Seeking advice on selling a 1997 LX450 - where, how much, etc. (1 Viewer)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Joined
Jul 6, 2022
Threads
1
Messages
27
Location
Houston TX
Complete noob here in IH8MUD. Hoping y'all can assist with some insights on a 1997 LX450. Some basics - 190.3k miles, one owner prior to me. I put at most 200 miles in the past year. Drive it on occasion to keep things flowing.

Had a review done by a mechanic a couple of weeks ago and they documented: "Needs tires dry rotted worn on inside edge, replace oil pressure sending unit (not showing oil pressure, but oil pressure appears to be fine), needs an alignment. Brake linings OK, belts & hoses OK, looks like it has a new brake master cylinder. Airbag light on." Overall they verbally said that everything looks pretty normal for its age. I did replace the battery. The AC is cold and all controls work. The accelerator has a slight sticking point when pressed about 1/4 of the way down. Lights, radio, clock, all fine. Driver's seat has some cracks, and all other seats are looking good. It is missing the rear fold-down seats. There is some body damage - you'll see them in the photos.

So the big questions are a) where should I consider listing this vehicle for sale (note - Bring A Trailer declined to list it), and b) how much should I ask for it? Here are some photos - will post additional photos shortly. Any thoughts you may have would be greatly appreciated!


IMG_3675.JPG
IMG_3676.JPG
IMG_3677.JPG
IMG_3678.JPG

IMG_3747.JPG
 
More pics.. Please let me know if there is anything specific you may want to see. Many thanks in advance!
IMG_3832.JPG
IMG_3835.JPG

IMG_3840.JPG
IMG_3863.JPG
IMG_3870.JPG
 
You'll get advice ranging from $5000-15,000, so somewhere inbetween.
LX450's tend to bring less than a FZJ80.

The mechanic didn't tell you much, he appears to not be familiar with this model (because he didn't mention the important things we on the 80 forum look for).

Don't spend your money on an "alignment" (not yet at least) as there's not much to adjust. Wondering how the mechanic came to that conclusion, uneven wear on the front tires?

Did he try to clear the SRS/Airbag code?
is that why BAT wouldn't list it??
Does it have a Salvage title?
Was the battery disconnected (or dead) for prolonged period??

Was it ever in an accident, body repairs, painted??

Oil consumption between oil changes (?3000 miles)

Does the antenna still go up and down?

Do the front seats move forward and back?

Do all the door locks and windows work as normal?

Has the head gasket been replaced?

Has the front axle been serviced (pull the axle shafts and CV joints)?

Does it have any oil or coolant leaks, seeps, drips?

Has it been parked close to the Ocean or did it ever live in the Rust Belt (salted roads)?
 
Last edited:
Nice looking cruiser. The miles and current gas prices will keep the sales price down. The other factor is the economy is turning down, so all toys people don't really need will drop in price. The prices from early this year are not todays prices. If you look at the reserve not met on Bring a Trailer on recent auctions you can get an idea.

GLWS
 
You'll get advice ranging from $5000-15,000, so somewhere inbetween.
LX450's tend to bring less than a FZJ80.

The mechanic didn't tell you much, he appears to not be familiar with this model (because he didn't mention the important things we on the 80 forum look for).

Don't spend your money on an "alignment" (not yet at least) as there's not much to adjust. Wondering how the mechanic came to that conclusion, uneven wear on the front tires?

Did he try to clear the SRS/Airbag code?
is that why BAT wouldn't list it??
Does it have a Salvage title?
Was the battery disconnected (or dead) for prolonged period??

Was it ever in an accident, body repairs, painted??

Oil consumption between oil changes (?3000 miles)

Does the antenna still go up and down?

Do the front seats move forward and back?

Do all the door locks and windows work as normal?

Has the head gasket been replaced?

Has the front axle been serviced (pull the axle shafts and CV joints)?

Does it have any oil or coolant leaks, seeps, drips?

Has it been parked close to the Ocean or did it ever live in the Rust Belt (salted roads)?
This is all great information - many thanks! This list is exactly what I was hoping to see on this forum - to understand what y'all seek in a 80. To answer as many questions as possible, this is what I know: No attempt to determine why the SRS/Airbag light is on (this is very recent - it was not on until the day I drove it to the mechanic), BAT never gave a reason why it wouldn't list it except for a generic message that the vehicle didn't meet their expectations. It's a "clean title" (not a salvage, no liens), as far as I know/remember it has not been in an accident and has its original paint. If the antenna is supposed to extend automatically then it does not work (the radio however works fine - stations come in clear). Front seats move forward and back, door locks and windows including the rear operate as expected. I do not know if the front axle has been serviced, and do not know if the head gasket has been replaced - however, there appears to be some oil seep from that area. There are no oil or coolant leaks or drips. This vehicle has been garage parked for most of its life here in the Houston area, so no ocean or salted roads. Again, many thanks and I welcome and appreciate any additional questions or advice the group has!
 
Nice looking cruiser. The miles and current gas prices will keep the sales price down. The other factor is the economy is turning down, so all toys people don't really need will drop in price. The prices from early this year are not todays prices. If you look at the reserve not met on Bring a Trailer on recent auctions you can get an idea.

GLWS
Thanks for the insights and the well wishes!
 
Thanks! These are great forums to check out in the general geographic area. We think there could be a good home out there for this vehicle. We have thought about doing some mods and keeping the vehicle, but are heavily leaning towards finding its next owner that will do some amazing things with this classic.
 
Body damage? I don't see it. This LX appears to be quite clean, with good paint, no rust and seats in better than average condition. No modifications is also a plus, IMO.
I'd put in on your local Craigslist and also FB marketplace. Maybe start at $12K. No doubt you got it for much less than that. :flipoff2:
 
Body damage? I don't see it. This LX appears to be quite clean, with good paint, no rust and seats in better than average condition. No modifications is also a plus, IMO.
I'd put in on your local Craigslist and also FB marketplace. Maybe start at $12K. No doubt you got it for much less than that. :flipoff2:t
Thanks for the feedback! So this may not have as clear in the earlier pictures - there are some "scuffs" on the passenger front corner and driver rear corners, on the bumpers that I assume would be replaced by anyone that buys this LX. I also thought that no mods would be appealing to someone - to start with a blank canvas. Again, thanks!
 
Last edited:
The heater valve is at the end of its life, as is the charcoal canister line. All the rubber needs to be replaced. Probably ~$2000 in parts. It looks like the typical, moderately-neglected 80 that went for $3500 - $5000 pre-pandemic.

If I were you, I would clean that engine compartment and undercarriage. Then, either do the work to get it into great shape and ask $20k+, or list all of the defects and start at $10k.

200k is the new 100k. Sell it before it rolls over to 200k miles.

To get it in BAT, you need a pretentious backstory, preferably name-dropping well-known Cruiser specialists.
 
Nice truck! I would fix airbag light, oil pressure sender, get some cheaper AT tires in a stockish size, clean the engine bay, list for $12k and hope for the best.
 
The heater valve is at the end of its life, as is the charcoal canister line. All the rubber needs to be replaced. Probably ~$2000 in parts. It looks like the typical, moderately-neglected 80 that went for $3500 - $5000 pre-pandemic.

If I were you, I would clean that engine compartment and undercarriage. Then, either do the work to get it into great shape and ask $20k+, or list all of the defects and start at $10k.

200k is the new 100k. Sell it before it rolls over to 200k miles.

To get it in BAT, you need a pretentious backstory, preferably name-dropping well-known Cruiser specialists.
Thanks! This all sounds generally what I was thinking overall. Likely we will take the route of minor fixes and clean-up, and then sell it to someone that is willing to put in the time and money to get it to what they want. Appreciate the feedback!
 
Nice truck! I would fix airbag light, oil pressure sender, get some cheaper AT tires in a stockish size, clean the engine bay, list for $12k and hope for the best.
Thanks! I just posted a response to gummycarbs that we at most will likely do some minor cleanup/fixes. Will definitely have the airbag light looked into, fix the oil pressure sending unit, and then tires. I'm sure there are a ton of posts all over regarding tires, but if you have some suggestions that may fit the bill and people will not scoff at please let me know. Again, thanks!
 
When you list it, make sure to show plenty of pictures of the undercarriage, including the body behind the rear axle. Bad rust has been popping up In a lot of "should I buy this" threads, and owners tend to either be unaware if it or conceal it. Plenty of Land Cruiser fans are willing to replace a throttle cable and some seals, not so much with rusted frame and body repairs.
 
When you list it, make sure to show plenty of pictures of the undercarriage, including the body behind the rear axle. Bad rust has been popping up In a lot of "should I buy this" threads, and owners tend to either be unaware if it or conceal it. Plenty of Land Cruiser fans are willing to replace a throttle cable and some seals, not so much with rusted frame and body repairs.
That's a good point - one that will save a lot of time and reduce the questions/wonderings. Will have to get it on a lift for better pictures. Here are some pics that I have now - thoughts on what you initially see here? And again, thanks - this is all super helpful!
IMG_3871.JPG
IMG_3868.JPG
 
IMHO I would NOT clean the undercarriage. To me and many others that indicates the seller is trying to hide something. People want to see what is happening, what leaks it has; the stains tell a story ie: keep it a "virgin".

Anyone who knows these vehicles knows that they all have some common oil leaks, not a big deal, they're all fixable.

Most strong degreasers damage the paint and can damage rubber. I would leave it as is.

Also these all came with a thick brown waxy undercoating/rustproofing from the factory in Japan that's better than anything anyone else can spray on the undercarriage. If left undisturbed will stay put about forever.
Once you clean off that factory rustproofing the rust can start with a vengeance.

Ok however to clean the engine bay a bit, but be careful; need to cover the dipsticks, made sure they're pushed in, same for the brake reservoir and
the distributor. Do not spray water on the top of the engine (valve cover)
as that can drown the spark plugs, filing the spark plug tubes with water.

You also don't want to direct water at the firewall or hood insulation; those become very fragile and will disintegrate if you hit them with even a garden hose, let alone high pressure water.

Safer to clean things under the hood by hand if you aren't familiar with the engine.

I would not replace the tires; first thing any new owner will do is replace the tires, so it would be wasted.

The SRS Airbag might just need to be reset; any mechanic with a good scan tool and do that. If the oil pressure needle is dead it's either the connection at the sensor/switch, or the wire harness itself, or the sensor/switch.

Edit: I just saw the undercarriage photos: don't touch it.
 
Last edited:
IMHO I would NOT clean the undercarriage. To me and many others that indicates the seller is trying to hide something. People want to see what is happening, what leaks it has; the stains tell a story ie: keep it a "virgin".

Anyone who knows these vehicles knows that they all have some common oil leaks, not a big deal, they're all fixable.

Most strong degreasers damage the paint and can damage rubber. I would leave it as is.

Also these all came with a thick brown waxy undercoating/rustproofing from the factory in Japan that's better than anything anyone else can spray on the undercarriage. If left undisturbed will stay put about forever.
Once you clean off that factory rustproofing the rust can start with a vengeance.

Ok however to clean the engine bay a bit, but be careful; need to cover the dipsticks, made sure they're pushed in, same for the brake reservoir and
the distributor. Do not spray water on the top of the engine (valve cover)
as that can drown the spark plugs, filing the spark plug tubes with water.

You also don't want to direct water at the firewall or hood insulation; those become very fragile and will disintegrate if you hit them with even a garden hose, let alone high pressure water.

Safer to clean things under the hood by hand if you aren't familiar with the engine.

I would not replace the tires; first thing any new owner will do is replace the tires, so it would be wasted.

The SRS Airbag might just need to be reset; any mechanic with a good scan tool and do that. If the oil pressure needle is dead it's either the connection at the sensor/switch, or the wire harness itself, or the sensor/switch.

Edit: I just saw the undercarriage photos: don't touch it.
Good points - we want to find a happy buyer that will understand what they're getting, and we definitely do not want to spend money on things that someone may replace after the buy it, like tires. Oil pressure sending unit, if that's the issue can/probably should be replaced along with addressing the airbag light. Definitely want to show the vehicle as it is, which is why I have posted the pictures I have and willing to share/take any other pictures that people want to see.

I think overall for a 25 year old vehicle it seems to be doing well, and based on all the comments there may be a decent platform to do all kinds of cool things. Thanks again!
 
Here are some pics that I have now - thoughts on what you initially see here?

Looks fine, but like I said, it's not showing the areas that are the first to go.

Also these all came with a thick brown waxy undercoating/rustproofing from the factory in Japan

They did? First I've heard of this.

Anyway, I'm not telling them to steam clean the thing or go nuts with degreaser, just get the dust and filth off so that people can tell what they're looking at. Same with the engine and engine compartment.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom