LX miles - value and warnings?

[okryan]

Hi guys. First post here. This site is great.

I'm looking at an LX470. 1999 with 236k. Pretty good shape with new timing belt, radiators, hoses and tires. Is 236k too many miles? They want $8500. Is that in the ball park? Wanting a daily driver to slowly mod up to being a capable road tripper and moderate trail rig. Drive 500 miles and then get to the good fishing spots up on the mountain, that kind of thing. Any advice?
Thanks!

 

[marshotel]

I am also in the market for a used 100 series, and $8500 for a '99 with 236k miles is a fair asking price. If it really has a new timing belt and new tires and it's not all rusty and the drivetrain works properly, then $8500 could be a good deal. 236k miles are nothing to worry about IF the vehicle has been well-maintained and not abused.

To answer your question: Yes, it is in the ball park.

I think the pricing varies quite a bit depending on your location; east coast cars- particularly in the Carolinas and Georgia seem to cost a little less. Whereas you pay a premium in California and the Northwest.

Everything is more expensive in Alaska

For comparison, last week I drove this 2000 LX 470 with 153k.
It drove okay, but the cvs were very leaky and it was super dirty under the hood. The AHC worked, but barely. The seller was firm at 13,500. I passed.

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/cto/3686900342.html

Here are a couple other comparisons from the Pacific Northwest:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/3698336923.html
http://www.selectmotoras.com/vehicledetails.aspx?VID=183767390

[to the monkey: what happened to the buying/selling what year/how much section for 100s? Used to be a great resource which seems to have slipped into mudoblivion]

cheers!

 

[okryan]

Thanks for the info. It's helpful. I'll try to check the CVs on this one.
The thread you mention at the end sounds really helpful.
Any others have input?
Best!

 

[Junglejack]

Hello,
I just purchased on Friday a 99 LX470 with just over 70,000 miles. While it is in quite honestly astonishingly good condition considering the age, I do wonder what factors led to a vehicle of this age to have so few miles.

Thankfully, my older brother was the Body Shop Manager at a Mercedes-Benz Dealership for well over a decade and has worked in the auto industry since he was 15 and he was actually going to buy it for himself. Due to my Infiniti M45 being totaled by another driver, he went ahead and let me buy it instead.

Provided the LX you are looking at is rust free, given the price of admission, I would not let the mileage deter me. It is a pretty good sign that it has been a daily driver for so long as well.
Cheers,
JJ

 

[okryan]

I bought the rig for 8k. I'll update with more info on what I find out about it. It did feel great driving it home, it felt really stable on the road. Looking forward to being in the 100 club.

 

[Junglejack]

I bought the rig for 8k. I'll update with more info on what I find out about it. It did feel great driving it home, it felt really stable on the road. Looking forward to being in the 100 club.

Congratulations. I look forward to seeing pictures. These LX's are part of the era when Lexus was out to smash preconceived notions about a Japanese brand standing shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world and of course is based off perhaps the most durable and versatile vehicles in the world.