Living in the Past
SILVER Star
One could argue 2000 MY doesn't have all the problems in all other years. 98-99 has weak front pinion. 2003+ has navigation that is not easy to upgrade without giving up AC. VVTi 2006+ has their own issues. With that said, 2000 MY is not my favorite model year
I never had a problem with my 2000 not counting the transmission failure around 130k miles. This was at a time when 100 series was still looked down on by many compared to the 80 series. It was a great vehicle just didn't meet the puppy hauler duty and cargo carrier between homes like the second generation Sequoia. 5.7 V8 was big jump over the 4.7 V8 towing and hills. Certainly a solid vehicle. Think I spent to many years driving FJ40s and my FJ62, 100 series just seems too big. Mileage would also bother me. At that mileage would plan on higher maintenance and parts replacement needed.
Well, manual transmissions are rare for that year. Highly coveted.
Think the manual is covered because it was never offered in the states. I like my manual transmissions in the 40 series, particularly the three speed column shift. It offers challenges a automatic doesn't. Think everyone should learn to go off road in a non locked manual transmission. Add in manual steering and manual brakes and learn skills not required on new 4WDs. Need to do more just steer with one hand a push some buttons for the few things the vehicle does automatically on it's own. The 2000 had Trac which probably just as good as a rear locker. For snow and ice driving far out weights the rear locker if there is any bare pavement where a locker can't be left engaged.