What do the experts say

[LRSIIaCruiser]

Mornin!
I’ve been looking for a couple months for a solid 2013-2015 under 50k miles. (In a color other than black) I stumbled upon this one randomly. $47.500, with 45k miles. I’m currently deployed (be back soon) so this will be a sight unseen type situation. Prob have my mother fly up and drive it back for me.
Guy seems really nice, garage kept, says zero rust, spotless, he maintained it himself. He’s the second owner, bought it from a couple who say it was too much far for them, now says it’s too much for him. Zero issues. What’s your opinion guys!
Also if someone has the ability to run the VIN for the I would greatly appreciate it! (He says it’s a Clean Carfax)

 

[Markuson]

Looks like it's been sprayed with something underneath. Not necessarily bad if a preventative measure...but can also mean remedying rust.

Maybe it's fine, and if so, that's a decent price for a 2013.

I would ask for a photograph of the KDSS valve release hex screws.

If it EVER had serious rust, the KDSS valves will almost surely show it.

 

[LRSIIaCruiser]

Thanks Mark! Request sent. I’ll post a pic when I get it! It does look like it’s been sprayed. That rear diff almost looks too clean...

 

[GoISU]

It looks like it's been sprayed with fluid film or a similar product, it's also possible that it's just wet I suppose. If it's been fluid filmed I'd take that as a major positive. Most people are either unaware or don't care enough to get this simple preventable maintenance item done. Fluid film won't mask rust, it just stops it in its tracks and prevents future corrosion. Looks like a 10/10 undercarriage to me...

 

[LRSIIaCruiser]

It looks like it's been sprayed with fluid film or a similar product, it's also possible that it's just wet I suppose. If it's been fluid filmed I'd take that as a major positive. Most people are either unaware or don't care enough to get this simple preventable maintenance item done. Fluid film won't mask rust, it just stops it in its tracks and prevents future corrosion. Looks like a 10/10 undercarriage to me...

Good to know! I’ll def take that fluid film advice once I purchase one. Thanks for your input! Want to make sure I the best base cruiser I can so I can throw 200+k miles on this without issue, so I welcome all advice!

I love this forum.

 

[NC237]

Looks good to me. You can tell they just washed it... but that's what folks do when selling.

The sticker on the axel to the right in the first pic looks in good condition. That could be indicative of how much exposure the under carriage has had to the elements. I also notice two layers of floor mats on the interior. If I was cynical I might say the double floor mats are hiding something and the new looking sticker means the axel was replaced... but I doubt that. All of this is anecdote, but these things stand out to me as a positive. Nice color.

I understand the too much part of it. The LC is a great vehicle but if you don't use it for off-road use, the size, old tech, and gas mileage can start to wear on ya.

 

[LRSIIaCruiser]

Looks like it's been sprayed with something underneath. Not necessarily bad if a preventative measure...but can also mean remedying rust.

Maybe it's fine, and if so, that's a decent price for a 2013.

I would ask for a photograph of the KDSS valve release hex screws.

If it EVER had serious rust, the KDSS valves will almost surely show it.

The KDSS valves have been treated with Boeshield T-9 to prevent seizure. Also, parts of the under carriage were sprayed with a rust preventive treatment.

Seems to be a little gem so far

 

[KLF]

There's no way I'd spend that kinda money on a vehicle without looking at it in person.

 

[LRSIIaCruiser]

There's no way I'd spend that kinda money on a vehicle without looking at it in person.

Def agree, there will be an in person inspection before $ is transferred.

 

[LRSIIaCruiser]

I would ask for a photograph of the KDSS valve release hex screws.

If it EVER had serious rust, the KDSS valves will almost surely show it.

He took the cover off for the pic, hex nuts turn easily

 

[TonyP]

Make an account here and plug the VIN in for service history

Track Your Service Records with Your Toyota Owners Account

Looks very good to me. Price is a smidgen high, in my opinion.

 

[Yossarian]

If you have the VIN, go to this Toyota website:

Toyota Owners Official Web Site

Register and enter the VIN and you should see the service history and warranty work if any performed at a dealer.

HTH, good luck.

 

[Yossarian]

Make an account here and plug the VIN in for service history

Track Your Service Records with Your Toyota Owners Account

Looks very good to me. Price is a smidgen high, in my opinion.

Jinx!

 

[linuxgod]

If I was cynical I might say the double floor mats are hiding something and the new looking sticker means the axel was replaced... but I doubt that.

My 2013 still had the sticker on the diff carrier until a couple weeks ago when I used a prying bar against that spot for leverage when swapping my rear springs. Not sure where that truck is located but if it's not in a salt-heavy state then it's most likely actually that clean.

 

[ckkone]

Looks good to me, I got mine from AZ and never drove or saw it in person. I did a bunch of back and forth with pictures and facetime and ran the VIN on Toyotas site. Mine had 80k and the underside looks that good if not better. It looks like a well kept 200 to me and if all of your questions have been answered and your gut isn't telling you to walk away, then buy it. You could always have Toyota do a PPI for like $130, but I didn't bother.

 

[Willy beamin]

I second the Toyota PPI, I did it with my purchase years ago and it helped put questions to bed for me. Its probably the best $100+ you'll spend on this truck.

 

[marketShark]

I second a pre purchase inspection from a reputable tech. it's a small price to pay for peace of mind on a large purchase like this.

 

[littlegreenmonster]

I would absolutely have it taken to a Toyota dealer for an inspection. I just picked up an EXTREMELY clean 2013 a couple of months ago for $46500. It spent its whole life in suburban Atlanta and 45500 miles on it.

 

[GoISU]

I bought my '13 sight unseen out of TX with nothing but dealer pics and a clean carfax. Worked out well for me. Only had 23K miles so I figured it'd be OK, only surprise was only one key in truck.

 

[John E Davies]

In regards to stuff on the frame, a car dealer’s detail shop will spray black @#$&*( inside the wheel wells and on visible parts of the frame and driveline. It is purely cosmetic to make the rust and dirt look new. Mine had that stuff on it and the first good pressure wash blew it all away. The Ram 3500 I bought used three years ago also had it, ditto....

I personally would rather not see anything freshly sprayed on a vehicle I was interested in. It hides too many possible problems.

Just be careful and have it really looked at, closely, and understand that it may leave a big greasy spot in your driveway when you wash it.

Or not.

John Davies
Spokane WS