Looking at a few Cruisers

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T

ttora4runner

Joined
Oct 26, 2007
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44
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165
Location
Colorado Springs, Co
I'm probable going to get crap for this but here goes. I'm currently on my 3rd 3rd gen 4runner (02 Limited with 174k with some goodies) and I'm looking at changing platforms. I've been looking at Landcruisers for a long time and recently two came up for sale in my area (middle of nowhere Wyoming) that I'm looking at. I've driven one and the other one just came in on trade so I've only been able to poke around it till they get a chance to clean it up some.

The two that I'm looking at are

1. 2000 with 177,xxx doesn't have much service history according to the carfax and has been a mall wheeler. Has normal wear and tear (a few rock chips, wood trim fade and minor wear on the drivers seat) and newer tires. I know from reading the that the 2000's are know to have trans issues but it seems like it's a crap shoot on which has the issues or not. Been smoked in some. The seller is asking 11900 which is what they currently own on it.

2. 2002 with 132,xxx miles, carfax shows a pretty detailed service history with the t-belt being done 10k miles ago (service was all done at a toyota dealer in jackson). This one is lifted (can't tell what lift exactly) and has newer BFG's on it, missing the 3rd row seats and seat belts. You can tell it's been a family vehicle. Again normal wear and tear but looks like it has some slight damage to the drivers side passenger door (hard to tell). The one thing that kind of threw me off is that the transmission was replaced at 121,xxx mile mark and the ecu was looked at (2 different times in 08). Asking price is about NADA value at $16900.

Gas mileage I'm not worried about I know these things get **** for mpgs and I fiqured it about the same mileage I'm currently getting in my 4runner (lucky to get 17 on the hwy, avg 14-16 normally). Wheeling wise I do a mix of overland travel to mild rock crawling (maybe a little more depending who I wheel with :D)

The 2000 I could pay outright while the 02 I'd have to get a loan.

I've looked at a couple of cruisers in the past but never didn't anything beyond that. I've looked at LX470's as well but it has more electronic crap that I want to deal with (AHC, electronic up and down steering, etc). Might be overkill size wise since I'm single.

If you were looking at these two options which would you choose.

Yes, I've read the write-up over on SleeOffroad.
 
I'd probably pass on both. The 2000 because you don't know the history and, well, the smoke. Probably a little pricy at $12k w/177. The 2002 because it's overpriced considering the description and miles. I just don't get the warm/fuzzy on either. Keep looking, you'll find a gem. It just takes a while. And yes, I'm a huge advocate for not borrowing money for vehicles. So 98, 99, 2000. Take whatever you'd pay and 'pay yourself' into a reserve fund for maintenance. Good luck!
 
Like Oregon said, the 2000 sounds like a bit of a gamble for the price. However, if you can talk them down by $1k-$2k then it might be worth the risk. It would give you a little wiggle room financially to get the car up to date on maintenance items.

FWIW, I bought my '99 with 175k miles for 10k just a couple weeks ago from a stealership. The dealer did not provide me with a single bit of accurate information. Everything I learned about the car came from my own resourcefulness. They all but pissed on my back and told me it was raining. Crummy buying experience aside, I don't regret the purchase.
 
ttora4runner said:
...The seller is asking 11900...
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this part is true.
ttora4runner said:
...which is what they currently owe on it...
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this part is likely not... :lol:

I'd pass on both too. Both pretty high $ in my opinion, but your market may be different? Don't let miles scare you either. 16.9K is enough to get you into an '03+. Mucho better deal if you're gonna keep it for a while.
 
OregonLC said:
That would be tough. It's a rare 03 that's below $20k let alone below $17k.
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Nope, they're getting there. There's 15 on Autotrader right now listed under 18K asking price. The last year had really seen them push well below the $20k mark. MUD sellers excepted... :lol:
 
I'd wait and get a 1998 or 1999 because of tranny issues on later models.
 
2000 the only real tranny issues, and those are overstated, to say the least.
 
Like everyone said skip’em both. Don’t rush it cause there is always a next one.
IMO the 99 model is the best one , it’s a 80 series minus the solid axel but much safer .
Good luck on your quest
:beer::cheers:
 
Thanks for your thoughts and opinion everyone.

Here is the 2000: http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/bfox1979/library/2000 Toyota Land Cruiser?sort=6&page=1

On the 02 there is a similar one over in Jackson Hole Wyoming with the same mileage going for 18900. So the price on the 02 seems some what reasonable.

At the current time, I probable will be steering clear of these two though I still have an appointment to look at the 02.

**Edit** Photos of the 02







Said damage that I mentioned in the post #1
 
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re_guderian said:
Nope, they're getting there. There's 15 on Autotrader right now listed under 18K asking price. The last year had really seen them push well below the $20k mark. MUD sellers excepted... :lol:
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Not in Oregon they haven't. Or not on the west coast for that matter. Now I haven't looked seriously in a year, but anything in the 80k-120k range that I was looking at was $22k+, more if it was nice. Maybe things have changed, I'll admit that I'm not currently stalking the market. although I do still have RSS feeds and they seem to still be up there out here. Now if you're talking east coast or upper Midwest I'd agree, but there's a reason for that and if you're looking at one of those I might suggest that you look to buy from the south or west and import, especially if you intend to wrench on it.
 
Fitzgerald said:
If your up for a drive, there are several good looking 100's for sale at the moment in the Denver area (as well as down here in the springs). Might be worth your time.
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Yep, I've been surfing craigslist and I've seen those. :D

My reservce with buying going and seeing a vehicle out of the state is that I would have to be 100% committed to buy the vehicle otherwise it'd be a waste of time.
 
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