New Member - Buying Advice for 100 ('99 LX470) (1 Viewer)

[krsabhinav]

Morning all - new member here.

I've been a longtime fan of the LC/LX - my father had a '95 LC that he cruelly sold when I was 15, about 20 years ago. Ever since I've been trying to get my hands on one.

I've been prowling for used LC/LX ranging from '99-'05 (J100). Budget is the main thing - we have about 16K we could spend "now" on acquisition and immediate service. Ongoing spend won't be an issue from about 2025 summer onwards, but until then we're limited.

Difficult to sort through online listings and separate wheat from chaff. Lots of chaff! These classifieds seem trustworthy but don't have much inventory in our budget range.

Found a guy selling a '99 LX. Seems reliable and trustworthy enough (have only spoken by phone, not met in person). He might even be on here! He's certainly more knowledgeable than I am. I have an engineering background and what you might call a "general" mechanical skill/thought process but never specifically applied to cars. I've only done minor work myself - I'm willing to learn, but I'd much rather learn at my leisure and not in a desperate attempt to fix a purchase mistake. I have family who are much more talented at cars than I am but with limited time and geographical ability to help out.

I was wondering if you all might offer some advice on what questions I should ask and if there's anything I've missed in my thought process? Details from the listing as he's presented them below. I'm not on Fbook, so relying on my brother for screenshots.

My Asks:
1) Recs for a good pre-purchase inspection shop in the Fort Worth area? I'm in Houston, vehicle is around DFW, and I would pop up there for the PPI and (hopefully) the sale as a day trip.
2) Does the asking price pass the smell test?
3) At this price, should I try to find a newer (~'05ish) model instead? My gut says "no" but that's not, shall we say, an evidence-based thought I have. I assume a newer model with similar mileage would have fewer helpful mods, but perhaps might offer advantage in other ways I haven't thought of.
4) Any questions I should ask that aren't answered below? Any potential pitfalls I haven't thought of with this vehicle?

Listing Details:
- Forth Worth area '99 LX470
- Seller = Owner #2.
- Owner #1 sounds like family people who kept the vehicle for 19 years and treated it well. No accidents. Need to ask for VIN to run through CarFax/MyLexus/etc
- ~250K miles right now, no longer a daily driver. Asking $14K
- 285/75/16 BFG KO2s including spare - tyres fit the OEM mount
- Remote start with app/gps
- "Addicted" bumper
- Smittybilt XD 9500 lb winch w/synthetic rope
- Roof rack = bowfin cruiser
- "Trail tailor" 1-inch body lift
- "Trail tailor" extended sway bar links
- "Ironman" 2-inch lift with upgraded torsion bars
- SPC upper control arms (ball joints servicable by themselves)
- C.P. Generators 250-amp alternator (2/0 wiring) (done recently, confirmed in text message has dielectric grease ,same with the starter)
- X2 AGM 27f battery
- Removable platform bed in back that stows such that 3rd row seats can still be used
- Recently done heater ts/hoses
- Timing belt, water pumps, cam seals done with OEM parts at 195K
- Redid CV axles with Toyota Reman parts
- 555 front bushings/lower control-arms ball joints
- 555 bushings on both upper and lower control-arms on rear
- OEM fuel filter, ignition coils, spark plugs, starter, rack&pinion/steering shaft
- Ceramic brake pads
- "stop tech" rear brake rotors
- new panhard bar bushings
- delta panhard bar drop
- recent front/rear diff service
- recent transfer-case service
- "pin 7 mod AC high-pressure line"
- U-haul tow hitch (presumably a 2-inch receiver but didn't specify)
- Rust-free frame

Pics coming shortly, and whatever I can find from the VIN.

Cheers all,

--
ab

 

[MongooseGA]

Sounds like the seller is definitely on here. He's got a nice list of good quality upgrades done to it.

99s had the drawback of the older 4 speed transmission and 2 pinion diff. But, the 99 LX also came with a factory LSD, which can likely scratch an itch for a rear locker.

If the chassis is clean of rust, I think the price point is pretty good for all you'd be getting. I didn't notice reference to timing service, but I'd confirm that before moving ahead. Plan on 1500ish for a dealer to do the job if it's not been done in the last 100k.

 

[krsabhinav]

 

[krsabhinav]

View attachment 3757091View attachment 3757092View attachment 3757094

Sounds like the seller is definitely on here. He's got a nice list of good quality upgrades done to it.

99s had the drawback of the older 4 speed transmission and 2 pinion diff. But, the 99 LX also came with a factory LSD, which can likely scratch an itch for a rear locker.

If the chassis is clean of rust, I think the price point is pretty good for all you'd be getting. I didn't notice reference to timing service, but I'd confirm that before moving ahead. Plan on 1500ish for a dealer to do the job if it's not been done in the last 100k.

Timing service done at 195K, with water pump and cam seal. Currently at 250K, so I assume about 45-50K more miles before needs doing again.

Thanks!

 

[MongooseGA]

On paper, it seems like a deal.

 

[krsabhinav]

Thanks kindly. That's my own thought also, but I'm not confident enough in my judgement yet.

I'll try poking around these forums for PPI recs in Fort Worth. Found some names but they seem to be the same shops who did work on this vehicle. I think conflict of interest is low-likelihood but would like to avoid if possible.

Do you (or anyone else reading this) think its advisable to pounce on this vehicle and give up the search for an '05-'07 LX? If budget weren't an issue I'd go for an '05ish model but I'm not seeing any that would be <$16K (with similar mileage) after bare-minimum work gets factored in. Have been looking casually for about 6 months, more intensely these last two months.

 

[Foehammer]

Looks like a pretty nice rig. Most of the potential problems due to age and wear have been done.

 

[krsabhinav]

Thank you!

Following up on the Ft Worth PPI (posting here to keep all in one place): I searched this site, including the Lone Star LC section, and found the following recs. Pasting here with my notes, in rough order of drive time. If anyone has thoughts, would love to hear them.

Lexutech
(817) 877-4357
2720 W 6th St #2209, Fort Worth, TX 76107 - 20-minute drive. seems like a good option. Easy to get on the phone. Don't think they've worked on this vehicle before.

Dajda's Auto Care
(817) 427-4857
8075 Boulevard 26, North Richland Hills, TX 76180 - seems the best option but has worked on this vehicle before, unfamiliar if conflict of interest might be a concern. my gut says it wouldn't be an issue, but don't have facts to back that up. Tough to get on the phone.

Tandem Automotive
(817) 633-3225
1728 Layton Ave Suite e2, Haltom City, TX 76117 - quick drive and seems like they haven't worked on the vehicle before.

Baertrax
(972) 406-9363
2635 Brenner Dr, Dallas, TX 75220 - too far of a drive, might not exist anymore

Goode's Offroad
(469) 556-7752
4940 Gordon Smith, Rowlett, TX - too far of a drive

 

[MongooseGA]

Thanks kindly. That's my own thought also, but I'm not confident enough in my judgement yet.

I'll try poking around these forums for PPI recs in Fort Worth. Found some names but they seem to be the same shops who did work on this vehicle. I think conflict of interest is low-likelihood but would like to avoid if possible.

Do you (or anyone else reading this) think its advisable to pounce on this vehicle and give up the search for an '05-'07 LX? If budget weren't an issue I'd go for an '05ish model but I'm not seeing any that would be <$16K (with similar mileage) after bare-minimum work gets factored in. Have been looking casually for about 6 months, more intensely these last two months.

Me personally, having owned a 99, 00, 01, and now my 05, I really do prefer the 5 speed. But, if the 5 speeds aren't in your budget, I absolutely wouldn't turn down an otherwise great truck because it's a 4 speed. I wouldn't have thought twice about a later model while driving any of my earlier ones.

There is a thread on the front page now about "what's the best year 100?" . I recommend checking that out.

 

[AARONTLC]

I like the "Rust free frame" part for sure!
Lots of money in aftermarket stuff. Be aware that it looks like he was a serious off roader, so some of those quality aftermarket parts may be at the end of their life cycle. Cool Cruiser though!

 

[Bisho]

The biggest drawback to a 98/99 is a lack of ATRAC, especially without a locker. That will become a limitation that can only be fixed with installing lockers (expensive) or in some cases velocity (eventually expensive).

I'm live 30 minutes from Fort Worth, have a lift, and can take a look at it for you. I've done most everything on these. DM me if you'd like the help.

 

[krsabhinav]

Thanks all!

Neglected to mention - use case is as primary vehicle for the family for the next 3-4 years. We do take longer road trips with off-road jaunts about 2-3 times per year (in the U.S).

We've done a lot of 4x4ing using Hiluxes in South Africa/Namibia so we're not total noobs. We didn't recreationally do technical trails, more like using 4x4 as necessary to move from awesome point A to awesome point B. One big motivator for getting this truck is being able to bring that hobby to the U.S. whilst not needing two cars.

Asked the seller some f/u questions about fluids, etc. Will post those answers as I get them.

 

[krsabhinav]

The biggest drawback to a 98/99 is a lack of ATRAC, especially without a locker. That will become a limitation that can only be fixed with installing lockers (expensive) or in some cases velocity (eventually expensive).

I'm live 30 minutes from Fort Worth, have a lift, and can take a look at it for you. I've done most everything on these. DM me if you'd like the help.

Will do!

 

[krsabhinav]

Updates:

Ended up buying at 11K. Met the seller in person, nice straightforward guy.

All of your advice (and this site in general) were very helpful!

Used Tandem offroad for the PPI, who noted that the following would want doing before more offroad (besides minor items like air filter, old tyres, fluids, etc):

• Front upper ball joints (they're servicable by themselves)
• Rear shock bushings
• Brake pads
• Crank seal leak/ oil filter housing leak
• Steering rack leak from somewhere
• T-case front output seal
• Rear pinion bearing/seal

We'll leave the truck at Tandem to knock these items out/hopefully some other preventative items in absentia, I'll be in and out for some months and won't be able to take anything on.

Will keep this post updated as we do more!

Cheers all,

--
Ab

 

[HokieCruiser]

congrats!!! sounds like it worked out!