Local 2006 LX470 $13K 178K miles Gray ...

[cwmoser]

Tried to find the Opinions for sale thread but couldn't.

Looking at a local 2006 LX470 $13K 178K miles Gray with tan interior.
Looks decent but not perfect.
Both headlights have cracks, small dent on front bumper cover, minor scratches, interior pretty nice.
Suspicious that it may have been in a front end accident.

Took it for a test drive. Accelerator seems pretty responsive.
Steering wheel is not straight - needs adjusting or front end alignment.
AC works great, sun roof works, everything I tested.
AHC H/N/L works.
Has Trailer Hitch but owner said it never towed anything, not used off road.
NO RUST.

Don't have CarFax. Lexus.com doesn't show any Timing Belt change. Some history but mostlyabout Steering Shaft.
Also not much about Oil Changes so I suspect owner had service work done at independent shops.
Owner stated its been very reliable - "just oil, gas, and tires".
One owner, wife driven.

Thinking about it for my son -- he likes my 2002 LX470.
I thought if I had not already purchased my 2002 LX470 that I would buy this one for myself.
What do you think ????
There is a red light on the Instrument Cluster - what does it mean?
(Its not Seat Belt as there is another light for that)

 

[cwmoser]

Front end - cracked headlights, dent in bumper cover:

 

[RND1]

Looks pretty clean from those pics - hard to see the cracked headlights. Red light on the dash is airbag. This may be caused by the seat position sensor - here's a DIY I did some time ago:

SRS Code 1153 Seat Position Sensor Fix

You're coming up on a 2nd timing belt so maybe you can use that for negotiation. If the rest of the maintenance checks out and AHC works, that's not a bad price for an '06.

 

[camino70]

Buy it!

 

[bctlex]

You're coming up on a 2nd timing belt so maybe you can use that for negotiation. If the rest of the maintenance checks out and AHC works, that's not a bad price for an '06.

Use TB/WP and cracked headlights (not sure of the cost, but they cant be cheap - not refering to some Ebay crappy headlights) for negotiation. I am not too concerned with the dented bumper, but make sure there is no damage hidden behind it.

Agree thats a great price for 06. Good luck!

 

[cwmoser]

$10K would be a steal?
Then assuming $1K for Timing Belt/Waterpump + $1K for Headlamps = $12K ??

 

[92LXAZ]

Buy it!

Yes this ^

Very nice, looks just like ours. Agree as well that price seems really good already even considering the maintenance items. If you haven't already maybe check some of the car valuation sites to see what it currently books at and go from there. Although never hurts to negotiate especially if he doesn't know what he has. Best of luck!

 

[cwmoser]

This is recent Service on Lexus.com - less than 1 year and at 170K miles.
I assume "R&R" means repair and replace. Would that have been expensive to R&T both front Accumulators?
Is this good or bad?


Service: STEERING WHL/MAIN SHAFT
description: STEERING WHL/MAIN SHAFT ~|~CAR ROCKS WHEN MOVING ALL SPEEDS LIKE A BAD SHOCK OR AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM-ADV ~|~FRONT GAS CHAMBER ACCUMULATOR DIAPHRAGM FAILURE. TEST DROVE VEHICLE TO CONFIRM RIDE QUALITY. CHECKED VEHICLE FOR SUSPENSION DTC'S, NONE FOUND. INSPECTED SUSPENION COMPONENT FOR LEAKS/BROKEN COMPONENTS/ETC. CHECKED WITH TECHSTREAM THAT THE DAMPENER SYSTEM ~|~RELEASED FLUID PRESSURE FROM SUSPENSION FLUID LINES. R&R FRONT LEFT/RIGHT SIDE GAS CHAMBER ACCUMULATORS. TORQUED TO SPEC. REMOVED SUSPENSION FLUID FROM RESERVIOR. FILLED WITH NEW FLUID. BLED SUSPENSION FLUID IN NORMAL HEIGHT AND HIGH HEIGHT TO REMOVE ALL

 

[sPaulp]

Yes, it means repair and replace. That was an expensive repair bill for sure as those accumulator's alone are very expensive, and it's a very good thing as you now have new accumulator's and a fluid flush, so your AHC should be good to go. If you can negotiate down to $12k or so using the TB/WP as leverage, that is an excellent price for a '06. You can find head lamps on Ebay or websites for reasonable prices, the front bumper is not a big deal (def check behind bumper for potential damage). But, 178k miles on one of these rigs is nothing. A '07 Tundra was recently in the news for making it well over 1,000,000 miles and has the same engine as the Lexus you're looking at. I would hop all over that deal, baseline all fluids, and drive it for another 10 years. That sounds like a smokin' good deal.

 

[flintknapper]

Definitely check behind the front bumper and grill. Look for any broken mounts or evidence of the radiator or A/C condenser having been replaced. If you don't find anything 'suspect' there...then chances are good the vehicle suffered only a minor front end collision.

But the fact that you have an Air Bag light on...is worth investigating. It can come on for a variety of reasons, some easy to fix/clear, others not.

I wouldn't be too quick to jump on it. The price is 'tempting'....but that also sets off a few alarms in my head?

There are LOTS of LX470 for sale out there, many more than Land Cruisers. Its good that the service record shows both front accumulators having been replaced and the system flushed, but IF both needed replacement then the rears can't be far behind them (most likely need new rear coil springs and accumulators at some point).

If the owner can not show that the timing belt has been changed...then it is long over due. Its actually at the point of needing its second belt change. The belts themselves don't usually fail...it is normally the water pump, one of the pulleys or a tensioner that fails and takes the belt out with it. So you are looking at a Water Pump, Timing Belt, all pulleys and tensioner(s) and possibly camshaft and crankshaft seals. Hard to know until you open it up.

You can figure on needing to baseline all fluids and check the brakes. Check your heater hose Tee's, if one of them is off colored (brown) its about to crumble.

Wouldn't hurt to take it to a good mechanic or dealer for a 'look see'.

Good luck, take your time and be wise with your decisions.

Flint.

 

[bctlex]

$10K would be a steal?
Then assuming $1K for Timing Belt/Waterpump + $1K for Headlamps = $12K ??

YES at 10K + TB + headlights - this would be a steal. Personally I would buy it asap at this price.

 

[bpe3]

Owner sounds like a liar. He claims "just oil, gas and tires", but he had a major front suspension repair a mere 8k miles ago.

Still could be a nice deal if it's very clean. I paid $11k a 18 months ago for a clean 2001 LX with 158k miles. Headlights were cracked. TB done at 113k. Suspension work in the past. Other services unknown. I did all new fluids and spark plugs. Brake pads/rotors. Starter. One ignition coil. Now I'm at 180k with no end in sight.

bpe3

 

[costalcat]

Just going to throw this out there
Front end damage unknown
Two cracked headlights
Airbag Sensor on

Be sure this has not had major front end damage and that you actually have a working airbag. This could be the seat sensor but it also could have been deployed. Look at the cover and the dash. If one went both did and you should see some dash work. How does the cover on the steering wheel look? Newer than the rest or do you see a seam meaning a repair when it was replaced.

Turn the key to the first position and pause. You should see all the indicator lights turn on, including the airbag light.
Then start the vehicle and watch the indicator airbag light. Normal operation light will come on for a minute then goes out. If it stays on, as you mentioned or flashes then there is definitely a problem. I don't know how to tell if it is the seat sensor as mentioned by @RND1 but if the dash has any signs of damage, passenger or drive side, along with the front end damage and the light on then more than likely an airbag deployed and something is not on the up and up . You also mentioned the steering wheel being not straight and while you might be right about an alignment it could also be an indicator of front end damage.

Given the owner said no issue but oil and gas but had major suspension work is worrisome as noted by @bpe3. Coupled with the noted issues on the front end and the airbag light I would certainly take it to a shop for an inspection even if it was a screaming deal.

You mentioned this is for your son? Can't hurt to be 100% sure everything is ok given all the little indicators you mention.

 

[cwmoser]

I think I am going to pass on this 2006 LX470.

If anyone here is interested, the VIN is JTJHT00W164009075
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

If anyone has access to CarFax it would be interesting to know if it has been wrecked.
In any case, I'm out.

PM me if you need the owners phone number.

 

[getserious]

Based on what I paid for the same year/make/model (lower mileage though), that's an insanely low price. Around here (Atlanta), that car would go for $18-$20k if it had a timing belt change and good ownership history. Since service history is non existent, and you'll just need to do the TB and water pump, and you'll want to build in a budget to do whatever has to be done for the airbag, I'd say $15-16k would be the price IF it has not been wrecked.

Since the dealer has it priced at $13k, my bet is that he knows it's been wrecked or he knows that airbag issue is a bigger than normal problem and isn't saying so. If you find that's not the case, I don't see how you can give this one up. I really don't think you'll find anything close to that price if Winston Salem is anything like Atlanta. Again, that's IF you can confirm there's been no significant front end damage.

 

[tacoduck]

quick question, would the airbag light being on cause the truck to fail inspection? Anyone with a carfax account?

 

[sPaulp]

^^ What he said.

 

[tacoduck]

just called on this truck and its sold. would have like to have known before I bought the carfax...

 

[costalcat]

quick question, would the airbag light being on cause the truck to fail inspection? Anyone with a carfax account?

Most states will treat an Airbag light like a check engine light and fail the vehicle. You can pull the fuse or light bulb I suppose but a malfunctioning airbag would not be a good thing

 

[cwmoser]

just called on this truck and its sold. would have like to have known before I bought the carfax...

So its sold? Hope someone here purchased it and tell more about it.
I test drove it yesterday and the owner said I was the first to come out and see it.
If I did not already have an LX, I probably would have taken a chance and buy it
even with the unknowns. I guess its best I look for my son something a little smaller.
This LX did look like it could be made nice.

Did the CarFax show any accidents?