Help a new forum member - is this a good deal?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

G

gotshotgun

Joined
Dec 22, 2015
Threads
2
Messages
11
Location
California
Hey guys, I just signed on to your excellent forum after stalking for quite a while. I'm hoping you can give me some guidance on a potential purchase. I've started reading stickies and old threads, but honestly the amount of info available is staggering to a novice wheeler.

So, I may have an opportunity to purchase a 2000 LC from my step father. It has 223k miles on it and I think I could get it for $5k. Is this a good deal? I've been reading about steering rack issues. This truck does seem to have very sloppy steering, but I've never owned an SUV before... Also there is some clunking coming from the front when I go over speed bumps. The rig looks great cosmetically, no problems with electrical that I can find. Also, I know that he hasn't abused it, only really doing highway cruising. I'm sure he has had some maintenance done but I doubt he has had everything done to the extent that folks here keep their rigs up.

Engine runs smooth and tranny shifts smooth when in drive but kind of bangs when going into R or D.

I really want to get into a rig like this and I want some thing I can put another 100k plus on. I will likely daily drive this for a few years.

So back to my question, is this a good deal? If I need new suspension and steering rack how much would that set me back, would it still be worth the purchase?

Folks, thanks in advance for any words of wisdom.
 
If it's rust free, at least in fair cosmetic condition, and you are comfortable with investing some money on catching up repairs, I'd say it's a good deal. Definitely at the bottom end of the price range. A perfectly maintained LC with those miles could ask $10k easy.

A rack could run around $1000 to $1500 installed, suspension could vary if it just needs shocks and springs or also needs bushings, ball joints, etc. the transmission banging could be driveshaft related, bushings, or transmission related.
 
Thanks for the info. I wouldn't mind putting another $3-4k up front to make the rig solid. I just don't want a money pit. I do know that the LC was driven by a 60 year old since it had 20k miles who only drove on highways, no snow or mud. No real off-roading.
 
depends alot on the trans if you slam it from R to D and it bangs is one thing if you slowly shift from R to D and it bangs it might be another. If the trans goes your looking at 3-4K easy.
 
If you can afford to invest $5000.00, its a good deal. Does he have any maintenance records? Timing Belt and Water pump replaced?
 
At 5 K if its what you want and it runs well. If you have a good relationship with your step dad then I really dont think he would screw you over with a hooptie knowingly.

But at over 200K you are looking at a lot of possible issues that will take a decent bit of money if not now soon but with that said you can always just do a few at a time unless something brakes.

I purchased a 2000 lc with 189K with a fairly warn interior and the leather was gone it also had quite a bit of hail damage. I was happy as could be to get it at 5K last year. Most of the other nice I ones were 8-12+K. I knew going into it I was going to do bumpers and it had a good maint history. But was also due a timing belt/waterpump.

I got it as a trail rig so the ugly duck was prime pickings for me. I think I will have paid more in "repair",home made bumpers lift and soon to be on the way tires and rims :) than I did for the LC.
 
I would buy it! I use the "bang" from reverse to drive as a reminder I need to grease the driveshafts. Goes away for a while after that. Tacomas had a problem with the same issue and the fix was to slide them apart and clean it off then apply a very expensive grease to the splines. Seems a common issue in Toyota driveshafts from that era. I wold comment with what I paid but I have no desire to be shot. Haven't seen $5k even at the dealer auctions.
 
Mine also has a thud when shifting and when the suspension is compressed or extended. I have greased it in the past, I guess I'll try to take mine apart and clean it.
 
gotshotgun said:
Thanks for the info. I wouldn't mind putting another $3-4k up front to make the rig solid. I just don't want a money pit. I do know that the LC was driven by a 60 year old since it had 20k miles who only drove on highways, no snow or mud. No real off-roading.
Click to expand...
Hey don't underestimate the damage us 60 year olds can do!!!
 
Man. I feel pretty good getting mine for $6,500 now :)
nismopowered said:
I would buy it! I use the "bang" from reverse to drive as a reminder I need to grease the driveshafts. Goes away for a while after that. Tacomas had a problem with the same issue and the fix was to slide them apart and clean it off then apply a very expensive grease to the splines. Seems a common issue in Toyota driveshafts from that era. I wold comment with what I paid but I have no desire to be shot. Haven't seen $5k even at the dealer auctions.
Click to expand...


Sent from my SM-G920P
 
Sound like a good deal to me. The clunk is likely worn splines on the drive flange and front axels, this will cost you about $1000 to fix if you do the install yourself.



Sent from my iPhone
 
DEAL at 200k of highway miles you should be fine for another 100k of highway miles.... easy... yes a rack & pinion can be $1500 but it can also be $250 for a good rebuilt unit... or it could just be $40 for bushings, the heater T's are #1 if they have not been done... that is $10 at Lowes, I've used several of the timing belt kits off ebay for under $200 with no issues... you might look at the radiator again $125 on ebay... most of the oem hoses seem to be good for life... if reasonable care has been given to the truck... you could spend $500 on the above plus, lube & oil change, a set of replacement shocks, adjust the torsion bars and have it aligned... and feel comfortable going anywhere in it.... JMHO but that isn't even high miles and I doubt much has worn...
 
gotshotgun said:
So, it looks like he may want to hang on to it a bit longer. Of course now I have the bug so I'm looking around for other deals.

Here are two local listings... what do you all say about them? No swooping on fellow members! LOL

1999 LEXUS LX470 suv
Click to expand...

Offer 11 and pick it up asap.
 
gotshotgun said:
Sent him a message, we'll see if its still available.
Click to expand...

Hope you get it, looks mint and major maintenance done w/in in the last 20k.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Grant LX470
Help - What is this piece?
Replies
17
Views
1K
kbfj621989
kbfj621989
JtotheROB
New Member
Replies
8
Views
402
Manhattan
Manhattan
Mog
New member!
Replies
8
Views
829
LXfromTX
LXfromTX
A
New Member
Replies
5
Views
542
Hokie LX
Hokie LX

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom