should I do it?

[cruisermaine]

I looked at a '00 cruiser this morning. Private party sale. I negotiated a price of $26K from $29 asking price sight unseen. Owner is in the service and will be deploying to Iraq for a year. Deal was to be finalized after I had a chance to see /drive. It's got 50K miles. Here's what I found:

cosmetics:

dent in hood from baseball (knocked out of Fenway?)
some light rub marks on sides -can be buffed out
some scuffs on corners of front bumper (seems typical)
left side rear bumper appears 1/4" lower than right side
Tiny spot of what _might_ be overspray on lower window trim beneath right rear vent window (if it was painted, it was a great job -couldn't find any other clue)
drivers door handle feels loose

interior more tired than expected for mileage -leather mostly good > very good except for drivers seat which looked more like 80K miles to me
faked wood trim had wear spots in places (I hate the stuff anyway -maybe swap out for plain '98 pieces?)

It drove very well brake pedal felt a bit too "hard" but stopping did not require undue effort /pressure
no records. owner claims oil changed every 2500 miles and tires rotated every other change, but agin, no records to prove it. checked oil and it was down slightly? and reasonbly clean
brake fluid looked very clean/ fresh as did the red coolant.
underside of truck showed almost no rust but right CV boot is leaking at the outer end. hard to check for other leaks without dropping the bottom pan which I couldn't do at the time.

Owner has indicated she won't sell for less than the 26. If the CV boot was not leaking I might still be tempted but not sure now. Prices up here in Maine are generally pretty steep. This more a 99 price up here. I'd like to get a 00 for the traction control and 4 spine diffs.

what do you guys think. what is worst /best case scenario with leaking CV boot?

 

[jp213a]

Short answer - I'd pass. Now, keep in mind that free advice is typically worth what you paid for it. IMO, it seems like it has had a somewhat rough life for the $26k price tag. Based on your descrition of the exterior, interior, and the CV leak, I might go $22.5k because the mileage is low. I would have to drop the splash pans first to look over the under side of the engine and tranny, especially in light of the leaking CV boot. I'd also want some evidence the oil and filter were changed regularly. If it wasn't DIY, then a dealer, garage, or quick change place should have records. My philosphy; In God we trust, all others bring hard data.

 

[e9999]

oil every 2500 is hard to believe with no records. Somebody who is anal enough to do this would surely have kept all records.
Price not compelling IIRC other figures I've seen.

 

[Landpimp]

I change my oil ever 2500-3000 in all my cruisers, yet I have NO records to show that..........so I wouldn't say its always so. However on a 100 series I really don't think most of the PO's were DIY types.

oil every 2500 is hard to believe with no records. Somebody who is anal enough to do this would surely have kept all records.
Price not compelling IIRC other figures I've seen.

 

[cruisermaine]

It's sounding pretty negative as I figured it might. My feelings are trending likewise. I was so psyched to get this too. Maybe when I say no thanks the price will drop accordingly but I don't think so. Out of curiosity, what would it take to replace the boots and re-grease? Easier than a birf repack job? how much at a dealer vs. parts cost and my labor?

On the bright side, now I can wait and see what the FJ Cruiser is in production form. Price will probably be about the same.

 

[jjbodean1970]

22500 is low imho

i would say a fair price for that cruiser would be in the 24500 to 25000 range

 

[e9999]

It's sounding pretty negative as I figured it might. My feelings are trending likewise. I was so psyched to get this too. Maybe when I say no thanks the price will drop accordingly but I don't think so. Out of curiosity, what would it take to replace the boots and re-grease? Easier than a birf repack job? how much at a dealer vs. parts cost and my labor?

On the bright side, now I can wait and see what the FJ Cruiser is in production form. Price will probably be about the same.

here is one thing I've learned over the years:
- when you've decided not to buy something because you think it's too much, always leave the door clearly open, something like "I can't afford your asking price right now, so I'll have to pass, but please don't hesitate to contact me if you reconsider your asking price..." It's not uncommon that people later realized they asked too much, or don't want to deal with showing it anymore, or are under pressure etc.... Can only have a nice surprise this way...

 

[jjbodean1970]

here is one thing I've learned over the years:
- when you've decided not to buy something because you think it's too much, always leave the door clearly open, something like "I can't afford your asking price right now, so I'll have to pass, but please don't hesitate to contact me if you reconsider your asking price..." It's not uncommon that people later realized they asked too much, or don't want to deal with showing it anymore, or are under pressure etc.... Can only have a nice surprise this way...

excellent advice!

 

[cruisermaine]

here is one thing I've learned over the years:
- when you've decided not to buy something because you think it's too much, always leave the door clearly open, something like "I can't afford your asking price right now, so I'll have to pass, but please don't hesitate to contact me if you reconsider your asking price..." It's not uncommon that people later realized they asked too much, or don't want to deal with showing it anymore, or are under pressure etc.... Can only have a nice surprise this way...

the owner ships out on Wdnesday so it'll probably just be put in storage. she wanted 29 originally -I doubt she'll drop another thousand or more.

She said oil changes were done on the base by a friend of hers -they have garage bays with lifts available for personal use by people on the base.

 

[100 TD]

If you really want it, go to the bank, draw out $24000 in CASH, get your theft/finance and what ever checks you guys do over there done on it, walk up and lay $24000 on the table, tell here this is all you could raise, if she says no, remind her that it will be worth $5000 less in a years time, if you still miss out, don't cry over missing out on it, go out and look for another one until you find what you are happy with. My $0.02 worth.

 

[jp213a]

My guess is this seller has probably take it to a dealer or car lot and received a very low offer ($20k). If you really want to go after this particluar LC then here is a tactic - send in a shell. In other words, get a friend to go look at it (by themselfs), point out everything that is wrong with it (dents, scratches, rough interior, leaking CV boot, no maintenance records, tires about gone, 5 year old battery, etc.), and make a low ball offer, say $21k. If you call back with a better offer shortly there after, if might be accepted, or at least get a reasonable counter offer. One other point. You stated when you checked the oil, it was a little low. If the oil is changed every 2500 miles, why is it low. It should be right on the full mark. Is it using oil or leaking oil? Perhaps the person who changed it just didn't fill it up but it makes you wonder.

 

[cruisermaine]

One other point. You stated when you checked the oil, it was a little low. If the oil is changed every 2500 miles, why is it low. It should be right on the full mark. Is it using oil or leaking oil? Perhaps the person who changed it just didn't fill it up but it makes you wonder.

That has been gnawing at me .....
I left the owner a message that I am going to pass at her price and wished her well. If she wants to call back with a lower price I may consider it but I can wait - there are more out there. And I'm still curious about that fj Cruiser....
thanks for your input guys

 

[calamaridog]

I paid $22,000 + fees for my 00 a few weeks ago. 78,000 mi. excellent mechanical and interior/exterior. This is a clean CA vehicle with only a few minor blemishes. Factory serviced with records. Brand new tires...

Saw several nice vehicles on ebay also.

 

[calamaridog]

He isn't playing a mind game at all. He let them know he was interested if the price was lower. At least they have options now.

And the price difference between various regions should vary by $500-1500, not $4000.

We have tons of clean, rust free vehicles in the southwest. Find a nice one around San Diego and I'll go look at it for you.

 

[calamaridog]

Hey, for $1,500 and airfare, I'll drive any vehicle to anywhere in the USA, LOL. Someone hook me up! I've looked at SOOO many Cruisers this month. Many of them overpriced and poorly cared for. And I found a nice clean vehicle that was fairly priced for myself.

I have also looked at 2 Cruisers and one Tacoma in 05, for people I only know from the BBS. Only one was worth further investigation and the person flew out and bought it.

And yes, it is hard to find a deal, but worth the effort. The dealer down the way has (2) 00's and were not willing to deal on them. But all of the sudden, they are calling me yesterday telling me they can drop $5000 off the price for me.

I was in the neighborhood so I stopped by in my new ride to let them know I wasn't interested anymore

But yes, it does get subjective doesn't it. So hypothetically speaking, I would suggest taking the kbb.com private party sale price and averaging it with other known sales prices to get some idea of what you are looking to spend.

 

[Jukelemon]

My guess is this seller has probably take it to a dealer or car lot and received a very low offer ($20k). If you really want to go after this particluar LC then here is a tactic - send in a shell. In other words, get a friend to go look at it (by themselfs), point out everything that is wrong with it (dents, scratches, rough interior, leaking CV boot, no maintenance records, tires about gone, 5 year old battery, etc.), and make a low ball offer, say $21k. If you call back with a better offer shortly there after, if might be accepted, or at least get a reasonable counter offer. One other point. You stated when you checked the oil, it was a little low. If the oil is changed every 2500 miles, why is it low. It should be right on the full mark. Is it using oil or leaking oil? Perhaps the person who changed it just didn't fill it up but it makes you wonder.

This is late in the game and I know Lizzard spoke to it, but this is the kind of behavior that I find to be cruel i.e. to manipulate a person that is in a situation of high stress so you can achieve a savings.

To the point of records or price, please remember that the people on this board have an entirely different perception of cruisers than most. It is very easy to get into a mind set after joining this board that everyone else should have just as much knowledge, foresight and mechanical proactivity as the forum members. But I think that NOT to be the case. So, I would recomment that, if you like the vehicle, before you start talking price, have it inspected at Toyota. Those facts should be the starting ground for your purchase. And I have to say that it is very irritating to a buyer to have to hear value statements about their vehicle-especially if they know little about it (not saying you are doing this). Offer a price and then move on. BUT get it inspected first.

Best of luck. You will find one.

 

[cruisermaine]

Having sold my share of used vehicles (my own) I am sensitive to someone in that situation (private party) particularly this seller who was under time pressure due to deployment. I was ready to pay the agreed amount -wasn't even going to bother with dealer inspection. But it didn't pass my inspection. Excellent condition means different things to different people apparently. If there was more time and she was more flexible on price it may have worked out. It was only about 50 miles away from me so I was hoping to find a local vehicle for a change. I've purchased my last 5 vehicles (used and new) in the MA area because every dealer overcharges up here. the going prices are mcu more competitive in a major metro area like Boston. the down side to traveling is taking the time to go look and finding the person outright lied about condition. I'd love to find a Texas or SW truck but will not do it sight unseen. If I find something long distance I'd post to ask if anyone is near who could take a look for me. I'd be willing to do the same for others. On that note, I have 29 days of carfax left if anyone's interested.

BTW Lizard, that is a good observation regarding oil level -more important not to overfill IMO. Tail pipe did not have oil burner residue.

 

[Montana Cruiser]

CruiserMaine - Are you getting rid of the 80 or just adding a 100 to the stable?

Been keeping an eye out for your Cruiser down here in the old port, but havent seen it yet ....... not that you could tell with all the salt spray on the rigs around here

 

[sejinro]

Have you ran a CarFax on the truck?

 

[cruisermaine]

CruiserMaine - Are you getting rid of the 80 or just adding a 100 to the stable?

Been keeping an eye out for your Cruiser down here in the old port, but havent seen it yet ....... not that you could tell with all the salt spray on the rigs around here

Montana,

Hey! you're gonna have change that name
I'm going to replace the 80 - it's a little too rough around the edges for clients. There's nothing wrong with it, just need something more "presentable" and less "rig-like" not that there's anything wron with that
Thought I saw you near the civic center on Center st. heading to Spring St. intersection last week?