Need Opinions - 99 w/ 68K

[88CltLC]

Need some opinions on the 99 that I am currently looking at.

Truck has 68K, average interior wear, average exterior wear, rear diff but no front, and all other options for that year.

Seller is asking $24.5K, but I believe I can get this for $22.5K. My only concern is that when I put the truck in Low (the gear, not 4wd low), the tranny had a slight clunk. The was clearly a grocery getter, so this may have the first time the truck was in low, but still.

Is there anything I should look out for here? And, for $22.5K does anyone have a suggestion as to a better year?

Any thoughts / comments would be appreciated.

Thanks

Andrew

 

[gopriest31]

I know prices vary depending on area, but FYI: I just bought a very nice 98 with 98k in Cincinnati for a little over 18k. 1 owner, in near perfect shape, interior is spotless (rear seats have no wear, honestly think removable third row seats had never been folded down) as is exterior, no wrecked panels (anti theft labels intact), straight frame, good maint., etc... It has all options less tilt/telescoping steering. I realize this is older and has higher miles, but thought the info might help..

Good luck!

 

[mabrodis]

By rear diff, I'm assuming you mean rear diff lock, all of them have a rear diff. Also none of the '98 and newer Cruisers have a front diff lock, so you're not missing out on an option. The things I would look for in a '99 is how does the underside look, lots of rust? I have seen a few '99s with less miles than that with major rust, not really a problem, but the frame, control arms, shocks, etc all very rusty, body still looks fine on those, but something to think about. Also does this one have the rear heater/AC control? That is a popular option I know, and is worth finding IMO. Since this one has the rear locker it probably has the rear heater control, since it's probably a fully loaded version.

The price of $25K doesn't sound great to me at all, even at $22K doesn't sound like a steal. Look on AutoTrader and see what you find, also look at a Lexus LX470 in the same year. The LX won't have a rear locker but possibly could have been treated better, better service, maybe more miles, maybe not, but sometimes cheaper than a LC. I've seen '98 and '99 LX470's in the $20K range in several places around the country. On a vehicle like that miles wouldn't worry me near as much as a bad interior or something like that, but just my opinion...

Good Luck...

 

[ELLTEE]

Probably not a great price, but could be a great truck.
If you're planning to keep the truck through a significant portion of its design life (250k per engine rebuild times two rebuilds equals 750k usefull life expectancy), then a thousand dollars here or there on your purchase price is not even a rounding error.

Check the maintenance records and mechanical condition thoroughly -- then buy the thang!

LT

 

[uzj100]

All 99's do not have the rear diff lock. I have one that does not have the rear diff lock. Does it have the rear AC system? This is a must for NC. This is another option my '99 is missing.

Also, the price is pretty good for NC.

Check all the body panels for for vin number stickers. If the sticker has been removed, the vin is etched into the metal underneath the sticker. All Toyota and Lexus have VIN stickers on every body panel. If it is missing, it has been in an accident. They do not sell replacement parts with VIN stickers. The 100 series has 9 vin stickers. One on each door (4), 1 on the upper tailgate, 1 on the lower tailgate, 1 on each front fender (2) and 1 on the hood.

Check the cv boots for cracks.

uzj100
Raleigh, NC

 

[mtycruiser]

If everything else checks out OK and you like the truck, GO for IT!!!
$22.5-$23.0 is a good price for a truck that will give you many years of service and an excellent reliability record.
I bought my 98 just over a year ago with 49K for $23

 

[bcripe]

I bought mine here in socal with 79k and cloth interior (I really did not want leather) in perfect condition (took it to Quicklube and they thought it was new). Its the dark grey color which is my favorite. Rear lock, rear ac, etc. No hitch. Price was $22 It started out as 33k but nobody around here wants cloth. Its a very nice car.

 

[bkfj40]

Cruiser prices vary dramatically from region to region. I noticed this not only for 100s but for almost all cruiser models. My wife is looking for a 100 series as well and we found 2 at a used dealer, both in the mid 60k miles, a 99 for $22.9 and a 00 for $24.9 I feel that the price might be slightly flexible, but I have known several cruisers from this lot go for close to $1k or less from advertised price. They sold over 80 cruisers last year and 230 4runners....

Now to find out if they have rear air or not...

bk

 

[Bennett]

I have a 99 with 73k.. one owner off Toyota lease...
Loaded
Rear locking diff
Sunroof
Heated seats
rear air
leather
roof rack
running boards
car fax available
Never seen snow.. from Palm Springs .. Located in Utah now.


$19,800

for pics or more info.. k.dahlberg@comast.net
I have 3 cruisers.. and semi retired...this one goes.

I could even drive it to whomever...provided I get a ride /flight back.

 

[Kaderabek]

Paid $21,000 for our 99 in KY, 65K, great shape, rear locker.

Put it on a lift and take the underbody panels off, look for rust.

TJK

 

[bkfj40]

I have a 99 with 73k.. one owner off Toyota lease...


$19,800

for pics or more info.. k.dahlberg@comast.net
I have 3 cruisers.. and semi retired...this one goes.

I could even drive it to whomever...provided I get a ride /flight back.

I wish it had about 13k less miles, the wife would be all over it...

bk

 

[sleeoffroad]

I wish it had about 13k less miles, the wife would be all over it...

bk

Due to warrantee? FWIW, the Lexus has a longer bumper to bumper & drivetrain warantee. 4yrs/50km miles bumper to bumper, 72 monthts 70k drivetrain.

 

[99Cruiser]

I paid $25,900 in November 2003 for a '99 with 37k miles, with rear air, no rear locker. The cruiser had all maintenance performed at the Toyota dealer. I also had an option to buy a 2000 with 32k miles for 28,500 instead of my '99.

 

[ace10]

I have a 99 with 73k.. one owner off Toyota lease...
Loaded
Rear locking diff
Sunroof
Heated seats
rear air
leather
roof rack
running boards
car fax available
Never seen snow.. from Palm Springs .. Located in Utah now.


$19,800

for pics or more info.. k.dahlberg@comast.net
I have 3 cruisers.. and semi retired...this one goes.

I could even drive it to whomever...provided I get a ride /flight back.

somebody better buy this rig. he's priced is very fairly and i would hate to have to add another lc/lx to our family.

 

[88CltLC]

Thanks for all the input! Sorry to take so long to get back, had to go out of town for business at the last second.

What I am seeing is that the deal is good, but by no means the greatest ever. Since I posted this questioned, I've received return calls from ever person I've talked to about their LC and all are dropping their prices. My assumption is that +$2/gas is slowing sales dramatically. So, I will probably wait a little while longer before committing, but again, appreciate the advice!

Andrew

 

[Pitbull]

I paid $25,900 in November 2003 for a '99 with 37k miles, with rear air, no rear locker. The cruiser had all maintenance performed at the Toyota dealer. I also had an option to buy a 2000 with 32k miles for 28,500 instead of my '99.

WOW both great deals, that is what I was looking for 6 months ago when I ended up buying my 04 4runner SE V8. I love the 4th generation 4runner but I would of jumped all over that 2000 with 32K miles for $28,500 that you didn't buy. Oh well maybe next time around.