Seeking a Bit of Final Advice on a '99 LX470

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steenh said:
I just did a quick search on Autotrader... private seller, '99 - '05 and <$20k.

Some really good deals out there.

Here's one... a 2000, 68k miles for $16,900 in Cali.

I would not be so concerned with the miles. Well taken care of, they'll run a long time. Mine has 160k hard fought miles and it's mechanically perfect (cosmetically not so much :D) and I plan to run it another 160k. If you get one near 90k miles, factor in a grand for that service, or negotiate based on that bill coming due.

I'd rent a car for a month while searching before I'd spend $15k + tax on that truck sight unseen from a dealer...

But... if you do, you'll end up loving it like we all love ours.

2000 Toyota Land Cruiser in DEL MAR , CA 92014: Sport Utility Details - 265709614 - AutoTrader.com
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Thanks for doing that search for me. That Cruiser is nice. I did find a '00 LC w/ 114k miles (white w/tan interior) on a Darrell Waltrip Honda lot in Franklin, TN. They were asking $16999 (absurd), and came down to $13,125 after I quoted them the Edmunds private seller value ($12,425). I am going to go look at it tomorrow. If I can get them to take $12.5 and the vehicle checks out, it may be my choice. 114k miles well-maintained for $12.5 seems like a solid deal ...

Otherwise, I may keep looking for an '03.
 
Something smells to me. I think I would look elsewhere for your new LC/LX.
:beer:
 
willgabriel said:
Everything matches according to the dealer. Again, considering this was the manager's wife's car, a one-owner, and that the dealership in question is a huge Indianapolis dealer with Toyota Lexus, and several other lots, I can't see why they would lie to me after three weeks of negotiation. And i will verify all of this before I pay / pick it up anyway.

So, all things considered, do you think this is a good price? Would you buy it?
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Nope. I'd pass for now.

willgabriel said:
Thanks for doing that search for me. That Cruiser is nice. I did find a '00 LC w/ 114k miles (white w/tan interior) on a Darrell Waltrip Honda lot in Franklin, TN. They were asking $16999 (absurd), and came down to $13,125 after I quoted them the Edmunds private seller value ($12,425). I am going to go look at it tomorrow. If I can get them to take $12.5 and the vehicle checks out, it may be my choice. 114k miles well-maintained for $12.5 seems like a solid deal ...

Otherwise, I may keep looking for an '03.
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To me, from my recent searches, this price seems fantastic! It almost seems too good. Check it out. Get a Lexus Dealership to do the Lexus History. I paid $145 for a Lexus Dealership to do a vehicle "145 point inspection" and they also gave me the 5 page US history. Pretty Cool.

You are in the same boat I was in. Do I go for the 2000 or move up 01, 02, 03? It seemed to me the big change in price came when I got to the '03's. That's when I decided to drop back to either 01-02. I wanted the NAV and Levinson Stereo. I settled on a '02 with 83,000 miles at $17,900. I worked my way through 6 different deals over 6 weeks and this is where I ended.
 
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Gebo said:
Nope. I'd pass for now.
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I am passing on the '99 LX. Thanks for the solid advice, everyone.

Okay, so any thoughts on the 2000 LC, 114k miles, for $13,125?
And there is still the '01 LX, 88.8k for $18k at the Lexus dealer (still too high considering it will need the 90k mile service).
 
willgabriel said:
I am passing on the '99 LX. Thanks for the solid advice, everyone.

Okay, so any thoughts on the 2000 LC, 114k miles, for $13,125?
And there is still the '01 LX, 88.8k for $18k at the Lexus dealer (still too high considering it will need the 90k mile service).
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I think you were correct in passing on the 99. I used to sell, and trust me-- I've heard that "it was the GM's wife's vehicle" a few times :rolleyes: And, more than that, if a wholesaler was willing to take it for "x," they'd sell it to him instead of trying to get the same "x" out of you. In other words, they're BSing you...how unusual for a car dealer, right?

I'd get a little excited about the 00 w/ 114 for $13+; on a LC the 114k is not bad at all if it was maintained. I'm sure the 01 LX is a smoothy, but they're high at $18.

I know searching is fun but frustrating, but the best advice I could give you is don't make any agreements or decisions before you drive! People lie over the phone without thinking twice. I bought it anyway, but when I bought my 02, the guy swore it had "new" Michelin LTXs on it. I met him at the bank, totally prepared to do the deal, and in my estimation, having owned LTXs before, they had about 20,000 miles on them.

Still made the deal, but the guy was clearly yanking my chain about the tires. Guess he thought I wouldn't know better. But, I drove it, loved how it drove, and over a year later I love it everyday!
 
BManning` said:
I think you were correct in passing on the 99. I used to sell, and trust me-- I've heard that "it was the GM's wife's vehicle" a few times :rolleyes: And, more than that, if a wholesaler was willing to take it for "x," they'd sell it to him instead of trying to get the same "x" out of you. In other words, they're BSing you...how unusual for a car dealer, right?

I'd get a little excited about the 00 w/ 114 for $13+; on a LC the 114k is not bad at all if it was maintained. I'm sure the 01 LX is a smoothy, but they're high at $18.

I know searching is fun but frustrating, but the best advice I could give you is don't make any agreements or decisions before you drive! People lie over the phone without thinking twice. I bought it anyway, but when I bought my 02, the guy swore it had "new" Michelin LTXs on it. I met him at the bank, totally prepared to do the deal, and in my estimation, having owned LTXs before, they had about 20,000 miles on them.

Still made the deal, but the guy was clearly yanking my chain about the tires. Guess he thought I wouldn't know better. But, I drove it, loved how it drove, and over a year later I love it everyday!
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Solid advice. Thank you.

I asked the Lexus of Louisville salesperson (they have the '01 with 88k miles for $18k) if they would take care of the timing belt for me. He seemed to get pissed saying they would not take care of that at that price. I replied that, well, you've had that LX on your lot for a month. I like to help you fix that problem. However, I won't do it if you can't take care of the 90k service or knock off more money. We'll see what they say.

The 2000 is appealing at $13k if it was taken care of. I drive it tomorrow and will let everyone know. I do know it was in a fender-bender (labeled as "minor" by Carfax) four years ago.

Finally (for now), I found a 2004 LC with 95k miles on it at a Lexus dealer near Chicago. The timing belt, and water pump have been changed in the last 10k miles. It also has new tires (all of this info comes from the Carfax maintenance record). They are asking $23k? That sounds pretty good though I found a 2003 in Tampa with 56k miles for $25k.
 
I didnt read the thread but, I had rust in that area too, but it didnt get onto the exterior panel, it was down underneath behind the lip, where the license plate lights are. it was light rust, fixed when I got my truck repainted. They said it was an easy fix.
 
1loudLX said:
I didnt read the thread but, I had rust in that area too, but it didnt get onto the exterior panel, it was down underneath behind the lip, where the license plate lights are. it was light rust, fixed when I got my truck repainted. They said it was an easy fix.
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The rust on this one is bubbling above the chrome plate on the upper lift gate. The estimate for a well-done repair is $1000 (the champagne color is tough to match). As many have said, one rust bubble like this is often the tip of the iceberg. Furthermore, at $15500, the price is not right (yet) to assume that kind of risk.
 
willgabriel said:
I am passing on the '99 LX. Thanks for the solid advice, everyone.

Okay, so any thoughts on the 2000 LC, 114k miles, for $13,125?
And there is still the '01 LX, 88.8k for $18k at the Lexus dealer (still too high considering it will need the 90k mile service).
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My idea of ideal was an '01 LC with no integrated nav. The '03 has some nice upgrades, mainly the 5-speed transmisison, but the j-gate shifter, electric tilt steering wheel and $12k premium were big turn-offs. Not to mention, I only saw '03 models with nav and the "gold" package.
 
Topmounter said:
My idea of ideal was an '01 LC with no integrated nav. The '03 has some nice upgrades, mainly the 5-speed transmisison, but the j-gate shifter, electric tilt steering wheel and $12k premium were big turn-offs. Not to mention, I only saw '03 models with nav and the "gold" package.
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I understand. I sort of like the shifter. And I'm beginning to see some good deals on '03's. I have even found an '04 for $23k (it has 95k miles and has had the timing belt and water pump changed in the last 10k miles).
 
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I'd get the '99 LX. Source the rear gate. Get a custom match paint job, and still have $$ to do other things like lifts, headers, exhaust, stereo upgrades, etc. Whos to say the '04 doesnt have its own issues with the higher miles? You still would be due for the starter contacts too. $1100-1400 at the dealer. Good luck.
 
Skolfoppa said:
I'd get the '99 LX. Source the rear gate. Get a custom match paint job, and still have $$ to do other things like lifts, headers, exhaust, stereo upgrades, etc. Whos to say the '04 doesnt have its own issues with the higher miles? You still would be due for the starter contacts too. $1100-1400 at the dealer. Good luck.
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Well, considering rust like that on a '99 may be signs of trouble to come, they'd have to come down to $13.5-$14 to make the vehicle worth the risk / a good deal. The 2000 LC or 2001 LX may be a better deal if the price is right (especially since there is no rust on them). And finding a 2003 LC would still be nice!
 
2melow said:
Again, having just gone through the same search as you - 2003!

2003 Toyota Land Cruiser in Amarillo, TX 79110: Sport Utility Details - 264484924 - AutoTrader.com

Not sure if that will work but rust free I bet. Might try Denver, SLC, Phoenix too. Plane tickets are cheap!
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That one does look good. I emailed them. The vehicle was in a wreck several years ago with "Functional damage" reported to Carfax ... we'll see.

Otherwise, I looked at, and drove the 2000 white LC with 114k miles on the Darrell Waltrip Honda-Volvo lot today. It was a trade-in on a new Volvo XC90. It had only been detailed - not checked. Drove good, but seemed like the brakes pulsed a bit more than normal (may need new brakes). They were not sure about the timing belt. Interior was very clean with the leather looking very good. "D" light was out (common on these I think). Shifted smoothly. Paint and undercarriage looked very good to me (didn't look like it had ever been taken offroad). The salesman asked what I would pay for it today (they had offered it at $13,125 plus doc fee of $349!). I said $12,500 IF they checked out the brakes and timing belt and assured me both were either newer or would be replaced. He said he doubted he could go below $13,125, but that was before the sales manager told me the LC had not gone through the full 125 pt inspection ... we'll see.
 
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