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

 

[kcjaz]

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

All good. No one hurt. Just bent metal and a bruised ego.

 

[open country]

I've seen that one listed before in lots of my previous searches. Being listed since May 2023 is a red flag for me. It's certainly overpriced and maybe the dealer is being stubborn with offers, but I would assume multiple people have come to drive it and/or do PPI's and passed. Same feeling about the transmission, it's very uncommon to have issues with them on well maintained trucks. I think you can get a better deal if you keep searching.

 

[tacoduck]

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

I just bought my kid a 2015 t4r with 217k miles on it. I really like it. Bonus, it gets 20 mpg on the highway. Rock solid, and I paid $15k for it.

 

[fabsham]

I've seen that one listed before in lots of my previous searches. Being listed since May 2023 is a red flag for me. It's certainly overpriced and maybe the dealer is being stubborn with offers, but I would assume multiple people have come to drive it and/or do PPI's and passed. Same feeling about the transmission, it's very uncommon to have issues with them on well maintained trucks. I think you can get a better deal if you keep searching.

Yeah I agree…. I brought up all those to the dealer now, we’ll see what he says. Listed way too long and for too high are both not green lights

 

[Supra Turbo]

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

Oh absolutely there's some risk involved in this particular sample... my comment was a general example into why someone might repair and then trade in a vehicle.

 

[fabsham]

Oh absolutely there's some risk involved in this particular sample... my comment was a general example into why someone might repair and then trade in a vehicle.

Oh absolutely there's some risk involved in this particular sample... my comment was a general example into why someone might repair and then trade in a vehicle.

had a couple of ideas maybe with that land cruiser I mean if you're still interested information on common issues and then some options if it was something you'd still consider if we kind of gave you some either a price drop or some you reassurance with some of those items that you listed but if you're interested 507-643-6101 if not you know just feel free to email me again or call me and just let me know otherwise any other questions feel free to give me a call thanks

This was the voicemail I got…seems it’s a pretty stale listing. Price seems to be a little flexible now

 

[fabsham]

I've seen that one listed before in lots of my previous searches. Being listed since May 2023 is a red flag for me. It's certainly overpriced and maybe the dealer is being stubborn with offers, but I would assume multiple people have come to drive it and/or do PPI's and passed. Same feeling about the transmission, it's very uncommon to have issues with them on well maintained trucks. I think you can get a better deal if you keep searching.

Copy that I also think there are better deals out there. This one is enticing because there is almost no rust on the components underneath

 

[fabsham]

Thank you all for you input, going to hold off on the 11 LC w/ 170k. There’s and 11 LX 115k for 24.5 nearby and a 2012 TT FJ w/ 88k for 27k. Going to oook at those this weekend

 

[MeWantLC]

To follow up your last note, and some comments here. Get the T4R, rather than the FJ. FJ's are for the most part overpriced, pending on model... and, since you mentioned family, the FJ is not as comfortable as the T4R. I have owned both, and the 5th gen T4R is a much better family car. I think THAT is a more "financial responsible" decision if you don't get now the LC. They are PHENOMENAL vehicles, but not perfect. Mind you, since you have been bitten by the LC bug, it might never leave you but at least maybe later you can either (1) find a better LC for a reasonable price, or (2) have more funds to up keep whatever you get !

Cheers,

G.

Thank you all for you input, going to hold off on the 11 LC w/ 170k. There’s and 11 LX 115k for 24.5 nearby and a 2012 TT FJ w/ 88k for 27k. Going to oook at those this weekend

 

[stonepa]

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.

I’m not sure about comments like this. I have never experienced ‘astronomical’ dealer service pricing on any of my LCs. Ever. I can’t even imagine what that means. Prices are in line with good independents. Is this comment supposed to mean that every owner should service the vehicle themselves? 99% of owners don’t.

 

[lx200inAR]

I’m not sure about comments like this. I have never experienced ‘astronomical’ dealer service pricing on any of my LCs. Ever. I can’t even imagine what that means. Prices are in line with good independents. Is this comment supposed to mean that every owner should service the vehicle themselves? 99% of owners don’t.

I was probably being a bit hyperbolic, but also he’s looking at a 13 yr old flagship vehicle that he’s planning to take a loan out on. It’s almost assuredly going to need some work done on it in the near future. Most people may get service at dealers, most people don’t buy used vehicles with 170k miles on them. Maybe I should have just said, be prepared for a hefty “baselining“ bill and left it at that. Even if you don’t do the work yourself, it certainly would be best to have a very clear understanding of the work that’s being done to not get taken to the proverbial cleaners.

I personally wouldn’t use a dealer, or any chain service center really. I’ve seen enough posts about $1200 glorified oil changes from Toyota dealers to not want to deal with the hassle. I shouldn’t single out Toyota dealers, since there really isn’t such a thing anyways. There are only about 3 companies where I live that sell every car brand in the city. I’m not an auto industry insider, so my perspective may be way off, but if the same guy owns Ford and Toyota, I can’t imagine his dealerships are run very differently.

 

[fabsham]

I was probably being a bit hyperbolic, but also he’s looking at a 13 yr old flagship vehicle that he’s planning to take a loan out on. It’s almost assuredly going to need some work done on it in the near future. Most people may get service at dealers, most people don’t buy used vehicles with 170k miles on them. Maybe I should have just said, be prepared for a hefty “baselining“ bill and left it at that. Even if you don’t do the work yourself, it certainly would be best to have a very clear understanding of the work that’s being done to not get taken to the proverbial cleaners.

I personally wouldn’t use a dealer, or any chain service center really. I’ve seen enough posts about $1200 glorified oil changes from Toyota dealers to not want to deal with the hassle. I shouldn’t single out Toyota dealers, since there really isn’t such a thing anyways. There are only about 3 companies where I live that sell every car brand in the city. I’m not an auto industry insider, so my perspective may be way off, but if the same guy owns Ford and Toyota, I can’t imagine his dealerships are run very differently.

The conclusion I’ve come to is that will I probably be fine if I get it yeah, will it be expensive, maybe, and nothing huge will fail probably but I have a lot of years of car ownership left and if I have to wait 5 years to get my 200 that’s okay, I’ll be in a better spot to keep it running and pay for gas. FJ time

 

[mdh384]

If you've got the time, I would suggest doing a fly-and-drive for a Southern car. Any upper-mid-west toyota is going to be rusty, and rust sucks when you're working on the vehicle.

 

[04UZJ100]

The fact that the truck received a new transmission ~20k after dealer service indicates they did something wrong.

Avoid.

 

[fabsham]

If you've got the time, I would suggest doing a fly-and-drive for a Southern car. Any upper-mid-west toyota is going to be rusty, and rust sucks when you're working on the vehicle.

Oh gosh yeah, couple days of pto are most definitely worth it

 

[fabsham]

The fact that the truck received a new transmission ~20k after dealer service indicates they did something wrong.

Avoid.

Yeah I agree, probably still having the same issues it was before. I didn’t notice anything but I only drove it for 45 minutes

 

[Heckraiser]

#1 Do you need to tow a relatively heavy trailer? #2 Do you need to go off road?

1=Y, 2=Y ---> yes, the 200 is the right car for you
1=N, 2=Y ----> 4runner or GX is the the right car for you
1=Y, 2=N ----> 200 could work, but consider a Tundra or a cheaper domestic you can rust to pieces
1=N, 2=N ---> Rav4, subaru, another highlander or basically any AWD.

I just don't like the idea of daily driving a higher-end vehicle in the rust belt unless it really is the best tool for the job

 

[fabsham]

#1 Do you need to tow a relatively heavy trailer? #2 Do you need to go off road?

1=Y, 2=Y ---> yes, the 200 is the right car for you
1=N, 2=Y ----> 4runner or GX is the the right car for you
1=Y, 2=N ----> 200 could work, but consider a Tundra or a cheaper domestic you can rust to pieces
1=N, 2=N ---> Rav4, subaru, another highlander or basically any AWD.

I just don't like the idea of daily driving a higher-end vehicle in the rust belt unless it really is the best tool for the job

I mean yes very true to all, super in practical but it’s still a 200. Fortunately I live and work in Madison wi and they don’t use salt because of the lake proximity so it’s less terrible for a car. Neighboring towns still use salt so just less salt exposure…. Should definitely look at a gc for the comfort and similar ability

 

[PDoyle]

The answer to that is having it undercoated and get under it once a year to check it out.

 

[mattyokan]

OP, another point towards a 4Runner for now is that trading up is always an option. Toyota trucks are very easy to sell if they’re taken care of. I knew I wanted a LC but couldn’t afford one, so instead I bought a Tacoma and drove it until I could afford a LC. Now I’m on the 100 series, and I’ll make it to the 200 series when I can afford that.

Seems obvious so I apologize if I’m not adding much to the conversation but it’s something I always tell myself to avoid making *worse* financial decisions.

Also, in terms of “bad” financial decisions, the silver lining with Toyota trucks is they are never as bad of a financial decision as a sports car or German car. I’ve personally witnessed people flush $30,000 down the toilet in a single day driving a new German car off the lot, so the depreciation curve of a Toyota truck always looks better by comparison. Even the maintenance costs for a 200 seem reasonable in comparison (but, echoing the above, they’re not nearly as cheap to own as other cars. I put probably double on a recurring basis to own my ‘06 compared to my prized ‘01 Tacoma).