Thinking about buying this 2002 cruiser - thoughts?

[doctacarta]

I am new here and was recommended to post my thread in here to see if anyone knows anything about this particular land cruiser I am considering buying. It sounds like this seller may be pulling a quick one on me?

Let me know if I need to move this to a different sub forum.

Thinking about buying this 2002 cruiser - thoughts? : LandCruisers

Thanks in advance!

 

[aging fleet]

Looks like a clean truck from the photos. No rust which is a big bonus and someone cared enough about it to put quality tires on. Try to get a vin number, that way you can register the vehicle on the toyotaowners site which gives you access to the full dealer history. Sometimes you'll find some interesting bits of background there.

It will need to be baselined, but what 200k mile vehicle won't? Expect the timing belt job, either a re-clamp or re-boot job on the CVs, valve cover gaskets, pretty standard stuff. Personally, I'd also want to remove the Bushwacker fender flares and the brush guard up front, but that's just a personal preference.

The only oddity that I can spot is you're missing your front skid plate and the splash guard that sits aft of the skid plate. Those parts will cost hundreds to replace if they aren't included. Maybe they were removed for the photo? Also, the rear wiper clearly needs some attention.

 

[doctacarta]

Looks like a clean truck from the photos. No rust which is a big bonus and someone cared enough about it to put quality tires on. Try to get a vin number, that way you can register the vehicle on the toyotaowners site which gives you access to the full dealer history. Sometimes you'll find some interesting bits of background there.

It will need to be baselined, but what 200k mile vehicle won't? Expect the timing belt job, either a re-clamp or re-boot job on the CVs, valve cover gaskets, pretty standard stuff. Personally, I'd also want to remove the Bushwacker fender flares and the brush guard up front, but that's just a personal preference.

The only oddity that I can spot is you're missing your front skid plate and the splash guard that sits aft of the skid plate. Those parts will cost hundreds to replace if they aren't included. Maybe they were removed for the photo? Also, the rear wiper clearly needs some attention.

I did the Toyota Owners recommendation and I saw nothing concerning. Now I am trying to figure out how much I should offer based on the repairs identified by Toyota.

Thanks!

 

[jake9]

The truck looks good. No rust. But the seller seems a little weird. Someone on Reddit said he saw it previously for sale, and that the seller is flipping it! Maybe it's a good truck. Buyer beware. Go look at it, and talk to the guy. If you get a funny vibe, walk away. If you like it, make him an offer of maybe $9,250 or $9,500.

I'm in AZ and I bought a 2001 w/ 232k miles for $8k. He might be a little high, but not outrageously so.

 

[Quick]

People buy and sell all the time. Couple of thousand dollars might be a big thing for the flipper but if it is what you want, then ignore what he paid for it and just buy it.

 

[LEX]

Something is leaking. You could tell by the wet spots under the front end.

I love it when sellers say this. "guy said someone almost bought it around a month ago but decided for a different cruiser."

"The seller told me he didn’t agree with the report i.e. didn’t see any leaking oil around gasket etc." Of course not.

Too bad no pics of the engine compartment. Otherwise, looks pretty decent.

 

[suprarx7nut]

For $10k at 200k miles it should be very clean. Mine was $10k at 190k and was exceptionally clean. Zero leaks, no repairs needed, nearly perfect interior (except steering wheel wear).

I spy a likely front differential pinion seal leak. I fixed that on my truck last year and it was a bear. Cost around $200 in parts (pinion and side shaft seals, companion flange) and a significant amount of labor (dropping the diff). Could also be a leak from the engine on the passenger side, but the oil residue seems to be exactly at the pinion seal area.

I think I also see a driver's seat tear.

If there's some work needed, I'd push for $9k or less. It's relatively easy to find these in really good shape for $10-12k.