is it worth to buy this lexus lx450?

[bl2d]

Hi guys, I went to a dealer one time and saw this 1997 lexus lx450(121kmi,no lockers) for $10,000.00(tax incl).I test drive and checked the suv and found the ffg:
window on the driver side is not working(I think the motor is the problem).
the back window(back of the driver)is not working too(but can hear the motor humming)
master switch is not working(for the doors)
one of the air duct(from driver side)no air coming out when you turn on the aircon
ball joints from the front axle too greasy(leaking)
visible oil under the engine,but not enough to drip on the floor(no idea where it's coming from)
antenna doesn't go up
tires are different brands but 3 of them are in good shape
control for the windshied washer is too stiff that no water coming out from the head(on the hood)
So far that's the problem I see in this truck
I told them that I want to trade in my 1998 4runner(need timing belt repl. soon) for $7000.00 and they agreed.
So $3000.00 plus my 4runner for this luxury suv,is it worth it?

Thanks for your reply in advanced

Actually there is one I saw in other dealer same suv with high mileage(145kmiles) with 2 years powertrain warranty in good condition except with some rust on the hood and back window,with lockers for 10.5 k but they dont want to take my 4runner for trade in and they advised me to sell it.

Confused,what is the best ?to sell my truck(if I can sell it for 7k) or trade it in here?where do you think I can save more?maintenance wise too.

 

[arndog123]

They're asking way too much.

 

[orionkhan]

They're asking way too much.

+1.

I bought my LX very well maintain with a lot of mods (lifted, factory lockers, front and rear bumpers, winch, dual battery set up, ...etc) for under 10.

 

[95Fantasma80]

Hi guys, I went to a dealer one time and saw this 1997 lexus lx450(121kmi,no lockers) for $10,000.00(tax incl).I test drive and checked the suv and found the ffg:
window on the driver side is not working(I think the motor is the problem).
the back window(back of the driver)is not working too(but can hear the motor humming)
master switch is not working(for the doors)
one of the air duct(from driver side)no air coming out when you turn on the aircon
ball joints from the front axle too greasy(leaking)
visible oil under the engine,but not enough to drip on the floor(no idea where it's coming from)
antenna doesn't go up
tires are different brands but 3 of them are in good shape
control for the windshied washer is too stiff that no water coming out from the head(on the hood)
So far that's the problem I see in this truck
I told them that I want to trade in my 1998 4runner(need timing belt repl. soon) for $7000.00 and they agreed.
So $3000.00 plus my 4runner for this luxury suv,is it worth it?

Thanks for your reply in advanced

Actually there is one I saw in other dealer same suv with high mileage(145kmiles) with 2 years powertrain warranty in good condition except with some rust on the hood and back window,with lockers for 10.5 k but they dont want to take my 4runner for trade in and they advised me to sell it.

Confused,what is the best ?to sell my truck(if I can sell it for 7k) or trade it in here?where do you think I can save more?maintenance wise too.

Don't do it wait for a good deal.

Better yet go for a Toyota Land Cruiser instead around 5K-8K for a well taken care one.

Same Difference

 

[CowboyUp]

I don't think is a good price at all and will cost you another 1000 k+ to fix what is wrong.
For a 4000 k you will get a nice cruiser in a better shape!

good luck

 

[Ebag333]

I paid $9,300 for my truck couple years back. Paid $10,500 for the truck right before the recession hit. Both less than 150k miles and both in cherry condition.

I wouldn't pay more than $7,000 for that truck before the trade in. The front axle job alone is at least $3k if you paid a dealer to do it (less than $1k if you do it yourself), so that should be knocked off the price.

Plus it needs a full set of matching tires (you cannot run different tires on these), and since it was running different tires the VC may be seized. That's at least a grand for 5 new tires, which I'd make them drop off the price.

So I'd offer then $6,000 for it, $3,000 if they wanted the trade in.

 

[cook]

About two years ago I picked up an LX-450 with lockers, 138,000 miles, in decent shape, other than the leather seats. I really thought I had gotten a good deal. Then I made the mistake of watching the paper. Most cruisers like this were going for more, but every once in a while something would pop up cheaper. Take a couple weeks/months to look at what is out there and you will be in the best position to say whether a cruiser is a good deal in your market, and it is your local market that is what counts. (It takes a lot of balls or wrenching confidence to buy long distance without a chance to inspect the vehicle, and the price of flying out to check out the vehicle normally adds so much to the cost that you would be better off paying more locally).

 

[Sanchez]

They are asking too much, 120K miles is not that much. Seems to me that this truck was abused some. You don't want t a truck that requires $$$ just to get it going, You need the $$$ for mods and other cool gadgets.

Some people take the plunge and buy at the first sight of a descent vehicle. It's a diffrent story when they actually take it home and find out they it need more then what was said and looked at. These vehicles are reat don't get me wrong but can get very expensive real quick and that alone can take a toll on you. Do you know how to wrench? because that alone will help you save some money.

Ive seen people here take the task and fail because it was too overwhelming for them, so they just turn around and sell the vehicle. Are you planning on modding, Lift, Armor, Accessories? This alone will be $$$. Like my buddy once said to me "we keep hanging G's ($1000s) here and there on these rigs.

Look for a rig that doesn't have that much going on, even if it's out of state folks here on the board will be more than happy to lend a hand wherever you find one. So I would recommend you get it for cheaper or walk away unless you GOT DEEP POCKETS AND $$$ AIN'T NO THING, then disregard anything I said.

 

[jditom]

Well they are giving you 7k for your 4runner.
Is that what you can get for it on the market?

There is some value in a trade if it saves you a bunch of time trying to sell yours etc.

But you have to be happy with the rig to begin with. So what about a carfax, maintance hx etc. Those should all be looked at before price. If it is good then I would offer them $2000 plus your rig.

 

[bl2d]

thank you very much guys for your time and unwaivering support.I will for sure wait for the right time to buy this kind of truck or cruiser.Really nice to have one.Maybe I will consider to buy in U.S. than here in toronto which is seldom to find one. Please advise me if you have any friend(s) who wants sell his rig.Thanks again

 

[firetruck41]

I agree, it is priced to high, with all the issues it has. Be patient, consider getting a rust free Land Cruiser or LX from the US, as well.

 

[bl2d]

Well they are giving you 7k for your 4runner.
Is that what you can get for it on the market?

There is some value in a trade if it saves you a bunch of time trying to sell yours etc.

But you have to be happy with the rig to begin with. So what about a carfax, maintance hx etc. Those should all be looked at before price. If it is good then I would offer them $2000 plus your rig.

They have a carproof that the vehicle has no accident.I'm offering them 2.5k but they refused.

 

[MountainBum]

Too many issues 4 the $. I paid 5900 for my 94 locked LC w/138K. Nothing but some minor plastic molding crud and fluid changes and she was good to wheel. keep looking

edit: I bought it 12/09

 

[tirewater]

It doesn't matter what the vehicle is selling for. Walk away.

Nothing you've mentioned indicates that the previous owners took any kind of care of the vehicle. First off, the tires are all different brands. Not generally indicative of good care. Ebag is a little off, brand doesn't matter as much as size - but regardless your decision should be the same.

The driver side air vent not working indicates that the air duct that spans from the center console to the air vent is missing or not on properly. The only reason this would be missing is if someone was messing around with the wiring behind the dash. If someone doing electrics behind your dash can't get this piece on right I would highly doubt whatever they did was worth salt either.

Count yourself lucky the dealer refused your offer.

 

[jlg32281]

Walk away. I paid $6600 for my LX one year ago with 138k on the clock. It's in great shape in and out and it's locked. I take that back, the leather was hard and had a few tears, but I expect that on all leather that old. I bought it with the expectation of getting new leather and I did. Good luck on finding what you want.

 

[firetruck41]

x3 on the "walkaway" advice. Not worth it, not even close, definitely not for only $500 less... FWIW, with any vehicle purchase, a trade in and including taxes will only muddy the waters.

 

[bl2d]

It doesn't matter what the vehicle is selling for. Walk away.

Nothing you've mentioned indicates that the previous owners took any kind of care of the vehicle. First off, the tires are all different brands. Not generally indicative of good care. Ebag is a little off, brand doesn't matter as much as size - but regardless your decision should be the same.

The driver side air vent not working indicates that the air duct that spans from the center console to the air vent is missing or not on properly. The only reason this would be missing is if someone was messing around with the wiring behind the dash. If someone doing electrics behind your dash can't get this piece on right I would highly doubt whatever they did was worth salt either.

Count yourself lucky the dealer refused your offer.

Thank bro.,that's what I'm thinking at.Thought they have a carproof saying that thevehicle does'nt have any collision,how on earth this prev. owner did on this rig.?nice body..but still I'm doubt this it will give me more headache later on.How about the 10.5 grand that I saw with 2 years warranty with some rust on hood and back,but in good cond.u think its worth to consider that?thanks for your time bro.

 

[bl2d]

Walk away. I paid $6600 for my LX one year ago with 138k on the clock. It's in great shape in and out and it's locked. I take that back, the leather was hard and had a few tears, but I expect that on all leather that old. I bought it with the expectation of getting new leather and I did. Good luck on finding what you want.

thanks bro. for the support!

 

[firetruck41]

Frankly, many of those "warranties" are not worth the paper they are written on. I would not consider it as adding any value when deciding whether or not to buy it, unless I were very familiar with the particular warranty/warranty company.

 

[JEH97LX]

I overpaid at 8k for a reasonably well maintained LX 450 with some mileage. Live and learn. Get one with the mods you want can save you some change if it's well maintained. For 10k you could have (or had) this one in Alaska and it's been listed for a while at this price.

If I did it again, I'd definitely look for one with e-lockers. That will save you a bundle. ARB lockers alone will run you $2k uninstalled.