How long has the previous owner owned it and does he know if the head gaskets are still original or not? You can tell by looking at the sides, do they look cleaner than the rest of the block?

if they replaced the radiator and water pump why not the thermostat?

I would guess stat first and air in system.

Good luck!

 

Test only takes a couple minutes after the engine is warmed up

 

Then you aren't going to buy it from him. And it sounds like not many people are going to be interested.

You have no reason 'not' to play a touch tough.

Depends what you are after.

If you have the space to put it, time to play with it, and a fist full of dollars - wave it at him and walk away if he shrugs. Dropping your phone number for when he changes his mind.

Good luck.

 

$500 or walk there are plenty out there.
The gauge in a LR does not normally go up a little, it is usually one of three places, cold, 1/2, or overheated.