I'm in SoCal as well. LCs out here generally go for a high price from what I've seen. I'd open up your search area to LA, SD, and all the other surrounding areas from you -- and just take your time. There's always a lot of listings for them, but they are often for pretty bloated prices it seems. But every now and then you'll find a gem that you can strike on. That seems to be the case with most trucks in the area in general. The prices people want for 4Runners around here for example is also insane (which is another reason to just go for the Land Cruiser IMO, they're not that much more expensive). If you're willing, you might consider looking in farther areas / different states if you really want to search for a perfect deal.
I'm a brand new LC owner myself ('98 100 series) but I can say that one thing I didn't realize until I after I bought it and started delving into these forums: a lot of things are very expensive and/or a pain in the ass to replace. The main drivetrain components will probably be problem-free more or less; but some things surrounding it are bound to fail. That's to be expected with any vehicle.... but the prices and level of effort to replace those things on LCs vs. other vehicles can often be a pretty big sticker shock (to me at least). Granted this forum has a ton of great information and cheap ways to fix things; but some things can seem pretty overwhelming.
If you're not good with a wrench, or if this is a primary vehicle you rely on (neither of which is true for me; part of the reason why I got mine was to have a backup vehicle, and the ability to learn how to work on them when one breaks down), I'd really do my due diligence to make sure everything is really working as it should. Because it seems often that people buy these high mileage LCs and one component breaks and it costs $2000 to get it fixed at a shop, where another vehicle would be multitudes cheaper.
Someone else will probably chime in and say I'm over-exaggerating, and I might be, but that's what I've felt since getting one at least.
All that said, it's my favorite vehicle of all the vehicles I've owned. Just my 0.02 of some things to consider.
