Scared of 300k miles?

[knewstance]

I've been reading on mud for a long time now and I've decided that the 100 series is the right LC for me!

I have seen many out there and lots of what I consider good deals on 100 series. I know they are known to be excellent in reliability especially if they are properly maintained.

I occasionally will see a 100 series up for sale with around +/-300k miles on it. Every time I consider it, I tell myself its crazy to buy a vehicle that has been that many miles even if properly maintained. But then the devil's advocate on the other shoulder reminds me how great these vehicles really are.

I guess the question comes again and again: Is it crazy to purchase a 100 series with 300k miles? Can I expect this to be a reliable rig for me?

Note: I know this question is highly dependent upon maintenance history... Let's just make the assumption that the timing belt was changed proper intervals and fluids were changed on time.

 

[ScubaJon]

it all comes down to buying a used out of warranty car is a gamble. With 300K on a car you can bet there are things that need replacing. If you are ok with turning a wrench should be fine. Even with perfect fluid changes and TB and water pump replacement.

You still have a full book of things that may need to be replaced at that mileage. All kinds of bushings gaskets weather seals ect ect ect.

If you don't want to work on it yourself you are looking at a possible huge money pit.

If 300K worries you then you are not going to trust it no matter what kind of maint it has had.

At 300K it better be a 5-7K price tag.

 

[sailor95]

I am getting ready to roll over 347k this week in my 00' LX, yeah i need to do breaks and probably gonna need bearing atleast repacked soon, but she gets me where i need to go, A.C. works, and my 50/50 hwy city mpg is 13.1, i just put gas and change the oil and she keeps on truckin

 

[BullElk]

It’s all in the buy. Depending on condition and previous work, a deal can be had on a 300k mile hundy. I think I stole one for $2800.

 

[Porter]

What @ScubaJon said. I'm rolling 305 k on my '99 purchased back in '04 with 60k. Really, it's not the engine miles, it's the miles and age on everything else. Personally, with all the PM and care I have in mine, wouldn't sell it less than 12 k, but I know it's street value is 5-7 max. Everything works, even the tape deck!

The value is in knowing the status of all the internals, bushings, hoses and fluids have been maintained. Condition of ball joints, control arms, steering rack, radiator, Tbelt, water pump, idlers, alternator, starter, AC blower, CVs, fan clutch etc. etc. If you have no info on details, then it's gonna cost time and money to baseline it, if you care about longer term reliability. I fully expect and am very confident I'll get at least 500k, 10 more years out of mine, but I'm a bit OCD in keeping ahead. That being said, you can do none of this, and the LC will still outperform. Cheers.

 

[2001LC]

I recently bought an 00LX w/347K miles just for fun. It was a no start condition that sat for a while dead in a mountain field, and then got a little rodent damage (few wires chewed) while sitting.

I've rebuilt the starter and fix ABS wire (rodent damage) to get on road. I've a list of stuff I'm working through now as I drive. But can say I'm very happy with so far, surprisingly so. But if I didn't wrench it would cost more to restore to coast to coast ready than it's worth.

Time consuming but fun stuff.

 

[knewstance]

Wow! Its amazing the condition that so many of these are in after so much time and use.

The one that I am considering is listed for under $5000. That is my main reason for consideration.

I am known to be pretty handy with mechanics, but at the same time my current income situation does not allow me to pour money into parts even if I am doing all of the installations. While I have no doubts that a 100 series can go for a long time, I'm not sure I can justify 300k miles and trust it to get me to/from work daily and if I were to take it into the mountains I would be wary in trusting it to bring me home.

 

[suprarx7nut]

If you can wrench on your own, 300k is nothing to worry about. If you need to take it to a shop to do a bearing change out and anything more complicated than a brake job, stick to the newest/lowest mile 100 you can afford.

They're super reliable well past 300k, but replacing an entire car's worth of wear components is daunting if you're paying full retail labor rates.

 

[DTCsk8er]

I purchased mine w/ 232k miles from @THE LIRA. 2 years in, w/ very little maintenance (PO did quite a bit of the base-lining), I just ticked over 270k this weekend. This vehicle is extremely reliable; more reliable than any car I've owned w/ >50k miles. While this is my daily driver, we also use it for our family outings. Much more comfortable and reliable than my wife's 9 year old Jeep JK.

These rigs are bulletproof if you take care of them, so the miles did not scare me, as I was able to see that it had been maintained well over the years.

 

[roemer7]

In May I bought my 98 LC with 336k miles. Seller was asking $4995, I paid $3800. I put in a new starter, new radiator, heater t’s, new OEM shocks and bushings. It’s a third vehicle for me, but I’d take it anywhere.

 

[Dannyboy lx470]

I recently bought an 00LX w/347K miles just for fun. It was a no start condition that sat for a while dead in a mountain field, and then got a little rodent damage (few wires chewed) while sitting.

I've rebuilt the starter and fix ABS wire (rodent damage) to get on road. I've a list of stuff I'm working through now as I drive. But can say I'm very happy with so far, surprising so. But if I didn't wrench it would cost more to restore to coast to coast ready than it's worth.

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Time consuming but fun stuff.

Great get.Have you got a thread for this ?.Hows the motor wise with those miles and power and driving.

 

[Spike555]

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with those miles on it.

 

[2001LC]

Great get.Have you got a thread for this ?.Hows the motor wise with those miles and power and driving.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with those miles on it.

This one is for a wrencher only. It would be a money pit that would quickly strip ones wallet of more than it's worth. While it was well cared for (Lexus Dealer) most of its life and has the longest Lexus service history I've seen, and I've not yet got my hand on the Canadian history. But even so it was given to a sibling that didn't or couldn't care of the last few years. He beat it up a bit.

I was surprised once I got running how well it sounded, but heavy fuel smell. It has many issues I'm working through and sounds I'm still trying to identify. I did do a compression check and was shocked. I'm getting in the 190"s in most cylinders, one in the ~177,,,,,WOW. I need to blow out the carbon and retest, but it runs good, no smoke and no oil leaks. At-205 took care of minor input shaft leak of steering rack, and I've one at front diff i'm giving AT-205 a shot at now and one shock leak they will need replacing. No other leaks anywhere. Spark Plugs were Denso (USA) plugs with only 100K miles, but didn't look good. So I put a set of used NGKs I had and some used coils in tempearoly, and raw fuel smell improved, almost gone.

I may start a thread on it sometime. But I've a two low mile super clean rigs I'll probably write up first, Graybird 11LC and The BlackQueen 07LC no AHC, they are 180 deg from the GreenMachine in miles and condition.

I'll not say what I paid for the GreenMachine as it would drive down the price of all 100 series. But keep in mind, it was a no start condition up a difficult mountain road. But I will say I got an ok deal on near new tires, the 00LX470 happen to be attached to them.

Interior should clean up nice.

Oh and it has the factory windshield in poor condition with pits and stars but no large cracks. Is that cool or what, no windshield body rust....

 

[knewstance]

I know what I said earlier... The price dropped so low I couldn't resist! Pics to follow.

 

[knewstance]

Restoration/Build Thread will be posted soon!

 

[bpe3]

These are great rigs, but let’s not pretend they are inexpensive for a non-wrencher to keep on the road. I bought my 2001 LX 4 years ago with 158k miles. Now at 221k. I added up my receipts recently and realized I’ve spent over $9,000 at my local indie shop during that time and I haven’t spent a dime on suspension repairs yet. I’ve probably put another $12k in the gas tank. Not complaining. Just saying.