Looking at a Land Cruiser - too many miles?

You may have seen my other thread about trying to soften the ride on my F250. In related news...

I was going to lunch and saw a 2005 Toyo Land Cruiser on a local lot that was a recent trade in.
link to the ad

Short description, it's got the 4.7L V8, 225k miles, and they're asking $13,700. It was owned by a real estate agent who is apparently a TLC fanatic. Traded it in on a newer model.

I've always thought these TLCs were the coolest. I think having a 4x4 would be nifty for light exploring and wet boat ramps. 225K is a LOT of miles for a $13k vehicle. This would be a financing situation, and that makes me nervous. Of course, you have the Toyota and TLC specific rep for longevity. I don't drive my truck that many miles every year - I've only put about 6k on the too fiddy in the last year. All online sources say that's not a bad price for the vehicle, but that's hard for me to swallow. It ran smooth other than a little startup belt singing. I'm going back after work for a test drive.

What's the hive opinion on this beast with that mileage? TLC owners want to testify here?

Look it over, especially for the timing belt and wear items--if all the wear items (not sure what they are) hit at once, it would be a huge expense. Otherwise expect it to be as reliable as gravity. The mileage would not scare me at all.

For financing, check out PenFed. Ridiculously easy membership requirements (for me, it was my deceased grandpa being a vet that counted) and really low rates (something like 2.1% for me on a $3k loan; most places wouldn't even loan me that little)

You mentioned financing so I'll direct you to PenFed.com which I learned about here on GRM and where I financed a used car purchase last year at 1.99%.

EDIT: wow, two endorcements at the same time. As for qualifications, I was failing all of the questions like Military Service, Gov't Employee, etc. Then the operator came to the question of, "have you ever donated blood to The Red Cross? I answered, "sure, but I can't prove it." That was good enough!

Obviously, everyone has a different comfort level but if I were in your shoes I'd have to violate a couple personal rules to purchase that.

I don't see an issue with either the mileage or the price but I don't like to finance toys and I don't like to make payments on a vehicle that's not under warranty. The exceptions to those rules is if I actually have the money and financing is cheaper than liquidating holdings.

I have a 1998 LX470, AKA the "ZAV", which is the same as a Land Cruiser but with the Lexus badges. I bought it with 225K miles on it. I put new seat covers on the front and changed the spark plugs and the stereo head unit. Fantastic vehicle. I drive it once a week to work, or more if it's raining, snowing, zombies falling from the sky, etc. Every time I drive it, I say "This thing is awesome." I show it to people and they say "It looks new."

So, if it's been maintained, I wouldn't worry about the miles.

I just bought a Montero Limited like this one asking $4,500 w/ 145k. I paid a mere $1,500 for mine but it has 200k well maintained miles until it got a big dent in the bumper.

Sure, it's a TLC wanna-be but it is very capable and really, really cheap comparatively.

Otherwise, seek out a Lexus Version

APEowner wrote: Obviously, everyone has a different comfort level but if I were in your shoes I'd have to violate a couple personal rules to purchase that. I don't see an issue with either the mileage or the price but I don't like to finance toys and I don't like to make payments on a vehicle that's not under warranty. The exceptions to those rules is if I actually have the money and financing is cheaper than liquidating holdings.

I dig where you're coming from, but I'm just not in that situation. Plus it wouldn't exactly be a toy - I split the DD duties pretty evenly between my truck and my Mustang. The Mustang is paid for. The other toys (boats and bikes) are too, so this is really sort of a toy enabler. At any rate, I'd much rather pay for it out right but it's just not going to happen that way.

APEowner wrote: Obviously, everyone has a different comfort level but if I were in your shoes I'd have to violate a couple personal rules to purchase that. I don't see an issue with either the mileage or the price but I don't like to finance toys and I don't like to make payments on a vehicle that's not under warranty. The exceptions to those rules is if I actually have the money and financing is cheaper than liquidating holdings.

Eh... Depends on the situation. I'll finance vehicles if I don't think they're going to depreciate much (like this Land Cruiser).

Yeah I love them and if they have had their shots (ie timing belt etc) I would not hesitate. The only issue with them for me was the Gen 3 montero as above was pretty comparable just lacking the tow capacity of the v8.

My montero was the 20th anniversary edition and I actually sold it to a fellow GRMer and the interior on that thing was almost as nice as my E class mercedes

Towing is one of my big issues. The main purpose of this vehicle will be to tow a boat back and forth to lakes and the coast - which is 3-1/2 hours one way. The boat only weighs 2500 lbs with the trailer, but we might upgrade sometime. The TLC is rated for 6500. I like my tow vehicles to be really, REALLY non-exciting when I'm 3 hours into a trip in the pouring rain.

It will be coming up on a timing belt change soon (every 80k). And unless you want to tackle I'd call around to a few competent shops or the local dealer and see what will run you with water pump/belt/hoses etc.

ultraclyde wrote: Towing is one of my big issues. The main purpose of this vehicle will be to tow a boat back and forth to lakes and the coast - which is 3-1/2 hours one way. The boat only weighs 2500 lbs with the trailer, but we might upgrade sometime. The TLC is rated for 6500. I like my tow vehicles to be really, REALLY non-exciting when I'm 3 hours into a trip in the pouring rain.

For half the price you can buy a 2005 Sequoia with same or less miles, and it's a bit more capable of a tow rig (a bit longer wheelbase, and more interior space for your gear, but essentially the same bulletproof V8). No, it's definitely not as cool as a Land Cruiser or the Lexus clone, and you give up a bit in hardcore off-road (though for light off-roading I wouldn't say you give up anything). Parts and upgrades are cheaper (thanks to Tundra/4Runner crossover parts on almost everything).

It is most definitely non-exciting to drive and tow with (we regularly tow about 4500lbs or so) but it's so quiet and capable and cavernous inside, you never have to worry about how much gear you can pack up in it! Again, not as stylish as a LC, but in practical terms its a lot cheaper for comparable year/mileage and just as capable in almost all aspects....

that said, every time I'm in the Sequoia and behind a Land Cruiser in traffic, I admittedly get a little bit jealous just because of looks and Land Cruiser name is cooler.

z31maniac wrote: It will be coming up on a timing belt change soon (every 80k). And unless you want to tackle I'd call around to a few competent shops or the local dealer and see what will run you with water pump/belt/hoses etc.

IIRC full timing job w/pump and new belts everywhere ran me about $300 DIY using a Gates kit from an online vendor. It wasn't a quick job (a lot of stuff has to be removed to get to the timing belt, and it's up high so hard on the back), but wasn't a hard job by any means. Land Cruiser should be similar to Sequoia in that respect.

After a test drive I'm not a buyer at 13k. It drove pretty well but felt like it might need shocks...lots of brake dive and kind of bobbled around. Felt top heavy kind of. If thats the normal driving dynamics im not a fan. I kind of wish there was a little more cargo room. It was very comfortable. Electronics were surprisingly advanced for a late nineties vehicle. Too bad it's actually a 2005. Also the telescoping steering didn't work and the steering wheel was too far away. It was owned by a dedicated tlc fanatic so I could probably hunt him down and find out about timing belts but there were no records at the dealership.

I did tell the salesman if they had trouble moving it and dropped the price nearer 10k to give me a call.

I have only looked at the Lexus versions, but I thought these took pricey air shocks. So definitely look into the cost to replace those even if the dealer will meet you at $10k.

There should be a law that anyone who does a timing belt change HAS TO put a sticker in the engine compartment with the date and mileage. Sucks having to do it again when the old one may have only 20K miles on it.

John Welsh wrote: I just bought a Montero Limited like this one asking $4,500 w/ 145k. I paid a mere $1,500 for mine but it has 200k well maintained miles until it got a big dent in the bumper. Sure, it's a TLC wanna-be but it is very capable and really, really cheap comparatively. Otherwise, seek out a Lexus Version

The Montero isn't as much of a wannabe as you might think. Of course it isn't a body on frame vehicle with a V8, but they are very capable vehicles. Under-rated if you ask me.

I second the seqouia suggestion.

You can get 02-04 for cheeaaap. If you want more power, and a step better gas, the 05-07 is the way to go. I tried out the lx470, as well as the gx. I bought a 05 Seqouia with 113k for 10. The price difference between an 05 and 04 is pretty big. There's a handful of reasons we went with the seqouia. More space, better gas mileage, cheaper, and since I don't need 4wd, I didn't want 4wd.

lnlogauge wrote: I second the seqouia suggestion. You can get 02-04 for cheeaaap. If you want more power, and a step better gas, the 05-07 is the way to go. I tried out the lx470, as well as the gx. I bought a 05 Seqouia with 113k for 10. The price difference between an 05 and 04 is pretty big. There's a handful of reasons we went with the seqouia. More space, better gas mileage, cheaper, and since I don't need 4wd, I didn't want 4wd.

The 05+ have the stronger transmission with an extra gear, and more power out of the same engine. I think there are a couple other improvements in 05 in terms of drivetrain and/or brakes, but I forget what.

Good point - Sequoia you can run in 2WD when you don't need 4WD. Isn't Land Cruiser full-time 4WD?

My favorite part of the Sequioa (also on the 4Runner) is the roll-down hatch window. Land Cruiser didn't get that, and it's awesome for sticking a couple 2x4s or getting good airflow on a hot day....well, except Sequioa has a rear A/C system too ;)

IDK where you are, but there's a 200k 05 Sequoia here for $2800 in nice condition: https://annapolis.craigslist.org/cto/6208756280.html

Our local CL is littered with 01-04 Sequoias for under $4k....all the suburban soccer moms have moved on to crossovers and want to dump them. The Land Cruisers around here (about 15 on CL) are all $10k or more, even for 90s models......

The one I test drive had a 4H-N-4L stick beside the gear selector and a button in the dash that looked like a transfer case lockup.

In reply to irish44j:

There is 0 chance that ad is legit. Deals on CL exist, but not on used car lots. It's a 5-6k car easily.

Sequoias and Expeditions seemed priced about the same but the HD package expys tow more.

I think I'd go for a v8 4wd 4Runner before I went for a sequoia. Just personal preference.

Not in this area it isn't. This area has tons of money. There are so many older luxury SUVs on CL week after week the same ones and nobody ever buys them, especially 200k mile, 12 year old SUVs. Everyone up here has to have the trendiest, newest SUV crossover thing (unless they have something vintage like an FJ40 or Defender).

A decade ago every suburb up here was full of Sequoias, Yukons, and Expeditions. Now all those houses have trendy crossovers out front and the big body-on-frame SUVs are cheap and plentiful for sale here. The Soccer Moms don't want them any more, the "big SUV guys" don't want an ex-soccer mom vehicle and buy Tahoes instead, and the service industry types don't want them because they're not Tundras....

I have an 05 with 110k miles in excellent shape, new tires, recent timing job, etc. I'd be hard pressed to get 5k for it around here.

ultraclyde wrote: Sequoias and Expeditions seemed priced about the same but the HD package expys tow more. I think I'd go for a v8 4wd 4Runner before I went for a sequoia. Just personal preference.

I had a V6 4Runner and my crew chief has a V8 4Runner. The 4Runner is a much more fun truck, no question (especially if you get the Sport Edition with XREAS). Both of them tow fine - not as well as the Sequoia, but we towed the racecar for a couple years with the both 4Runners no problems. As a daily driver, 4Runner is far superior, no question.

The one thing that the Runner does not have is space. It's really small inside. May not be an issue for you, but for hauling all our race gear, the 4Runner coudln't get the job done, honestly.

Main 4Runner issue is same as the Land Cruiser - that you're gonna pay double for the same year/mileage as Seqouia because the 4Runner is trendy/popular.

Anyhow, that's my (more than 2 cents)....I'll bail on this discussion now since I don't think you're interested anyhow lol....

In reply to irish44j:

As I said. 5-6k for that car.

I just spent 10k on a 05. I think your pricing is a little off. Area does make a difference, but not that big of a difference.