Too good to be true... (1 Viewer)

[AFdude]

I've been looking to upgrade from my 14' 5th Gen T4R Trail since we bought a new Tundra last year. I LOOOVE that 5.7L. You guys know it's special. And having the idea of the off road ability of my 4runner and that 5.7L has had me in the hunt for a good, used 200LC.

My goal was to go test drive a Certified 13' with 66k on it about 2 hrs away in San Antonio, but this morning I decided to check the local stuff first and look what I found. Newly listed: Used 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser Base For Sale in Houston TX 92179A | Houston Used Toyota For Sale JTMHY05J894002419 An 09' with 26k miles, YES 26k for $39,900. It just popped up and I had to go see it.

I'm the first one at the dealer this morning and get to test drive it before it has even gone to detailing. It just came out of service. I'm thinking "holy crap! I found the perfect used 200!!". The test drive went well except for the dash/window rattling over every single change in road surface. Once back at the dealer, I chose to pick apart everything on the interior and exterior. I don't think it's ever been cleaned inside or out. It was smoked in and there are stains, cracks, tears and smells all about the interior. The exterior has some dings and dents with some minor body rust. But I figured these were all negotiating tools.



I'm already turned off a bit by that much. I get the carfax; one owner (dealer said it was female) and serviced regularly until 2013... then it's questionable. I press.

We do the dance for 4 hours of negotiating and finally get a respectful number for my 4runner trade when my awesome wife calls me to offer some advice... more like talk some sense into me. Why not just spend 8-10k more for a certified and 4-5 years newer? And it won't be so beat up.

Also, pricing after all the fees and s*** was the same as it would have been for a new Tundra 4x4 with the deals and rates they are running on new vehicles. That's a bit of a mental block for me.

So as I'm hanging up the phone the dealer comes in saying that they now have 5 people wanting to buy this car today. In the end it still didn't feel right. It's beat to s*** inside and out for only having 26,600 miles on the clock. I walked.

Some things are too good to be true. It's also made me appreciate my 5th gen a little more. I take exceptional care of any vehicle I've owned and it felt like I would be taking a huge step back if I were to buy this LC today.

Anyways. Vent over.

The search continues!

 

[Markuson]

About 18 months ago, I paid 39,999 for a PERFECT 2008 with 48k mile on it.

But...

No smoke...
No rust...
PERFECT leather...
ZERO rattles...even after crazy-bumpy offloading since, and now 77k on it 18 months later.
Paint perfect...
Engine...SPOTLESS...
Oil...beautiful...
Service records? Ridiculously meticulous and all at Toyota...right up until a month before I bought it.


Rattling glass on dash? Hmmm... This makes me think it was in an accident or something.

-These rigs just do NOT rattle like that...unless someone did a really BAD windshield replacement or something.

My 2008? At 7 years old when I bought it? I'm telling you...it was/is PERFECT. unbelievably clean. So much so that even the paper part stickers underneath were not even DUSTY, much less smudged from mud or dirt.

I say something is fishy. Otherwise? That price would seem reasonable.

 

[AFdude]

About 18 months ago, I paid 39,999 for a PERFECT 2008 with 48k mile on it.

But...

No smoke...
No rust...
PERFECT leather...
ZERO rattles...even after crazy-bumpy offloading since, and now 77k on it 18 months later.
Paint perfect...
Engine...SPOTLESS...
Oil...beautiful...
Service records? Ridiculously meticulous and all at Toyota...right up until a month before I bought it.


Rattling glass on dash? Hmmm... This makes me think it was in an accident or something.

-These rigs just do NOT rattle like that...unless someone did a really BAD windshield replacement or something.

My 2008? At 7 years old when I bought it? I'm telling you...it was/is PERFECT. unbelievably clean. So much so that even the paper part stickers underneath were not even DUSTY, much less smudged from mud or dirt.

I say something is fishy. Otherwise? That price would seem reasonable.

Funny you mention the rattling. I just got off the phone with the dealer. They still want my deal I suppose (Since they're probably going to make 5k off my 4runner) and he said "we've found the rattle! It's the insert for the windshield. It will be replaced. Still interested?". NOPE.

Yeah it seems fishy.

 

[Ninja Cruiser100]

Trust your instincts - always.

 

[Ninja Cruiser100]

Oh and fwiw - I get so tired of the "there's 5 people in line waiting to buy this car" bull****.

It right up there with the empty motel parking lot where you are magically going to get the only available room. Lol.

 

[cc1999]

Does sound like a heck of price for a 200 with that low of mileage, but condition wise for those miles seems really strange.

I paid $49k for an 11' with 45,000 miles and $55k for an 11' with 13,000 miles both were in great condition both then and now.
This was close to two years ago though.
I probably paid a little more then I should have, but I was dead set on a pure gloss white color and 2011' was the last year they made them in Toyota's Super White.

So I was having heck of time finding that like new crazy low mileage Super White 2011, after a year one finally turned up over a 1000 miles away, but it was exactly what I had been hunting for the past year and had to jump on it.
It actually turned up 1 month after I had settle and given up and bought the one with 45,000 miles on it, it too was in great shape, just had 30,000+ more miles on it. It still blows me away at how sold and tight both of these trucks are. I almost have to check the odometer to tell which one is which. I don't think rattles coming from the dash are all that common in a 200. Much less from one with only 26K on the clock.
So if your willing to travel and have patients, that perfect 200 is likely out there for you, it just might take you wile to find it.

 

[AFdude]

Does sound like a heck of price for a 200 with that low of mileage, but condition wise for those miles seems really strange.

I paid $49k for an 11' with 45,000 miles and $55k for an 11' with 13,000 miles both were in great condition both then and now.
This was close to two years ago though.
I probably paid a little more then I should have, but I was dead set on a pure gloss white color and 2011' was the last year they made them in Toyota's Super White.

So I was having heck of time finding that like new crazy low mileage Super White 2011, after a year one finally turned up over a 1000 miles away, but it was exactly what I had been hunting for the past year and had to jump on it.
It actually turned up 1 month after I had settle and given up and bought the one with 45,000 miles on it, it too was in great shape, just had 30,000+ more miles on it. It still blows me away at how sold and tight both of these trucks are. I almost have to check the odometer to tell which one is which. I don't think rattles coming from the dash are all that common in a 200. Much less from one with only 26K on the clock.
So if your willing to travel and have patients, that perfect 200 is likely out there for you, it just might take you wile to find it.

I agree with that. It's going to be worth it to find the right one. Only catch with the LC's that are not near by is the factor of the trade. I'd probably be better off selling the 4runner first, right?

 

[Reckless]

For $40k it better be mint. I bought my 2009 for $31k and I thought I paid too much. Mine was mint condition even with 125k on the clock. I brought a few friends to come and verify and we could not find more than 3 minor blemishes.

 

[ranma21]

Joe Myer is just 5 minutes from me. They priced their vehicle quite high. It is usually better to sell it to a private party if you can get more after taking in consideration of tax saving by trading in your 4Runner.

There is not many LC in Houston, I looked too and ended up buying a 2011 LX 2 days ago.

 

[Plato200]

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster. About to close on a new 200 - completely unreasonable purchase in a way, always wanted one, lucky enough to have the financial means right now, and after all how can I keep reading this awesome forum without owning one? If this works out, I'll be driving 3.5 hrs from NJ to DC to pick it up. Like you said, it's worth waiting for the deal / vehicle you want.

I had driven to PA a while back to see an "almost new" LX450 with only 26,000 from a dealer. It really did look great from the outside for a ~12-yr-old car, some pin striping, but nothing major. Drove beautifully, was as solid as a car should be with that mileage. The inside smelled musty, however - I was told the previous owner had dogs. Brought it for an inspection to a lexus dealer nearby, and once on the lift the truth started to be revealed: It was completely covered in undercoating, I mean everywhere, places you would never spray. And even with that, it was clear that the rust was pervasive across the frame, seat pan, brake shields, suspension, etc. I was even able to push my finger almost through some pieces. And then it hit me: It wasn't dogs, it was water. Flood car. Sandy, maybe?

Went back to the dealership, and told everyone I met what I thought of them. The youngest kid working there walked back to my car with me, and told me that they had actually sold it online to someone in the south, who then threatened them with a lawsuit and they bought it back, sprayed the underneath, and put it back up for sale. They clearly had not done their own homework taking it on trade, and didn't have the integrity to eat the loss.

No substitute for doing the homework, and as you guys said, too good to be true often is.

 

[ranma21]

Well guess what, I think it may have been sold, swing by looking for it on my way back from swimming lesson with my little monsters 10 minutes ago and nowhere to be seen!!

 

[AFdude]

Well guess what, I think it may have been sold, swing by looking for it on my way back from swimming lesson with my little monsters 10 minutes ago and nowhere to be seen!!

It was going to get the windshield replaced again (already in service dept) when I left. I bet it's ready tomorrow. Even if they polish the turd in the detailing department it'll just be silicone coated grossness.

 

[Rex9802]

Check it out once it has been detailed.

If is from a Toyota Dealership it should be certified maybe? Then if anything pops up it would be covered. At least that is the pitch I got when I bought my 200 in August- hopefully will not have to test it regardless.

 

[AFdude]

09's are too old for Toyota Certified. It did have a 3 month warranty though "due to the low miles".

 

[Rex9802]

Interesting predicament.

4 months ago when I started looking for an LC (eventually traded my FJC for my 200 after a 2 month search) I had trouble finding one. I almost settled on a few different trucks I found around.

One of the reasons I bought the truck I did was because it was certified. Although I found better deals out there- this being a big purchase \ I was happy getting a little extra security.

It depends on what you want. Personally- I'd consider slightly higher miles for something newer but with security. There are components that wear because of age and not miles driven.

If it doesn't feel right you'll always question every single creak and crack- better to get what gives you confidence driving off the lot.

 

[AFdude]

Interesting predicament.

4 months ago when I started looking for an LC (eventually traded my FJC for my 200 after a 2 month search) I had trouble finding one. I almost settled on a few different trucks I found around.

One of the reasons I bought the truck I did was because it was certified. Although I found better deals out there- this being a big purchase \ I was happy getting a little extra security.

It depends on what you want. Personally- I'd consider slightly higher miles for something newer but with security. There are components that wear because of age and not miles driven.

If it doesn't feel right you'll always question every single creak and crack- better to get what gives you confidence driving off the lot.

You're 100% correct on that. The lack of confidence I had in THAT LC was excruciating. I'll keep the search going though. Hoping to find one by the end of the year.

And why are there so many of the available cruisers white? Cant find a Mag Grey anywhere.

 

[cc1999]

My brother has a mag grey 2013 or it might be a 14, i think my dads is a 14, I know my brother bought his the year before dad bought his so I am really thinking its a 13.
I know a few months ago my brother was looking to trade up to a 16. Not sure what his miles are. I can check with him and see if he still thinking of upgrading to a 16, and what he wants for it. Let me know if Little rock AR is to far to travel, and if your interested.

Also I may be selling One of my 2011 white LCs soon as well. That might be older then what your looking for?

 

[RS6tofj80]

keep looking....... smoke is tough to get rid of..... and there are clean trucks out there , your wife is right -well worth the extra $$

there's a clean white 13' in New Orleans that has 40+K and is now under $50k..... bet they'd do it for 47-48..... I looked at it but found my truck locally.

no point compromising....

 

[Rex9802]

You're 100% correct on that. The lack of confidence I had in THAT LC was excruciating. I'll keep the search going though. Hoping to find one by the end of the year.

And why are there so many of the available cruisers white? Cant find a Mag Grey anywhere.

It's funny to read the posts from the guys going through the buying process which I just finished.

Yesterday I read a story about a guy coming from NY down here to get a truck- I had to drive up there to find mine.

Today AFddude writes about the "overstock" (relative overstock) of white! Here in the mid Atlantic I had trouble finding a white LC and ended up with the dark gray (magnetic?). ha!

So it goes- I plan on keeping my truck for a LOOOOOONG time so I wanted the one that felt right when I got it. Confidence is everything- we're not driving around in Hyundai's- these are machines that we all expect to perform and will keep for a while.

Don't buy a truck you'll want to trade in 2 years-- let's keep that mentality restricted to our truck's 1st owners!!!!

 

[mooneywa]

And when I bought my magnetic grey, it was one of two - the other being in Oregon, this one being in Ohio and I drove up from Houston for it! The way I see it, if you're buying a 25 year service life vehicle and it looks like what you describe, I figure someone has used up 20 of those years in poor care.

OP - Nice hellfire license plate btw.