what are problems with 05-07 vs 04

[ronin-0707]

while reading some threads it seems those knowledgeable state the best year to buy is 2004 b/c of the quality of araco

is the power increase in the 2005-2007's noticeable over the 2004 and earlier?

what problems have people been seeing with the 2005 and newer?

our family has been thinking about a 100 series but I would like the higher output engine on the newer ones, but I don't want something of inferior quaility to the older ones

thanks for any input

[1loudLX]

i thought only 06-07 had the power increase? Did the LC get VVT-i a year before the LX?

[uzj100]

No, 06 and 07 had the power increase.

[justimaginejack]

I was under the impression that the 03 was the best year to buy since the new plant started creating LC/LX's in 04, new plant and new staff!Also, There were many many bugs in the new generation navigation system in 04 that were not as problematic for the 05 and up. Also, if you are going to get the Height adjustable suspension, I would go with the LX for a better warrenty for the same money.

[flyfish4life]

CR says 2004 is one of the worst years, but nothing mechanical. VVTi became available in 2006. To date, I have only of cosmetic issues for 2006-7 models.

[SINCITY100]

Now why the heck would you even be considering an `07 or older model ?


We ALL know that the `08 is the ultimate Cruiser ....

[ronin-0707]

thanks for the correction on the higher output engine
when did the height adjustable susp become available on the lc in 2006 or 2007-really would prefer a lc over a badged lx

so only cosmetic issues on the 2006 and newer so far-although time will tell

[dclee]

Originally Posted by justimaginejack

I was under the impression that the 03 was the best year to buy since the new plant started creating LC/LX's in 04, new plant and new staff!

This is incorrect. Our 2004 (and others on the forum) was built at Araco with the old line staff. I believe 2005 was the first year of change as far as build process.

[ronin-0707]

FLYFISH4LIFE-can you tell me your feelings on the power diffference on the vvti engine-did you get to compare

what are some of the cosmetic issues

[hks3sgte]

If you want a LC that was built at ARACO, get an '04 or older. If you want reverse camera and bluetooth, get '04 or newer. If you want Adjustable height plus VVT-i, get '06-'07. If you want a Land Cruiser, get any year!

[justimaginejack]

Does anyone on here know the exact date in 2004 that the LC production was moved to the new facility?
I can appreciate that an 04 Model came from Araco, I do wonder about the Production date on the metal plate on your door,dclee? Can you check and let us know.
From all the posts I have read, which is to many and never enough; The 04 Model year has been qouted as having Electronic demons. This has cost several Mud members between 2-5K for repairs when the nav/computer system malfuctions. This is due mainly to the problems occuring outside the warrenty. Since mine is an 00, I can't speak to that, bt from the info I have gained I would be weary of telling someone to buy and 04 model year with the newer Gen Nav system out of warrenty. It could potentially add 5k in repairs to the vehicle if it needed to be replaced. That is a significant deterrent for me.
Once again this is my opinion, and is worth...

[Glockenspiel]

My 2004 was also built by ARACO - Tough as nails and loves the fuel.

I've never had a problem and have no plans to trade/sell.

Glad to see the 2008 doesn't make me drool. I'm perfectly happy.

[hks3sgte]

Originally Posted by justimaginejack

Does anyone on here know the exact date in 2004 that the LC production was moved to the new facility?
I can appreciate that an 04 Model came from Araco, I do wonder about the Production date on the metal plate on your door,dclee? Can you check and let us know.
From all the posts I have read, which is to many and never enough; The 04 Model year has been qouted as having Electronic demons. This has cost several Mud members between 2-5K for repairs when the nav/computer system malfuctions. This is due mainly to the problems occuring outside the warrenty. Since mine is an 00, I can't speak to that, bt from the info I have gained I would be weary of telling someone to buy and 04 model year with the newer Gen Nav system out of warrenty. It could potentially add 5k in repairs to the vehicle if it needed to be replaced. That is a significant deterrent for me.
Once again this is my opinion, and is worth...

For what it's worth, the 2004 LC is not the only year with NAV problems. Do a search on here and you'll see others with older years and NAV problems as well. My '04 is almost 60K miles and has NEVER complained once in that time. To me, the '04 is the way to go.

[zmw100]

my 04 has coming up on 80k miles with no nav problems at all - If I had to guess the nav problems are related to forum members hacking the system ...

there certainly IS a concern that the entirety of the vehicle functions through the center console screen, that does bother me, and there is no manual over ride for stuff like AC controls - HOWEVER with that being said, i bough tthis 04 after a fair bit of research and can't be happier - I did however buy a long ass extended warranty that will carry it through to about 140k miles bumper to bumper. And to prove it I have already had the overhead DVD system replaced...

-Z

[cpcc]

I vote for the '04. No problems.

[1point4]

stop worrying. if you buy a never one you will have it still under warranty.

i got an '06 about 6-7 weeks ago. i wanted the 275 hp, back-up cam (a must for someone with kids IMO), nav etc but was lucky to find one w/o DVD for the backseat (who wants to have that fight every day...)

[ronin-0707]

so differences in the vvti vs non-vvti
will someone miss the extra horses and torque

[dclee]

Originally Posted by justimaginejack

Does anyone on here know the exact date in 2004 that the LC production was moved to the new facility?
I can appreciate that an 04 Model came from Araco, I do wonder about the Production date on the metal plate on your door,dclee? Can you check and let us know.

April 2004. Araco sticker in the engine bay.

[justimaginejack]

I am glad to hear many of you are doing very well with the 04. I think I was a little scared by the cost included in the repair of the Center console. I owned a Ford Exploder and am very weary of expensive repairs. The LC I have now is a 2000 with almost 150K on it and I have had some repairs but none that were not to be expected(in hindsight). I keep putting off a new purhcase because the one I have works, and I can't get over the fact that on the test drive of an 03 LX the Pump on the suspension went out. I am interested to know what the production date of the new facility was. Just to see if the Issues started with the kinks being worked out? I am a big fan of the warranty!!! Especially with the cost of parts increasing.

[r3run33]

dude keep your 2000 if you take care of it, it will run for a long time i regret getting my 06 i traded my 99 in b/c of a crash and the repair was not up to my satisfaction one point which may get people started on me the 04 had the virus issue with blue tooth which many might have been just passed off as nav problems and the whole unit replaced (its easier on the tech guys ) aslo you have to take this into consideration also the lc/lx dont have many problems and the units in the usa are low so if you have a spike of complaints it will affect consumer reports out come so a hundred or so nav problems will kick out to a bad year for the whole production of 10,000 units or so. Do you guys understand my logic here??? sorry im not a very good typer oh the power is noticable in the 06 and above years compared to the older models. last note keep your old model

[ronin-0707]

alright, someone finally gave me an answer on the power issue!!

r3run33-why do you regret getting the 2006
are the 2006-2007 difficult to find without the nav

[r3run33]

i regret paying 70k for a truck when i had a perrfectly good 99 yes it had 80k miles but was a great truck my 06lx had some quality control problems (mirroe did not work sun roof rattle leaky tail gate etc its all ok now but its just something i cant put my finger on i just liked my 99 better to me it seemed screwed together better; dont laugh at me for that one i cant say it was a better truck b/c this one has more features but i honestly say araco built them better this is my opinion oh also you can not find any 06 or later without nav all come with that now i even think 05 may have had them all put in.

[hks3sgte]

I think all '03s and newer have the NAV.

[jditom]

If you are looking for a great 04 see my post below.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/vehicles-trailers-sale-wanted/185277-2004-100-series-tlc-fs.html

[flyfish4life]

Originally Posted by ronin-0707

FLYFISH4LIFE-can you tell me your feelings on the power diffference on the vvti engine-did you get to compare

what are some of the cosmetic issues

I think the VVTi is more noticeable in vehicles like the GX and 4-Runner. My wife's GX is pretty fast for its weight. Given the increased curb weight of the 100, I did not notice a huge jump in power, but there is some. The AVS became an option in 2006.

[CrusrDug]

Originally Posted by ronin-0707

so differences in the vvti vs non-vvti
will someone miss the extra horses and torque

Does it matter? Always go with more

I think you will find the cosmetic issues are at the forefront for the newer models because these things are so well built mechanically. Like 1point4 said, they're covered under warranty. The bigger question is if you want AHC or not.

[r3run33]

sorry if my post came across as a put down of the 100; i was just giving my opinion that to trade from a 2000 to a 05 06 or 07 for the power is not worth it. Araco i believe built better units now they may have first all the quality control problems but unless you get a extended warranty most things may not be covered. If you are after a navigation unit eclipse makes great models whihc i think many here at mud have. I think the same company actually makes then for eclipse and toyota.

[hks3sgte]

Does Eclipse have a unit than can control the A/C?

[r3run33]

no the eclipse would just be for older lc with no nav you cant replace the factory unit with an eclipse

[jditom]

I have a 2004 TLC and a 2008 GX. I can't feel a big difference in power. Feels like marketing to me. Is there much difference in torque? That is where you would feel the power difference.

Just to be fair since a GX is 800lbs lighter then a TLC. I drove a 2004 GX and 2008 GX back to back. Really no difference

Sorry if I am disappointing folks.