Price Check Please!

[Josh81]

Hello Everyone!
I used to lurk on here back in 07 after buying an FJ Cruiser and now I am back trying to decide on a 2000 LC or 99 LX470.

Story on the LC: Current owner purchased from an auto auction in NJ and the history shows an OH truck. The couple selling it, flips cars as a side business with a dealer license. Its a 2000 with leather and around 150k miles. It needs new front brakes and rotors and the sunroof does NOT open. They say the timing belt was replaced at 120k miles and the other belts at 91k miles per the stickers. They said it has some RUST in the undercarriage but its not too bad. They are asking $8,000 and have reduced the price from $9,000.

Story on the 99 LX 470: One owner family, mom drove it daily and then daughter went to college and drove it and now has returned home, parents don't need an extra SUV that drinks gas. It has a some front damage and the turn signal needs to be replaced along with the lower trim piece. It has 230,000 miles and owner says he has always completed any and all maintenance whenever required since his family was driving it. They are asking $7,500.

I really like the look of the LX's interior but I am afraid of maintenance and future cost if the AHC goes out. I don't have the extra money to pay for new suspension systems.

I am leaning towards the LC because of the lower miles and simpler suspension set up. But the fact that its a flip with limited records and some rust makes me hesitate.

If anybody has a carfax membership, i would greatly appreciate it! I have not looked at either in person yet.

This will be a daily driver with a short commute and a family camping vehicle with some trails.

I would greatly appreciate any advice, the prices seemed good to me but KBB and Edmunds are really far apart.

BIG THANK YOU!!!

 

[Cfbrenton1]

Those are both good deals. I would first check the carfaxs. One some sites you can get a carfax on another car for free and then in the URL you can switch that vin for your vin. Shhhhhh.

Check the a/c lines on both of these, since that is a really expensive repair and the rear lines often corrode because they run under the car.

It's hard to give a full opinion without more info. If you buy one, I would change out all the fluids.

You can tell how the AHC is working by seeing how many marks the fluid moves from high to low. Anything below eight marks is a problem.

 

[Cfbrenton1]

I didn't see the part about the sunroof. What is making it not work? Ask for a picture of front windshield with the Toyota logo showing. Maybe it was in an accident, which bent things up, keeping the sunroof from opening.

With the given info, I like the LX better.

 

[Josh81]

I didn't see the part about the sunroof. What is making it not work? Ask for a picture of front windshield with the Toyota logo showing. Maybe it was in an accident, which bent things up, keeping the sunroof from opening.

With the given info, I like the LX better.

She said the sunroof motor was making noise but not moving. it does not leak so I could always replace later. Since its from OH, i figured the track dried up due to lack of use, but I am not familiar with the mechanics.

I really appreciate the response, its a huge investment and I can't afford a mistake.

 

[Junglejack]

It really comes down to whether you want to jump in at the lowest end and recondition it or spend more to get a better preserved one. Personally, rust concerns me far more than mileage does. Once the cancer has spread to the frame rails, unless living in the SW sans rust conditions, it really seems like an exercise in futility to even spend $8000 for a bottom barrel 100.

 

[serenity]

I work with a guy who flips cars on the side, some of the stories he has told me makes me wary of buying anything from a flipper. He would have bought that cruiser for much less than he is asking which means you need to ask yourself why it was so cheap for him. A cheap cruiser is not a good investment, been there done that (blown head gasket).

 

[sonofshin]

And at 230k that ahc is on its last legs more than likely.

 

[oysterhead43]

Check the a/c lines on both of these, since that is a really expensive repair and the rear lines often corrode because they run under the car.

Can anyone direct me to information how to check the AC lines? Thanks.

 

[oysterhead43]

Oh, and here's the rust under the 2000.

Opinions?

 

[Josh81]

Oh, and here's the rust under the 2000.

Opinions?

thanks for the pics!!! What were your overall impressions of the vehicle, did you drive it recently?

 

[oysterhead43]

I bought the 2000 for $7550.


Yep, there's rust underneath but nothing on the body and nothing that was really disconcerting. Not planning to pass it to my grandchildren or anything. Needs front brakes.


It's a gray 2000 with 151k miles. Solid interior. Such an awesome deal, a little undercarriage rust was not a breaker. I'm really stoked. Drove it 4 hours home from middle of BFE Georgia, back to Nashville, and it performed flawlessly.


I think the only reason it hadn't sold is because it was in the MIDDLE of NOWHERE!