I've had suburbans and tahoes in the past, but I've been looking to get a 200 series. Preferably, I'd like to find something within 4/5 years old. Are there any issues I should keep an eye out for or any options I should have? This will be a family car/daily driver. We do quite a few trips and I'm just looking to branch out from my past GM SUVs.
New to LCs. Anything to look for when searching for a used 200?
- Thread starter brasskey
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Markuson
SILVER Star
My opinion... Look for low miles rather than a particular age.
If not too far... Try looking in Southern California (or somewhere far from salted winter streets which can mean serious rust), as there are tons of LCs only used for the mall...no rust (no salt on roads) and super clean.
I just bought my 2008 200 series earlier this year in the LA area... and despite being 7 years old...it had only 48k miles on it and is literally perfect in terms of body, interior and maint.
If not too far... Try looking in Southern California (or somewhere far from salted winter streets which can mean serious rust), as there are tons of LCs only used for the mall...no rust (no salt on roads) and super clean.
I just bought my 2008 200 series earlier this year in the LA area... and despite being 7 years old...it had only 48k miles on it and is literally perfect in terms of body, interior and maint.
Over 10 years I had 3 company-supplied 'Burbs...you will definitely see a difference v. a 200 series. Once you find a few, go to the owner's part of toyota.com, input the VIN, and you'll get a history of any and all work done at a Toyota dealer since the truck was delivered. You'll also see any services recommended but declined by prior owner(s).
Steve
Steve
- Thread starter
- #5
Thank you for the suggestions. I'm in CO, so I would assume some might have some rust issues with the winter salt.
Difference as in good? Thank you for the suggestion on VIN info.
Markuson
SILVER Star
Yes. Definitely a GOOD difference.
Land Cruisers are frankly in a league of their own...with a price (new) to match. I think buying lightly used is the way to go unless you have money to burn.
Depending upon how you want to use the truck, you may want to consider the LX, if you are NOT looking to add aftermarket modifications. It has some really nice features and rides like a dream!
I drove about 50K a year.
That's a set of intake manifold gaskets (known issue at the time). I'd expect a 4L60E tranny every 100K. 4wd switch panels were good for 20-30K.
A potentiometer at the bottom of the steering column, which iirc controlled variable ratio power steering, would give you full boost at 75 on the freeway and/or no boost when parking.
General issues with Dex Cool POS coolant.I bought
's '01 LX in 2009 with ~80K. The truck now has almost 180K. Only unscheduled maintenance was a blown low-beam bulb which I fixed by adding HID's...best $$ spent so far.I've had my '13 Cruiser now for 4 months. No surprises with her either.
I'd say what you're looking for may be a 2010 or (if you can swing it) a 2013 as "sweet spots". Patience and ready cash and/or a commitment for funding are required...don't be afraid to fly-in and drive-out if you find a goody...Our LX was 400 miles away, and the Cruiser around 500 miles.
There are enough knowledgeable buyers ready to hop on a good truck, and the good ones tend to sell quickly.
Happy New Year.
Steve
I ended up in a new Tundra crew max 4wd Limited as I could not find a LC that I could live with within 500 miles of home. If you have a week of vacation I would go to Texas or So Cal and look at everyone I could find, and buy the best one! Drive home.
- Thread starter
- #10
I drove about 50K a year.
That's a set of intake manifold gaskets (known issue at the time). I'd expect a 4L60E tranny every 100K. 4wd switch panels were good for 20-30K.
A potentiometer at the bottom of the steering column, which iirc controlled variable ratio power steering, would give you full boost at 75 on the freeway and/or no boost when parking.
I bought
I've had my '13 Cruiser now for 4 months. No surprises with her either.
I'd say what you're looking for may be a 2010 or (if you can swing it) a 2013 as "sweet spots". Patience and ready cash and/or a commitment for funding are required...don't be afraid to fly-in and drive-out if you find a goody...Our LX was 400 miles away, and the Cruiser around 500 miles.
There are enough knowledgeable buyers ready to hop on a good truck, and the good ones tend to sell quickly.
Happy New Year.
Steve
Thanks again. I know the 4L60E routine. I replaced mine at about 110K. I'll be patient and see if I can find a 200.
MScruiser
obsessive-compulsive oppositional-defiant wise-ass
Be patient; you can find what you are looking for. As others have said, be prepared to fly in and drive out. I did so when getting my cruiser from Ft. Collins, CO to Jackson, MS.
I have lived in the Denver area my entire life. Never had an issue with Salt. They don't use salt on the roads here, mag chloride which doesn't cause damage.
Markuson
SILVER Star
Hmmm...
Here's a quote that seems to disagree to the point of saying it's actually worse than salt.
"In most states, brine is a mix of rock salt (sodium chloride) and magnesium chloride, dissolved in water so they can be sprayed on the road. “That’s a very important point, because magnesium chloride is much more corrosive than sodium chloride, the rock salt,” said Bob Baboian, an auto industry consultant and a fellow at the National Association of Corrosion Engineers."
(Link to above:
Worse than salt, brine sprayed on roads will munch your car to pieces )
I do not mean to argue... I post it because I don't know...and so I got online to read about it. ?? I dunno... I'm thinking about it in part because I don't have to where I live...but love traveling through snow in my Cruiser...and want to know what I might hit in other areas of the country.
Anyone have a thought on the above?
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All I know is I have lived here all my life and never had an issue. We always worry about buying a vehicle in the Midwest, not Colorado
