Would you run to buy it...or away from it? (used 200LC)

[TeCKis300]

I don't disagree with some of the points made above. But at the same time, there's not much a modern car needs under 100k miles. Only thing is oil change, which is an easy and cheap operation. There's also a nice nag message on the screen to take the car in for an oil change and I can't see someone staring at that for too long, when an oil change is quick and painless. Modern oils and filters can go way beyond the service intervals that we generally keep to. None of the other fluids really need to be touched.

Also, this is a freakin land cruiser. It's inherently designed to take abuse. There's just not much that a car can experience day to day, on roads that would even begin taxing the structure of the car. And if it were to that degree of abuse, it would surely reflect in its cosmetics. I personally wouldn't touch one that been beat/neglected cosmetically inside and out, as that suggests how the owner might have treated the mechanicals/maintenance. But a cosmetically appealing example should generally prove to be a healthy example as well.

 

[Markuson]

I don't disagree with some of the points made above. But at the same time, there's not much a modern car needs under 100k miles. Only thing is oil change, which is an easy and cheap operation. There's also a nice nag message on the screen to take the car in for an oil change and I can't see someone staring at that for too long, when an oil change is quick and painless. Modern oils and filters can go way beyond the service intervals that we generally keep to. None of the other fluids really need to be touched.

Also, this is a freakin land cruiser. It's inherently designed to take abuse. There's just not much that a car can experience day to day, on roads that would even begin taxing the structure of the car. And if it were to that degree of abuse, it would surely reflect in its cosmetics. I personally wouldn't touch one that been beat/neglected cosmetically inside and out, as that suggests how the owner might have treated the mechanicals/maintenance. But a cosmetically appealing example should generally prove to be a healthy example as well.

I had a buddy in high school who got his first car...and drove it until the engine seized. Only AFTER the fact did it ever occur to him that there was such a thing as an oil dipstick, and that he needed to check it from time to time. He had basically run the oil dry. I remember thinking he was an idiot...but honestly, a lot of people just really don't know even BASIC car care.

 

[TonyP]

Mosey on over to Just Rolled Into the Shop • r/Justrolledintotheshop

Reliability < Human stupidity

 

[DirtNap]

I had a buddy in high school who got his first car...and drove it until the engine seized. Only AFTER the fact did it ever occur to him that there was such a thing as an oil dipstick, and that he needed to check it from time to time. He had basically run the oil dry. I remember thinking he was an idiot...but honestly, a lot of people just really don't know even BASIC car care.

My sister-in-law did the same thing when she went off to college. Amazingly enough, the car wasn't servicing itself all those years at her mom and dad's house.

 

[DirtNap]

I had an opportunity to go take a look at the 200LC in question. Was in decent shape for something 8 years and 100,000+ miles old.

• Cosmetically not bad (a few small scratches in the paint, a "removed" stain in the bed carpet).
• Mechanically: drove fine, seemed generally OK. Two issues:
  1. Brakes vibrated / pulsed a bit, so I'm guessing one or more rotors is warped.
     
  2. The sunroof didn't want to close all the way, and the up/down tilt switch seemed to just open and close it as well. Didn't have time to figure it out, but it looked like the pop-up wind deflector wasn't retracting?

My main think I focused on was finding rust. The doors, sills, body panels etc. looked pretty good - no rust. I took a bunch of pictures of the undercarriage and would appreciate your thoughts on whether this is fine/typical or not.

Front wheel wells - pretty good I think

Inside rear bumper. Not so good looking.

Rear axle

(more pics in next post, hopefully)

Being a novice at this, I *think* it is probably "normal" for most 2008's. But I've also spent a lot of time as a teen repairing the rusted rocker panels and fenders of my POS car.

 

[DirtNap]

Here are a few more.
Frame

Thing 1

Thing 2


There should be about 7 more at the Google gallery I linked to in my prior post, if you are really curious.

Thanks in advance for any advice etc.
And here's the doohickey:

 

[TonyP]

Run!
Unless you want to spend a weekend under there dealing with and treating the rust. Even then, for the life of the vehicle you'll be dealing with rusted bolts and screws.
Run!

 

[Sandroad]

Depends on the price and how much you're willing to put into rust care. It's certainly not fine, but with some elbow grease, rust reformer, and fluid film it's salvageable. I'd say probably a day of scraping, chiseling, wire brushing, and then a day of careful work with few cans of Rustoleum rust reformer, and then another hour or so of Fluid Film application and it will be acceptable. So, if you get it at a real good price and are wiling to put in some time, and everyone else is ok, it would be a doable project.

 

[TonyP]

Depends on the price and how much you're willing to put into rust care. It's certainly not fine, but with some elbow grease, rust reformer, and fluid film it's salvageable. I'd say probably a day of scraping, chiseling, wire brushing, and then a day of careful work with few cans of Rustoleum rust reformer, and then another hour or so of Fluid Film application and it will be acceptable. So, if you get it at a real good price and are wiling to put in some time, and everyone else is ok, it would be a doable project.

And a tetanus shot.

 

[liv2bike]

I've passed on some with less rust. For me...once I find the one, I am keeping it for a loooong time. I will give it to my kids when they start driving. So IMO, if you are planning to keep it...run.

Guy

 

[gaijin]

Some of those pictures scream "Flood Damage" to me ... I'd run.

HTH

 

[Tripledave]

Does it matter that it is Salsa Red? Looks OK to me, but is that committing some TLC faux pas?

Nothing wrong with the red there chief..... I hate red, but I've since learned to love my Cruiser.

But the rust is concerning, unless it's just a smoking deal I'd run from that one man. You can do better.......

 

[DirtNap]

Thanks guys and/or gals. i don't need the hassle, i don't think it's a steal, and zero service records = no dice!! I will keep looking! (and btw, i liked the red!)

 

[D21FJ60]

Some of those pictures scream "Flood Damage" to me ... I'd run.

HTH

Just curious, how can you tell?

 

[gaijin]

Just curious, how can you tell?

Some of the incongruities I observed are not easily explained by anything else IMHO.

For instance, the rusted tailgate cable brackets in contrast to brand new looking carpet:

Or rear frame member thoroughly rusted on all surfaces while bolts holding the hitch surround look brand new:

Any thought why this taigate bumper mount should be so completely rusted while everything around it looks brand new?

Silt? Sand? Whatever settled on top of frame rail?

I have no idea what the history of this vehicle is, but it is suspicious there are no service records available. Is the title clean? Don't know. For me, there are enough red flags to rule this one out. One easy explanation is a flood salvage supported by the apparently inconsistent presence of brand new looking parts right next to completely rusted parts.

If you think this is not a plausible conclusion, please let me know. Not defensive, just curious what you think.

HTH

 

[D21FJ60]

I always hear about flood cars but never really seen any. However your observations make a good point...how else would the relatively shielded hinges become so completely rusted? Silt may be explained if they drove through some tough terrain but even then that's a stretch of an explanation...

 

[TonyP]

Good eye. Must have been high water. Since it's north-ish east coast, possibly a hurricane Sandy "survivor".

 

[sPaulp]

Good choice with running in the other direction. I agree with other members that while the undercarriage is salvageable, it would be a lot of work. I ran into the same problem when looking at used cruisers here in the north east, and inevitably flew down to Tennessee last week and drove back a rust free, well maintained cruiser. If your budget will allow, you are better served looking for a southern rig. They are out there, but I certainly understand how patience can be a thorn

 

[40Man]

 

[LALC]

Also Louisiana has had a few big floods the last couple years. TONS of flooded cars going back out on the market. I refused to even look in this area. Got mine in Vegas.