Is this a good financial decision. 2011 w/170k 26k to daily

[fabsham]

I am looking to puchase a 2011 LC with 170k miles as my daily driver. My 05 Highlander is on its way out, Midwest rust holes, and I dont quite have enough to buy it outright in cash. Have to borrow ~10k all in. It has decent carfax service records and the frame is mint, had a new transmission put in ~10k miles ago. Is there any chance the engine explodes and im out another 10k. Its had an inspection done at a local toyota dealer and the found nothing wrong. I've driven it and all seems good.

First time poster and joiner, would appreciate any feedback.

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/ar20/EOgZPUuwM4nX7KuAcYcs55Y753cc0-4vMTZRw3OyTfR8PksHgiPmocgmbencvdEOlIQGmtWoAPb6VV4Z6vKP-nvaOWO2kWo4G10

2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

Only two previous owners, clean Carfax history, and documented service records at Toyota. Finished in Pacific Blue Metallic over Sand Beige leather. Equipped with a 381hp 5.7L V8, 4WD, towing package, parking sensors, running boards, JBL Synthesis premium audio system, center console cooler...

shiftedmn.com

 

[PDoyle]

Frequent oil changes (around 5000 miles) are what you want to see. Why the new transmission ?

 

[fabsham]

Frequent oil changes (around 5000 miles) are what you want to see. Why the new transmission ?

Not sure.... according to the carfax there was a 'transmission check' at 153k after there was a fluid change at 130k

 

[lx200inAR]

I think for just about any vehicle the answer would be “no it’s not a good financial decision”.

Be prepared to do most work yourself, if you bring it anywhere near a dealer the asking price on service will be astronomical.

At 170k miles, if starter/water pump/ alternator/radiator have not been replaced, that’s coming soon. Just saying that while these are probably the best built vehicles in the world , they are not immune to needing to be loved. I think anyone making the decision to buy a vehicle with this many miles on it at these prices is doing it out of love rather than reason. And I say that as someone who has done the same thing, and don’t regret my decision.

If it’s super clean I guess I could see it going for 26k, but I think that’s more last years prices. I regularly see the pre 2013s selling in the low 20s at that mileage, but I live in a lower priced market area, so YMMV.

 

[fabsham]

I think for just about any vehicle the answer would be “no it’s not a good financial decision”.

Be prepared to do most work yourself, if you bring it anywhere near a dealer the asking price on service will be astronomical.

At 170k miles, if starter/water pump/ alternator/radiator have not been replaced, that’s coming soon. Just saying that while these are probably the best built vehicles in the world , they are not immune to needing to be loved. I think anyone making the decision to buy a vehicle with this many miles on it at these prices is doing it out of love rather than reason. And I say that as someone who has done the same thing, and don’t regret my decision.

If it’s super clean I guess I could see it going for 26k, but I think that’s more last years prices. I regularly see the pre 2013s selling in the low 20s at that mileage, but I live in a lower priced market area, so YMMV.

Valid points... I missed an 09 with 125k for the same price. This one has been listed since May of 2023. Hopefully my highlander will last just a bit longer so that I can save up some more and maybe theyll drop it some more. Any LC purchase is most definetly out of love.

 

[ryanCA]

268k miles
$17,850
my 08 LC dd.
1 owner, all records, no accidents
baselined it. Runs excellent

replaced a rx300 2003 that croaked at 300k (trans died)

 

[MeWantLC]

Hello OP !

Sorry to hear about the Highlander, they are normally also great vehicles, I have had three of them !

Short answer, to that question "is this a good *financial* decision", the short answer is NOPE. Sorry to be this blunt and honest, but notice please I ** financial. There is not a good financial decision when buying automobiles, unless one is buying an exotic vehicle that is going to make money. Now, a more "financial responsible" decision as to if an already 13 year old car with 170k miles at XXX price is a smart decision, there are a few considerations. As some have already said, starter/water pump/ alternator/radiator AND I will add the valley coolant check/work, MOST likely need to be addressed by that age/mileage. I will take the car to a reputable shop and "invest" $$$ dollars in a good PPI. If after that data and knowing that might need the car, meaning you have the information you need to make a good decision, you still decide for it, it is a wonderful car, and one that will reward you with MANY miles of smiles and happiness when you jump into it every day !!! But, remember that you need the data to make an informed decision, and also that even though these cars are of VERY high quality, they are man made and WILL fail and WILL need maintenance that unless you are handy and can do, you will have to pay to get done, and it is not really cheap. A more "reasonable and financially" correct decision would be to get a CRV or a RAV4 NEW, that would bring you zero issues for years to come and you can get for $27K dollars, even a used Highlander with a few thousands miles, under warranty that for the peace of mind you can extend up to 120K / 10 years Toyota warranty, would be more of a "better financial decision".

Hope that helps !

Cheers,

G.

I am looking to puchase a 2011 LC with 170k miles as my daily driver. My 05 Highlander is on its way out, Midwest rust holes, and I dont quite have enough to buy it outright in cash. Have to borrow ~10k all in. It has decent carfax service records and the frame is mint, had a new transmission put in ~10k miles ago. Is there any chance the engine explodes and im out another 10k. Its had an inspection done at a local toyota dealer and the found nothing wrong. I've driven it and all seems good.

First time poster and joiner, would appreciate any feedback.

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/ar20/EOgZPUuwM4nX7KuAcYcs55Y753cc0-4vMTZRw3OyTfR8PksHgiPmocgmbencvdEOlIQGmtWoAPb6VV4Z6vKP-nvaOWO2kWo4G10

2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

Only two previous owners, clean Carfax history, and documented service records at Toyota. Finished in Pacific Blue Metallic over Sand Beige leather. Equipped with a 381hp 5.7L V8, 4WD, towing package, parking sensors, running boards, JBL Synthesis premium audio system, center console cooler...

shiftedmn.com

 

[fabsham]

Hello OP !

Sorry to hear about the Highlander, they are normally also great vehicles, I have had three of them !

Short answer, to that question "is this a good *financial* decision", the short answer is NOPE. Sorry to be this blunt and honest, but notice please I ** financial. There is not a good financial decision when buying automobiles, unless one is buying an exotic vehicle that is going to make money. Now, a more "financial responsible" decision as to if an already 13 year old car with 170k miles at XXX price is a smart decision, there are a few considerations. As some have already said, starter/water pump/ alternator/radiator AND I will add the valley coolant check/work, MOST likely need to be addressed by that age/mileage. I will take the car to a reputable shop and "invest" $$$ dollars in a good PPI. If after that data and knowing that might need the car, meaning you have the information you need to make a good decision, you still decide for it, it is a wonderful car, and one that will reward you with MANY miles of smiles and happiness when you jump into it every day !!! But, remember that you need the data to make an informed decision, and also that even though these cars are of VERY high quality, they are man made and WILL fail and WILL need maintenance that unless you are handy and can do, you will have to pay to get done, and it is not really cheap. A more "reasonable and financially" correct decision would be to get a CRV or a RAV4 NEW, that would bring you zero issues for years to come and you can get for $27K dollars, even a used Highlander with a few thousands miles, under warranty that for the peace of mind you can extend up to 120K / 10 years Toyota warranty, would be more of a "better financial decision".

Hope that helps !

Cheers,

G.

Highlander has been fantastic, paid 4k and got it to 210k without anything other than the routine items.... Land cruiser has always been a dream and wouldve been a lot nicer if the highlander made it another year. There was an inspection done by the toyota dealer according to the carfax and the used dealer selling it. But you are right 170k is still a lot of miles and those items will have to be done. One of the reasons I want a car this size is to live out of it for a couple weeks on road trips and yes i could do that with a sequoia but it will never be a land cruiser.

I'll sit for a couple weeks on it and look for anything else that pops up. Hopefully this falling car market will help with that.

 

[fabsham]

268k miles
$17,850
my 08 LC dd.
1 owner, all records, no accidents
baselined it. Runs excellent

replaced a rx300 2003 that croaked at 300k (trans died)

Quite a unit you've got, cheers to many more miles

 

[kcjaz]

268k miles
$17,850
my 08 LC dd.
1 owner, all records, no accidents
baselined it. Runs excellent

replaced a rx300 2003 that croaked at 300k (trans died)

That seems like a deal to me. I get that normal people might be concerned with 268k miles so the market is small but my totaled 2013 went for $20,600 at auction.

 

[tacoduck]

Cars are crappy investments. Toyota solved that problem for me. I bought a 2001 LC to daily for 7500 back in 2017. In the time I owned it I put a new muffler on it. That’s it. Then bought a 2006 lx470 with 260k miles on it. Needed new ac thingamagig and a radiator. Less than 2k in maintenance over 3 years and 45k miles.

My lx570 needed a serp belt in 45k miles of ownership. Thats it. These cars are lux barges with Toyota parts. They are extremely inexpensive to own, besides gas. The only downside is 13mpg in mixed driving and a tiny gas tank.

 

[TimCFJ40]

Do you do things where you "need" a Land Cruiser that you aren't doing with your Highlander? If so, then I think a well cared for Land Cruiser isn't a bad financial decision. Just think, you are getting basically the same truck as someone who is buying a low mileage 2021 for 1/3 of the price...

Also, as a reality check, expect it to cost more to maintain and expect it to drink twice as much fuel as your Highlander.

I bought a 2008 6 years ago with 200k miles on it for $22k. I've put another 75k miles on it, with generally basic maintenance. Nothing over $1000 other than sliders, tires, and wheels, and 2 of the 3 were totally optional.


If your use case doesn't NEED a Land Cruiser, then there are many fine vehicles that would be cheaper to own, fuel, and maintain in the $25k range. But they aren't a Land Cruiser.

 

[MeWantLC]

That seems like a deal to me. I get that normal people might be concerned with 268k miles so the market is small but my totaled 2013 went for $20,600 at auction.

Hopefully it was totalled for a small thing and you and yours are / were ok

 

[04UZJ100]

A 2011 Land Cruiser requires parts and repairs commensurate with a $85000 truck. It’s not cheap to maintain or buy parts for.

 

[Sandroad]

I am looking to puchase a 2011 LC with 170k miles as my daily driver. My 05 Highlander is on its way out, Midwest rust holes, and I dont quite have enough to buy it outright in cash. Have to borrow ~10k all in. It has decent carfax service records and the frame is mint, had a new transmission put in ~10k miles ago. Is there any chance the engine explodes and im out another 10k. Its had an inspection done at a local toyota dealer and the found nothing wrong. I've driven it and all seems good.

First time poster and joiner, would appreciate any feedback.

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/ar20/EOgZPUuwM4nX7KuAcYcs55Y753cc0-4vMTZRw3OyTfR8PksHgiPmocgmbencvdEOlIQGmtWoAPb6VV4Z6vKP-nvaOWO2kWo4G10

2011 Toyota Land Cruiser

Only two previous owners, clean Carfax history, and documented service records at Toyota. Finished in Pacific Blue Metallic over Sand Beige leather. Equipped with a 381hp 5.7L V8, 4WD, towing package, parking sensors, running boards, JBL Synthesis premium audio system, center console cooler...

shiftedmn.com

A careful reading of the Carfax shows a service and the transmission replaced at 164k miles. Then just 2k miles after that another service. And then just 1.5k after that the servicing dealer took it into inventory and auctioned it off. So it’s been driven very little and in a dealer inventory since April. Why would someone pay for a new transmission and then get rid of it right away?

And if you have only the seller’s assurance it had a PPI at a dealer, I suggest getting your own inspection.

 

[fabsham]

A careful reading of the Carfax shows a service and the transmission replaced at 164k miles. Then just 2k miles after that another service. And then just 1.5k after that the servicing dealer took it into inventory and auctioned it off. So it’s been driven very little and in a dealer inventory since April. Why would someone pay for a new transmission and then get rid of it right away?

And if you have only the seller’s assurance it had a PPI at a dealer, I suggest getting your own inspection.

Yeah very odd for a lot of money to get put in with a new transmission…driven little and then traded in a year later

 

[Supra Turbo]

Yeah very odd for a lot of money to get put in with a new transmission…driven little and then traded in a year later

Eh, at least the LC is worth more than the transmission. I've done that myself. Repaired a vehicle only to trade it in a few weeks later. In some cases, it was more cost efficient to repair it and trade it in for a higher amount than to trade it in with a fault.

 

[bloc]

Eh, at least the LC is worth more than the transmission. I've done that myself. Repaired a vehicle only to trade it in a few weeks later. In some cases, it was more cost efficient to repair it and trade it in for a higher amount than to trade it in with a fault.

Still seems risky when OP can just wait for one without the possible red flags in the history.

 

[chriscosta416]

Ill speak to this, I purchased a 2011 LX570 and loved it. For maintenance and parts I think if you source parts from places like Partsouq and Impex it is affordable to maintain and service (granted I do most of my own work)

However what made me sell my truck is using it as a Daily Driver to work and for everything was killing me in gas (SoCal Gas Prices) I was spending around $600 a month alone on gas. Unfortunately that led me to sell my truck and put 200 series ownership on hold for a while.

I personally would avoid a truck with a trans replacement.

As for a good financial decision, I would say no. However it is a very fun decision

 

[fabsham]

Still seems risky when OP can just wait for one without the possible red flags in the history.

I think I’ll keep my eye out for something else. I dont NEED an LC but it would make road trips a tad nicer and more comfortable. Better decision is a 4runner or fj but its not an LC