Help me value this 96 model

[jjbodean1970]

1996 Lexus LX 450, gold with tan leather, 118k, one fender previously repaired, overall nice shape, new tires

any thoughts?

 

[Beowulf]

$10k without diff-locks, $12k with diff-locks.

But what do I know....

-B-

 

[Brentbba]

B - you know lots, but seems just a tad low for a Lexus, expecially if it's in nice shape and well maintained - not of which is mentioned. Then again - what do I know either. hehehe

 

[jjbodean1970]

Is this the "locker" you're referring to:

Viscous Coupling Center Differential with Automatic Locking for "Low" Transfer Position

If yes, then it has it. Also the service history from Lexus is excellent, and it had a ring job done at 85k by Lexus

 

[Beowulf]

>> it had a ring job done at 85k by Lexus <<

"Run Forest, run!" (Shameless stolen from wob)

The diff locks referred to is the optional F&R locking differentials. Rotary switch to the left of the steering column.

-B-

 

[RavenTai]

Can’t price a truck from a few lines of description, can’t do it from a picture either

I paid 15.5K for my 96, 106k, lockers, no body damage except for minor stuff on the cladding and it was originally southern (important to me) it was no steal but it had what I was looking for and the price was fair., looked for several months only saw one other truck I was interested in, it was a 97 LX offered 15K on it he would not go below 17K

I have seen better pricing lately don’t know if the 80’s market is moving down or if I should have looked longer than I did

Look at a bunch of them, you will get a feel for the market and what is available, the right one will pop up

Take the time to find one with lockers

 

[RavenTai]

Is this the "locker" you're referring to:

Viscous Coupling Center Differential with Automatic Locking for "Low" Transfer Position

If yes, then it has it. Also the service history from Lexus is excellent, and it had a ring job done at 85k by Lexus

nope not the lockers we are talking about, ring job at 85k is bad MoJo

 

[jjbodean1970]

i was wondering about the ring job, but not too worried since all services have been done at the dealership - 15k, 30k, 60k, etc all at the Lexus dealer. rings were covered under warranty since the owner bought it Certified

 

[cruiserdan]

I think I'd keep looking fir a bit.

 

[MoJ]

There's a black 450 for sale locally -- 1996, 104k, f/r lockers,........They're asking $15.9k (dealer). Too much IMO but I'm sure someone will buy it.

 

[semlin]

find another truck that has not had a ring job. It won't be hard. just did a search and in the whole history of this forum you will not find any reference to anyone ever doing a ring job on an 80 at any mileage (There is one thread where someone muses about maybe doing it when rebuilding an engine with over 200k).

 

[RavenTai]

Auto mechanics make money by being quick, to some this means doing only the minimum, same applies at Lexus dealers as it does anywhere else, if it were me I would want a motor whose innards were last touched by the guy that assembles them. He is likely the most experienced in the world at doing so.

as Semlin said 1FZ's are not known for ring problems, head gaskets yes but not rings, some abuse must have caused the failure, dirt or water ingestion lack of oil changes etc something else that leaves the rest of the motor’s life in question

Buying a car is a gamble this one does not look lucky

 

[jjbodean1970]

i doubt it was abused or misused. the service history is PERFECT, and the driver from 35k to when the rings were done at 85k was a soccer mom. this lx has not been in water or offroad, i can tell that much.

any other opinions or estimates at a dollar value?

 

[lurker]

find another truck that has not had a ring job. It won't be hard. just did a search and in the whole history of this forum you will not find any reference to anyone ever doing a ring job on an 80 at any mileage (There is one thread where someone muses about maybe doing it when rebuilding an engine with over 200k).

That was probably me, after a compression check at 238,000 I came up at 185 psi.

No guarantees that 50 psi of that isn't carbon, but I've mused down to waiting for it to blow-up in hopefully 600,000 miles.

 

[cruiserdan]

You are missing an imoportant point here, forgive my whilst I elaborate.........



1FZ engines DO NOT usually spit out piston rings at 85 k miles. I, for one, would want to know EXACTLY why the engine was re-ringed...........


Something is not adding up in this case.......



D-

 

[jjbodean1970]

all i can gather from the service history is that the owner complained of the engine using oil between changes and the dealer decided to do the rings under the certified warranty

i will see if i can talk to the tech who did the repair and jog their memory, it's been about 2 years but i bet he will remember the truck

will post up more info when available

no problems noted between 85k and 118k, btw

thanks for everyone's input thus far

 

[cruiserdan]

Get a detail of all parts replaced and a replacement date.


It is possible that you may make the bonus round and it could have had the new head gasket installed.


If you do not care to post that information publicly, you can PM me and I will interpret.



D-

 

[acf]

$10k without diff-locks, $12k with diff-locks.

But what do I know....

-B-

Sounds like a deal to me.

 

[robbie]

I started seeing the new HG over 3 years ago now. It should have one. I just opened up a engine the other day with (as well as yesterday another engine) where the rings were diging into the cylinder wall. The current customer was complaing of oil consumption of 1 qt per 1k miles or some times less. Did a compression check, all fine straight across 175 psi, cylinder leak down test in the 80-85% zone with air leaking down into the sump (rings) He had an external HG leak and made the choice to see what is up in the engine. Well the rings are digging into the cylinder wall and wearing not so good patterns in to the wall. This goes back to what the toytoa guy told me a few weeks ago about poor oil and fuel allowing carbon to behind the rings thus pushing the rings into the wall wearing stuff away.
So I would wonder how the cylinder walls are, was it honed out or just cleaned (my bet is cleaned), so if any inperfections were in the wall before they replaced the rings they are still there and will rear it ugly head at some time. Was the engine removed or done inframe. If the engine was left in frame more to go wrong in the reringing. Better if the engine was removed.
Just some thoughts for you. later robbie

 

[semlin]

i doubt it was abused or misused. the service history is PERFECT, and the driver from 35k to when the rings were done at 85k was a soccer mom. this lx has not been in water or offroad, i can tell that much.

any other opinions or estimates at a dollar value?

you don't appear to be listening to the advice you asked for. it is not worth buying when there are plenty out there which have not had a ring job. Did you consider whether soccer mom maybe forgot to change the oil for 50k or poured water in the oil filler? Or maybe her ex poured sugar in there. Are you that confident the Lexus dealer made sure nothing else needed attention and didn't cut any corners. You are only thinking about buying a truck with 118k because the engine has a good reputation. This particular engine would not deserve that reputation. If you want to value it, would treat it like it had over 200k which is the point on an 80 that you start to live with the significant risk of a rebuild cropping up.