Thoughts on this LX? (Diagnose possible AHC issue / purchasing)

[MattSEG]

2003 SDP LX470 with 123k miles
Lexus LX470

When I mesaged them they said they mis-wrote the price, and it should be 16k, and that it needs "Front windshield and Rear Hydraulics"

I'm wondering why they didn't just change the price on the listing, but whatever.
Windshield is obviously not a big deal. Here in NM windshields are a maintainance item.

I assume they mean rear AHC when talking about the hydraulics. That said, whats the best way to diagnose if that is indeed the issue, and the severity of the issue if it is? Is the check mark test the best quick and dirty check? And, sorry for the super dumb question, is the AHC tank labled as such under the hood?

(I'm hoping they mean the rear hatch struts, but you never know)

If the AHC is toast, 16k isn't a good deal it seems.

Tl;dr best quick diagnoses of AHC issues

 

[zapatius]

Hard to say on the severity of the issue. Maybe take a code reader and see if it has any codes that would indicate a fault? Could be low fluid, bad sensors or solenoids. There was a TSB a long time ago on bad sensors.

The tank is labeled to say "Suspension fluid only" or something similar on the cap.

If the AHC needs major work, I would say that drops it down into the $12K range on price.

 

[97 AZ LC]

It's never a good deal to buy a car from someone who says $14k in the ad and $16k on the phone. You're dealing with a fruitcake. Just move on to the next one.

 

[DirtDawg]

They probably listed it for 14k and once they received a huge amount of interest, they bumped it up to 16k. At least thats what the place I bought mine from was trying to do.

 

[hoser]

I would ask about the windshield.... whether it is a leak and could have hidden rust around the frame. If the windshield is cracked, this LX has the night vision option which makes for an expensive windshield and possibly OE only. Replacing it with a non-night vision windshield is an option too. The failed AHC suspension is non-issue if you want to swap out suspension anyway. But if you wanted to preserve AHC, it could get very expensive.

 

[MattSEG]

Rust is rarely an issue here in NM.

They said that Lexus told them the rear AHC was shot and the whole thing should be replaced, quoted them 4k. At 16k+4k for 123k mile 2003 SDP LX, it's just not a good deal, and really about 4k away from being a deal at all.

Thank you for the feed back, and DirtDawg, I think you're right.

They probably listed it for 14k and once they received a huge amount of interest, they bumped it up to 16k. At least thats what the place I bought mine from was trying to do.

97 AZ LC, I also think you're right.

It's never a good deal to buy a car from someone who says $14k in the ad and $16k on the phone. You're dealing with a fruitcake. Just move on to the next one.