Hi!
My fiancée and I are relocating to Montana for a job. He’s leaving his Honda S2000 here, so we’re shopping for a new car that will be an addition to my new gen AWD Rav4. We’ve been looking for a 4WD 4.7L V8 SUV, specifically the GX 470, LX 470, 100 series LC and 4runners. Any opinions on one model being a more solid choice than another? Ideally, we don’t want to spend more than 13k if we can get away with it.
This week we are looking at a:
- 07’ LC with 182,000 miles, single owner, well maintained, $18,000 asking. I suspect it’s been used for towing a boat.
- 99’ LX 470 with 195,000 miles, multiple owners, has maintenance records, told it runs like new, claim no rust, asking $13,500. Used on a farm.
- we have a 04’ GX 470 getting a PPI. We found a few things during our own inspection that aren’t deal breakers but need to know more about. They are asking $13,000 but willing to go down.
Because our budget is a limiting factor, we have gone and back forth about whether this should be 1) a reliable car that fits our 13k budget 2) a cheap used car that will make the journey and save our money for a different car a few years from now 3) increase our budget for something “newer”. Looking for a used Toyota in KY has been extremely frustrating as well because we are in the rust belt.
I would love some external advice from the car community about our model choices. Unlike my fiance, I have never purchased a used car and am not familiar with car mechanics. I personally prefer the LX and LC for their cargo options, interior design and body style.
Thanks in advance.
My fiancée and I are relocating to Montana for a job. He’s leaving his Honda S2000 here, so we’re shopping for a new car that will be an addition to my new gen AWD Rav4. We’ve been looking for a 4WD 4.7L V8 SUV, specifically the GX 470, LX 470, 100 series LC and 4runners. Any opinions on one model being a more solid choice than another? Ideally, we don’t want to spend more than 13k if we can get away with it.
This week we are looking at a:
- 07’ LC with 182,000 miles, single owner, well maintained, $18,000 asking. I suspect it’s been used for towing a boat.
- 99’ LX 470 with 195,000 miles, multiple owners, has maintenance records, told it runs like new, claim no rust, asking $13,500. Used on a farm.
- we have a 04’ GX 470 getting a PPI. We found a few things during our own inspection that aren’t deal breakers but need to know more about. They are asking $13,000 but willing to go down.
Because our budget is a limiting factor, we have gone and back forth about whether this should be 1) a reliable car that fits our 13k budget 2) a cheap used car that will make the journey and save our money for a different car a few years from now 3) increase our budget for something “newer”. Looking for a used Toyota in KY has been extremely frustrating as well because we are in the rust belt.
I would love some external advice from the car community about our model choices. Unlike my fiance, I have never purchased a used car and am not familiar with car mechanics. I personally prefer the LX and LC for their cargo options, interior design and body style.
Thanks in advance.
