Newbie looking for purchase opinion

[Yellowdog]

Hello mud members. I have been lurking on the forum and am looking for input on a potential purchase. It's a local cruiser that spent most of its life in Colorado. It has had some work done by Slee and has a spotless rust free under carriage. Flaws that I found include:

Drivers seat leather is smoked

They can't verify when if ever the timing belt has been replaced

The transfer case is wet with oil

The rear hatch lock doesn't work with the remote, power switch or exterior key.

Rear cup holder is broken.

Nav has never been updated

Hood lift pistons are dead

Any advice would be helpful or what you think it's worth

2003 Toyota Land cruiser

 

[sammybones]

Not the worst deal I've seen. I'd say go for it. Cheap and somewhat easy repairs if you do them yourself. Of course, others with way more knowledge than me will chime in.....

 

[RND1]

Have you actually seen under it or is the seller telling you it's a "spotless rust free undercarriage"? Even if it's lived a couple of years up here, there will be some surface rust underneath, but nothing to worry about. Overall looks like a pretty solid buy at $12K especially with the OME suspension. Timing belt / WP is a $1200 - $1500 dealer service so be prepared for that expense (it's almost due for it's 2nd belt) or use it to negotiate. All the other items you mentioned are minor and are things you can fix while getting to know your new rig.

I have an '03 and love it. Good luck - hope it works out for you.

 

[Yellowdog]

I spent 15 minutes under the rig and the under carriage does have minor surface rust in spots. It's just "spotless" for the northeast. Any idea what the issue with the transfer case leak could be coming from? Input/output shaft

 

[TxGuidedExpeditions]

Simply by the ad listing, "said" problems and demographic local pricing. I don't see a fair price, just a get out of it even.

The truck is worth $8k, plus $4k in suspension that equals $12, right? no bargain there? Other concerns, issues, and questions need to be addressed.

I'd offer $9,700, which is 18% less than asking price and fair. The difference towards maintenance, it is going to need it.

Have you seen this one, from the listing and photos, it looks like it survived the "children in back seat era" better. You can have this one, for asking price and then some.

2003 Toyota Land Cruiser

other this one.

2001 Toyota Landcruiser *Very Low Miles*

 

[RND1]

This may give you a starting point for the leak:

OIL LEAK - Transfer Case ???

You could always see if you can get a PPI at Cruiser Solutions, although not exactly close to Amesbury.

 

[jLB]

The truck is worth $8k, plus $4k in suspension that equals $12, right? no bargain there? Other concerns, issues, and questions need to be addressed.

I'd say "$4k in suspension" is awfully generous. By my calculations, I could buy the parts listed at ~$1500-1600 (new).

 

[Yellowdog]

I called Slee they spent $4700 there in 2015 when the truck had about 150k miles. That involved some other work tires front drive components

 

[Evan Kapel]

The description of "spotless, rust free undercarriage" does not match the photos posted, so I would be cautious
about everything else.

 

[Yellowdog]

Made an offer of $9k. Refused. I guess I have to move on.

 

[RND1]

The challenge is finding a nearly rust free example in New England. If this one was any color other than tan and nearly rust free underneath, I'd buy it for my son who will be driving soon. I'd offer their asking price less the cost of doing the timing belt/wp service and fixing the t-case leak.

 

[fooldall1]

Yeah, plan on making a trip down south and driving one back home. Rust is a big problem up there. Just hold out, the right deal is out there. Did you try and have a look in the Mud classifieds?

 

[Yellowdog]

Yeah, plan on making a trip down south and driving one back home. Rust is a big problem up there. Just hold out, the right deal is out there. Did you try and have a look in the Mud classifieds?

Watching like a hawk