Purchase Advice

I have an opportunity to pick up a 2000 LX470 here in NZ. 194K miles. No rust, from pics looks in good shape, exterior and interior. Will go have a good inspection in person if I decide to progress. It just a bit of a distance so don't to waste my time.
Seller claims they had the timing belt and water pump replaced not long ago but have no receipts or way to verify. Says they did it in their shop. All a bit vague. Appears AHC and all electrics work.
Its $16K NZD ($9,800 USD). I have attached a few pics. Apparently, the seats are in good shape but have covers to protect them
At that price is it worth the risk regardless? I'm a decent wrencher so can do the timing belt, water pump, etc myself.

Cheers for thoughts

 

[Bisho]

In Texas that would be an average price.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Good deal for Colorado prices, imo.

 

[willyroo]

I'm a decent wrencher so can do the timing belt, water pump, etc myself.

It's a cruiser mate - just a flash one.

Have a drive of the car, test the AHC *, then decide.

* After your test drive, and before you switch off, keep the doors shut and press the down button on the AHC. Once it's lowered, grab a torch and a pencil, open the bonnet and try to work out the fluid level in the reservoir (at the back of the engine bay on the passenger side). Mark which line it's on, the reservoir should be reasonably full.
Get back in the car, close doors, and raise through N to H.
Once H, again check the reservoir level, the reservoir should have a lot less in it. If you look carefully, you'll see some gradation marks. The bigger the number from H to L the better - IIRC a fresh AHC system is 14 gradations. 7 is borderline - will need a flush ASAP. Less than 7 - assume some AHC wrenching and hope a flush is all you need. (Even if it's in trouble - a bit over NZ$1k for 4 new globes from Impex will baseline the AHC for you)

To the water pump + timing belt. My gut feel, they're genuine. A dodgy shop would claim "yeah timing belt done bro", not volunteer the water pump as well. Even then, you can do that yourself if further investigation doesn't give you the right answers.

Price seems good, go and have a look. The LX is a hell of a machine, it's a real step up from the already impressive 'Cruiser.

 

[Eliot]

Seems like a good price for US standards. I'd ask for more pictures and service records before traveling. I bought a 245k mile '99 LX with really nothing but oil changes every 5k miles and it is running perfectly at 345k miles (2UZ-FE). Get pictures of the seats uncovered, and the undercarriage to make sure the rust isn't bad.

If you're worried about the timing belt, bring a 10 mm socket/ratchet and you can easily remove the timing belt cover and inspect the belt. Should be pretty obvious if it was done recently.

 

[shtbrwn86]

That's a good price I think and if you can do that job yourself then no big deal, but I would try and use that as leverage to get some money knocked off. If they can't prove it was done, and don't want to talk about it then you should assume it wasn't done until you can look at it physically.

 

[KiwiPike]

Appreciate all the input fellas. I am going to go have a look at her tomorrow and give her a good look over.
Cheers

 

[KiwiPike]

UPDATE:

I went over and checked out the car. Few things have me a little wary. Owner does own a shop. Selling as he brought a Nissan Patrol Rig with solid axle for harder off roading. The patrol is pretty impressive looking, gutless though apparently.

The Good:
Body is in great shape
Runs and shifts smoothly.
No rust (had it up in a bay to have a good look)
No oil leak in top 3/4 of the engine.
Whole underside is dry with exception of noted below.
New brakes and rotors
AHC worked well (although reservior way overfilled- moved about 8 notches HI-LO)
Interiors looks good mostly just cracks in leather
Firm brakes and stops quickly. Not soft at all.
New radio installed (no nav though)
No smoke
No whines or clunks with L or R lock turning
No drive line clunk with shifts

The Bad or Concerning
*Ignition key was broken during attempted theft. I had been replaced but damaged steering wheel height adjustment so does not move. Makes noise like it's trying. I'm 6'6" so need it to be higher than it stick at.

*Says timing belt and water pump changed. Didn't get to remove can cover to inspect. Last a "sticker" saying due at 399,000 KMs. Two weird things that make me things it's not done. Label is bright, bright white and looks brand new. It's 20k into when he says it was done and don't think it should look brand new still. Second never seen one listing when it was due, only what time and what mileage it was completed at. Pretty big flag for me that is has not been done.

*Small leak at gasket of oil pan. Minor and not a huge deal.

*Looks like it had a leak at the CV Boots at one time in the front. Old caked oil splatter. One was fresh but looked like the small clamp had slipped or broken. They have replaced the clamp as of my visit apparently.

*Roof rails and rack has black silicone all over the place and track gasket is not laying flat. Appears sitting very low at the windscreen. I see any water stains, feel dampness in liner or wells, or smell of damp/musty. Not sure how expensive or difficult to replace.

*Filled with neon green coolant and not Toyota Red. Will replace if I decide to get it. Just another flag for me.

*Heater tees still plastic. Typically one of the first things most people know to replace. Another flag about maintenance.

*Someone removed OEM rear muffler and welded in a smaller one so it is crazy loud. So incredibly loud with start and acceleration. You can hear the V8, but WAY to loud to actually drive. I like minimal noise. kind why I am looking at 470 vs 100s. Said he will put. A quieter one on for me.

*Don't like the rims and the look they give at all but thats just asthetics and personal preference.

*ODB connection was different that what to had seen and unable to scan the truck.

Honestly I am on the fence. It is $10k cheaper than anything else on the market but mileage is higher than those but not $10k value higher.
Another flag that makes me nervous eve with actually seeing the built patrol sitting in the bay also. Who does all that "supposed" work and doesn't keep receipts for parts even if you have your guys install it?

I figure I will have to do the following just to have some piece of mind and figure out the cost to do so over here.

Timing belt
Water pump
Coolant flush/replacement
Thermostat
Front and rear diff oil
Replace and repair ignition and steering wheel adjustment
Roof rails and rack replacement

Current asking price $16000 NZD ($9800usd), 194k miles (313k KMs).

Would love some thoughts and feedback from the members.

 

[supercoupe91]

how many owners?

From across the globe, i personally would not buy it. Not because its surely a bad deal, but because would rather find a better cruiser. or, id save more and go to a higher price point.

do you have more pics? Check the AHC? front seats are like back in wear?

Seller owns a shop, but doesnt care/notice his oil pan is leaking? You should buy it and love it and get it out of this guys hands.

(edit, my bad, sorry for reviving old post)