Hey all, I just joined and this is my first post but I've been crawling around this site for quite some time doing research. I am looking at older large SUVs for <$10k, for reference.
I have the opportunity to buy a 2000 LX 470 this weekend, 113k miles, single owner no accidents, 90k service done, carfax has all the services since new, done at lexus dealer mostly. It's $8500 and it runs and drives really well. All the electrical stuff/HVAC seems to work well and it's actually got a Kenwood double-DIN aftermarket headunit in it, which saves me the nightmare of converting it later.
It's pretty much impossible to find an LX or LC from 2000-2005 with actual service records and "low" miles for less than like $15k it seems.
The only thing that has me a little spooked is that there's generally rust pretty much all over the underside of it. I haven't read any LX/LC horror threads online like with the Tacomas that break in half, but I didn't want to assume anything.
It's an NC car but it lived in the mountains. I live in central NC where nothing really rusts. I don't see any actual frame pieces that are rusted through, but it is liberally coated in rust underneath the vehicle and there is a paper thin area that "flaked" off around where one of the rear suspension pieces attaches. There is what looks like a skid plate over the gas tank that has rusted through in one corner, hole is maybe the size of my fist. Is this a structural component or nonessential?
If you step on the rear part of the running boards, they flex down quite a bit because the rearmost support member at the rear has rust on it and is compromised. The middle/front of the running board is strong. I don't care about keeping the running boards but I'm just pointing out the spots. Body looks to be rust free, I don't see anything on the tailgate or anything. At the very edge of the bottom of the bumper, down where the trailer hitch is, I do see some rust at the edge bumper plastic. The body is really super clean. I noted on the carfax that brake lines have been replaced. I am aware of the rear AC line possibilities.
Ideally this will be a daily driver, I put about 12k miles a year on my car. Realistically I doubt I'll take it off road much if ever. I expect to own it 5-7 years.
So, is this vehicle an absolute run-away-from-it scenario at any price? Is this a livable situation if I live in a rust-free area? Will it continue to rust through and I'm totally screwed no matter what?
I have the opportunity to buy a 2000 LX 470 this weekend, 113k miles, single owner no accidents, 90k service done, carfax has all the services since new, done at lexus dealer mostly. It's $8500 and it runs and drives really well. All the electrical stuff/HVAC seems to work well and it's actually got a Kenwood double-DIN aftermarket headunit in it, which saves me the nightmare of converting it later.
It's pretty much impossible to find an LX or LC from 2000-2005 with actual service records and "low" miles for less than like $15k it seems.
The only thing that has me a little spooked is that there's generally rust pretty much all over the underside of it. I haven't read any LX/LC horror threads online like with the Tacomas that break in half, but I didn't want to assume anything.
It's an NC car but it lived in the mountains. I live in central NC where nothing really rusts. I don't see any actual frame pieces that are rusted through, but it is liberally coated in rust underneath the vehicle and there is a paper thin area that "flaked" off around where one of the rear suspension pieces attaches. There is what looks like a skid plate over the gas tank that has rusted through in one corner, hole is maybe the size of my fist. Is this a structural component or nonessential?
If you step on the rear part of the running boards, they flex down quite a bit because the rearmost support member at the rear has rust on it and is compromised. The middle/front of the running board is strong. I don't care about keeping the running boards but I'm just pointing out the spots. Body looks to be rust free, I don't see anything on the tailgate or anything. At the very edge of the bottom of the bumper, down where the trailer hitch is, I do see some rust at the edge bumper plastic. The body is really super clean. I noted on the carfax that brake lines have been replaced. I am aware of the rear AC line possibilities.
Ideally this will be a daily driver, I put about 12k miles a year on my car. Realistically I doubt I'll take it off road much if ever. I expect to own it 5-7 years.
So, is this vehicle an absolute run-away-from-it scenario at any price? Is this a livable situation if I live in a rust-free area? Will it continue to rust through and I'm totally screwed no matter what?
