Reasonable Offer For 2003 Cruiser?

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AvCruiser

AvCruiser

10 Year
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Threads
13
Messages
42
Location
Richmond, VA
All,

I'm in the process of locking down a pre-buy inspection on the 2003 Cruiser linked below. If it checks out, I'll probably make an offer, however, thought I might request some input from you crafty veterans before doing so, as this will be my first cruiser, and for that matter, my first car purchase. The carfax shows 2 owners and no damage, but doesn't provide much in the way of maint. history, and specifically doesn't indicate that the timing belt has been replaced. Assuming it hasn't been done, how much should this affect a potential offer? I live in Richmond, VA and would need to take to a mechanic to have this done, so I'm just looking for a ballpark figure. Otherwise, it seems to me that the asking price seems comparatively fair. My hope is that this isn't a red flag. Any thoughts/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

2003 Toyota Land Cruiser 4dr 4WD 3rd Row Nav - Inventory | East Dallas Diesel | Auto dealership in Ft. Worth, Texas
 
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Looks like a solid deal unless the mechanical inspection turns up anything.... My question though is
How can I get rid of my gawd awful tape deck??????
 
I bought mine with no timing belt, water pump etc... records. I was able to knock $1000 off. Actual cost of timing belt, water pump, and i did the thermostat at the same time was $1300. Hope this helps. Look for a sticker on the hood, engine, somewhere that might indicate the timing belt was changed.

That tape deck needs to go.
 
I think this exact truck was referenced recently. I'd look for it to see why they may have passed on it. From the ad, it looks like a good deal.
 
Thanks, folks. I'll see what the inspection turns up -- hopefully nothing. And I actually posted something yesterday about this rig, Camino, which may be the source of your recollection. Glad I wont have to deal with the tape deck. If it this Cruiser ends up being "the one," I'll likely replace timing belt, water pump and thermostat upon delivery. I'll also have to arrange shipping of some sort, which might give me a little more room in terms of negotiation. We shall see how it plays out, I'm waiting for at least a few hitches to arise.
 
His starting price is pretty good, but I had a major problem paying excellent KBB for a car that has obvious faults that make it average. However, slightly over KBB for Excellent was the best I can do. Everyone wanted $1k over saying how they heard how rare these are. Perhaps you can get this dealer some.

Be fore warned, I looked at one at a dealer with zero record of timing belt changed and all the dealer could say there is no way to know. Claiming burden of proof is on the seller. If there is no sticker or record the only way to know is to open her up and no way would they allow that.
 
Below is an estimate that McGeorge Toyota in Richmond, VA put together a few years ago for my 98 with 199K. I didn't have them do the work, but the list does match up to the maintenance schedule and prices seemed comparable to others I've seen. From the carfax on the dealer's site, it looks like yours hasn't had much done other than oil changes and would probably need a similar going-through.

I'd tell the dealer that the timing belt is 60K overdue and maintenance has been neglected for the past 110K... so he can either come down on price or get her caught up on maintenance at the dealer and you'll pay the $13K.

I don't smell any red flags. She hasn't been babied, but these trucks are tanks.

Nice truck. Hope to see you cruisin' around RVA.

image.webp
 
labcab said:
Below is an estimate that McGeorge Toyota in Richmond, VA put together a few years ago for my 98 with 199K. I didn't have them do the work, but the list does match up to the maintenance schedule and prices seemed comparable to others I've seen. From the carfax on the dealer's site, it looks like yours hasn't had much done other than oil changes and would probably need a similar going-through.

I'd tell the dealer that the timing belt is 60K overdue and maintenance has been neglected for the past 110K... so he can either come down on price or get her caught up on maintenance at the dealer and you'll pay the $13K.

I don't smell any red flags. She hasn't been babied, but these trucks are tanks.

Nice truck. Hope to see you cruisin' around RVA.

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Great information and advice, thanks for the input and the effort. I suppose its possible that owner 2 performed his own maintenance, but the fact that he had work done at a pop-up, quick lube shop would indicate that he's not the type to undertake his own maintenance. Also, I suppose they could make the argument that work could have been done on the car and not been reported, although I'm not sure what the reporting reqs. are -- if they exist at all. Nonetheless, good amo. for negotiation. Thanks again, I'm hoping it works out. I'm anxious to get into a cruiser, but certainly wont rush the process on that account.
 
Was it always a Texas truck? What does the underside look like? I see rust in areas I would not expect like the rear license plate bolts and various places in the engine compartment like the radiator support and misc brackets.
 
sdnative said:
Was it always a Texas truck? What does the underside look like? I see rust in areas I would not expect like the rear license plate bolts and various places in the engine compartment like the radiator support and misc brackets.
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I noticed the rust on the plate bolts but not in the engine compartment, certainly concerning. The carfax indicates that its been in TX for its whole life, however, there is a large gap in maintenance history, so its conceivable it traveled out of state for a period of time. I'll be sure to have my mechanic pay special attention. Appreciate the notice.
 
Update: Spoke with Mike Dajdas of Dallas, who many suggested to consult for a pre-buy inspections. He spent 30 minutes on the phone with me regarding this Cruiser, and any other Cruiser I might look at in the future. He found a lot of cause for concern with this truck, and suggested I continue the search. I will certainly do so, and hope to find something in TX that I can send his way. He certainly has a passion for these vehicles and is willing to dedicate his valuable time to making sure that a non-expert, first time buyer such as myself gets into a worthwhile truck. Thanks for the help here, folks, I'll continue the search and report back.
 
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