What's the value of my 1997 Lexus LX450?

[BBLX450]

Hey y'all! I'm new here, but trying to figure the as-is value of my Lexus LX450 (not triple locked). Any and all input is appreciated but I'd especially love to hear from you more seasoned MUD folks who have been around this community for a bit and have a good grasp on the market. Just ran out during my lunch break to take a few quick pictures (sorry, they're not great angles, bad lighting). But here's the quick, run down of where I'm at with it...

1997 Lexus LX450
252,143 miles
Third owner, bought it from a friend in August 2022 who did regular oil changes himself.
Maintenance and Mechanical Work I've had done:
- Full Synthetic Oil Changes
- New Battery
- New Spark Plugs, New Thermostat, and Distributor
- New Denso Alternator & Belt
- New Denso Radiator
- New Front Brake Pads & Rotors
- New Rear Brake Light Socket Assemblies
- Brand New BFG All Terrain K02 Tires 275/70/16

Flaws:
- Possible head gasket problem. Losing coolant. Pressure test detected no leaks.
- Needs a new after-market radio installed. The one it had was wired wrong, and drawing on the battery (hence the new battery and alternator.)
- Leather is Sub Par Condition (Front Seats, Steering Wheel, Middle Console need to be recovered/replaced, back seats are passable, but not great)
- Automatic windows work but slow down, sometimes to a stop, occasionally, and you have to wait til they wake up.
- Needs new, OEM style hood support struts.
- Exterior Body (a little paint damage on front hood, I don't mind it though)

How much do you think it is it worth? Would love to know your thoughts!

 

[BBLX450]

Thanks for the hospitality. Cheers.

 

[BBLX450]

Yeah welcome to the forum

Thanks. My name is Ben. What's yours? Or do you choose to remain anonymous so you can behave however you want online?

 

[BBLX450]

Bye Felicia

I'm not going anywhere, honey.

 

[JoeCova]

Might help fluidity of the thread if you combine the quotes into a single post when replying. Further, you can self assess your LC pretty easily in the classified and other sections of this forum. Lastly, you just posted that this has a HG issue so unless repaired, will tank the value.

This forum is a compendium of knowledge with helpful people and unhelpful people and the best thing you can do is simply help yourself. There is so much information already available to answer 99.9% of questions.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

I'm not going anywhere, honey.

That's the spirit, Laddie!
Earlier I was afraid you wern't going to be able to handle the official MUD welcome.

Welcome to MUD

 

[duece71]

What did you pay when you purchased? What price are you looking to sell? The value of your LX is going to be somewhere in between both of those numbers but will definitely NOT be higher than the first number.
Is this LX a hobby vehicle? A DD? A “so critical that it works to be able to drive it but I like living on the edge” vehicle? Maybe it’s a I had wild dreams about this truck when I bought it but now reality is sinking in and I might need to off load quick?
I am not trying to bait you at all. I hope you get the exact price you paid for it plus a little extra for the, you know, effort.
If it’s not your DD and you are genuinely interested in going the distance, Mud is the place to be for knowledge and reassurance you made the right choice.
GLWS.

 

[wileetoyote]

Your best bet is to compare your rig to BAT (Bring A Trailer) as there are many 80's currently under auction (3 as I write this) and many recent sales. Solid, clean rigs seem to sell highest in CA or other boogie states Californions are flocking to such as TX, FL, AZ and NV.

I'm in Hawaii which is unique and have been contemplating selling it as I'll be moving off island soon... I've gotten unsolicited interest and think I could get ~$40K for my rig as Toyota's are KING in HI and FZJ80's are hard to come by here . Having shipped it over here last year for $2300 from AZ, it's 99.9% rust free. Its got factory lockers and I've kept it fresh over the years with some new paint, leather, and aftermarket goodies done in good taste (Slee, 4+, etc). I've spent ~$15k in the last 2 years so if I test the waters and get offers less than $35K, I'll most likely be shipping it back stateside for about $1800 so I'll have to consider that added cost. It was my DD over the last 20+ years but since I retired a couple years ago, it only gets out once a week or so.

Some money shots of my rig...

 

[CharlieS]

Your best bet is to compare your rig to BAT (Bring A Trailer) as there are many 80's currently under auction (3 as I write this) and many recent sales. Solid, clean rigs seem to sell highest in CA or other boogie states Californions are flocking to such as TX, FL, AZ and NV.

I'm in Hawaii which is unique and have been contemplating selling it as I'll be moving off island soon... I've gotten unsolicited interest and think I could get ~$40K for my rig as Toyota's are KING in HI and FZJ80's are hard to come by here . Having shipped it over here last year for $2300 from AZ, it's 99.9% rust free. Its got factory lockers and I've kept it fresh over the years with some new paint, leather, and aftermarket goodies done in good taste (Slee, 4+, etc). I've spent ~$15k in the last 2 years so if I test the waters and get offers less than $35K, I'll most likely be shipping it back stateside for about $1800 so I'll have to consider that added cost. It was my DD over the last 20+ years but since I retired a couple years ago, it only gets out once a week or so.

View attachment 3631508


Some money shots of my rig...
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Comparing the OP rig to BAT sale prices is going to set unrealistic expectations. BAT is the absolute high end and as far as I've seen only pristine or unique vehicles. The OP has a very comm LX with lots of miles and a blown head gasket ...

 

[wileetoyote]

Comparing the OP rig to BAT sale prices is going to set unrealistic expectations. BAT is the absolute high end and as far as I've seen only pristine or unique vehicles. The OP has a very comm LX with lots of miles and a blown head gasket ...

I get your point and agree with BAT being top end rigs but bottom end is somewhat unrealistic as well... for example, if I used KBB on my LC, I'd be dumping my rig for ~$7500 according to them. I'm sure he's already done that (KBB I mean) and is realizing that if he wants to get a decent price (assuming he wants to sell it at some point), he's got some work to do or needs to adjust his expectations seeing those two extreme end reference points. One thing for sure is that LC's are money pits and he may be realizing it now that he owns one.

 

[CharlieS]

I get your point and agree with BAT being top end rigs but bottom end is somewhat unrealistic as well... for example, if I used KBB on my LC, I'd be dumping my rig for ~$7500 according to them. I'm sure he's already done that (KBB I mean) and is realizing that if he wants to get a decent price (assuming he wants to sell it at some point), he's got some work to do or needs to adjust his expectations seeing those two extreme end reference points. One thing for sure is that LC's are money pits and he may be realizing it now that he owns one.

Makes sense. If the OP is even still around, my opinion is that they need to adjust sale price expectations to account for the condition. If as originally stated there is a head gasket issue, the upholstery is shot, and there is paint damage, I would expect a lower than market value sale price. Or perhaps a different way to say it is I personally wouldn't pay market prices for a vehicle with those issues.

 

[Bludozer]

Mine is worth $100k; yours is worth $2.50

 

[DIRTBIKEUSA]

Possible Bad head gasket? Not a penny over $3000.

 

[calokie]

Possible Bad head gasket? Not a penny over $3000.

253k he's reached the magic number

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Your best bet is to compare your rig to BAT (Bring A Trailer) as there are many 80's currently under auction (3 as I write this) and many recent sales. Solid, clean rigs seem to sell highest in CA or other boogie states Californions are flocking to such as TX, FL, AZ and NV.

I'm in Hawaii which is unique and have been contemplating selling it as I'll be moving off island soon... I've gotten unsolicited interest and think I could get ~$40K for my rig as Toyota's are KING in HI and FZJ80's are hard to come by here . Having shipped it over here last year for $2300 from AZ, it's 99.9% rust free. Its got factory lockers and I've kept it fresh over the years with some new paint, leather, and aftermarket goodies done in good taste (Slee, 4+, etc). I've spent ~$15k in the last 2 years so if I test the waters and get offers less than $35K, I'll most likely be shipping it back stateside for about $1800 so I'll have to consider that added cost. It was my DD over the last 20+ years but since I retired a couple years ago, it only gets out once a week or so.

View attachment 3631508


Some money shots of my rig...
View attachment 3631509View attachment 3631510View attachment 3631511

It might be tough getting $35K on the Big Island. What is the location of your second photo-Waipio? I'm on Hilo side most of the winter. No Cruiser, just a '90 4Runner.

 

[wileetoyote]

It might be tough getting $35K on the Big Island. What is the location of your second photo-Waipio? I'm on Hilo side most of the winter. No Cruiser, just a '90 4Runner.

Yep, that's Waipio. I'm on the Kona side. I've had a lot of interest but its all talk until they come up with a good offer.

I had an '89 4Rnr SAS but my son rolled it when he was 16... he was fine so I was okay to be sad... sold it (whole) for parts.

 

[SaturnAscends]

These 90s Toyotas aren't very liquid assets nowadays unless you have something that's pristine or unique enough to excite collectors. This isn't 2021 with all the free money flying around. People are getting squeezed by stagflation, and the independently wealthy BAT-types can only buy so many of these. Most people are looking for deals, i.e. well under 10k, especially if you have major mechanical issues.

 

[DIRTBIKEUSA]

Realistically, if the car community should stop forking over big cash for “ I know what I gots” $hit boxes, prices for nice examples would come down.

The story of the LX I picked up goes like this:

Him: “I know what I got and I need to get what I put into it”

Me:” it’s got a dead miss fire, so you clearly didn’t put enough into it. You want to make a deal or are you not ready to eat it go? I got this cash offer here and the longer it sits the less I can spend.”

He made the deal.

 

[wileetoyote]

Your best bet is to compare your rig to BAT (Bring A Trailer) as there are many 80's currently under auction (3 as I write this) and many recent sales. Solid, clean rigs seem to sell highest in CA or other boogie states Californions are flocking to such as TX, FL, AZ and NV.

I rest my case... for sale in CA for the "discounted" price of $57,900

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Yep, that's Waipio. I'm on the Kona side. I've had a lot of interest but its all talk until they come up with a good offer.

I had an '89 4Rnr SAS but my son rolled it when he was 16... he was fine so I was okay to be sad... sold it (whole) for parts.

A sad story alright. Colleague of mine had a stock 80 rolled by their teenage son on a round about. No ice or snow either. You were bold to put your kid in a lifted 4runner. My girl got an old Subaru sedan.

The link to 80 FS you posted above is a 28 minute video from a guy with a reputation for rambling on, so I just watched long enough to take a peak.
My impression from BAT is that the high dollar sales are with either unmodified or mildly modified 80s. He's not likely to get $58K.

BTW, OP seems to be long gone. Last post shows up as March.

 

[DIRTBIKEUSA]

I rest my case... for sale in CA for the "discounted" price of $57,900

57 g’s? What a joke. They arn’t selling for that no matter what people say.