It sounds like the maintenance on the 00 LX is super. If he gets the seat fixed, it is worth another look. I have seen CPO LX's that had "fixed" leather places - varied on the quality of the fix. However, the seat at the seam is a high pressure area. It will be interesting to see how they fix it.
Opinion of this LX for purchase
- Thread starter tfrain
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- #22
yeah, I'm wondering just exactly how it would be fixed without looking goofy, and I'm wondering if you fix it without it looking goofy how long it would last.
Have I mentioned how frustrating it is trying to find one of these trucks, whether LC or LX? I'm about ready to quit and wait a month. Since gas has gone done I think folks are either deciding to keep, or deciding they want $2000 more. I've always been able to find clean, original owner cars that were in great condition, but this is just tough! The interiors for some reason don't seem to hold up real well, or are the ones I am seeing just well worn or something. What should I expect from the interior on a 5 or 6 year old LC/LX
Have I mentioned how frustrating it is trying to find one of these trucks, whether LC or LX? I'm about ready to quit and wait a month. Since gas has gone done I think folks are either deciding to keep, or deciding they want $2000 more. I've always been able to find clean, original owner cars that were in great condition, but this is just tough! The interiors for some reason don't seem to hold up real well, or are the ones I am seeing just well worn or something. What should I expect from the interior on a 5 or 6 year old LC/LX
All depends on the PO's care. I know one guy w/ a '01 who has done nothing in terms of leather care. He tells me the leather on his door is as hard as cardboard. Also, it depends if it was garaged or parked in the sun...huge difference (at least here in AZ). The sun will kill any interior material. OTOH, if the PO used leatherique every few months and garaged it, the leather will probably be almost like new. My 3 yr old interior shows minor signs of wear (a few nicks in the plastic around the keyhole), but the leather is clean. I find I have to use the leatherique every few months to maintain maximum softness due to the extremely low humidity. I have the lexus leather cleaner/conditioner, but it's cheap in comparison (it's better than auto shop products), but not as good as the leatherique. I think it was $10 for both cleaner and conditioner; I keep them in the first aid kit cubby in case there's a spill during a road trip.
From what I can see, the leather looks good for 6 years old and 100K miles (except the separation, of course). The front seats in my '98 are horrible at 215K miles but I used cheap conditioner only about once a year and jumped in there innumerable times over the years with wet, muddy, sandy, sweaty, bloody clothes, dogs, spilled beverages of all types, sticks, stones, fish, tools, guns, etc., etc., etc.............
What if you called your local lex dealer and asked them how much it would cost to replace that one seat cover? I'm guessing $1K installed? If this is the case, I'd just eat the cost of replacing the leather myself rather than lose a potential deal on an otherwise good vehicle; at least you can be confident the rig is sound based on the maintenance records and the way the owner has maintained the interior. It's better than having a rig w/ good leather and little engine maintenance!
The other alternative is, at least in Japan, you can buy leather seat covers for LC's in OEM colors that came w/ cloth seats. They typically run about $1K per set. OTOH, they have slightly different front seats there (no armrest, wider center console w/ optional built-in fridge).
The other alternative is, at least in Japan, you can buy leather seat covers for LC's in OEM colors that came w/ cloth seats. They typically run about $1K per set. OTOH, they have slightly different front seats there (no armrest, wider center console w/ optional built-in fridge).
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- #27
I looked at an 00 Cruiser that was in GREAT shape, but the guy wouldn't budge on price. The leather was good, except for the seat bottom bolsters near the console. (The part of the seat beside your butt - between the tear in the pic above and the console) - this area of the seat was hard and "cardboard like" - I guess this indicates the owner didn't to anything to the seats. I could tell it wouldn't take much force to crack them. Kinda sucked.
This is the one near me? I'll call him today, I should have a light day at work.
pm'ed you