Miramar Motorsport

[Njn8ive]

New to the forum, however been tinkering with my cars for a while now. Mainly the Subaru community.

So I’ve got the TLC 100 bug and have been looking for close to a year now for something with less than 100k. But as we all know those sell pretty quickly or they are out of my price and or distance range. So after much searching I’ve noticed Miramar Motorsport seems to seems to have quite the selection but with over 100k. I know this rigs are built to last but just worried about buying something sight unseen as I am VA and they are in SoCal.

Wondering if anyone has had any good or bad experience with them and if you could refer me to a 100 series seller similar to them as it seems they deal exclusively with 100/120 series rigs.

Thanks in advance

 

[socalmtbiker]

No experience but they’re local to me. I imagine just like any used car dealership or buying from private owner. No warranty or anything to be expected. Have you looked at carmax? I actually purchased my rig through them with the same fears as you. They have a bumper to bumper warranty for 30days and I used it. Got my ac fixed, charcoal canister replaced, replaced ahc shock and a foggy corner lamp on their dime but my time. Otherwise, it’s always a toss up. I’d check it out for you but with kids I don’t have time for myself these days.

 

[larryt]

While I don’t know anything about their reputation, I do know that they are located next door to an excellent Toyota specialist, The Truck Shop. At the very least, the PPI would be super easy to arrange.

 

[WP2LC]

I’ve not experienced either dealer but there is a very similar shop with similar trucks in Jacksonville. That’s at least a couple thousand miles closer to Virginia. These guys consistently have 3-5 100 series on their lot. Again, I’ve never attempted to deal with them as they’re out of my price range. They have two now with under 150k.
Www.kingschariot.com

 

[Njn8ive]

Thank you all for the replies and help!

 

[Pucker5]

Bastards are buying all the dry cruisers and putting them on the market for a crazy expensive resell

 

[WP2LC]

In a totally unrelated search I stumbled upon this thread just after I posted here. Maybe it’s a sign!!!
A few comments from people who purchased from Jacksonville dealer.

For Sale - FL Dealer w LCs and LXs

JAX Dealer w 100s and such Anyone have experience with them. I am about two hours away and in hunt for a LC. Just curious before I make a trip. Thanks. www.kingschariot.com

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Cetus]

I'm in northern California, and during my quest/search for a 100 series, I stopped by Miramar to check out their 100 series. They are a legit dealer that focuses mainly on T4Rs and 100 series. All the 100 series that I saw were rust free and new timing belts installed. At the time, which was about 2.5 years ago, they were asking for 25k with about 130k miles. They are pricey but very clean. Btw, they had about 8 or 10 100 series inside the shop.

 

[95Fantasma80]

Bastards are buying all the dry cruisers and putting them on the market for a crazy expensive resell

thats why i skipped them, i found a dealer trade in destined to go to resell market but i scooped it up before they let it go to where these types of dealers attack..

watch those large auto dealership trade ins since im in cali many good options if willing to drive, mine was a 1 owner dealer maintained all its life bought from a jeep dealer for 7k at 189k miles for 2001 lx470, they originally had it listed at 12k but jeep dealer budged after trying to sell it for a month.

 

[Njn8ive]

I’ve not experienced either dealer but there is a very similar shop with similar trucks in Jacksonville. That’s at least a couple thousand miles closer to Virginia. These guys consistently have 3-5 100 series on their lot. Again, I’ve never attempted to deal with them as they’re out of my price range. They have two now with under 150k.
Www.kingschariot.com

I am familiar with them and haven’t heard many positive things about them.

I also found a seller on eBay who’s located in PA that seems to sell fairly clean examples. Both 80 and 100. For those that may be in the market. They have an excellent rating

european-cars.

 

[Cetus]

thats why i skipped them, i found a dealer trade in destined to go to resell market but i scooped it up before they let it go to where these types of dealers attack..

watch those large auto dealership trade ins since im in cali many good options if willing to drive, mine was a 1 owner dealer maintained all its life bought from a jeep dealer for 7k at 189k miles for 2001 lx470, they originally had it listed at 12k but jeep dealer budged after trying to sell it for a month.

I scooped mine up at Lexus of Serramonte, 1 owner, tons of service records, lived entire life in norcal and rust free. Signed the contract same day it was traded in. They didnt even wash it yet.

 

[guardcompany]

They are just flippers. They are charging pretty insane amounts for clean rigs. I've stopped by there a couple of times and I'm not sure I would call them "legit" but they do seem like solid vehicles they found, threw some parts on and are charging $26k for a LC100 worth $15k. They found a market and are making money off it.

As for the Truck Shop I would avoid for PPI, my friends and I have had many experiences of things completely missed or done wrong. The owner is honest and he sure knows Toyotas but the shop is ran very poorly and the communication between the young employees is a huge issue. My buddy just got home last week with a muffler and steering stabilizer he paid for and thought was installed but it sure wasn't.

 

[socalmtbiker]

They are just flippers. They are charging pretty insane amounts for clean rigs. I've stopped by there a couple of times and I'm not sure I would call them "legit" but they do seem like solid vehicles they found, threw some parts on and are charging $26k for a LC100 worth $15k. They found a market and are making money off it.

As for the Truck Shop I would avoid for PPI, my friends and I have had many experiences of things completely missed or done wrong. The owner is honest and he sure knows Toyotas but the shop is ran very poorly and the communication between the young employees is a huge issue. My buddy just got home last week with a muffler and steering stabilizer he paid for and thought was installed but it sure wasn't.

I agree with you on both aspects. I bought wheels for a Tacoma that I had from the truck shop. The install took a while. I did not notice until a few wks that they grinder down the brake calipers to fit the wheels which had the wrong offset. It was too late to fight. Beware

 

[Pucker5]

There’s a lot of dealer trades in sd market and a major auction. They’re probably just known as the guys that the dealerships sell lc’s, 4runner, tundras, and sequoias to. They wouldn’t be in biz with that high markup model if there wasn’t a bunch of less than educated buyers out there...or folks with more money than patience/time

 

[KTP]

I too am in Southern Cal and found my 99 100 with only 160k for $8k.
Original owners. drove it only 8K a year. has a locker too.
Check Southern California craigslist, facebook market place, letgo, and offerup apps

 

[trdcorolla]

I looked on my local CL, a few used car websites and the classifieds here on mud when I woke up, during break, during lunch, before going home, after dinner and before I slept for maybe a year. You gotta be quick. Even with all of my checking, i've missed a few. I'll call or text and they would be like sorry, sold or a transport is picking it up to get shipped out of the country. A few didn't pass inspection so they went to auction, I don't know how that works but when I told them I would like to buy it before they go to auction with the problems if I can look at it first and they always said no. I ended up buying my 100 that was traded in at a Toyota dealer. Didn't get a awesome deal like lots have got here but I thought it was a fair price for what it was. It was a 1 owner 2001 LX470 with 95k miles with a grey interior for 13.9k. Per Lexus owners it was fully serviced from new till 75k. The reason I thought it was fair was because it didn't have what I didn't want (rear spoiler, nav, gold trim, aftermarket tv screens). What it did come with was super sweet 22" chrome wheels,

 

[Njn8ive]

I understand the necessity of being quick. However, most of the clean lower mileage rigs seem to be on the west coast and I guess I’m not willing to put a down payment to “hold” it sight unseen. Being in VA it’s difficult to go out in time to look at at let alone purchase it.

I’ve even considered 1st gen Sequoias as a platform and but trying to find a base model SR5 with low mileage and without stupid captain chairs has proven to be difficult.

I guess im being picky and hesitant on buying one with high mileage (100k and up) even if it’s one owner. I’m thinking I should start considering those.

I spent 18 months in Bahrain and it was even difficult trying to source a clean example 70 or 80 series out there as Arabs don’t typically care for cars as we do. As well as poor maintenance habits. 100 series were plentiful. However, you can’t import them from there as they don’t meet the 25yrs rule even if they originated in the US.

 

[2001LC]

The key is inspection. But even then, we must remember these 100 series are 13 years old at best now. They all need stuff worked on. Just because they have good service records, doesn't mean service was done right or one can just jump in and drive 100K miles.

I try and do 3 project 100 series restores a year. I'll spent thousands in parts and from 400 to 800 hours on each. But once they're ready it still doesn't mean just drive 100K miles. They need servicing every 5 to 7k miles. Then you can drive 1 million miles or more. They are incredible reliable and tough.

Good hunting!

 

[guardcompany]

Every time I see a clean west coast 100 heading to the rust belt I get bummed out.

 

[brando1]

If you want a "DEAL" avoid those places. They work real well for the more money then time crowd.
Seems like if you want a deal you need to find something that needs some maintenance or a little work then you can still get a good deal.
And I don't care what anybody says, every 15 year old car needs something, do not get caught up in a good wax, and shampooed carpet representing a clean car. You need to get up in there with someone you trust and truly check it out.