Best4x4xfar - If you're looking this far west yo may have seen the 1997 at Hansel Honda in Petaluma as well?
I looked at it today and thought I'ld post the results for those interested. Kinda helps me learn what to look for too.
The body was straight, paint was in very good condtion, very few chips and scratches. No rust anywhere but on the bottom of the control arms where they were scratched.
Had a hitch
Lockers - that worked once I put it in low range
a little hesitation when accelerating from about 10 mph. strong otherwise.
noticed a wierd almost grinding sound from right front twice when making a left turn at a stop sign. Couldn't reproduce it anywhere else.
Brakes feel was soft but they worked well.
Interior - everything was functional
gray leather very worn throughout the vehicle even for the age (only 78K miles) maybe I'm being picky.
stains on the carpet throughout the vehicle as well. Cigarette burns in the head liner near the driver's window. Odd smell, not like smoke, but certainly due to the previous owner who was a smoker.
The engine compartment was detailed of course. No signs of leaks at the head gasket itself (can't hardly see it under all the crap - how do you guys do it?. On the drivers side block, there was what looked like greenish/brown film (for lack of better term). I imagine if alot of coolant had leaked onto the block and burned thats what it might look like. Oil was new, tranny fluid was new, coolant was new (green, but new). The bottom of the coolant resevoir was brown with alot of crap on the sides of the container.
The "closer" salesmen was a TOTOL A$$hole. So much so I told him that and walked out which isn't like me at all. Needless to say they weren't happy that I had $15K cash I was willing to spend on a Landcruiser but they wanted $16,800.
EDIT: Forgot to mention there was some oil on top of the front axle housing but I couldn't tell where it was coming fomr. The centerline of the vehicle also had a good coating of oil and dirt, though not a ton.
I looked at it today and thought I'ld post the results for those interested. Kinda helps me learn what to look for too.
The body was straight, paint was in very good condtion, very few chips and scratches. No rust anywhere but on the bottom of the control arms where they were scratched.
Had a hitch
Lockers - that worked once I put it in low range
a little hesitation when accelerating from about 10 mph. strong otherwise.
noticed a wierd almost grinding sound from right front twice when making a left turn at a stop sign. Couldn't reproduce it anywhere else.
Brakes feel was soft but they worked well.
Interior - everything was functional
gray leather very worn throughout the vehicle even for the age (only 78K miles) maybe I'm being picky.
stains on the carpet throughout the vehicle as well. Cigarette burns in the head liner near the driver's window. Odd smell, not like smoke, but certainly due to the previous owner who was a smoker.
The engine compartment was detailed of course. No signs of leaks at the head gasket itself (can't hardly see it under all the crap - how do you guys do it?. On the drivers side block, there was what looked like greenish/brown film (for lack of better term). I imagine if alot of coolant had leaked onto the block and burned thats what it might look like. Oil was new, tranny fluid was new, coolant was new (green, but new). The bottom of the coolant resevoir was brown with alot of crap on the sides of the container.
The "closer" salesmen was a TOTOL A$$hole. So much so I told him that and walked out which isn't like me at all. Needless to say they weren't happy that I had $15K cash I was willing to spend on a Landcruiser but they wanted $16,800.
EDIT: Forgot to mention there was some oil on top of the front axle housing but I couldn't tell where it was coming fomr. The centerline of the vehicle also had a good coating of oil and dirt, though not a ton.
You’ve got to be kidding me. For your own safety (assuming you are still looking), do a little research. Here is a link to a few threads on this board about the place,
