StanceSean

Hey all,

Looking to get my hands on my first LS. The car has 186k miles.
Here is the CL link:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto...297125108.html
The Carfax:
https://www.carfax.com/api/consumers...72f658eb69c009

What are some things to look out for? Owner claims timing belt and water pump were done at 105k, so I'm looking
to try to get a lower price out of him, knowing these have to be done soon. From owner over email:
"Recent services are new battery, tune up, alternator. Timing belt and water pump was done at 105,000.
Im not sure how many owners. Ive had it for 5 years and put around 50K miles on it and gave it to my son 6 months ago and he wants to buy a truck instead."

Thanks guys,
Sean

oldskewel

iTrader: (1)

Looks like a great car at the asking price. I'd buy it before someone else does.

Legender

Not a bad price and looks pretty decent from the pics provided outside of carpet/mats.
I would not call TB and WP at 105k miles 'recent' by any stretch of the imagination. You will due for some costly maintenance pretty soon so make sure you've got the funds for that.
If the alternator was replaced, was it due to leaking PS pump? And they did not replace it? Then you're going do have to do both alternator and PS pump. in the near future.
Good luck.

Rlbadb

the CL pictures look great, and it is a good price point. Cash in hand always talks. I would look for the little things, tires, do they match how are they worn, looking under the hood, you may want to bring a 10 mm socket and drive so you can take off some of the plastic work. How does the belt look, how does the oil, brake fluid and power steering fluid look? Smell? How was the plug wires look, battery terminals. These will show you how well the vehicle was cared for. In the interior, is the kit under the front seat still there how well does the electric motors work? What condition are the seats, carpet, trim in? Look in the trunk, under all the matts etc...is the tool kit still there. How many owners. If in the end the majority of these get a check mark (prepare a list on paper) Than you can't go wrong, these are great cars!

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

too rough for me just by looking at the pictures and dirty interior. great for a first car for a child but you will spoil them from here on out haha. yes you will need to replace that timing belt soon.

yoitskenn

iTrader: (4)

I think I saw this one a few months back posted for 2700ish.

Kansas

It's got air suspension. Ouch!

creilly

It lists the air suspension as an $1800 option in 1998, about $2800 in today's money. That's interesting given how expensive the individual air units are as replacements. I wonder if Toyota made any profit fitting air suspension systems to these cars.

Losiracer2

The cheapest you can get the TB and WP done for would most likely be 600-650. I paid 600 on my 97 to do the TB WP and cam and Crank seals but got a deal on labor, $400 at and Indi shop and 186 for Aisin TB WP kit on Rockauto.

Also it might likely be due for lower ball joints, strut rod bushings, sway bar end links so those would run another 150 for the LBJ, 200 for strut rods if you buy entire bar with bushings and I bought endlinks from O'Reilly for 40, but I'd recommend dealer since the rubber is cracking on mine after 2 yrs.

So plan for at least $1000 in immediate maintenance if those things haven't been addressed.

oldskewel

iTrader: (1)

The Ad is down. I'm not surprised someone jumped on that. Well-kept cars out here in CA are pretty nice.