Need Buying Advice

[JCliftonB]

UPDATE: Going to keep searching. Too many flags for me.

I am looking at a rebuilt title 200. 2013, 125k miles on it. Reasonably priced for the mileage, age, and title. I have plans with the seller to pick it up tomorrow. I need some red-flag help from you titans before I drag my trailer 6 hrs away to drag it back home.

The truck was totaled in 2021 from a rear/side impact. The seller says no frame damage occurred, and he had the truck inspected when he bought it a couple of years ago. I did some digging and found the truck in its variety of states.

Link to damaged 200 before repair: https://en.bidfax.info/toyota/land-...r-2013-black-57l-8-vin-jtmhy7aj3d4019278.html
Link to listing after the damage was fixed: GrooveCar - https://www.groovecardirect.com/inventory/2013-toyota-land-cruiser-base-3019278.html

It has been driven about 45k miles since the repair, and there are no issues, I am told.

The guy is selling it now because he bought for his wife and she doesn't like a car that big. No flags there I guess. I have talked to the seller a couple of times on the phone and he seems normal and ready for me to come to his home to purchase. Seems like an older guy who doesn't like using FB. I am going to get a carfax on it this afternoon as well.

What do you all think?

 

[Blackwater]

I'd keep looking, I personally would want one with a clean history. Good used ones are out there. I had to be patient, took us about a year+ to find ours, and we jumped on it as soon as it was posted.

I kept my 100 series for about 12 years so the clean title, good maintenance, zero rust on our 200 was important..

 

[JCliftonB]

I'd keep looking, I personally would want one with a clean history. Good used ones are out there. I had to be patient, took us about a year+ to find ours, and we jumped on it as soon as it was posted.

I kept my 100 series for about 12 years so the clean title, good maintenance, zero rust on our 200 was important..

I hear that and am considering letting this one pass, but I don't mind the branded title. We'll keep this truck 10-15 years (or more) and get our value out of it as long as it lets me. I will update here with carfax info too.

 

[ryanCA]

Plenty of cheap 200 out there. Keep looking. If you will keep something 10-15 years, start with a good example instead of a trashed one like this.

 

[mceagle555]

Unless you are getting an absolutely killer deal on it, I would pass...

 

[TheIcemanCometh]

A few thoughts given it has rebuilt title. Can you get replacement parts lists - that is were the parts OEM? It could well have been totaled because of the labor costs to repair rather than the physical damage.

The flag that you should probably look at is that the vehicle was originally in Salt Lake City. Winters are notorious hard on the undercarriage with rust. i would probably be as concerned with that. At this point ask the seller to provide undercarriage photos.

 

[JCliftonB]

Got some undercarriage pics from today. Looks alright to me. It's a killer deal, which is why I am trying to figure this one out. What do you all think?

 

[mceagle555]

KBB "Good" is $32,200 for 2013 w/ 125k miles. How much under that is a "killer deal?"

The frame does look clean from rust. Hard to tell what issues there may be from being totaled.

 

[JCliftonB]

KBB "Good" is $32,200 for 2013 w/ 125k miles. How much under that is a "killer deal?"

The frame does look clean from rust. Hard to tell what issues there may be from being totaled.

Sub 25k which I think is fair for the branded title and a deal for the year/mileage.

I attached the CarFax for it. Does anyone who cares to look see anything weird/suspicious?

 

[mceagle555]

Sub 25k which I think is fair for the branded title and a deal for the year/mileage.

I attached the CarFax for it. Does anyone who cares to look see anything weird/suspicious?

If you're handy and can replace things yourself, then sub $25k is pretty nice.

Just be aware it will take much longer to resell in the future if you decide to get rid of it.

Might want to validate with your insurance company that they'll insure a rebuilt title.

 

[JCliftonB]

If you're handy and can replace things yourself, then sub $25k is pretty nice.

Just be aware it will take much longer to resell in the future if you decide to get rid of it.

Might want to validate with your insurance company that they'll insure a rebuilt title.

Yes indeed! Great advice!

I do the majority of my own wrenching and am a part of a pretty good local cruiser community!

 

[JCliftonB]

I appreciate the insight you all provided. I think I'll let this one pass and keep looking. As you all mentioned, I would rather spend a little more for a clean-titled truck and a more uncomplicated history!

The search continues!

 

[kromulent]

Fwiw, I just got my 1st 200 for only a few grand more than that, granted it's an '08 with 204k on it, but it had a lot of important work done and a stack of records from Lexus/Toyota dealerships. And a clean title.

 

[Poop Bubbles]

Sub 25k which I think is fair for the branded title and a deal for the year/mileage.

I'd spend $25k on a clean high mileage (200k+) model long before one that was rebuilt/salvage.

People buy these because they last. A very long time. It's not a Ford. 200-300k is nothing, barely broken in.... But a salvage LC is asking for trouble.

 

[JCliftonB]

I'd spend $25k on a clean high mileage (200k+) model long before one that was rebuilt/salvage.

People buy these because they last. A very long time. It's not a Ford. 200-300k is nothing, barely broken in.... But a salvage LC is asking for trouble.

Hey, I'm a Ford guy too! However, I am only a fan of their work trucks. I understand your point, though!

 

[Blackwater]

People buy these because they last. A very long time. It's not a Ford. 200-300k is nothing, barely broken in.... But a salvage LC is asking for trouble.

Shots fired!!! Haha..

To be fair my first gen raptor with the 6.2 was an absolute tank, and that motor goes a loooong time... I think one of Fords best motors!!

I agree though, I have more piece of mind back in a LC..

Let us know what you decide OP!

 

[ryanCA]

I'd spend $25k on a clean high mileage (200k+) model long before one that was rebuilt/salvage.

People buy these because they last. A very long time. It's not a Ford. 200-300k is nothing, barely broken in.... But a salvage LC is asking for trouble.

Well said




Hope to hit 300K on my 200 series next month. 0 troubles. My ford Vans (we have 4) transmission repalced at 100-120K. Never replaced a transmission on a Toyota and we have a few 600k miles LC.