100 series accident & written-off

[hopper]

I have not posted many items on this website, but need to vent my sadness. My wife was driving the 100 last week and was T-boned in the front passenger side. She is doing well; the other vehicle (an 06 chevy van was written off at scene) passenger suffered injury (this does not sadden me). The worst news is the 100 was written off... So the daunting task of finding another 100 begins. I think I’ll be looking in the dryer states for an 03 to an 05 to subdue my addiction.
Any comments between the 2 manufacturing plants from 2004 to 2005?
Regards
Hopper

 

[1loudLX]

03 still has a trans dipstick, 04 has black tint instead of bronze and I'd not buy an 05.

 

[BManning`]

Let's focus on the positives: 1) Your family is OK, and 2) though I'm sure you'll miss the 100 you had, you now have the fun dandy task of picking out a new one! You can pick your color, options, features, stock or modded, etc. Just be patient and go get exactly what you want.

No knowledge or opinion about the specific models years. I'm happy with my 02 with the old dash design & 4sp auto.

 

[hopper]

thanks , is the difference between the 2 manufacturing plants that substantial from 04 to 05? I know the 05's are lighter, so there is less meat in the body, plus the engine has more HP and the 5 speed trans.

 

[cruiser100]

03 still has a trans dipstick, 04 has black tint instead of bronze and I'd not buy an 05.

Just curious, why not an '05?

 

[hopper]

True, family is more important than a vehicle, even an LC!
I loved the ride of the 2000. It had 94,000 on the odometer and it was in great condition. I would get a 2000 or a 2001 but like the interior of the next generation. Colour is not a big item, with a tan enterior there is only 3 to choose from, black is too hard to keep clean so it's out so white, gold and blue. The big question is the quality of the units from 04 to 05.

 

[TXLX470]

Sorry to hear about your 100 ..got any pictures of the accident?

Hope you got a decent price from the insurance...was it bone stock??

 

[pint]

Prices are still pretty low. I would look for an 06 with the newer engine. I may be doing that next year.

Many people question anything after 04 due to the change in the actual factory, the personnel, or the ownership of the factory. I've never understood what the actual change was? I know Araco assembled everything 04 and older, but did everyone worth a crap retire then, did the factory sell to someone else, did they change to a different factory, etc?

I'm still not sold on people having more issues with newer trucks. I've heard of a few AHC problems when the system is used beyond what was intended with bumpers, winches, etc...

Just my .02...

 

[SWUtah]

I got a 2004 LX470 with around 37K miles back in April with the platium Lexus 100K mile bumper to bemper warranty for around $37K?? best i can remember. That was a good price back then. My LX spent its life in Austin Tx. No rust perfect condition, it never saw snow. That will change this winter

 

[1loudLX]

Araco was sold to toyota Autobody and a lot of old timers quit. Same plant, different managment and some workers. Cruiser100, I'd actually not get anything 03-05 because I hate the dash, but 06/07 gives me that green on the LX and VVT, worth the dash change...even if not built by araco.

 

[SWUtah]

Get the newest niced cheapest one you can find. Carmax often has nice ones and they have online carfax so you can see where the LC/LX spent its life.

 

[hopper]

Thanks for the input folks, some very interesting reading. This makes my decision more difficult...
I'll take some more photos and post them as soon as I can. The majority of the damage was front end mechanical.
FA3Wk