Which one of you bought that 2000 LC in Seattle yesterday? (13 Viewers)

[MtnMantologist]

I texted the dealer as soon as I saw it “coming soon”, got photos texted, and it was just what I was looking for but someone local swung by and snagged it. Would love to see some higher res pictures of it - super jealous.

It’s tough to buy a good condition 100 from a dealer when they don’t even make it out of inspection. Second time this has happened in the past month - first time I think a mechanic bought it.

EDIT: here are some low-res photos the dealer sent. 2000 with ~128k miles, one owner, no rust, River Rock Green Mica with Oak interior. It's (to me) like 90% as good as that 2000 with 65K miles that just sold for $51K on C&B last week only it sold for half the price. Bummed to miss out on it.

 

[rmspider16]

Wasn’t me, but just wanted to let you know I can relate. I did the same thing over the last few months. My only big requirement was pics of the frame and underside to see rust condition. Lost out on like 3 vehicles because by the time the dealer would send me pics, the vehicle was always already sold. The good ones would normally all be sold within the first few hours they hit the market, if they were priced appropriately. Seems like I was seeing pretty extremes in price. You would have people who know there is a cult following and try to list at crazy high prices and then dealers who take these on trade and not really know the value and use kbb etc. and list a reasonable prices.

I finally decided I would need to act faster than I wanted. Here’s the routine I ended up doing

When a vehicle would hit any of the search sites I had notifications set on (CarGurus, cars.com, carfax,etc) I would do the following:
1. Run vin on Lexus website to see history
2. Carfax if available
3. Get pics of underside (if Lexus or carfax shows from only non-snow area would waive this)
4. Put deposit down on vehicle immediately.

The lx I finally got, I put a deposit down within 5 mins of getting pics of the underside and within the first hour of car being listed. There were like 15 others all trying to decide at the same time (according to dealer). Bottom line is when these rare finds hit the market, you have to act impulsively. Downside is risk of plane ticket and/or driving time. I felt like the only risk is rust. Any other little things I would be willing to fix (if price was reasonable).

All this to say…I hated that feeling of losing out on the “unicorn” but every month or so another would pop up. Best of luck man.

 

[MtnMantologist]

Wasn’t me, but just wanted to let you know I can relate. I did the same thing over the last few months. My only big requirement was pics of the frame and underside to see rust condition. Lost out on like 3 vehicles because by the time the dealer would send me pics, the vehicle was always already sold. The good ones would normally all be sold within the first few hours they hit the market, if they were priced appropriately. Seems like I was seeing pretty extremes in price. You would have people who know there is a cult following and try to list at crazy high prices and then dealers who take these on trade and not really know the value and use kbb etc. and list a reasonable prices.

I finally decided I would need to act faster than I wanted. Here’s the routine I ended up doing

When a vehicle would hit any of the search sites I had notifications set on (CarGurus, cars.com, carfax,etc) I would do the following:
1. Run vin on Lexus website to see history
2. Carfax if available
3. Get pics of underside (if Lexus or carfax shows from only non-snow area would waive this)
4. Put deposit down on vehicle immediately.

The lx I finally got, I put a deposit down within 5 mins of getting pics of the underside and within the first hour of car being listed. There were like 15 others all trying to decide at the same time (according to dealer). Bottom line is when these rare finds hit the market, you have to act impulsively. Downside is risk of plane ticket and/or driving time. I felt like the only risk is rust. Any other little things I would be willing to fix (if price was reasonable).

All this to say…I hated that feeling of losing out on the “unicorn” but every month or so another would pop up. Best of luck man.

I wasn't even trying to do a ton of due diligence! Just get a few photos of the truck and the frame to check for rust. As soon as I saw the pictures I was ready to buy it and have it shipped across the country but even that wasn't fast enough.

Thanks for the tips on what worked for you. I'll just be more aggressive going forward. I've found the same ~1 per month hit rate for a unicorn. Just gotta keep my eyes peeled.

 

[kbfj621989]

Wow. That was a nice one-owner vehicle. From the carfax it was driven about 3200 miles a year for the last 8 years.

 

[MtnMantologist]

Wow. That was a nice one-owner vehicle. From the carfax it was driven about 3200 miles a year for the last 8 years.

 

[onemanarmy]

just get this one.....super low miles!

just gotta ship it....

Wyndscreen

A better car market.

wyndscreen.app

 

[MtnMantologist]

just get this one.....super low miles!

just gotta ship it....

Wyndscreen

A better car market.

wyndscreen.app

I love their listing notes lol

 

[gregdawg89]

I'm in the Seattle area but my LC is imported from Japan!

1HD-FTE turbo diesel

 

[rexington14]

I wasn't even trying to do a ton of due diligence! Just get a few photos of the truck and the frame to check for rust. As soon as I saw the pictures I was ready to buy it and have it shipped across the country but even that wasn't fast enough.

Thanks for the tips on what worked for you. I'll just be more aggressive going forward. I've found the same ~1 per month hit rate for a unicorn. Just gotta keep my eyes peeled.

The good ones (condition and price) go quick - within a couple hours.

With reputable dealers your best bet is to just go see it if you are local, or call and try to get them to accept a deposit. Ask questions later.

With a local private seller your first and only question should be "can I come see it?". Ask questions later.

 

[SNLC]

Funny, I bought a 2000 in 2015 with 125,000 miles for $10k.

My buddies dad here in Boise bought an 01 with 105,000 miles for $11k in 2018.

Cheers

 

[MtnMantologist]

Funny, I bought a 2000 in 2015 with 125,000 miles for $10k.

My buddies dad here in Boise bought an 01 with 105,000 miles for $11k in 2018.

Cheers

I paid $6,850 for my ‘99 with 185k miles in 2017. The world done changed. I wish now that I’d paid up for a cleaner example.

 

[Super77]

The good ones (condition and price) go quick - within a couple hours.

With reputable dealers your best bet is to just go see it if you are local, or call and try to get them to accept a deposit. Ask questions later.

With a local private seller your first and only question should be "can I come see it?". Ask questions later.

Seattle is arguably one of the better used car sources. Automotive steel benefits from our lack of road salt and plastics from our lack of heat . Only thing to watch out for is that unholy PNW grime consisting of tree pollen, moss, and mold.

 

[gregdawg89]

Seattle is arguably one of the better used car sources. Automotive steel benefits from our lack of road salt and plastics from our lack of heat . Only thing to watch out for is that unholy PNW grime consisting of tree pollen, moss, and mold.

Always parking in a garage helps with that pollen/moss/mold issue.