For Sale What’s your thoughts on this 97?

Location

United States

Guys I have been searching for a LC for 6 months and it just seems like I can never find the right one or my timing is off.

So found a pristine 97’ locked with 230k miles. I got the dealer down to 15k. It’s stock with new leather. Not a ding or scratch.

Here are the underside photos.
Maybe I’m tired but I’m thinking seriously about buying it. But I feel a little crazy paying that much for one with miles that high. I would be pissed if it blew a HG after buying it...

 

[txgringo]

Looks like it may have a rebuilt motor based on how shiney and silver the block is. That wouldn't scare me as long as i had confidence that it had been done right.

The undercarriage looks VERY clean, except for the front DS wheel well. What's goimg on there?

Clean 80s are bringing a premium lately, and there don't seem to be many around.

 

[mrsleeve]

Looks to me to be too clean for 230k, Looks like it has had fresh coat of Schmooo applied very recently........

 

[dan1554]

That’s definitely been painted. Not necessarily a bad thing but look closely for evidence of rust.

 

[subspd]

It’s a southeast truck from new. Don’t see any rust. How do the BIRFS look to you all?

 

[PDoyle]

not so much the hg. ask when the front axle has been serviced.someone took a lot of time under there prettying it up.
Does the dealer have a warrenty?

 

[PFMFJ80]

If they have nothing to hide and are asking that much, they should have no issues doing a pre-purchase inspection (PPI). I would do one and have the mechanic do a head gasket bubble test, which is not intrussive at all and pretty simple. Yes, its a dealer, but if they are legit, they will not have a problem with it. For my other car, I was paying premium for it, anz I had 2 PPIs done to it before purchasing and the dealer was OK with it. With that many miles you are paying premium and it is reasonable for you to ensure that you will not need to do a $3K HG job right after buying it. My philosophy nowdays is that I only buy once I'm convinced that is a good buy because there is nothing worse that buying with doubt and confirming it shortly after the purchase. Also, $15K should be enough to buy a decent 80 for $7-8k, use $4K for PM and some goodies, and have $3K for insurance when something breaks. Good Luck!

 

[ace10]

Where are you seeing "decent" locked 80s for $7 or 8K?

 

[PFMFJ80]

Where are you seeing "decent" locked 80s for $7 or 8K?

An hour ago you replied to a thread on a very decent one for $8,200.

 

[PFMFJ80]

An hour ago you replied to a thread on a very decent one for $8,200.

And I never said, locked.

 

[subspd]

Well the dealer is not cooperative and since he is asking a premium and he is refusing to help get it looked at I’m passing. After searching for another Land Cruiser for over 6 months now I have to say I’m so tired of the dealer games...

 

[azfjz80]

If they’re refusing a PPI then they’re knowingly hiding something. Aborting is the right decision.

 

[ATXFJ80]

Well the dealer is not cooperative and since he is asking a premium and he is refusing to help get it looked at I’m passing. After searching for another Land Cruiser for over 6 months now I have to say I’m so tired of the dealer games...

Honestly, I have seen you pass up a lot of great deals in the past 6 months and in order to get a great deal
you need to be ready to move fast around here. This one you are asking about is an Eh deal but them refusing
a PPI has probably more to do with the fact that it's just to much trouble for them to deal with.

 

[ace10]

And I never said, locked.

Well, this one IS locked. And the other one isn't. Which we all know makes quite a bit of difference in the price. Right?

I don't think this one is a buy at $15K, but solid 80s aren't exactly falling out of the sky for $7-8K. Regardless of code K294 or not.

 

[subspd]

Honestly, I have seen you pass up a lot of great deals in the past 6 months and in order to get a great deal
you need to be ready to move fast around here. This one you are asking about is an Eh deal but them refusing
a PPI has probably more to do with the fact that it's just to much trouble for them to deal with.

I did pass on some I shouldn’t have probably. My work schedule is very complicated. So trying to buy anything long distance basically involves me buying sight unseen and having it shipped to me. This is VERY frustrating especially since I am currently in Washington DC and basically once you hit VA all local and nearby trucks are rust ridden. I had hoped for a transfer to somewhere that doesn’t use salt but they are keeping me in the area for at least another 3 years. So I’m just going to have to keep looking locally for one that has already been brought to the area from a non-salt state (which extremely limits my options) or buy from far away and ship. Wife thinks I’m nuts. But after owning every type of Toyota truck over the years an 80 or 100 is just what I want to drive again.

 

[landcruiserjunky]

Well the dealer is not cooperative and since he is asking a premium and he is refusing to help get it looked at I’m passing. After searching for another Land Cruiser for over 6 months now I have to say I’m so tired of the dealer games...

You don't shop for 20 year old 80s at dealerships man. The sales manager did you a solid. You dodged a bullet.

 

[ATXFJ80]

I did pass on some I shouldn’t have probably. My work schedule is very complicated. So trying to buy anything long distance basically involves me buying sight unseen and having it shipped to me. This is VERY frustrating especially since I am currently in Washington DC and basically once you hit VA all local and nearby trucks are rust ridden. I had hoped for a transfer to somewhere that doesn’t use salt but they are keeping me in the area for at least another 3 years. So I’m just going to have to keep looking locally for one that has already been brought to the area from a non-salt state (which extremely limits my options) or buy from far away and ship. Wife thinks I’m nuts. But after owning every type of Toyota truck over the years an 80 or 100 is just what I want to drive again.

I buy sight unseen all the time. I'm sure I have purchased some that you should have purchased. I work overseas half the year so no stranger here to a much worse situation. None are ever going to be perfect but when the value is there you take the good with the bad. I actually though you were a serial inquisitor because you ask the same questions all the time and have asked the same questions on some rigs
that I have sold on here. Good luck getting one but you are going to have to be ready to buy now or see the good deals fly right out the
window. If you want some feedback on anyone you see just PM me. I have a great LX for sale right now that everyone on here is missing
out on but oh well someone will score on it one day.

Arch
512-800-8869

 

[bugsnbikes]

or just buy a clean low miler with 150k and a blown hg for $4500 and have the headgasket done.

All in under $6k and HG done with a lot of the p.m. while your mechanic is in there.!

 

[jatree]

or just buy a clean low miler with 150k and a blown hg for $4500 and have the headgasket done.

All in under $6k and HG done with a lot of the p.m. while your mechanic is in there.!

Got any leads on one of them low miler with blown hg's?

 

[ATXFJ80]

Got any leads on one of them low miler with blown hg's?

I have one being delivered in April that I just purchased. I'll either sell it as is, replace the head gasket and do all the other good work you do at that time or swap out the engine with a solid 150K engine I have for sale at this time.

Arch
512-800-8869