Hello everyone. Thank you for welcoming me and accepting me into your forum.
My name is Fredy and I am from Angola.
I'm currently in the process of acquiring a used Land Cruiser 200 series here after many years of dreaming about it. I'm looking in particular for the 2008-2015 years, with preference for the Diesel engine (Angolan gasoline known for being unreliable and low quality)
However it's been a bit difficult as the Angolan market is saturated with overly "touched" models, many different types of engine configurations, some with crazy newer model body kits, rim changes with low profile tires and other crazy thing.
I'll post a picture of the most four common type of models I'm finding here and what difficulties I'm experiencing before asking a couple of questions on what too particularly look for when buying an used 200 series.
(as an aside I've seen all these cars personally for the past month)
First model: This car is one of the most common in the Angolan market. It's currently going for around 33 to 39 million Kz (33k - 39k USD). The models are relatively well conserved, but I have a particular aversion to the "Fast and Furious" sport body style, with the lowered bumpers and skirts. This one is also very rarely seen with a Diesel configuration. I have no idea if these came from factory like this anywhere, because there's so many of them. Have any of you seen this in your countries? Or did the Angolan people collectively all got the same bumpers and skirts in the same year? If someone knows, please send help.
Second model: You have currently a few VX V8 models converted into C300 using body kits going for sale. The front I have to say looked incredible, almost identical to the current C300 model, but in the back you can immediately notice it's a fake. I don't really like these body kits. It feels like purchasing fake adidas shoes or something. I am also afraid the materials are all made in China (no offense to China) and will rattle and lose the shine just after a few years.
I've discounted the possibility of ever buying one like this but I wanted to share.
It's currently going for 30k-35k USD. With an updated interior I saw one going for 65k USD lol (I assume someone is trying to trick someone into believing its an actual C300 in discount price)
Third model: Not yet broken but it's a mystery what you are actually getting. Some will have new big wheels with low profile tires, others will have injector problems, others an accident, others broken crankshafts, some with impeccable interiors and others with absolutely destroyed ones, there's no in-between. The can go from 5k USD to 15k USD depending on what level they are. I've become desperate enough to consider acquiring one and then fixing it, but this just sounds like a nightmare.
Fourth model: The classical and original. These are rare to show up. So far I've found three - this gorgeous desert yellow with beige interior, another in white with black interior, and a black with black interior. These are currently the most expensive ones, even when they don't have the "full options" like parking sensors, or any of the extra amenities usually found. I don't really care to be honest I'm just in love with the car. The problem: These can go from 38k-45k USD. Even selling next to a Lexus 570 from the same year at 40k, the owners don't care. They also have the money to not be in any hurry to sell it. So they definitely command a premium. They are also the most common ones in Diesel for some reason and the ones with the most original parts and best conservation.
Real story: I went to try and purchase this yellow one which was listed at 38k USD. I offered 35k thinking it was fair considering the car. He refused. I offered 35.5k he refused. The next time I try to make an offer he says now the car was 41k USD because many people are looking at it. I'm kind of hoping he doesn't find anyone to buy it and comes back (please send me power)
So this is my predicament. I could afford the 41k or even more if necessary. I just don't want to because it feels expensive for a 2013 car. But I'm also not buying any other car other than a Land Cruiser. So I'm considering other options out of desperation.
So I need some help in figuring out what to be concerned for when looking for other models.
I've seen several videos online where they mention rust under the car, around the wheel arches, checking for replaced windshields, which might indicate some crash, oil leaks or wet parts around the engine, replaced spark plugs etc. but I thought if anyone would know would be you guys and would probably be best at explaining what to particularly look for.
Maybe you can also tell me if you think I'm being overly concerned about paying 40k for one of these because I did search the possibility to buy one from Portugal and ship it to Angola (I have a lot of family there) but Diesel models similar to the one above were going for 50k EUR - so am I being stupid for not wanting to just pay up?
It's also a lot of money for a used car that you don't have a clear record of who owned it, what has been replaced, there's a lot and I mean a lot of inaccurate odometer readings, absolutely zero vehicle history reporting or any type of data bases.
Sorry for the long first post I've tried to make it amusing and easy to read and if some soul out there can help me please do, this has been a tormenting last month where I've spent every waking moment looking for used cars.
Thank you in advance
Fredy from Angola
My name is Fredy and I am from Angola.
I'm currently in the process of acquiring a used Land Cruiser 200 series here after many years of dreaming about it. I'm looking in particular for the 2008-2015 years, with preference for the Diesel engine (Angolan gasoline known for being unreliable and low quality)
However it's been a bit difficult as the Angolan market is saturated with overly "touched" models, many different types of engine configurations, some with crazy newer model body kits, rim changes with low profile tires and other crazy thing.
I'll post a picture of the most four common type of models I'm finding here and what difficulties I'm experiencing before asking a couple of questions on what too particularly look for when buying an used 200 series.
(as an aside I've seen all these cars personally for the past month)
First model: This car is one of the most common in the Angolan market. It's currently going for around 33 to 39 million Kz (33k - 39k USD). The models are relatively well conserved, but I have a particular aversion to the "Fast and Furious" sport body style, with the lowered bumpers and skirts. This one is also very rarely seen with a Diesel configuration. I have no idea if these came from factory like this anywhere, because there's so many of them. Have any of you seen this in your countries? Or did the Angolan people collectively all got the same bumpers and skirts in the same year? If someone knows, please send help.
Second model: You have currently a few VX V8 models converted into C300 using body kits going for sale. The front I have to say looked incredible, almost identical to the current C300 model, but in the back you can immediately notice it's a fake. I don't really like these body kits. It feels like purchasing fake adidas shoes or something. I am also afraid the materials are all made in China (no offense to China) and will rattle and lose the shine just after a few years.
I've discounted the possibility of ever buying one like this but I wanted to share.
It's currently going for 30k-35k USD. With an updated interior I saw one going for 65k USD lol (I assume someone is trying to trick someone into believing its an actual C300 in discount price)
Third model: Not yet broken but it's a mystery what you are actually getting. Some will have new big wheels with low profile tires, others will have injector problems, others an accident, others broken crankshafts, some with impeccable interiors and others with absolutely destroyed ones, there's no in-between. The can go from 5k USD to 15k USD depending on what level they are. I've become desperate enough to consider acquiring one and then fixing it, but this just sounds like a nightmare.
Fourth model: The classical and original. These are rare to show up. So far I've found three - this gorgeous desert yellow with beige interior, another in white with black interior, and a black with black interior. These are currently the most expensive ones, even when they don't have the "full options" like parking sensors, or any of the extra amenities usually found. I don't really care to be honest I'm just in love with the car. The problem: These can go from 38k-45k USD. Even selling next to a Lexus 570 from the same year at 40k, the owners don't care. They also have the money to not be in any hurry to sell it. So they definitely command a premium. They are also the most common ones in Diesel for some reason and the ones with the most original parts and best conservation.
Real story: I went to try and purchase this yellow one which was listed at 38k USD. I offered 35k thinking it was fair considering the car. He refused. I offered 35.5k he refused. The next time I try to make an offer he says now the car was 41k USD because many people are looking at it. I'm kind of hoping he doesn't find anyone to buy it and comes back (please send me power)
So this is my predicament. I could afford the 41k or even more if necessary. I just don't want to because it feels expensive for a 2013 car. But I'm also not buying any other car other than a Land Cruiser. So I'm considering other options out of desperation.
So I need some help in figuring out what to be concerned for when looking for other models.
I've seen several videos online where they mention rust under the car, around the wheel arches, checking for replaced windshields, which might indicate some crash, oil leaks or wet parts around the engine, replaced spark plugs etc. but I thought if anyone would know would be you guys and would probably be best at explaining what to particularly look for.
Maybe you can also tell me if you think I'm being overly concerned about paying 40k for one of these because I did search the possibility to buy one from Portugal and ship it to Angola (I have a lot of family there) but Diesel models similar to the one above were going for 50k EUR - so am I being stupid for not wanting to just pay up?
It's also a lot of money for a used car that you don't have a clear record of who owned it, what has been replaced, there's a lot and I mean a lot of inaccurate odometer readings, absolutely zero vehicle history reporting or any type of data bases.
Sorry for the long first post I've tried to make it amusing and easy to read and if some soul out there can help me please do, this has been a tormenting last month where I've spent every waking moment looking for used cars.
Thank you in advance
Fredy from Angola
