If they can provide proof of the timing belt change I would think it's worth it to at least go check it out.
Well I have decided on a GX, but I am at a but I am at a bit of a cross roads
- Thread starter LaserNomad
- Start date
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The alternator was changed at PepBoys a little after 100k miles. I wonder if they used a Denso radiator (OEM) or some cheap aftermarket one. Maybe that's why the battery was changed several times due to the alternator being bad.
Why would the timing belt be done again? It's not due until 180k miles, so I call BS on the timing belt being done twice unless they have the paperwork. It's probably the original timing belt and water pump. When I had my mechanic do the timing belt and water pump, the kit came with a sticker that you stick on the engine cover. My mechanic wrote the date and mileage when the timing belt was done and stuck the sticker on the engine cover. It's a big sticker and you can't miss it.
My guess is that this guy bought it at an auction and is flipping it. Having said all that...doing the timing belt and water pump are really the only thing that might be needed. Check the brand of the alternator to see if it's an OEM Denso. Check to see if there's any pink crust on the sides or edges of the radiator. If there are, then the radiator is starting to seep coolant.
At least it looks like it was a California truck and there's no rust. So, if you had to do the timing belt and water pump and radiator, then would you try to discount the price?
Other than the question on the timing belt, this GX470 looks good at a good price.
Why would the timing belt be done again? It's not due until 180k miles, so I call BS on the timing belt being done twice unless they have the paperwork. It's probably the original timing belt and water pump. When I had my mechanic do the timing belt and water pump, the kit came with a sticker that you stick on the engine cover. My mechanic wrote the date and mileage when the timing belt was done and stuck the sticker on the engine cover. It's a big sticker and you can't miss it.
My guess is that this guy bought it at an auction and is flipping it. Having said all that...doing the timing belt and water pump are really the only thing that might be needed. Check the brand of the alternator to see if it's an OEM Denso. Check to see if there's any pink crust on the sides or edges of the radiator. If there are, then the radiator is starting to seep coolant.
At least it looks like it was a California truck and there's no rust. So, if you had to do the timing belt and water pump and radiator, then would you try to discount the price?
Other than the question on the timing belt, this GX470 looks good at a good price.
- Thread starter
- #24
So one popped up in phoenix, It has 180k, 177k dealer serviced, it was from chicago, looking the auto check I am guessing it is one or two owners in IL then I am guessing they get transfered to Tucson (raytheon has huge employment in both places and I have met waay tooo many chicago to tucson transfers who worked at raytheon) it gets sold to the current owner, she clearly has a baby during that time (was bought early feburary) she is dired of fighting her two boys now that they have to share the second row with their new borther (i feel sorry for her, I was once one of those boys, also sorry mom). How do I see if the locking diff works mainly for price negoiations, I am taking it for a pre purchase inspection but unless the mechanic says run like hell I will offer on it.. This car is the very definition of a pavement princess. Still talking to the a$$ Hol3 in havasu, He is acting like a child, he honestly asked if I was still coming as he had some one who wanted to look at it this weekend. UMM well i had booked a hotel room and rental car the last time you said you were available wed thurs and friday only to tell me tuesday night JK you had to go to california.... He then sends me the car fax (which I already bought) I questioned him about the TB and have not heard a peep since. I probably wont go any ways as I am getting skeezy vibes all the time from him. ALSO THIS new one actually has the tag where it is supposed to be telling me that the belt was done 30k ago.
ANY SUGGESTIONS on where to take it to get a Pre Purchase inspection in Phoenix AZ?
ANY SUGGESTIONS on where to take it to get a Pre Purchase inspection in Phoenix AZ?
murf
Lifer
laserNomad, Kelevra is right - we can do it here at Camelback Toyota if that helps. If youre interested feel free to PM.
For what its worth - I agree with the above "be patient" mantra. It always is the better track and in the long run youll be happier ~ just my .02
Murf
murf
Lifer
no worries at all Kelevra! Suprised anyone outside of the Phoenix club even knew my name lol
Ha, You are a go to guy on a few forums. Camelback is recommended for several reasons. You name comes up often.
We have a 2001 Limited 4Runner and a GX470 we are converting over as we speak.
My wife and I have a home down in Tucson and do the trails all the way to the Naco Border. We also have a little place in Bisbee.
We love that little town!
I have used Camelback for some parts. Great service, Thanks again,
B
We have a 2001 Limited 4Runner and a GX470 we are converting over as we speak.
My wife and I have a home down in Tucson and do the trails all the way to the Naco Border. We also have a little place in Bisbee.
We love that little town!
I have used Camelback for some parts. Great service, Thanks again,
B
- Thread starter
- #30
An appointment with Murf has been scheduled.
Awesome, What is the verdict ?
- Thread starter
- #32
Well the guys at Camelback Toyota I would rate 10/10 will do business with them again. The PPI was $75 and he kicked in a carfax the 2 lexus dealerships in phoenix wanted to charge $300 and $150 respectively and neither was going to put it on a lift. Murf even brought us back to look at it while it was dangling above out heads and point out the good, the bad and the ugly. The parts that wear out on it like the bushings are shockingly worn out, the rust was only surface rust, It has the original shocks (still going after 180k) The only looming icky repair is the rack (of rack and pinon fame) is leaking, and that is a lexus only part. I guess we now know why the long duration owner finally got rid of it. So I will keep my eyes out for a good on one of those... because I bought it $10k (will have to go back tomorrow with the check and get the keys then) excellent records seriously serviced every 5k mi according to the drivers.lexus service records and I didnt want to play hard ball with a lady with 3 kids. Murf walked around under it looking at it saying she had to been kept in a garage... like 3 times. I took that as a very good sign. Also it doesnt seem to be holding the memory seat positions, so if any of you know a trick for that, let me know. When I am on my way home tomorrow driving my newly acquired GX home I will text the guy in havasu he can show the car to, probably one of you, he still hasn't found the info on any timing belts.
Congrats! We need photos!
Congrats! We need photos!
- Thread starter
- #35
As soon as I can I will! Its a green one, not that too many people around here care.
There's a green GX470 fanclub. Look for the thread on green GX470s here on IH8MUD
- Thread starter
- #38
So now that it is in my drive way, well, the wife just drove it to meet her friends at the neighborhood bar.
ANYWAYS, (warning full story containing a bit of a rant) I have been searching CL off an on for well about 18 months to get a feel for where the bear shifts. I noticed the price uptick occuring about last september/october and simply figured it must be a seasonal thing due to the machines snow conquering prowess. Nope it wasnt, I blame Andrew Saint Piere White for making a video claiming that the GX is the new FJ80 I didnt think he was wrong but since the release of that video prices have been climbing ( ). So thinking it was seasonal i figured people might let one go during the spring or summer and get a new car. The wife is a teacher so summer is a good time to muck about with transportation things. Last November we found out our beloved Rabbit (golf mkv everywhere else in the world) was diagnosed with a dying vacuum pump and its location requires an engine drop to service nothing like a $200 part requiring $1200 in labor and it was going to need some suspension work. So the primary vehicle switched from the go kart like golf to the horrible mitsubishi montero sport using the golf for her to drive only to work and when we couldnt share the montero. So she is done with all of her school duties and we sell her car. OK, now the pressure is on to find a replacement in earnest. We both love the looks of the FJ but we both know that the GX is just a whole lot more car for the money 2X as much. So we do smart things like look at what is available in our city... not much, ok so we know we are going to have to travel for it. So we go shopping for a car loan, I know the out of town might be an issue, I am a fan of credit unions, and the fact that we were looking for a car that was older than 10 years (except for the 09 which was a small production year) and all but few have less than 100k meant most places were not even talking about a loan or were 2-3% higher (I have a +750 credit score too mind you). I have a love hate relationship with my current Credit Union but they had the 2nd lowest rates and they said sure it would be no problem doing a private party sale in another city or state. Cool contacted the pretty white one in Havasu (which devolved fairly quickly) but the green one i bought I had been tracking off and on for a bit it started out waaaaaay tooo high and then it started dropping in early June it was well over $14k. When White in Havasu started acting shady I decided to keep looking I saw the price drop to 11,950 well shift (yes I am abusing a close word to get around the filters) I know we can get a loan for that we got pre approved already, Ran a plate check to scrape the VIN, ran the VIN through drivers.lexus and vehiclehistory.com (best free VIN checker) No issues and perfect dealer service record. Turn on the computer the next day to show the wife, posting deleted... Well balls. Search again, new posting for the car now $10950! Called her drove to the 150 miles to see it before dark, It looked good from what I could see except for some rust and an oily rack boot, ask if we can we come back tomorrow and take ti to a mechanic, if the mechanic says its good we will make an offer. So we go to the bank again fill out more paper work again, tell them the plan.
To which was supposed to be cool get power of attorney and tittle notarized take pics email them , electronically sign documents, they would deposit money in my account, i could go to a shared branch in Phoenix and pay the lady. We are at the bank by 4 pm in Phoenix. I email & call... At 4:50 I get a call back from my bank saying yeah we cant do anything today, you are just going to have to come in in the morning. My folks who drove us up to have a post picking up the car dinner and to cut down on the driving, offered to write the lady a check but I didnt want to screw anything up with the loan So I said we will just go to the bank tomorrow get her a cashiers check and pick it up then. So we get there today before they open the doors, sign paperwork, get check (spending another hour there) Drive to my folks again try this again. Give the lady the check, take the key and title drive off to get some painters tape for the temp tag. Get a phone call from her saying her bank tells her the cashiers check is reported as stolen by my bank!!!! this is at 2:30. The wife immediately starts calling our loan officer or any bank number NOTHING, they are supposed to be open till 3 but cant be bothered to answer the phone. My dad once again offers to write the lady a check, she agrees, we drive home now I get the fun times of dealing with do I cancel my loan, As now my parents technically own the car, see if I can get a valid cashiers check made out to my parents Or if they want 54 payments of $230... WHAT A ****ING WEEKEND/DAY. I got in two carport pics before the friscalating dusk-light was too dim and I was under whiskeied. Dont listen to the commercials Tucson Federal Credit Union is in no way "better than a bank". Thanks for all the help guys and letting me rant
ANYWAYS, (warning full story containing a bit of a rant) I have been searching CL off an on for well about 18 months to get a feel for where the bear shifts. I noticed the price uptick occuring about last september/october and simply figured it must be a seasonal thing due to the machines snow conquering prowess. Nope it wasnt, I blame Andrew Saint Piere White for making a video claiming that the GX is the new FJ80 I didnt think he was wrong but since the release of that video prices have been climbing ( ). So thinking it was seasonal i figured people might let one go during the spring or summer and get a new car. The wife is a teacher so summer is a good time to muck about with transportation things. Last November we found out our beloved Rabbit (golf mkv everywhere else in the world) was diagnosed with a dying vacuum pump and its location requires an engine drop to service nothing like a $200 part requiring $1200 in labor and it was going to need some suspension work. So the primary vehicle switched from the go kart like golf to the horrible mitsubishi montero sport using the golf for her to drive only to work and when we couldnt share the montero. So she is done with all of her school duties and we sell her car. OK, now the pressure is on to find a replacement in earnest. We both love the looks of the FJ but we both know that the GX is just a whole lot more car for the money 2X as much. So we do smart things like look at what is available in our city... not much, ok so we know we are going to have to travel for it. So we go shopping for a car loan, I know the out of town might be an issue, I am a fan of credit unions, and the fact that we were looking for a car that was older than 10 years (except for the 09 which was a small production year) and all but few have less than 100k meant most places were not even talking about a loan or were 2-3% higher (I have a +750 credit score too mind you). I have a love hate relationship with my current Credit Union but they had the 2nd lowest rates and they said sure it would be no problem doing a private party sale in another city or state. Cool contacted the pretty white one in Havasu (which devolved fairly quickly) but the green one i bought I had been tracking off and on for a bit it started out waaaaaay tooo high and then it started dropping in early June it was well over $14k. When White in Havasu started acting shady I decided to keep looking I saw the price drop to 11,950 well shift (yes I am abusing a close word to get around the filters) I know we can get a loan for that we got pre approved already, Ran a plate check to scrape the VIN, ran the VIN through drivers.lexus and vehiclehistory.com (best free VIN checker) No issues and perfect dealer service record. Turn on the computer the next day to show the wife, posting deleted... Well balls. Search again, new posting for the car now $10950! Called her drove to the 150 miles to see it before dark, It looked good from what I could see except for some rust and an oily rack boot, ask if we can we come back tomorrow and take ti to a mechanic, if the mechanic says its good we will make an offer. So we go to the bank again fill out more paper work again, tell them the plan.
To which was supposed to be cool get power of attorney and tittle notarized take pics email them , electronically sign documents, they would deposit money in my account, i could go to a shared branch in Phoenix and pay the lady. We are at the bank by 4 pm in Phoenix. I email & call... At 4:50 I get a call back from my bank saying yeah we cant do anything today, you are just going to have to come in in the morning. My folks who drove us up to have a post picking up the car dinner and to cut down on the driving, offered to write the lady a check but I didnt want to screw anything up with the loan So I said we will just go to the bank tomorrow get her a cashiers check and pick it up then. So we get there today before they open the doors, sign paperwork, get check (spending another hour there) Drive to my folks again try this again. Give the lady the check, take the key and title drive off to get some painters tape for the temp tag. Get a phone call from her saying her bank tells her the cashiers check is reported as stolen by my bank!!!! this is at 2:30. The wife immediately starts calling our loan officer or any bank number NOTHING, they are supposed to be open till 3 but cant be bothered to answer the phone. My dad once again offers to write the lady a check, she agrees, we drive home now I get the fun times of dealing with do I cancel my loan, As now my parents technically own the car, see if I can get a valid cashiers check made out to my parents Or if they want 54 payments of $230... WHAT A ****ING WEEKEND/DAY. I got in two carport pics before the friscalating dusk-light was too dim and I was under whiskeied. Dont listen to the commercials Tucson Federal Credit Union is in no way "better than a bank". Thanks for all the help guys and letting me rant
Try to chill and enjoy the gx470.
