Need someone to check a 1999 100 series for me in Ventura CA

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Dec 1, 2010
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I found what I think is a good deal. 1999 LC with 81K on it: http://www.carsforsale.com/used-cars-for-sale/1999-toyota-landcruiser-ventura-ca-226441137

If you have time, check the photos in the ad (there are a lot, i know) and let me know if anything looks unusual.

Also, I would be willing to pay someone to go there and take the car for a test ride. I'll arrange it with the broker. Let me know. I'm in Boston and don't want to take the chance on heading out there if something is up with the car.

Appreciate it!

Joe
 
Not to pick it apart but just making observations is good for the potential buyer.
Looks like it may have over spray on the frame rails and the bolts in the wheel well appears to be painted.
No netting on the back of the front seat, the sun roof head liner looks a bit dirty. It does have low mileage..
Can you run a carfax on it?
 
Has an auto check. Shows no issues 3 owners. Most mileage readings came from north Hollywood and L.A. third owner took to PETOSKEY, MI. For 2 years then sold it. Car was purchased at auction.

Please pick away - that's why I posted it.

What do you suppose the overspray and seat netting are due to? I've not seen that type of sun damage in these cars before.

Thanks everyone.
 
The netting could have been stretched so much they just took it off.
It looks like over spray to me but hard to tell by the pics. I checked my bolts in the same location and they are not painted. Maybe its just me but the front bumper looks odd, I thought most are not the same color as the body. I know mine was a darker color than the body. Mine is a 7/98

The seats look like they are in good shape. Some one really needs to put some eye balls on it.
Picture can be deceiving.
 
I'm debating between pre purchase inspection at dealer vs. a local guy who sounds like he knows his stuff. Dealer says he can do a glycol check on the tranny. Not sure what that would show.
 
Looks like it's been repainted. The bumpers and trim along the side don't match the paint like that from the factory. There's also the black plastic trim piece that sits on top of the rear bumper that's been painted, which isn't normal.

Then there's the damage to the trim pieces and center console inside......

If the dealer said he can do a "glycol check" on the tranny he doesn't know what he's talking about and shouldn't be selling cars.

For that kind of money, you might want to continue shopping.
 
It has, certainly, been painted. Front seats have been recovered. That may or may not be an issue to you, but that is a good bit of money for a lot of mystery. Get it checked out by a professional. We all have good intentions on the web when we offer to help, but spend the money to have it checked out. There are better deals with less mystery if you are patient. Auto check and car fax don't catch everything. They only catch what gets reported.
 
By the way, you are in boston. This lc is in Cali. Surely, you can find one some where in between. Cars with age need to be understood before purchased. Very few people would buy this sight seen. This could end up being very expensive for you in the long run.
 
Looking for a rust free AZ or CA LC. It will have to be a long distance purchase. I'm going to have it checked out next week. Paint and new seats are not a deal killer given this mileage.
 
No service records from Toyota from before 52K ...i.e., Toyota online shows it never saw a dealer during that time, or just maybe the online records are incomplete. Take the vin to a local Toyota dealer and ask them to print a service history...service history will also show recommended maintenance that the owner(s) declined.
 
AZ & CA are not the only states with cars that have little rust issues. New paint is not the worry, why it was a total repaint with "only" 80k is what should be of concern. Why new seats with 80k? I have a LC with 80k on it. There is no need for paint or seats. Mileage is not the only factor when purchasing any vehicle.

Take the price, factor in travel, shipping, inspection and baselining and you have an expensive 15 year old LC with a lot of mystery.

Do what you want, but you asked for advice. Some of us know a lot about land cruisers and automobiles in general. None of really care what you do, we are just trying to help.

There is probably a '79 Lincoln town car with 15k miles at the bottom of the harbor. Will you buy it from me for top dollar if I get maaco to respray it for $299 and I recover the seats? Car fax and auto check are good....
 
I'm in AZ, and pretty experienced at LC's I thought. I've had several '40's, a 60 for 10 years and a '62. My 80 has 304,xxx miles with lots of stuff done by me. Anyway, last spring bought a nice looking 100 w/134xxx miles at the local dealership here in Tempe. It had new Michilins, very nice interior (probably new-should have been an alarm), no cosmetic issues, blah, blah, blah. Drove it back to Mass. later in the spring (we're snowbirds here) with no issues. On the way back last fall the master cylinder went bad after!! I'd twice bled the brakes (lots of gunk) coat $3600 and 2 days in Ohio, had two axles replaced in the front $1800, and just had the timing belt (waterpump, etc.) repaired ($1800). Sooo, lesson is: no matter how smart you think you are HAVE IT CHECKED OUT!!!. Be careful. Love the truck (luckily) but we're waiting for the next show to fall. Meanwhile the 80 isn't for sale. Recommendation: don't buy the truck in California, get something nearby.
Ned
 
I'm close enough to go check this out just for curiosity but I'm not an expert, and I'd be hesitant to buy this cruiser across the country or across town. This mix of worn out and brand new makes me wonder what I can't see that's still worn out. I have no experience with this dealer but I've driven by about once a month for years. It's small (20-30 cars max out on lot) and often has at least 1-2 older 4x4 that look freshly painted. I've even seen 40's and 60's in the past but not many original looking. It's probably their niche to fix up and sell.


...via IH8MUD app
 
I'm in AZ, and pretty experienced at LC's I thought. I've had several '40's, a 60 for 10 years and a '62. My 80 has 304,xxx miles with lots of stuff done by me. Anyway, last spring bought a nice looking 100 w/134xxx miles at the local dealership here in Tempe. It had new Michilins, very nice interior (probably new-should have been an alarm), no cosmetic issues, blah, blah, blah. Drove it back to Mass. later in the spring (we're snowbirds here) with no issues. On the way back last fall the master cylinder went bad after!! I'd twice bled the brakes (lots of gunk) coat $3600 and 2 days in Ohio, had two axles replaced in the front $1800, and just had the timing belt (waterpump, etc.) repaired ($1800). Sooo, lesson is: no matter how smart you think you are HAVE IT CHECKED OUT!!!. Be careful. Love the truck (luckily) but we're waiting for the next show to fall. Meanwhile the 80 isn't for sale. Recommendation: don't buy the truck in California, get something nearby.
Ned
Dang, sounds like someone put you over a barrel with those prices.
 
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