New member checking out a 100 later - advice?

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atomsk

atomsk

10 Year
Joined
Jan 30, 2014
Threads
8
Messages
83
Hey guys!

Thanks in advance for being a wealth of knowledge the last few months. This forum is a truly helpful community!

My wife and I have been searching for a 100 for a while and I think a bit of patience has paid off. We found a '98 about 30 minutes away that we'll be taking a look at later today. Not a ton of info on it yet but I asked a few questions over the phone and here's what I know.

The car was purchased from the 2nd owner 18 months ago as the current owner had plans to move up north where snow and dirt would be common, but is now residing in SoCal so he's no longer interested in keeping it. It was purchased from San Francisco.

The vehicle has 144k on it. The body is straight with no damage or repairs. Sounds like most of the service is up to date, however timing belt has not been replaced yet so that makes me a bit nervous. Tires are on their way out. Interior has some wear. Driver seat is cracking. Current owner does not tow, but I'm unsure about previous owners.

Asking price is $9500, so despite tires and timing belt needing replaced, I still think it's great price for how clean it looks and gives me the opportunity to put tires of choice on, and get other things taken care of at time of replacing TB, such as water pump.

Here are a few photos:

http://images.craigslist.org/00Z0Z_8CrhHJEJhsq_600x450.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/00g0g_jZW4xUfl6G3_600x450.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/00n0n_cCKc1H2jLfa_600x450.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/00505_7HbdUXSQNVc_600x450.jpg

I've read over Slee's 100 Newbie guide so I have an idea of what to be looking for, but does anyone else have any comments or concerns I should be aware of?

If all looks well, we'll be heading down to the Toyota dealer to have a PPI done and make sure it all looks good.

I'd love to get your opinion on it and any advice you may have. I'll be checking it out at 3pm PST, so hopefully a few guys can chime in before then. I'll let you know how it goes after. :)
 
Ah, good idea! The owner did say he had priced the vehicle accordingly, knowing the TB and tires needed to be replaced. I had meant to ask that question:

Do you think $9500 reflects the worn tires and TB replacement? Or would you expect it to be lower because of that?
 
You're looking at $1000 in tires with an alignment and $1000 in TB / WP. So, you're now at $11,500. What else is available close to you in the $12K range? Might be able to find one for same price with new tires and TB / WP done?
 
Two things I missed when I purchased were.
1) Rear a/c line leaking for a corrosion hole in the classic location. Note: I don't think the 1998 has rear a/c.
2) Bell cranks frozen.
I think it should be $8500. Having said that it's getting harder and harder to find a decent LC, so go with your gut.
 
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Dealer can print you a history of all services done at Toyota dealers since new. It will also show any required services that the owner(s) declined.
 
Most 100's in my area with that mileage are going for another $3000-$4000. Granted they are usually a few years newer, but most don't look as clean either.

We were ready to spend about $15k. More if the right one popped up. $11.5k for 144k with new tb/wp and BFG a/t's is a lot better than my other options available right now. I'd still love to try and get it for $8.5k.
 
Tires needing replaced are not a big deal since most people want to change them to their preference anyways. Timing belt is the more expensive and better piece to negotiate on, but quite honestly it seems they've already priced that in. I think $9500 as is would be a good price, and if you can get it down a couple hundred more great. I wouldn't walk away from it over a grand or less though - you're not looking a car lot of new Camrys to pick from. Nice ones in decent shape at a good price are not easy to come by as you probably know if you've been looking.
 
Any vehicle of that age, even a TLC will have to have $ put into it at some point, but knowing that you will need to do tires and T-belt right now, I would expect to pay less that $9500. However, clean and taken care of 100's of that age are only going to get harder to find, so if its worth it to you, go for it.


...via IH8MUD app
 
If you haven't done the PPI yet, get the dealership to do a compression test on the engine. If that's good the engine will last a long time. If you're really anal, have them pull the oil filter and check for metal.
 
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