Is it a good deal ? please help with decision on purchase

[Alexbv]

Hello guys,
I've been looking for one of these monsters for a while and I just found one that is in my budget but I need your opinion.

It is a white 97 Lx450 with just over 200000 miles.
Exterior looks clean but the paint has lost its shine (oxidized)
Interior is one of the cleanest tan interiors and the seats are not perfect but not torn. Seats and windows work fine.
Drives very well but steering felt a little harder than other land cruisers.
Engine light is on, he said it "just started" and dealer told him is an oxygen sensor.
Owner says it doesn't loose oil but there is definitely oil towards the front (could it be power steering)
It has lockers but they did not engage. Light didn't turn on when shifted to Low. (owner said he has never used them).

Carfax shows accident reported with previous owner but no major, structural, or salvage

I'm planning on doing as much work myself as I can and as I learn (not much of a mechanic but I have done the front axle rebuild and timing belt on my samurai.

It will not be a DD.

o yeah, He will sell it to me for 4,500 .

Any comments or suggestions welcomed.

Sorry no pictures yet

 

[cruiserdan]

Does it have Differential locks?

 

[kidglove13]

with out looking at it cant tell
But might be reasonable
200k plus is alot of miles
Plus its been in an accident before regardless of what carfax says
I would offer him $3500

 

[2garfields]

I would go find out what the CEL is, regardless what the seller tells you. What kind of damage from that accident, if you are serious on the truck, have a body shop inspects it. I would also ask the seller, does the engine burn any amount oil, if so, by how much.

If the locker does not light up, first thing I would look for is the sticker on the driver side, is it a K292 or K294, I had seem some people put a switch on the dash for nothing.

 

[85badger]

I'd counter offer him $3000, see what happens from there. You'll need all the extra $$ to fix odds and ends. 200k is a lot of miles, has the HG been changed?

 

[Alexbv]

It does have lockers, at least the switch (I will check the sticker if I go get it).
Owner said he never has to add oil, nor is it low at oil change time.
All I could see as sign of accident were some scratches on molding.
Tires seem to be wearing even.
Price started at 7 but he needs the money.

 

[Alexbv]

current owner doesn't know if HG was done

 

[Hte2w8]

Where is it located? Right now there are several late model low mileage (150k and under) cruisers on CL in So CA for around the same price, and some just a bit more. If I had the garage space, I'd buy em all.

 

[2garfields]

If he really needs money, you may be able to buy it for less than $4G, but I would still have someone inspects it first, before you get yourself into a money sink hole.

High mileage does not scare me, how people maintain their vehicles do.

 

[Alexbv]

Not many around with the magic switch and my favorite color combination for this price.
I know that color shouldn't matter but I'm weird that way.

 

[cruiserdan]

The diff locks make the vehicle attractive and would be the only reason to consider it as far as I'm concerned.

It would only be worth 4,500 bucks to me if the CEL issue was repaired first and the rest of the vehicle is current on maintainence.

 

[Alexbv]

Finally got the 80 !

Thank you all for the help. I had it checked out and the engine light is an oxygen sensor which is not a big deal and the mechanic said it is in great condition.
So we came to an agreement and I got it for 4,200

Besides the lockers not engaging yet, It drives like new, dashboard is pristine and everything works even the cd changer and "sun visor".

Here are some pics: (hope links work)

 

[Alexbv]

Some more

 

[Alexbv]

 

[Alexbv]

 

[VCCruzr]

Merry Cruiser Christmas! Nice score!

 

[Rwhat]

Looks nice, congratulations.

I bought mine and the paint was oxidized.(same color as yours) It looks great now, start with a good wash. Once it's very clean use a clay bar with soapy water. Start from the top to bottom. DON'T DROP the clay bar.

Once your done use a good cleaner wax if necessary. I then use polish to bring out the color and shine. Then use a good carnauba sealer wax. The paint will be very smooth and glossy.

You can use painters blue tape to make off the black trim on windshield ect.


BTW, I use mequires or 3M stuff. Also enjoy the gold package and chrome wheels. I catch flack for my bling, bling.

 

[Alexbv]

Thank You, yes I'll have to put some elbow grease on the paint. Can't wait to start playing with it. Merry Christmas !

 

[gtfour43]

Excellent buy. Looks like you did good. Plenty of info here to start checking your lockers. Your looks like it has only 100k miles.