1998 vs 2006: trade up or not?

[waydownsouth]

Need a little help / advice.

I have a 1998 100 series that I've had for about a year. I've put about 12k miles on it, and I'm now at 193k. It has a good svc history and 2nd TB service done @ 180k. I feel good about it's mechanical shape. I am fine driving the wheels off of it. My dilema comes in here: got a chance to purchase a 2006 non-AHC 100 series with 240k miles. Good service history per Carfax (hardly anything on Toyo owner's site), but no confirmation on most recent or ever TB service at this point. Good color, interior looks great, price is what I'd consider fair for the unit *IF* the TB is not way past due to be changed or needs changing now. Based on whatever the dealer can find out for me on TB, I'll use that info as a bargaining chip.

I like the creature comforts of the 2006 (LATCH & rear air, mostly for kids) and the newer year model, but I'm concerned that the complexity of the NAV/HVAC system & vvti motor will come back and bite me on the butt if I sell the 1998 and buy this one. Any thoughts / comments? I'm I better to stay with the 98? I surely think I would enjoy the extra HP and 5spd on the 06....

 

[spikey]

If I had a choice between a 1998 with 193k and a 2006 with 240k on it, I would go with the 06 every time, all other things being equal.

There's the rub. How much is this "trade up" going to cost?

 

[waydownsouth]

Trade up cost would run me more than ~$1k, but less than $5k. I can swing that amount of $. Just my gut tells me the 98 is a simpler machine and has more longevity. I have grown comfortable with the 98 and that's probably my biggest hold up. This 2006 is an "unknown" to me and the unproven timing belt status does not help nudge me in it's direction.

 

[bctlex]

Trade up cost would run me more than ~$1k, but less than $5k. I can swing that amount of $. Just my gut tells me the 98 is a simpler machine and has more longevity. I have grown comfortable with the 98 and that's probably my biggest hold up. This 2006 is an "unknown" to me and the unproven timing belt status does not help nudge me in it's direction.

Another thing to remember is that the newer model has side impact airbags that the 98 model do not have.

 

[lhommec13]

You're trading up to another Land Cruiser...not a Land Rover. Even if the 2006 is "unknown" to you and more "complex" than your current 1998, it's still a 100 series. And the TB/WP job is only about $1000. My mechanic did mine for less than $800. If you're worried about it, just do it and stop worrying about it.

I would absolutely make the upgrade for the updated safety features, especially with kids in tow. The other goodies are just the proverbial cherry on the sundae. Don't overthink it.

 

[RyanStl]

I would go with the known quantity that you know has a lot more room to put miles on. Once the current TLC dies then I'd start searching for cruisers with 5-speed and side airbags. I know these go a lot of miles, but the '06 is way closer to 300,000 miles than your current ride (not saying 300K is when they die, but that is a lot of miles).

 

[tacoduck]

I own a 2001 and a 2007. the 01 has 180k miles on it, and the 07 has 270k miles. I like them both. However, I prefer the non nav and standard controls of the HVAC in the 01. IMO its far superior, and stupid easy to use. Im installing a modern double din stereo and I have easy knobs on the HVAC. My NAV in my 07 is really showing its age. dim screen, hard to read, and prob at the end of its life. It will most likely die on me in August in Savannah...104 degrees in the shade.

Yes there are work arounds... yes, you have side air bags and latch and blah, blah, blah. For whatever reason, the 01 feels like it has better build quality. could be the extra 80k miles on the 07. I love them both, but if I could only have 1, it would be my 2001.

 

[ponytl]

the 2006 has about 3 yrs more (in my world) cycles/wear on it... yes the 5sp would be nice but since you (or I) have never had it, it's hard to miss it... Also I think you are already pretty damn safe in your 98 compared to anything it might meet on the road... the 1998 has pretty much reached bottom value wise, lets say it current value is $7500 which I believe it will be very close to the same 3 years from now... the 2006 as described should be in the 10.5k range today 3 yrs from now with almost 300k on it... i'm going to guess $5500...

all that said... if it looked really nice and had good leather AND i got a killer deal I'd still get the 2006 just cause it's a 2006 and a 5sp and more hp and better mpg

 

[Pinittowinit]

Just curious as a 2000 owner. If your happy with your rig then why spend up to 5k to try to make it better. Save your cash. JMHO. newer doesn't mean better

 

[Buu100]

Why not own both? Drive the '06 for 6 months and see if you like it better. If not, sell it!

 

[Pinittowinit]

Or drive it into the ground and then go buy a brand new 2031 model haha

 

[RyanStl]

You know, I was thinking about this. If the rig you currently own fails within a year it sucks and you move on. If you get rid of it for a later model with higher miles and the new one fails, you will feel dumb. Easy choice for me if the truck I own is still working for me.

 

[waydownsouth]

All good thoughts and input. Thanks for the feedback. Although I'd love to, owning both is not an option right now. The side airbags are ++ in my book. The rear a/c is also something my wife has mentioned more than once as something we need. If this were a non-NAV car I would pounce.

I am certainly not scared of owning high mile Land Cruisers. Of the 4 that I've owned/own, none came to me with <120k miles. I just recently traded a 13 Yukon XL with 36k for a 2013 200 series with 120k. Outside of the loss in space this had been a Very good move. I am going to study up on this 2006 some more and put my hands on it. As with anything, there is a price point where I won't have much of a decision to make. Keep the feedback coming!

 

[jhanley]

Trade up cost would run me more than ~$1k, but less than $5k. I can swing that amount of $. Just my gut tells me the 98 is a simpler machine and has more longevity. I have grown comfortable with the 98 and that's probably my biggest hold up. This 2006 is an "unknown" to me and the unproven timing belt status does not help nudge me in it's direction.

I traded down from an 04 to a 99. Loved (LOVED) the 5-speed but the built-in nav bothers me.

Answering your question is difficult, though. You're playing secret-squirrel with regards to trade-up numbers (1 - 5k is quite the range). For 1k, I'd trade-up, for 5k, no thanks. Add 1k for TB service.

 

[mattafact]

I had an 06 LC and now I have a 98 LX. I put 275/70r18s on both and the 98 gear hunts a lot less even with heavier steel wheels because of the power gearing.

 

[waydownsouth]

You know, I was thinking about this. If the rig you currently own fails within a year it sucks and you move on. If you get rid of it for a later model with higher miles and the new one fails, you will feel dumb. Easy choice for me if the truck I own is still working for me.

This train of thought is what prompted me to start this thread. There is a ton of experience and knowledge here and I value the differing points of view. Just trying to think it through.

 

[AMGAndrew]

The smart play is to keep the 98 and keep on chuggin with minimal cash out of pocket. You'll likely not spend more on maintenance and repair in the next 10 years than the added cash out of pocket to buy the 06, which also has a possibility of needing an extra $2k of baseline work right off the bat. Use the 200 as the primary family hauler because of the better safety and whatever. Rock the 98 until 200's are cheap enough to make it worth buying another. I'm thinking of moving up to a 200 once the next gens come to market, whenever that might be. I'm in no rush. Love the simplicity of my 99.

 

[LX470Mack]

I'd trade, the difference in miles is made up for with 8 less winters. The 5 speed is excellent too. The Nav is fine and easy to use and the backup camera is a bonus. If the Nav goes which I highly doubt, hop on ebay and grab one from a wreckers.

 

[michael99b]

Keep the '98. Use the $5k to start 529 college savings plans for your kids. We don't always need more, better, newer. Be happy with the '98 you love and put the money to a better use, like educating your kids.

 

[ponytl]

I'd trade, the difference in miles is made up for with 8 less winters. The 5 speed is excellent too. The Nav is fine and easy to use and the backup camera is a bonus. If the Nav goes which I highly doubt, hop on ebay and grab one from a wreckers.

he's in ALABAMA our winters compare to your summers... rust is just a color our wife suggest sometime on flower pots or something... our steel doesn't bubble and become porous