Potential New LC 100 Owner

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OTSWolf

Joined
Apr 28, 2016
Threads
15
Messages
84
Location
Southern California
Hello Everyone,

I have been "lurking" on this forum for a few months. I wanted to introduce myself and hopefully become a true LC owner in the very near future. I have narrowed down my choice to either a LX470 or LC 100 series from 2002+. I like that the 2002+ center console is more modern from the 1998 to 2000, plus it keeps most of the mechanics the same, except I think the ATRAC is available on the 2000+ models. Anyways, that is my choice, a 2002+ 100 series.

It will not be a daily driver (I have a 2016 Volt for that and my wife has a 2014 Fusion Hybrid), but it will be used for carrying the family around when we are all together. Going on weekend trips, sports games, and going slightly off-road to get to better hiking trails and campgrounds. So, it won't be pushed, but will be used.

I have read a considerable amount on this forum about the importance of maintenance records when buying a used LC. I have my eye on a used 2002 LC in Southern California, with 158K. It has had the timing belt, water pump, shocks, tires, and all fluids and filters replaced about 1000 miles ago. The person is the second owner and the first owner used it as a daily driver and did not off-road the vehicle. The interior is used, but not torn, the body is straight with a small door ding on the front fender and paint peeling on the rear corner bumper. It seems to me like the current owner has brought it up to its current maintenance requirements, but I have a couple of questions:

1) How concerned should I be with the lack of records from the first owner given its current status?

2) Will its current status and continued routine maintenance negate anything that the first owner didn't do for it?

3) Besides the used LC buying tips I have seen here and on Slee, is there anything else I should be thinking about?

Thanks all!
 
It has had the timing belt, water pump, shocks, tires, and all fluids and filters replaced about 1000 miles ago.

Any idea why suddenly this person wants to sell after spending all of these cash into the vehicle about 1000 miles ago? I am just wondering...
 
It doesn't sound too out of line, I would think it is a plus that they previous owner had the work done, how much time since that work? A couple months maybe, people often change their mind and decide to go another direction, just make sure that there isn't something else that is needing work.
 
Thanks Scott.

The work was done a couple of months ago, but they didn't care to clean up the inside. It is pretty well worn.

Most mechanical work, even head gasket work, I can take care of. I have rebuilt a few engines and done a few timing belts and water pumps in my younger days. Unfortunately, most of that work was on older Celicas, Miatas, and a bare bones Toyota pickup. I know it is a Toyota, but are these engines fairly straightforward to work on? By biggest concern is the 4x4. Can I simply put it into Lo and driving it to see if it is working ok?
 
bctlex said:
It has had the timing belt, water pump, shocks, tires, and all fluids and filters replaced about 1000 miles ago.

Any idea why suddenly this person wants to sell after spending all of these cash into the vehicle about 1000 miles ago? I am just wondering...
Click to expand...

You know, I was wondering the same thing and I asked him. The current owner is a young kid. He wanted to fix it all up, and "fix it up really cool" but did not realize how much money and time it was going to take to get it up to where it should have been before he bought it. So, he said he got tired of spending money on it and it not being able to put money into it being "nice." So, he bought a new truck. Not sure how believable that is, but considering the location of the vehicle and where the guy lives, I am thinking he has little patience and money to burn.
 
OTSWolf said:
You know, I was wondering the same thing and I asked him. The current owner is a young kid. He wanted to fix it all up, and "fix it up really cool" but did not realize how much money and time it was going to take to get it up to where it should have been before he bought it. So, he said he got tired of spending money on it and it not being able to put money into it being "nice." So, he bought a new truck. Not sure how believable that is, but considering the location of the vehicle and where the guy lives, I am thinking he has little patience and money to burn.
Click to expand...

If thats the case, it is a pretty great deal in my book. Timing belt, water pump, shocks, tires, and all fluids and filters - it is about $1500-$2500 depending the type of tires, shocks, who is doing the labor etc.
 
DomSmith said:
Did you get any early service records from the VIN on the Toyota site?
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This needs to be repeated, if you go to the Toyota owner's website you can create a profile with the VIN which give you access to any service records done at a Toyota or Lexus dealer.
 
aging fleet said:
This needs to be repeated, if you go to the Toyota owner's website you can create a profile with the VIN which give you access to any service records done at a Toyota or Lexus dealer.
Click to expand...

I created an account and checked it out, and it looks like the regular maintenance was done at the Toyota dealership until the lease was up, which was at about 62K miles. After that, regular maintenance at Toyota dealership until about 90K. Then, nothing for a while at the Toyota dealership, but then it picked up with the current owner. There is a gap in the official records, but the current owner has records for the work that was done and when. And Carfax is clean.

I think I am going to take a chance on this one. It is an LC, they are reliable, and it seems to be a fair price. Any other work besides painting, A/C, and major electrical, I can take care of.

I will let you all know how it turns out.
 
OTSWolf, this is full time 4wd so no need to put into low to test that out, you still may want to find some dirt or gravel and try 4-lo and center diff lock before purchasing
 
Make sure you get a master key as well. If you have a good scanner take it with you and see if there are any codes stored. I believe a C1256 is a brake system accumulator/abs that is costly.
 
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