Need help about the 1995 landcruiser purchase

[umarali]

Hello everyone,
I have never owned any SUV , so doesnt know what i have to look for when buying one and what seems good deal in price. I found this 1995 landcruiser it has no faded paint besides paint coming off from passenger side fender extended thing, besides that pant is shiny and fine. Also seller mentioned the catalytic converter is bad and that is the reason check engine light keeps coming on. Truck has 273,000 miles but the engine was rebuilt at 240,000 miles when the water pump and few other stuff he mentioned was put in. As mentioned by him it has no leaks whatsoever and ac is running cold. Interior looks nice form pictures besides there is a crack in middle on passenger seat but rest of seats has leather in very good condition.
He is asking 4300 for the truck and i offered him 3300, i still have to replace catalytic converter which i have no idea how much will cost me. What do you guys suggest would be the best price to offer and how much the catalytic converter replacement cost me.
Thanks in advance.

 

[umarali]

Hello everyone,
I have never owned any SUV , so doesnt know what i have to look for when buying one and what seems good deal in price. I found this 1995 landcruiser it has no faded paint besides paint coming off from passenger side fender extended thing, besides that pant is shiny and fine. Also seller mentioned the catalytic converter is bad and that is the reason check engine light keeps coming on. Truck has 273,000 miles but the engine was rebuilt at 240,000 miles when the water pump and few other stuff he mentioned was put in. As mentioned by him it has no leaks whatsoever and ac is running cold. Interior looks nice form pictures besides there is a crack in middle on passenger seat but rest of seats has leather in very good condition.
He is asking 4300 for the truck and i offered him 3300, i still have to replace catalytic converter which i have no idea how much will cost me. What do you guys suggest would be the best price to offer and how much the catalytic converter replacement cost me.
Thanks in advance.

i am attaching the images seller sent me

 

[umarali]

some more pics

 

[umarali]

and he wants 3800 now, and i offered 3500, is that a good deal? should i get it?

 

[doc W]

Looks good. Did you see the paperwork on the rebuild? Did the job include bottom end work? Catalytic converters are fairly pricey but they do last a long time.

Make sure the transmission and transfer cases are OK as well as the front end. See if the PO has had a front end job done; if you need new birf joints that is an expensive job. For the price it might be a great deal. Need more info.

 

[ToddD]

^What he said. Service records are important. They should have records of the rebuild detailing what was done. Any other records would be great to have as well. Without them you can assume it will need a good deal of service work.
Read through this as well. Lots of helpful info to be had.

Here's a link to slee's write up about shopping for an 80. http://www.sleeoffroad.com/newbie/newbie100.htm

 

[umarali]

Looks good. Did you see the paperwork on the rebuild? Did the job include bottom end work? Catalytic converters are fairly pricey but they do last a long time.

Make sure the transmission and transfer cases are OK as well as the front end. See if the PO has had a front end job done; if you need new birf joints that is an expensive job. For the price it might be a great deal. Need more info.

Thanks for your answers, i asked him these questions, lets see what do i get in answer.... can you please explain what more info do i need? i can ask him all the info needed before i make purchase.... as you mentioned catalytic converters are expensive, what im looking at to spend? also can i have it done cheaper at local mechanic instead of dealership?

 

[Sno bored]

The catalytic converter may be ok. If you do buy it check what code it is throwing, it may just be bad O2 sensors which may be cheaper than a new cat.

 

[doc W]

"More info" means anything the PO can provide would be helpful. Like how did he use the LC, mall cruiser or was he a wheeler?
Regarding the rebuild see if you can find out why he needed it, May have been just a head gasket job (why I mentioned the lower end).

Some of the 80's go 300,000 mile plus so there is mileage left on this critter but how and where it was used is very important.

Here check out the Slee guide for 80's: Slee - 80 Series Land Cruiser Newbie Guide

Good luck with it, hope you get!

 

[Kernal]

You mentioned the engine was rebuilt at 240,000 miles; it would help if you could find out what exactly did they do to fix it and who did the work, why did it need to be rebuilt, bad headgasket? You should ask for the repair receipts. Is the catalytic convertor bad, or the O2 sensors, or if either is actually bad, why did they go bad?? It's hard to tell in the photos, but was this truck painted in the past and did they paint over the rubber strips between the fender flares and the fenders?? Could you could post up some more (clearer and brighter) photos of the engine and underneath??

 

[DSRTRDR]

why don't you hook up with the Bayou State Land Cruisers LA- Bayou State Land Cruisers and take one of them with you to look at the truck - many of them are in Lafayette

 

[Kernal]

^^^This^^^ is the best plan.

 

[jeffro109]

if you don't have super picky inspections/emissions, you can get a universal cat converter installed from a muffler shop for about $200 or less, compared to the cost of OEMs it is a no-brainer if you can get away with it

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Whoa. Reading your post, it sure sounds like you are making an offer on a truck you've not seen in person. Sometimes that's okay, but in this case the truck has a lot of miles, a check engine light on, and peeling paint.

It's a 95 model, so the odds are decent that it is OBD-II compliant. You need to know what error code it is throwing. You also need to know exactly what "rebuilt engine" means. You also need to inspect it closely for previous body damage. Original Toyota clear coat doesn't peel off like that (this isn't a Dodge). I'll bet it has had paint or body work done on it.

The truck has a lot of yellow flags and more questions than answers at this point. It could be a good deal for 3500 but it could also be a nightmare. Please heed the previous advice and get a cruiserhead to check it out for you. People in your local cruiser club will be happy to help out.

 

[mandinga]

i have two good cats in the garage if needed i'd sell cheap. if that helps.

 

[umarali]

thanks alot everyone for your input i really appreciate all the opinions.... i do like the idea of taking someone from tlc club here in louisiana, that would be awesome if someone would like to ride with me to houston, because i dont have experience with landcruisers....

 

[umarali]

i have two good cats in the garage if needed i'd sell cheap. if that helps.

thanks alot hoedodger, i will definitely contact you once i get the truck, because right now i dont know which one of the two is faulty one...

 

[umarali]

if you don't have super picky inspections/emissions, you can get a universal cat converter installed from a muffler shop for about $200 or less, compared to the cost of OEMs it is a no-brainer if you can get away with it

i just moved to louisiana 6 months ago from oklahoma where no inspection emission tests are needed and my current vehicle is still under oklahoma tag so i do not know how picky they are about emission tests. i would probably drive to oklahoma and have registration done in oklahoma so i wouldnt have to worry about emissions. that $200 universal catalytic converter sounds very reasonable to me...i will definitely check into it...

 

[umarali]

Whoa. Reading your post, it sure sounds like you are making an offer on a truck you've not seen in person. Sometimes that's okay, but in this case the truck has a lot of miles, a check engine light on, and peeling paint.

It's a 95 model, so the odds are decent that it is OBD-II compliant. You need to know what error code it is throwing. You also need to know exactly what "rebuilt engine" means. You also need to inspect it closely for previous body damage. Original Toyota clear coat doesn't peel off like that (this isn't a Dodge). I'll bet it has had paint or body work done on it.

The truck has a lot of yellow flags and more questions than answers at this point. It could be a good deal for 3500 but it could also be a nightmare. Please heed the previous advice and get a cruiserhead to check it out for you. People in your local cruiser club will be happy to help out.

you are right i havent seen truck in person yet but i will not buy it if i wouldnt be fully satisfied with it... i will definitely ask him details about rebuilt engine and why he needed it, the paint he said he has repainted the area and now it is peeling off i would ask why he needed to repaint the area.... you guys are really good help in buying truck with all possible questions i should ask...

 

[Delancy]

i would probably drive to oklahoma and have registration done in oklahoma so i wouldnt have to worry about emissions.

If its too far a drive, be more than happy to register on your behalf. Mail the insurance and registration. Done deal.