2004 FJ-100 vs. 1999 LX-470

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Snowlord2

10 Year
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Aug 31, 2013
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Okay, I am coming over from Tacoma's and am looking to purchase my first LC/LX and I am in a quandry on which to purchase. Both rigs are rust free and have no known issues.

Choices:

2004 Land Cruiser
175K Miles
Navigation
DVD
Leather
Roof Rack
Stock
Less than $15K

1999 Lexus LX-470
138K
Adjustable suspension removed in preference to a 2" Old Man Emu lift
Leather
Less than $12K

I keep going back and forth on the best choice. Originally wanted a 1997 FJ-80, but scarcity has pushed me into an FJ-100. These are the best choices in a reasonable distance and I have been looking for 6 months.

Use is for daily driver (only ~4000 mi per year) and trips to the mountain (~20 miles) twice per week. Also will head out to the desert to tool around and see what can be seen. Wife, 1 kid, dog, gear, etc.

Any input or experience with either of these rigs would be appreciated.

Thanks,
CRS
 
Forgot to mention that we will be using for a round-trip to Chile in 2015 as well as I trip to Alaska next summer.
 
Unless that is to say... The 1999 is in immaculate condition and the 2004 was never maintained like it should have been.
 
Snowlord2 said:
Forgot to mention that we will be using for a round-trip to Chile in 2015 as well as I trip to Alaska next summer.
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it all comes down to how the vehicles have been used and maintained by the previous owners.

The two vehicles are almost identical in terms of design; the model year and mileage are not indicative of which would be the better choice.

Buy the vehicle that looks like it was serviced according to schedule and pampered by the PO and you will not be disappointed.
 
marshotel said:
it all comes down to how the vehicles have been used and maintained by the previous owners.

The two vehicles are almost identical in terms of design; the model year and mileage are not indicative of which would be the better choice.

Buy the vehicle that looks like it was serviced according to schedule and pampered by the PO and you will not be disappointed.
Click to expand...

^^ This - get the one that was better maintained and serviced.
 
All other things being equal, if it were me, I'd be deciding based on two factors (of course I'm just assuming which "other things" are equal by deciding on THESE two factors:)

anyway, LX 470 has slight differences from the Land Cruiser ; I personally would choose the LX, just because it's a Lexus.

More importantly to most people, the 1999 probably doesn't have ATRAC, and may or may not have a rear locker - the 2004 will have ATRAC and no locker. I'd personally select the ATRAC, and then add on a locker down the road somewhere as a mod. They started putting ATRAC on the 100 series, and stopped making the rear locker an option, in 2000 I believe.
 
UZJ, not FJ. It's got a V8 under the hood assuming you live in NA since you have a Taco not Hilux.


If the newer one is up to snuff maint wise, get it. 175k means ready for a second 90k, use that to get the price down if it hasn't already been done. 04 will drive a lot better in the mountains with the 5spd. Like, a lot better. You can easily, without replacing the radio, add sat rad or ipod/usb connect to the newer truck which is a must for me on a daily driver. Your requirements might be different. Newer one has curtain airbags for your family.
 
I already agreed with all the maint considerations. Something I thought about today was your Chile trip. Do you think a Lexus will stand out more than a Toyota while driving through central and sound America? You don't want to get robbed, unjustly stopped, or the vehicle stolen just because of the brand. Just a thought.
 
marshotel said:
...The two vehicles are almost identical in terms of design; the model year and mileage are not indicative of which would be the better choice...
Click to expand...
I've had a 2000 LC for the last 4 years, and just picked up an '04 a couple of weeks ago. While they share a lot of the same, the '04 is MUCH nicer to drive around. 5-speed makes a HUGE difference, plus the curtain airbags, steering wheel controls, backup camera, and integrated nav and other functions are nice. You can always add Nav/Sat/DVD to the '99 (I added a Kenwood unit to my '00), that'll add another grand to the price. Like others have said, if the maintenance has been done, miles don't scare me at all on these rigs...
 
Get the one that is in best condition above all else.

That '04 should be looked at hard for that price IMO. Everything +03 I looked at in that range was damaged goods. I'm sure there's a good deal out there but the odds are not in your favor for an '04.

The '99 should not need anything done to it either if the price is above $10k IMO. I just bought a high mileage (210k) '99 with a 2.5" lift for a lot less than that a few months ago and even after replacing a few things (t-belt, UCA's and a damaged lift kit) I was under 10k, at least until I added a bunch of mods lol! Also be aware that the '99 may be due for it's second timing belt not based on mileage but based on age. If it got run up to 100k fast by the first owner the t-belt could have been changed 7-10 years ago!!!

Also since the '99 is an LX and the '04 is a LC you won't see the gap but the 99LX has a lot of little niceties that the LC did not get till much later in life. I will always be amazed how the LC started life at over $50k and didn't have memory seats and other things like that!!! (and while they are small items there are a good many things 99 vs 99 that are missing on a LC vs a LX)
 
True. When I travel I see a lot more Toyota than Lexus in poorer countries. And a lot more 40 series! :)

Just want to be safe as possible is all.
 
Debadge may help slightly it if that is a concern. In that part of the world they are more educated on LC's than the average American though LOL. I've thought about debadging my LX b/c sometimes people look at things the wrong way when you go to meet with a potential client in a Lexus (no matter what you actually paid for it!) Anytime anyone asks me what it is even with the badging still on it I tell them it's a Toyota Land Cruiser and if they mention the Lexus symbol I just shrug it off and say "same thing". You won't have people asking you what it is in C.A. & S.A. They will know a 100 series LC even though it may stick out a bit IMO.

Sound like some awesome trips you have planned! You may want to follow this adventure if you are not already.
 
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