Should I be worried about buying an old "new" LC200?

[karprive]

Hi. I am currently an FJ Cruiser owner and looking to make the jump into LC200 ownership (also looking at the LX 570s since they are more readily available in my area, but I think I prefer the Land Cruiser).

I have come across a couple dealers that have new (non-demo) LC200s for sale at a reduced price. These vehicles have been sitting at the dealer for over one year (maybe even longer than 18 months) and I wanted to see what your thoughts were about buying this type of vehicle.

I plan on keeping this for a long time, so I am not as concerned about model years and resale value, but I am worried about lot rot or whatever else can happen to a vehicle that has been basically never been driven in 12+ months.

Do you think I should stay away from old stock vehicles (which may be the reason these are still available for sale) or since they are "new" with very few miles, do I make the purchase and enjoy the money I saved?

I tried using the search function, but I didn't find any relevant results.

Thanks in advance and I greatly appreciate any and all feedback.

 

[Markuson]

Hi. I am currently an FJ Cruiser owner and looking to make the jump into LC200 ownership (also looking at the LX 570s since they are more readily available in my area, but I think I prefer the Land Cruiser).

I have come across a couple dealers that have new (non-demo) LC200s for sale at a reduced price. These vehicles have been sitting at the dealer for over one year (maybe even longer than 18 months) and I wanted to see what your thoughts were about buying this type of vehicle.

I plan on keeping this for a long time, so I am not as concerned about model years and resale value, but I am worried about lot rot or whatever else can happen to a vehicle that has been basically never been driven in 12+ months.

Do you think I should stay away from old stock vehicles (which may be the reason these are still available for sale) or since they are "new" with very few miles, do I make the purchase and enjoy the money I saved?

I tried using the search function, but I didn't find any relevant results.

Thanks in advance and I greatly appreciate any and all feedback.

Ever seen those "barn find" shows where they discover a 50 year old corvette, porsche, etc.? They need some work...but they can live again. A 1 year old car sitting on a dealer lot wouldn't worry me in the least. Might have a dead battery...or need a basic tune...but I'd jump all over that.

I just bought an 08 200 series that had been sitting on a dealer lot long enough to need jump-starting...and it is in absolutely AMAZING condition. 48k miles...and is basically still MINT. Purrs like a kitten until I ask it to growl like a bear. Thing is a a beast.

Perhaps other more mechanic-minded folk can chime in here with caution...but a year-old untouched car? I can think of worse things. ))

 

[MScruiser]

I would think that as long as it was periodically started up and run for a few minutes once a month or so, you should be good.

I mean, if not a single person moved the car around in the lot, or took it for a test drive, then maybe, but I can't imagine a car sitting on a lot for 12 months without being touched. YMMV.

 

[karprive]

Thanks for the input.

One of the dealer said they start up the vehicles every week or so, but based on the mileage, it doesn't seem like it's been out for too many test drives (odometer shows less than 100). I think the dealer was trying to keep the miles low and limited test drives to be very short distances.

 

[Markuson]

Thanks for the input.

One of the dealer said they start up the vehicles every week or so, but based on the mileage, it doesn't seem like it's been out for too many test drives (odometer shows less than 100). I think the dealer was trying to keep the miles low and limited test drives to be very short distances.

Remember, too, that it's BRAND NEW and will have the full warranty as a result of never being sold. Maybe work into the deal a thorough tuning/service check of all systems, etc. But man...I'd be more than happy to grab it if a decent price.

 

[sage1]

What kind of pricing are you seeing? Been looking at a few myself, a couple of never registered (new) dealer cars w/5k miles around 67k and new on the lot cars for around 73k. Both a "deal" but still flinching at the numbers.

 

[kreiten]

Thanks for the input.

One of the dealer said they start up the vehicles every week or so, but based on the mileage, it doesn't seem like it's been out for too many test drives (odometer shows less than 100). I think the dealer was trying to keep the miles low and limited test drives to be very short distances.

A million years ago when I was a kid I was a lot boy, had to start all of the cars every morning, let them run for a bit, and then shut them all down... Everyday.... yep, every F'in day..............

 

[karprive]

What kind of pricing are you seeing? Been looking at a few myself, a couple of never registered (new) dealer cars w/5k miles around 67k and new on the lot cars for around 73k. Both a "deal" but still flinching at the numbers.

I was actually looking at 2014s that were still new, but the price you got for the 2015 with 5k miles at $67k actually doesn't sound bad to me. All the demo (but new and never registered) LCs that I saw had prices over $70k...and with more miles than 5k.

 

[karprive]

A million years ago when I was a kid I was a lot boy, had to start all of the cars every morning, let them run for a bit, and then shut them all down... Everyday.... yep, every F'in day..............

So, you don't think I should worry about purchasing an LC that has been on the lot for over a year and a half?

Love the pics of your LC by the way.

 

[kreiten]

So, you don't think I should worry about purchasing an LC that has been on the lot for over a year and a half?

Love the pics of your LC by the way.

it's going to naturally have a bit more wear and tear than one that is fresh on the lot, i.e. starter, battery, fluids etc... But nothing I personally would worry about. Have them do an oil change and then make a list of all the mods you can get with the bag of cash you saved!!! Go grab your Cruiser and enjoy it! Thanks for the props on the pics man, I'm trying!

 

[GordJ]

I bought my '08 in Nov '09. It had 65 miles on it and now it has 170,000+ without any drama. The only issue from sitting in a Seattle area lot for a year was that the headlights were wet inside from condensation. When it leaves the lot you get a free year of mileage so on resale you get a reduced mile per year bonus.

 

[Like2Detail]

If it's been on the lot that long, the dealer should be getting desperate to move it. Dealers typically finance their inventory and pay interest on each vehicle to have them available to sell. The manufacturers kick back money to cover that but it will usually cover about 90 days. After that it begins to cost them money. So a year plus of interest on 70k combined with the fact that there's a refreshed 16 model year. I would think if they know you are serious about buying it, you could negotiate sub 68k for a "brand new" 2015 model.


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[Like2Detail]

Oh, I've also seen FJ Cruisers doing stupid money now that the new ones are gone. Don't give that thing away either [emoji6]


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[NLScooby]

I bought a (different) vehicle that was sitting on the dealer lot for over a year once. Never had an issue with it at all. The dealer did put new tires on it due to a recall issue - so that was nice. If you are getting a good deal - I wouldn't think twice about it.

 

[Desert Nomad]

So, you don't think I should worry about purchasing an LC that has been on the lot for over a year and a half?

Love the pics of your LC by the way.

Only issue aside from a dead battery would be flat spots on the tires. Also as others said have them change out the fluids as well. Most are probably past their supposed "service life"

 

[karprive]

I bought my '08 in Nov '09. It had 65 miles on it and now it has 170,000+ without any drama. The only issue from sitting in a Seattle area lot for a year was that the headlights were wet inside from condensation. When it leaves the lot you get a free year of mileage so on resale you get a reduced mile per year bonus.

Nice to hear and good point about the free year of mileage. Thanks.

 

[karprive]

If it's been on the lot that long, the dealer should be getting desperate to move it. Dealers typically finance their inventory and pay interest on each vehicle to have them available to sell. The manufacturers kick back money to cover that but it will usually cover about 90 days. After that it begins to cost them money. So a year plus of interest on 70k combined with the fact that there's a refreshed 16 model year. I would think if they know you are serious about buying it, you could negotiate sub 68k for a "brand new" 2015 model.


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Unfortunately, it's not a 2015 or I would not be hesitating at all...I'm partly trying to see if I can "steal" a 2015 from a desperate dealer, but sadly there aren't too many left in my area. The dealers in my area usually only stock 1 or 2 and the owner usually ends up driving it. I was actually told by one dealer that their LC wasn't available for sale because the owner was still driving it and waiting for the 2016.

 

[karprive]

Oh, I've also seen FJ Cruisers doing stupid money now that the new ones are gone. Don't give that thing away either [emoji6]


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Keeping my fingers crossed that I can get some of that to subsidize my LC purchase. 2010 Trail Teams with very very low miles...

 

[karprive]

I bought a (different) vehicle that was sitting on the dealer lot for over a year once. Never had an issue with it at all. The dealer did put new tires on it due to a recall issue - so that was nice. If you are getting a good deal - I wouldn't think twice about it.

Glad to hear...ok maybe I need to throw in a lowball offer and see what happens.

 

[karprive]

Only issue aside from a dead battery would be flat spots on the tires. Also as others said have them change out the fluids as well. Most are probably past their supposed "service life"

Thanks, I will remember this if I get the vehicle. Thanks everyone for all the replies.