100 Series are Expensive - Discuss! (8 Viewers)

[ClassyJalopy]

Haha, yes I know. I ran 87 for a few tanks and didn't notice any difference, but switched back to 91 because of the fear of unknown

Now you're opening up a whole new can of worms...

What octane do you run?

Owner's manual octane recommendations:

 

[bamabrock]

The LC gods need to smite this chit chat thread to off topic

 

[geanes]

What's the old saying? If it flies, floats or f#&ks, it's cheaper to rent.

Ok, you're my new hero! Have never heard that before.....but it rings quite true

 

[geanes]

I've got a 2001 in the driveway with about 250k miles (family owned since brand new) that has always run on 87

Same here....87 all the time on my 98 with 205k now. I did treat it to 91 Octane on both it's 1 year anniversary (of my ownership) and again at 200k just for giggles. Only thing I noticed was less money in my account....no performance difference whatsoever.

 

[chrisratz]

A different beast altogether but a 20 year old BMW e38 can be refurbished without spending in 5 digits and that would just be amazing. Perhaps once I finish spending my money on my LX I will get an e38 to spend money on.
I may be sick ...

If you're sick then so am I. Land Cruiser + BMW = dream garage for me.

 

[95Fantasma80]

I've got a 2001 in the driveway with about 250k miles (family owned since brand new) that has always run on 87

That's a ticking time bomb, 91+ or you don't love your cruiser

 

[atnolan94]

Ok, you're my new hero! Have never heard that before.....but it rings quite true

You need to get out more Gary.

 

[geanes]

You need to get out more Gary.

 

[jimmc1331]

Ladies and gents: I have a 2000 LC with 300K on the clock. These are expensive vehicle to own and maintain, but they pay you back. I have maintained our 2000 LC to Toyota maintenance schedules mostly. Very costly but since I bought it used it had already had the tranny replaced. Well that was at 87k, by the previous owner. Now we have replace the steering rack and the lower control arms along with the usual timing belts etc, etc...The car gets 14.5 mpg with premium fuel and I drive the heck out of it on gravel roads, NO mountain climbing or that other unnecessary stuff as this is a gentleman's LC, HA. I have crashed it twice, once in the snow and once on ice, guess what no major damage other than we had to get Metal Tech running boards which are great and virtually indestructible. I will let you all know at 500K how it is going if we make it that far. By the way, we are breaking in a 2017 200 series which has 22k on it, what a tank. The 2017 gets 17.5 mpg which is going down 'cause my wife won't use premium fuel, we peaked a couple of months ago over 18.5. We have had 5 LC's what a blast, 92, 98 2000, 2015, and 2017. Almost up to a million miles. yeah baby.
Jim

 

[ArnieC]

I do think that guy had a corvette, so it may have been the same truck. It looked much rougher than it ended up being
Engine doesn't have any leaks, all the control arms and axles etc are rock solid and the front brakes were at 60% and rear are basically new. The guy didn't have much maintenance record, but Lexus did.

I see that you are in Cudahy, know of any places with some wheeling potential?

The other big turnoff was Bro had it for $2k on Craigs, I showed up to look at it about 2 hrs after it was posted, and he said that because of all the interest he wanted $4k for it not $2k, so of course I was gonna walk on principle. It sat on Craigs for like 3-4 weeks after that. Plus if its the same truck it has a hole about the size of my index finger in the front LH body mount, they were pretty soft. So hope its not the same truck!

Anyway as far as offroading, I just take my rig up north camping and back and forth to work, mall crawler status for sure!

 

[RyanStl]

The premise of the headline of this thread is so flawed because it isn't based on the 100 series, but based on the condition of the 100 series that was purchased. Plus, the OP is counting costs of mods in the expensive equation. Therefore, you could add any, fill in the blank, and start a thread with this title. I do give the OP one for the brake master cylinder (not looking forward to that), and he got an LX with AHC, which costs $ to maintain.

Here is my rundown. Bought an '02 three years ago with 135K miles. I now have 163K.

- Baselined fluides - I won't bother with the cost because any used car I would do this. Maybe add slightly more for 4X4 since there are three diffs to change oil to.
- Tires, just changed after 3yrs. Won't count because any car will require and price varies on what set of tires one purchases.
- Brake Pads. - Won't count either, but it was about $60 a set. I did have the dealer do the rear, which was money because of dealer, but I was there waiting to get my security lug nuts taken off because the owner didn't give me the tool. The fronts I did myself.
- Oil changes and air filters- Same as above. The V8 does take about 7 quarts of oil, but that doesn't add much.
- Muffler cat back - $400 - Once again mufflers rust out on cars.
- Heater T's - $12
- Sway bar link - $15
- Cleaned MAF and Air Intake (the Hundy was stalling on idle) - $8

 

[COYS]

Nothing worthwhile comes without a price esp in car land. They get used. Gaskets fail. Rubber gets brittle. Fluids need changing. Suppliers come and go. Demand wanes. Parts become NLA. Nothing lasts forever.

Toyota tax. Porsche tax. BMW tax. Jeep tax.

Common theme. Labor of love.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Sounds like you got a well-rounded and capable SUV for $10k. Not a bad deal.

Don't look at purchase cost or maintenance cost by themselves. The only thing that matters is the combined cost.

I track every dollar and after 1950 days (5.3 years) I've spent $22k on my 99 Land Cruiser. That includes purchase price and a rear bumper, sliders, extra set of ATs, Stereo upgrades, etc...

My cost per mile, including purchase price and maintenance, excluding gasoline and insurance is $0.29.

 

[YOTALUVER]

This may not be the most popular topic here, but after 6 months of ownership here are my candid thoughts.
As reliable and awesome to own these trucks are, they can be very expensive to own. To be fair, they don't cost much to keep running but the dismally high fuel consumption and high cost of upgrades add up VERY quickly.

Feel free to share your own experience.

Purchase
My 98 LX470 was very inexpensive to buy ( I paid only $2500) for it. It had 238k miles and was maintained at the same Lexus dealership it was bought from since new. It was kneeling on the bump stops due to broken left front height sensor. New radiator, new steering rack and new battery all within last couple of years.

Fixes
The truck needed a few things to make it family travel worthy. Here's the list:

• New left front height sensor
• New Falken Wilde Peak AT3W tires
• Heater Ts and pipes
• Rear AC lines and AC flush
• New Starter
• Fresh fluid everywhere
• New sway bar links
• AHC fluid flush
• Front and rear sway bar links and bushings
• Front seat custom covers

While I started to feel pretty good about the truck, my brakes were still mushy. $1100 later
Installed new brake booster and pump assembly and rebuilt the master cylinder.

Upgrades
I have learned so much at this forum and saved a ton of money on my repairs. But this forum and the high dollar built up rigs posted here have definitely planted the upgrade bug .

I don't have much opportunity to take my truck off road (Wisconsin and Upper Mid west just sucks in that regard), I still try to "wheel" as much as I can on the road construction sites (on weekends when no crew is onsite). That's how I got stuck in a mud pit (see my avatar pic!)). I would also like to take at least one trip every year where I can go off the beaten path.

So, I started putting money in my truck that I didn't think I would and certainly wouldn't want to find out! Here's what I have done so far:

• WKOR rock sliders
• Stripped off AHC and put on stock TBs and shocks with OME 2865 springs (net 1.5" lift)
• Installed HID conversion kit in the stock lights (total waste of money )
• Installed worthless LED pods on the hood (by the windshield (total waste of money )
• Installed a Chinese Android head unit - works fairly well especially with the backup camera

Bought some recovery gear

• MaxTraxx knock off traction boards
• Rear hitch mount shackle
• portable air compressor
• tow strap and tree saver strap

more to come...

I just bought a 1998 Toyota LC with 326K for 1500 bucks. The brake lines were shot and leaking on the exhaust manifold. SCARED THE SNOT out of the previous owner and lead him to posting this incredible vehicle for 1500 or best offer. I bought the vehicle without driving it and had it towed to a local shop, I didn't even bother negotiating with the P/O. They replaced all the brake lines under the vehicle leading to the Master Cylinder / HPB. They also replaced on rear caliper for a broken bleeder screw, rear pads, and resurfaced the rear rotors for a total of 850. 2350 so far...

When I started driving the beast I WAS BLOWN AWAY at how smooth the 4.7L V8 was, how perfect the alignment was, and just overall very happy with my decision to buy this. I was looking for a V8 RWD Lexus LS or GS, but when I saw this I had to buy it. Once I saw the potential resale value I was sold. All that said, she still had problems.

The Radiator is leaking when running, not parked... Weird... but I found one on rockauto.com for 125 or so and solved that issue 2475...
The Starter is in a odd place so I just changed it while i felt like doing it... 150 rockauto 2625
The Moonroof doesnt work...who cares 2625
Buying a set of BFG KO2s 275/70/16s 1000.... 3625.

Even if you add another 1000 bucks in miscellaneous there is no way you could buy a better vehicle for less than 5K

Since mine came with the sweet Dissent front bumper thats like 1400 bucks I feel like i got this truck for free. Even with 325K this thing feels more substantial and better engineered than my other cars and most any other car I've drove. If all we have to complain about is GAS (2.10 a gal in Michigan now) then we have NOTHING to complain about.

 

[ClassyJalopy]

Congratulations on your score. Obviously take care of the heater Ts and check on the CV axle boots, front end and such but yes, these trucks are amazingly well put together.
Watch out for the upgrade bug (this forum is great at putting ideas in your head ), before you know it you will double your investments!
But not to worry it will still be half as much the FJ cruisers and 4Runners, and every bit as capable and way more comfortable

I just bought a 1998 Toyota LC with 326K for 1500 bucks. The brake lines were shot and leaking on the exhaust manifold. SCARED THE SNOT out of the previous owner and lead him to posting this incredible vehicle for 1500 or best offer. I bought the vehicle without driving it and had it towed to a local shop, I didn't even bother negotiating with the P/O. They replaced all the brake lines under the vehicle leading to the Master Cylinder / HPB. They also replaced on rear caliper for a broken bleeder screw, rear pads, and resurfaced the rear rotors for a total of 850. 2350 so far...

When I started driving the beast I WAS BLOWN AWAY at how smooth the 4.7L V8 was, how perfect the alignment was, and just overall very happy with my decision to buy this. I was looking for a V8 RWD Lexus LS or GS, but when I saw this I had to buy it. Once I saw the potential resale value I was sold. All that said, she still had problems.

The Radiator is leaking when running, not parked... Weird... but I found one on rockauto.com for 125 or so and solved that issue 2475...
The Starter is in a odd place so I just changed it while i felt like doing it... 150 rockauto 2625
The Moonroof doesnt work...who cares 2625
Buying a set of BFG KO2s 275/70/16s 1000.... 3625.

Even if you add another 1000 bucks in miscellaneous there is no way you could buy a better vehicle for less than 5K

Since mine came with the sweet Dissent front bumper thats like 1400 bucks I feel like i got this truck for free. Even with 325K this thing feels more substantial and better engineered than my other cars and most any other car I've drove. If all we have to complain about is GAS (2.10 a gal in Michigan now) then we have NOTHING to complain about.

 

[hickuptruck]

I just bought a 1998 Toyota LC with 326K for 1500 bucks. The brake lines were shot and leaking on the exhaust manifold. SCARED THE SNOT out of the previous owner and lead him to posting this incredible vehicle for 1500 or best offer. I bought the vehicle without driving it and had it towed to a local shop, I didn't even bother negotiating with the P/O. They replaced all the brake lines under the vehicle leading to the Master Cylinder / HPB. They also replaced on rear caliper for a broken bleeder screw, rear pads, and resurfaced the rear rotors for a total of 850. 2350 so far...

When I started driving the beast I WAS BLOWN AWAY at how smooth the 4.7L V8 was, how perfect the alignment was, and just overall very happy with my decision to buy this. I was looking for a V8 RWD Lexus LS or GS, but when I saw this I had to buy it. Once I saw the potential resale value I was sold. All that said, she still had problems.

The Radiator is leaking when running, not parked... Weird... but I found one on rockauto.com for 125 or so and solved that issue 2475...
The Starter is in a odd place so I just changed it while i felt like doing it... 150 rockauto 2625
The Moonroof doesnt work...who cares 2625
Buying a set of BFG KO2s 275/70/16s 1000.... 3625.

Even if you add another 1000 bucks in miscellaneous there is no way you could buy a better vehicle for less than 5K

Since mine came with the sweet Dissent front bumper thats like 1400 bucks I feel like i got this truck for free. Even with 325K this thing feels more substantial and better engineered than my other cars and most any other car I've drove. If all we have to complain about is GAS (2.10 a gal in Michigan now) then we have NOTHING to complain about.

Ha, I had seen that one on Detroit Craigslist last year. It had a really rusty unpainted Dissent bumper. Didn't end up seeing it, but damn that s an amazing bargain! How rusty is it underneath?

 

[jsigone]

Watch out for the upgrade bug (this forum is great at putting ideas in your head ), before you know it you will double your investments!
But not to worry it will still be half as much the FJ cruisers and 4Runners, and every bit as capable and way more comfortable

Build it, Drive it, Break it, repeat as needed

I had a pretty nice 08 FJC on kings coilovers, great truck, but those rear doors really suck with two small kids for day to day life. The 100 is what I should have bought the first time around. The traction control in the FJC was horrible/dangerous in the desert so I just leave in 4wd H to bypass the ECU bogging the engine down mid drift or in sand pits. And yah the FJC was $23k used w/ 90k miles on her. My LX was $8k stock and drive SOOOO nice and so much more room.

 

[YOTALUVER]

Ha, I had seen that one on Detroit Craigslist last year. It had a really rusty unpainted Dissent bumper. Didn't end up seeing it, but damn that s an amazing bargain! How rusty is it underneath?

Yeah, she has some rust... I'll post some pics of the body later. Rockers at the both rear wheel arches, passenger door at the bottom, the rear upper tailgate / hatch (P/O gave me another hatch that was already painted), and the drivers fender has a spot on the corner at the bumper. BUT THERE IS ONLY SURFACE RUST on the frame. It's virtually spotless. Looks like it had a factory undercoating that helped keep the frame decent. There are no creaks or noises when going over bumps (or trespassing in a old vacant golf course LOL).

I like the way the bumper looks, its funny how people react to the beast in traffic because of it. I might leave the surface rust on it lol.

 

[YOTALUVER]

Congratulations on your score. Obviously take care of the heater Ts and check on the CV axle boots, front end and such but yes, these trucks are amazingly well put together.
Watch out for the upgrade bug (this forum is great at putting ideas in your head ), before you know it you will double your investments!
But not to worry it will still be half as much the FJ cruisers and 4Runners, and every bit as capable and way more comfortable

Thanks! I love this truck an will invest in it. I want to modify her and run her up another couple hundred thousand miles. I'm Never selling this truck LOL.

 

[jhanley]

I actually wanna sell my money-pit, but whenever my wife and I go test drive newer cars, they suck compared to the hundy. Imo, the 100-series is one the best motorized vehicles ever made.