Well, followed up with the seller with an estimate on when he can expect to see me this Saturday (3 hr drive from me), and he sold it. Might take a look at another one for around the same price, but it's at one of those small independent dealer lots. They bought at auction and have no idea (or care) what the history is. Ran a carfax and it shows a lot of regular maintenance at mostly Jag/LR dealers, but no head gasket work listed. Other items replaced was oil pan gasket, sunroof motor, window regulator, water pump, power steering pump, and crankshaft oil seals.

 

Yep you will NEVER see me going after 100K or less LR's! Those have low miles on them for a reason, and have probably been sitting for most of their life. I prefer 150K and up LR's. Even a LR with **** poor maintenance can usually make it to 100-125K. You can tell a lot from the LR itself, but also the owner. If the owner refers to it as a "Jeep" or a "Land Cruiser" quickly grab your stuff and move onto the next LR you want to look at! I can look over a D1/D2 very quickly and tell what it needs, but I also ask the owner certain questions. If they seem clueless or mention something like well they're selling it for a friend = raises a red flag.

I'll admit I can't stand car lots (New or Used), but I have over the years bought several gems from small independent car lots. Like I said I knew exactly what to look for, and once I was satisfied with that I worked on the price. If they didn't budge or don't seem honest = I bailed. The best LR will be from a fellow LR owner. It will be well cared for, and normally all the modifications to keep it on the road have already been done. I've gone thru my fair share of LR's in my life 20 and counting. I have NEVER sold a LR in worse condition than I bought it. All of the vehicles I have ever owned in my life = were in excellent shape with no issues upon selling them. I either sold them because I had another project I wanted to jump into, it was no longer practical, or I just didn't have the space. I have never sold a vehicle because it was falling apart like most people think of when looking at a used car. Heck my wife's brand new 2020 Kia Forte GT (sick little car) once it rolled off the lot = now a used car...

Take the scantool with you to look for pending/stored codes, and to monitor the engine temp. Look under the hood, and honestly if it's all pretty and clean really look it over as that could be covering up all kinds of stuff. I prefer a normal non detailed engine bay. LR's seep fluids and anyone that tells you they don't = hasn't been around em long enough!!! You can install my PCV Upgrade to help with the oil leaks, but unless that engine has totally been resealed along with the TC you are going to have seepy bits. I look at older LR's like old DC-3 aircraft or any older vintage aircraft. On the ground they seep and drip, but just like those old aircraft once they get up to temp, everything expands, and they take to the skies & it's all good. I always do a pre-flight check on all my LR's with a fluid check, I glance under it, fire it up, and go from there. I have never just jumped into any vehicle and hit the road without checking it.

Good luck and whatever you do DON'T RUSH into it! The right LR will come along I promise.