100 owner looking for advice

[od4x4]

My wife has made it clear that she wants a new (to us) vehicle. She drives a 2001 LC as her daily doing the normal... work, kids, groceries! And then for fun camping, exploring sierras and high desert, and just overall a lot of fun.

At first she said new so we looked at Highlander and Sienna with the idea that we would keep the 100. But after driving a few of those along with every other SUV and crossover made in the last 5 years... she proclaimed that she really just loves her land cruiser but wants something newer.

So now I find myself in the early stages of looking for a 200 and I have a couple of questions or maybe concerns. First in my mind are maintenance and repair costs. With fewer vehicles being sold in the US are there any concerns about long term availability of parts? Also with the greater number of “comforts” come more electronics.... any long term issues or thoughts about issues? I mean... I know it is a Toyota but computers are computers!

I know that a lot of you have owned 100s and I am sure that this is a leading question. But is a 200 “better” than a well built and maintained 100? We have owned Hank for almost 7 years and I figured that he would be in the stable for a while but as they say Happy Wife... I have driven a couple of 200s myself and I know that she will find one irresistible and that may answer my question. But my real question is that bells and whistles aside, is the 200 that much better.

Last question (for now) is how does the leg room for the second and third rows compare and is there room for 3 car seats wide? Hopefully my oldest will be in a booster before number 3 is necessary but just in case I would like to know.

Thanks!

 

[Sandroad]

Wow, you have a spouse who loves Land Cruisers and wants something newer and you're hesitating even a fraction of a second? Go for the 200 and never look back!

 

[Raising2hundo]

Wow, you have a spouse who loves Land Cruisers and wants something newer and you're hesitating even a fraction of a second? Go for the 200 and never looks back!

Agreed. Best thing ever. And you can have Hank.

 

[afgman786]

its a 200 for a reason... 2x that of a 100
The space in the 2nd and 3rd row are better than that of a 100

 

[99Cruiser]

We have a 200, 100, and GX470. The 200 is our trip car and it is great. Better mileage than the 100 but similar to the GX. The safety features for your family in the 200 will be better than the 100. However, whatever you do, even if you buy the 200, don't sell the 100 or you will regret it. Save the 100 for one of your kids. The 200 is a really great vehicle but the 100 just has more character and it is better looking. I actually prefer driving the 100 or the GX around town.

 

[od4x4]

I know this is certainly a strange question but I appreciate the feedback.

Honestly, I think of all the cool things that I could do with $50k. Trailer... camper for the Tundra,,, lockers for both... new paint for the LC. But then again there is also that whole the wife wants what the wife wants thing!

 

[99Cruiser]

Does she like the LX570? You can probably find a better deal on the LX.

 

[TimCFJ40]

I've had both and both are tanks. Sold my 100 series with 320k miles and I'd trust it to drive across the country in a heartbeat. I bought a 2008 200 series with 203k miles on it and it now has 218k and I feel the same. Honestly, parts availability seems easier for the 200 than the 100 (other than aftermarket upgrades like bumpers and lifts). This makes sense, as it's 10 years newer. Ask the 80 series guys about finding parts...

I agree with the above poster that the 100 has a bit more soul. Other than that the power of the 5.7L V8 and all the creature comforts make the 200 markedly more enjoyable to drive. It doesn't feel that much bigger but YMMV. I don't think you can go wrong with a clean well maintained 200.

 

[tincan45]

Go GX or LX if it's for the wife. The depreciation curve on these luxury models is steep the first three years then it levels out. Get a nice 2014-2016 GX Luxury for 30K and spend around 2-3K base-lining everything. Or spend 40K on the same vintage LX and do the same. Keep the rest for Hank! I don't think you can go wrong.

The only place you will be spending a lot on maintenance is if you have Lexus service the vehicle. Find a good indie or even take it to Toyota if you have a reputable dealer you can trust.

Of course, I'm biased, we have both. Females tend to like the GX better for some reason.

 

[Markuson]

My wife has made it clear that she wants a new (to us) vehicle. She drives a 2001 LC as her daily doing the normal... work, kids, groceries! And then for fun camping, exploring sierras and high desert, and just overall a lot of fun.

At first she said new so we looked at Highlander and Sienna with the idea that we would keep the 100. But after driving a few of those along with every other SUV and crossover made in the last 5 years... she proclaimed that she really just loves her land cruiser but wants something newer.

So now I find myself in the early stages of looking for a 200 and I have a couple of questions or maybe concerns. First in my mind are maintenance and repair costs. With fewer vehicles being sold in the US are there any concerns about long term availability of parts? Also with the greater number of “comforts” come more electronics.... any long term issues or thoughts about issues? I mean... I know it is a Toyota but computers are computers!

I know that a lot of you have owned 100s and I am sure that this is a leading question. But is a 200 “better” than a well built and maintained 100? We have owned Hank for almost 7 years and I figured that he would be in the stable for a while but as they say Happy Wife... I have driven a couple of 200s myself and I know that she will find one irresistible and that may answer my question. But my real question is that bells and whistles aside, is the 200 that much better.

Last question (for now) is how does the leg room for the second and third rows compare and is there room for 3 car seats wide? Hopefully my oldest will be in a booster before number 3 is necessary but just in case I would like to know.

Thanks!

I drove… And absolutely loved my 100 series land cruiser until it was 16 years old. It was fully built, and it was truly an awesome vehicle. That said… My 2008 200 series Cruiser Beats my 100 series in every single category I can think of except for my single wish that the 200 series let me manually switch between 4Hi and 4Lo instead of electronically. Other than that, power… Suspension… (especially the front end) stability… Comfort and more— The 200 series is an absolute beast.

Really no need to buy new, in my opinion unless $ is not a big deal for you. I bought my 200 when it was five years old… Perfect condition… With 48,000 miles on it. It cost me less than half then with a new one would cost and it has been an amazing machine despite me beating the living crap out of it.


To buy used, take the time to look for a great one… Preferably in a non-rest part of the country. I bought mine near Los Angeles, and it was so clean that even the weight, paper part stickers on the undercarriage we’re not even dusty.

Important maintenance items to look for, assuming the vehicle has 100,000 miles or so on it… Include a new radiator, water pump, and starter. Other than that, simply look for regular maintenance including oil changes, etc., and other obvious checks such as we can gaskets or cam tower leaking etc. Not a common problem, but worth checking just to be sure.

My 2008 is awesome, but I do think that a model-year sweet spot for used is 2013-15. When they added a few nice items like additional cameras, and a moderately updated interior and dashboard. On the other hand, if I found an excellent condition 2008-2011 (not really 2012, because of production interruption at the time), I’d jump on those years too, as only a few techie items changed (front camera, crawl modes and a little fancier cruise control).

You and your wife will be amazed at the difference in off the line power compared to your 2001 100 series. My 100 was a 1999… & when I got behind the wheel of the 200 for the first time I was truly blown away at the difference. Just gobs of power for such a heavy beast.

 

[Romer]

I have had an 80, 100 and now a 200. I believe the 200 is better due to the more powerful engine and the KDSS. Plus it is a more comfortable and better equipped vehicle

The 200 is my favorite cruiser of all I have owned.

If you ever plan to tow, you will be really happy for the bigger engine

 

[HRTROB]

I currently have an 80, 100 and 200. If I had to let one go it would be the 100. The 100 is a good car but the 200 is better.

 

[Phalen302]

If you are serious on 100 just don’t test drive 200/570.
With each iteration, Toyota has significantly upped the game on these.

 

[slowpok3]

My 15 LX is simply awesome on road trips. That said, wifey and I still getting used to it compared to the 02 LX. Power, comfort, room are superior. She says it seems less connected to the road, and feels like a much bigger truck. I have to concur.

Originally I was looking for a newer 100, but it just made more sense to get a later version cruiser. (Doesn't mean I'm not still looking)

 

[JohnPW]

I have a 2016 LC as DD, family hauler and tow vehicle for a 3500lb boat. It’s the best built vehicle I have ever owned by far, and it tows much better than the Tahoe it replaced in spite of a shorter wheelbase. There should be room for 3 car seats, the truck is wide and 2nd row can slide back for more legroom.

There will be more room than a 100 but compared to other full size SUV’s the interior room is small. With 3 kids plus camping gear you might prefer a Sequoia which is much roomier inside. The Sequoia is not a LC in terms of off-road capability but it has a solid 4WD system. 3 kids with car seats plus everything that goes with them requires a lot of space.