuts are fitted, which damaged the rim holes. Can be repaired, but original wheel nuts must be fitted
Brakes:
Front brakes okay, brake pads still 50%,
Rear breaks okay, 50 % brake pads, brake callipers and discs okay
Good braking power
Handbrake in good working order
Steering
No play, no rattling, but stiffer in idle speed, as mentioned above.
Tie rods and links okay
Steering wheel good condition, no wear.
Steering wheel adjustment okay
Suspension:
Shock absorbers and coil springs in good shape,
Little rattling or vibration
Car was used off road, but only few scratches in wheel arches and under body, chassis, sump guards, and exhaust
Electrical
12 volt system with one battery, Atlas 90 AH, sealed, from 30.06.2011
All fuses electrical okay and complete,
Indicators okay, left side front little water, due to safety bolt hole
Parking lights okay
Front head lamp glasses and rear lamps unscratched,
Switches and instruments in good order
Inside light, clock okay,
Electrical wiring in engine compartment proper
Battery, bracket slightly rusted, terminals old
Front wiper rubbers okay,
Body and interior:
Overall look normal,
Interior in acceptable shape
Paint work still good, few small scratches, more see above
Plastic covers and materials still good
Doors opening, closing okay,
Door rubbers still soft and undamaged
Some rust found on body parts, like luggage floor, lower back door not on chassis,
Chassis generally clean, was not re-sprayed
Both back seats are okay, carpets just dusty
Windscreen clean, no scratches,
Safety belts not retracting well -- matter of age and usage --,
Tools and jack in their place
Side mirror glasses okay, engraved, outer strips secured with rivets.
Front bull bar not properly fitted with right sized bolts
Owner should be advised to undertake a good car cleanup
Final:
The car is for its age in acceptable condition
The defects are repairable and not that serious
The car seems not to be involved in any accident, serviced not properly, because all mentioned faults could be avoided.
The buyer should be aware , that a big car with a oversized petrol engine will need a lot of fuel. The car is 17 years old, the components have reached their life time already. Regularly faults and service costs must be expected.
____________________________________________________________________
Thanks!
