Lx450

[bocephus33]

I believe this is my first post although I have been actively looking through this forum for well over a year. This whole website is amazing and has led me to buy a subscription to Overland Journal and also a much bigger interest into this hobby (for many a lifestyle). Anyway....

I am looking at a 96 LX450 that looks according to pics to be in pristine shape although it has 250,000 miles. I have yet to look at it in person but wanted to get some advice from LC veterans on what to look for when I do look at it. The truck is bone stock and has spent it's life being a soccer mom's transport through urban jungles.

Any advice on what to look for would be appreciated. I'll try to post some pics as I know it would help.

Thanks.

 

[sprocket3]

Hate to send you to another site, but try www.ih8mud.com and go to the FAQ of the 80 series. I think there is a sticky on the top of the section and lost of buying tips. I also think sleeoffroad.com has a buyers guide posted.

That's a ton of miles and could be a money pit.

 

[Klierslc]

The plus side of a Lexus is that if it was serviced at the dealer they will be able to pull the maintenance history at any dealer.

If it was well maintained, it might be a decent deal. How much do they want?

 

[bocephus33]

They are asking $7500.

BTW, I checked out IH8MUD. Wealth of info, thanks for the heads up.

 

[poriggity]

Honestly, in that good of shape, I wouldn't hesitate to offer than full price, but there's always haggling room, so maybe you can get it for 7k? It's CLEAN!
Scott

 

[rain76king]

No lockers though for that price? Has the headgasket been done? Looking at the pictures it looks clean but check out the rust depending on it's location. You never know what is forming under the lx's cladding.
It looks well taken care of. I'm interested what the cup holder contraption is on the center console? Looks nifty.

 

[eleblanc]

I though they all had lockers but you are correct the dial is not there..I'd look for one with lockers..

 

[sprocket3]

Could you spend 30% more money and get one with half the miles and full records. What does it need in the next 12 months? Have the axles been done? Belts, hoses, ect....

It's all in the service at this point. Whats been done and what is needed?

 

[sprocket3]

I though they all had lockers but you are correct the dial is not there..I'd look for one with lockers..

Less than 10% had front and rear lockers. No dial, no lockers. There is also a code on the door that tells it. I heard one guy found an 80 with a dial installed but no lockers on the axle. Many soccer moms don't even know if they have or don't have them. More than one 80 buyer has gone to look at an 80 only to find the seller confused about the center locker or the door locks.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Front & rear factory locker are good for additional ~2K in price

 

[redthies]

I just bought a 96 LX 450 yesterday with 212,000 for $4400. OME heavy suspension, 285 Nitto ATs, bumpers, totally new brakes, good birfields. No lockers, but I want onboard air anyway, and am a fan of ARB lockers. I will do a rear locker first, and if I need later, a front. The truck I bought will need paint as the clear is peeling, but for the money, I think it was a great deal. The $7500 is probably a bit steep for the miles, but it looks SUPER clean. Offer $6500?

 

[sprocket3]

http://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/447598-sale-locked-96-lx-450-socal.html

There are often built up 80s for sale on the board like this one. Southwest Air or others will get you out to a cruiser pretty cheap. I found a nice one on the board and flew out the same day about 4 years ago when I got my LX450. It was worth the wait and the flight. It cost me $120 to fly out and then the money for Gas on the way back, but I saved thousands. The guy had just done tons of work on it. Pretty much all the PM stuff was done in the last 12 months.


If you can find one that has had lots of work and mods that you like you get them for 1/10 the cost. Do the math on the mods this guy has done, plus locked and less miles. It's pretty much a no brainer if you like what he or others have done.

 

[bocephus33]

I was informed last night that the truck was sold yesterday for full asking price on the spot. I wasn't going to be able to see it until after the "Storm of the Century" moved out of the South anyway and I wouldn't have been prepared to give him full asking price.

Oh well, thanks for the help learned alot.

 

[redthies]

Keep looking! I have heard all the stories about how awesome these trucks are, and after driving my new one for about 500 miles over BIG passes, through tons of snow, and down the freeway at 75 mph, I can tell you they do in fact, rule! Look for a 450 with lockers and you will love it! Good luck!

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Good deals are out there, just got a 97 for $2500 with lockers. Granted its not got any maintenance history but I would have been doing a full tune up and base lining anyways. The girl that had it before me liked to back into things as well so I am putting on a near rear lift and drop gate (poor repairs that started rust) and a 4x4lab rear bumper. I was able to get all the body parts used and in good shape. I still have less than $4500 into it after all the Toyota and body parts.

But for me this is part of the fun of it if I got a cherry (up here) it would have run me 9-10K. I looked at a few of those and they were in only slightly better shape and had 100k more millage than mine with out repair info as well.

All comes down to right time right place. :victory: