Just bought a 2000 LC - big problems

[Swampdawg1]

Hi All,

New here as I just bought a 2000 LC with 200K miles a week and a half ago. I was really excited to get it and drove to Mississippi to buy the vehicle. Naturally, I did not check it over very well before purchasing, foolishly believing that it had been through the dealer's service department and checked out.

The car spent its life in Illinois, so rust underneath. When I got it back home I noticed the following:

- Moonroof broken
- Tailpipe between CC and muffler cracked in half
- One of the rear shocks was just hanging as it broke from the rusty connection
- Hood won't open
- Parking brake stuck

I am pretty irritated at this point. I only drove it a few times, and within 5 days, the brake line ruptured and stranded me. After having it towed to a mechanic, he tells me that the brake and fuel lines are all bad and need to be replaced. He also says that the master cylinder is likely in need of replacement. On top of this, he says the rust is so bad that he worries about the long-term stability of the frame. He recommended I seek a refund. Alas, the dealership was not willing to do this for me.

I am not a handy person with vehicles so I can't do a lot of repairs on my own. At this point should I just look to sell it with all the issues disclosed and see if someone is willing to pay me some of what I paid? I don't want to pay to have all these repairs done and have to keep going back to the shop again and again (as the mechanic said would likely happen).

It's just sitting in my driveway right now and can't be driven without a repair to the brake line. I am pretty bummed but just thought I'd ask some folks with experience for their input.

Thanks

 

[97 AZ LC]

A "not handy person" should probably just cut their losses and walk away with one of life's lessons.

 

[Mike NXP]

Hi All,

New here as I just bought a 2000 LC with 200K miles a week and a half ago. I was really excited to get it and drove to Mississippi to buy the vehicle. Naturally, I did not check it over very well before purchasing, foolishly believing that it had been through the dealer's service department and checked out.

The car spent its life in Illinois, so rust underneath. When I got it back home I noticed the following:

- Moonroof broken
- Tailpipe between CC and muffler cracked in half
- One of the rear shocks was just hanging as it broke from the rusty connection
- Hood won't open
- Parking brake stuck

I am pretty irritated at this point. I only drove it a few times, and within 5 days, the brake line ruptured and stranded me. After having it towed to a mechanic, he tells me that the brake and fuel lines are all bad and need to be replaced. He also says that the master cylinder is likely in need of replacement. On top of this, he says the rust is so bad that he worries about the long-term stability of the frame. He recommended I seek a refund. Alas, the dealership was not willing to do this for me.

I am not a handy person with vehicles so I can't do a lot of repairs on my own. At this point should I just look to sell it with all the issues disclosed and see if someone is willing to pay me some of what I paid? I don't want to pay to have all these repairs done and have to keep going back to the shop again and again (as the mechanic said would likely happen).

It's just sitting in my driveway right now and can't be driven without a repair to the brake line. I am pretty bummed but just thought I'd ask some folks with experience for their input.

Thanks

Bummer, sounds like all of the issues can just be summed up to rust taking it's toll on parts. Would the dealer be willing to take it back in and offer a credit towards a different vehicle instead of your money back? This is a tough one, in the dealers defense you should have checked that over, but in your defense they shouldn't sell a rig that is unsafe.

Not sure what you paid for it, you can try to disclose the issues and re-sell..If it's just brake and fuel lines it may be worth fixing or may be a good find for someone else willing to do that. If the master cylinder and other parts are starting to add up,that will add up quick.

try to keep bitching at the dealer but if it doesn't get you anywhere may just make it your project car and bring her back to life.

Now lets see some pics of that under carriage and rust!

 

[2001LC]

Mechanic is correct. It will be a money pit and never have value. Cut your loses. Look at any loses, as educating expense.

But don't give up on 100 series. Just find someone that knows how to inspect these.

Inspect, Inspect, Inspect.

 

[Swampdawg1]

Mechanic is correct. It will be a money pit and never have value. Cut your loses. Look at any loses, as educating expense.

But don't give up on 100 series. Just find someone that knows how to inspect these.

Inspect, Inspect, Inspect.

Yep, lesson learned big time. These vehicles are impossible to find around here so I rolled the dice on one out of state and did not have it inspected.

 

[geanes]

Uh, you NEED to pursue a return/refund on the vehicle from the dealership. If your mechanic is saying it's potentially not road worthy, then the dealer owes you. You might have to get an attorney unfortunately. Sounds like your 100 is destined for the graveyard.

 

[creekcruiser]

Maybe you can share some photos for a better evaluation.

 

[bmlittle]

A "not handy person" should probably just cut their losses and walk away with one of life's lessons.

Wish I woulda said pass....

 

[CBeckFJ]

Had to cut losses with my old '99 due to frame rust. Wouldn't pass inspection. Picked up a newer LX with zero rust from FL and am happy as can be. PPI (pre purchased inspections) are critical

 

[Swampdawg1]

I will see if I can get out there and get some photos of the undercarraige and upload them

 

[Swampdawg1]

Uh, you NEED to pursue a return/refund on the vehicle from the dealership. If your mechanic is saying it's potentially not road worthy, then the dealer owes you. You might have to get an attorney unfortunately. Sounds like your 100 is destined for the graveyard.

I tried. I tried being nice and it did not work. I contacted the MS AG's office but they were no help. I have now filed a claim with the BBB.

 

[Mike NXP]

I tried. I tried being nice and it did not work. I contacted the MS AG's office but they were no help. I have now filed a claim with the BBB.

> Unfortunately I am sure a "purchased as-is" document was signed and may not get you anywhere. That being said, I wouldn't give up on chasing down a possible credit towards a different vehicle or anything to help out. I took me about 2 months of fighting with my dealership before they dumped a few grand into a used highlander that I purchased that had a handful of safety issues.
>>Don't give up on trying to get them to help out yet, but make a backup plan if they don't do anything for you.

 

[Swampdawg1]

Bummer, sounds like all of the issues can just be summed up to rust taking it's toll on parts. Would the dealer be willing to take it back in and offer a credit towards a different vehicle instead of your money back? This is a tough one, in the dealers defense you should have checked that over, but in your defense they shouldn't sell a rig that is unsafe.

Not sure what you paid for it, you can try to disclose the issues and re-sell..If it's just brake and fuel lines it may be worth fixing or may be a good find for someone else willing to do that. If the master cylinder and other parts are starting to add up,that will add up quick.

try to keep bitching at the dealer but if it doesn't get you anywhere may just make it your project car and bring her back to life.

Now lets see some pics of that under carriage and rust!

I will try to get some photos this evening or tomorrow. I absolutely should have checked it over. I also feel like the vehicle should never have been for retail sale, but I'm bitter right now.

I may try to put a brake line union on the rusted spot, but there is a lot of rust on the lines and I am sure it will break in another spot eventually. If I do wind up selling it, I will absolutely disclose the things I know are problematic so a potential buyer can weigh their options.

 

[Swampdawg1]

> Unfortunately I am sure a "purchased as-is" document was signed and may not get you anywhere. That being said, I wouldn't give up on chasing down a possible credit towards a different vehicle or anything to help out. I took me about 2 months of fighting with my dealership before they dumped a few grand into a used highlander that I purchased that had a handful of safety issues.
>>Don't give up on trying to get them to help out yet, but make a backup plan if they don't do anything for you.

Yeah, you may be right. Unfortunately the dealership is 5 hours from home and my wife would stab me before driving me up there for a trade in. Also, I just really wanted a LC or an old Lexus and they don't have anything else even remotely similar.

 

[ramangain]

Well, if you can't get reasonable satisfaction from the dealer, report them to the BBB and post up the dealer name if you want to go that far. Best of luck.

 

[Mike NXP]

Yeah, you may be right. Unfortunately the dealership is 5 hours from home and my wife would stab me before driving me up there for a trade in. Also, I just really wanted a LC or an old Lexus and they don't have anything else even remotely similar.

Totally understand, a second opinion on the full damage report may be helpful and if you wanted to post some pics here you could get some thoughts on overall condition. Keep haunting the guy you bought it from, not sure if going to a lawyer would do anything but they usually will give free opinion.

 

[Swampdawg1]

Well, if you can't get reasonable satisfaction from the dealer, report them to the BBB and post up the dealer name if you want to go that far. Best of luck.

I did report them to the BBB

 

[Swampdawg1]

Totally understand, a second opinion on the full damage report may be helpful and if you wanted to post some pics here you could get some thoughts on overall condition. Keep haunting the guy you bought it from, not sure if going to a lawyer would do anything but they usually will give free opinion.

Thanks, I may take it to a guy down the street who loves working on old Toyotas

 

[aging fleet]

I'm bitter right now.

I'd say you have every right to be bitter, it's a s***ty situation. Take some photos of the issues and post them, what appears horrible to you may be run of the mill levels of rust for those of us up north. While ugly underneath, it may still give you years of service.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

Ouch. As a 2000 UZJ owner I am aghast. I hope you did not buy it as a DD but wish you luck. I love my truck but at some point I know it will have to be retired.
As I was reading this I was thinking there would be the usual used car 30 day warranty but it sounds as though there was not?