2006 LC vs 2005 LC.

[Mac62]

Past owner of both a MY 2000 and 2005 LC. May have an opportunity to pick up a clean 2006 with 150k for mid 20s maybe 26k. Should I be worried about the SAIS enough to limit my search for another 2005?? Also on fence about the AHC. Seems like both of those could cause headaches from all my research. At a minimum I would have to do the SAIS bypass and maybe rip out the AHC if it fails. Truck is extremely clean, no rust. One of the nicer ones I have seen which makes me want to get it but I don't want to get into a lack of reliability. I don’t care about the extra hp around town or the advantage of AHC. Won’t be used as a daily. Only used weekend cruiser. Looking for opinions. Thanks in advance

 

[excessive]

The biggest drawback to the 06-07 is when it comes time to do the starter, the SAIS makes the job way harder. Otherwise the HP bump from vvti is probably worth it

 

[Coin]

If there is no rust, AHC is cheaper to maintain than to replace. Plus, it’s very reliable and extremely comfy. Don’t rip it out!

 

[FxFormat]

Once you own an 06 you won’t go back to an 05. Hp bump and the updated front and rear lights is well worth it. Seems to drive smoother too, sais doesn’t fail often and it’s not the end of the world, AHC don’t fail unless the lines rust out. 9/10 times replacing the bad globes and flushing the fluid bring it back to life

 

[GTV]

SAIS is no reason to avoid an 06+. There is no better ride than AHC, just maintain the system and it will be perfectly fine.

 

[rexington14]

Past owner of both a MY 2000 and 2005 LC. May have an opportunity to pick up a clean 2006 with 150k for mid 20s maybe 26k. Should I be worried about the SAIS enough to limit my search for another 2005?? Also on fence about the AHC. Seems like both of those could cause headaches from all my research. At a minimum I would have to do the SAIS bypass and maybe rip out the AHC if it fails. Truck is extremely clean, no rust. One of the nicer ones I have seen which makes me want to get it but I don't want to get into a lack of reliability. I don’t care about the extra hp around town or the advantage of AHC. Won’t be used as a daily. Only used weekend cruiser. Looking for opinions. Thanks in advance

I haven't been following the market lately.

I know the 06/07 always sell at a premium.

But if the 2006 goes for $26k with 150k miles, what would the exact same truck go for if it was a 2005?

 

[TequilaMechanic]

I haven't been following the market lately.

I know the 06/07 always sell at a premium.

But if the 2006 goes for $26k with 150k miles, what would the exact same truck go for if it was a 2005?

Gut feel $3- 5k premium.

Looks like cargurus index has 2006s at $5K more than 2005s and I can’t explain why 2004s are worth $4k more than 2005s (I’d just assume the inventory isn’t high and the data set isn’t big enough). Instead I’d group 2003-2005 and compare against 2006-2007 as a group. That shows about a $6k premium - which includes the additional depreciation (and assumably higher mileage) for the older group vs the newer group.

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[ellexx470]

There is a private seller, 2007 LX on Autotrader for under $20k with 158K miles in Franklin, Tennessee. Autocheck shows a lifetime since new in Tennessee, so rust problems are unlikely. Owner claims all service up to date including timing belt. I have no personal knowledge of this car, but had I not purchased an LX last month (a 2003) I would have driven up to Franklin to see this one.

**Edit - looking at the photos again of this LX in Tennessee, they appear to have been taken at a dealer lot, even though the ad notes "Private Seller".

My other LX, a 2001, was a NY car and has rust issues, but the AHC has been bulletproof for 7 years (after I replaced all four shocks and did a fluid flush, lol).

 

[riffman12]

my $.02 having owned a 2000 (AHC), a 2003 (coil springs), and a 2006 (coil springs)

The 06/07 is definitely worth it if you benefit from more power. I go up to the mountains a lot so the bump makes a big difference. The 06/07 just feels a lot quicker on it's feet. Here in California there seems to be about a $5k premium for these late models.

The 03 is just as good if you don't care about the extra power. Expect it to feel slow, but the 5 speed does make a big difference

The 2000 was the simplest and had charm, but I got tired of the slowness fairly quick.

In terms of AHC vs AHC - I loved my AHC and it was comfortable, reliable etc. BUT I'd be lying if I said I didn't prefer the simplicity and ease of modification with coils and shocks. Personally I would pay a premium to not get AHC.

 

[Mac62]

Thanks for all the input. I agree that the 2006/07 is about a 5k premium. Because I’m not pulling trailer, in mountains or using as a daily I’m not sure it’s worth it for me. Neither am I’m sure that I want the headache of doing the SAIS bypass that it will need in the future. Having never had the AHC I can’t decide if it’s worth the globe and fluid upkeep that would be necessary. Only hard decision is that this particular one owner 2006 is relatively low miles, zero rust and super clean owned by a friend who is meticulous about his vehicles. That’s the only advantage for me paying the 5k premium. Thanks again for the insight

 

[Bisho]

I have a built 2000 LC and a stock 2007 LX. I love them both and have a hard time deciding what to drive. The 07 definitely has a getup and go advantage, and the 5 speed is so much smoother. I think after you tune up the AHC, its probably good for as long as a set of shocks, with maybe a fluid change or two along the way, before you're doing globes again. Changed the originals at 230k miles.

I would pay more for the 06/07. I think the SAIS issue is overblown myself. I do hate the integrated Nav, though. I know I can probably get to love it with a GROM, but the double din in the 2000 gets my vote.

 

[2001LC]

Past owner of both a MY 2000 and 2005 LC. May have an opportunity to pick up a clean 2006 with 150k for mid 20s maybe 26k. Should I be worried about the SAIS enough to limit my search for another 2005?? Also on fence about the AHC. Seems like both of those could cause headaches from all my research. At a minimum I would have to do the SAIS bypass and maybe rip out the AHC if it fails. Truck is extremely clean, no rust. One of the nicer ones I have seen which makes me want to get it but I don't want to get into a lack of reliability. I don’t care about the extra hp around town or the advantage of AHC. Won’t be used as a daily. Only used weekend cruiser. Looking for opinions. Thanks in advance

Wrong thinking!
Unfortunately misunderstanding of SAI & AHC, has lead to many urban myths.

AHC:
AHC, properly maintained, is so sweet. Once you have one, you'll not go back. I've 4 now: 1-03LX, 1-06LX and 2-07LX ranging from 145K to 320K miles.

S.A.I. system in the 4.7L 2UZ-fe VVti:
It is the SAI's internal non replaceable filter, that fails. Which is resulting in issue. SAI filter can be modified, with easily replaceable air filter. I'm doing one today.

Blocking-off S.A.I, system. IS NOT a street legal option nor needed. They also lead to engine issues, and increased pollution. If caught with one on public roads, streets or HWY is a $20K federal fine. Any shop installing one is subject to fines and worst.

Starter jobs isn't really harder with SAI. It just requires pulling SAI pump and SW, that blocks in starter. It's No big deal. In fact, I typically do starter and SAI mod at same time. Just depends on which fails first, as to why i'm in there. ie SAI filter, starter or rodent chew of wires under intake.

VVti in the 06-07 USA 4.7L 2UZ-fe VVti
In the rocky mtns, we have reduced HP in all internal combustion engines. This is do to high altitude (reduce air density). Climbing high altitude passes, is a breeze, with the added HP of the VVT (06-07).

 

[ace10]

Bought an '02LX off the dealer lot new. Never found AHC to be anything spectacular or even noticeable. Just more to maintain. Sorry.
Overall, IMO the 5 speed is a more significant upgrade over the 4 speed than the VVTi is over the regular 2UZFE.
If I was shopping for another 100, I would absolutely focus on 2003-05 again. A few extra HP way up on the tach on 20 year old rig just isn't worth the premium to me.

$0.02

 

[Coin]

Bought an '02LX off the dealer lot new. Never found AHC to be anything spectacular or even noticeable. Just more to maintain. Sorry.
Overall, IMO the 5 speed is a more significant upgrade over the 4 speed than the VVTi is over the regular 2UZFE.
If I was shopping for another 100, I would absolutely focus on 2003-05 again. A few extra HP way up on the tach on 20 year old rig just isn't worth the premium to me.

$0.02

You didn’t find the AHC noticable?
As in you do not notice a difference between comfort and sport modes, or you do not notice a difference between AHC and other suspensions?

Going from a 2005 Tundra to an AHC equipped LX was very noticeable to me!

 

[ace10]

You didn’t find the AHC noticable?
As in you do not notice a difference between comfort and sport modes, or you do not notice a difference between AHC and other suspensions?

Going from a 2005 Tundra to an AHC equipped LX was very noticeable to me!

I just didn't think it did very much for ride quality. Never fiddled with the controls, ever. At the time, I also had an 80, so that was the direct comparison.
Today, so many years later, I have a 270K mile '04 and it does everything just fine. Even on the original suspension.

I've had dozens of SUVs and trucks over the years. AHC isn't something I would ever seek out and would likely actually avoid, if given the choice when shopping for an old Toyota.
The majority of 100's are twenty to twenty five years old. So they're ancient by today's standards. What does a 100's AHC do that's so amazing?

 

[SteveH]

What does a 100's AHC do that's so amazing?

AHC gives nice lift/lowering - scroll 1/2 way down this thread and check out the Coors beer case 'squash test' : 100 series = Rock Star (story of a Colorado off-road trip) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/100-series-rock-star-story-of-a-colorado-off-road-trip.1322314/#post-15154748

I can lower the truck for my wife and mother to get in, and can raise it up for random off road use, or so I can more easily slide under the truck to work on it. As for the other features, the only time I click toward 'Sport' mode is when the truck is heavily loaded and it gets woozy on Colorado's crappy roads.

AHC is not the Second Coming, but it's an interesting and useful novelty and softens the sharpest impacts.

 

[ace10]

I had my from-new LX for 12 years. I distinctly remember one time AHC being useful and that was after a big snow. I was trying to get out to the road and on the normal setting she would float up on the snow and loose traction. But on high, the body had just enough clearance to keep moving.

All the trips to beach. Didnt use it.
Aging parents getting in and out, nope.

The AHC system failed about six months after we sold the LX. The buyer actually wanted me to pay to fix it. And was aggressive about it, too. lol

 

[baltistyle]

Had a 00 lc and now an 06 lx. Imo, the lx is better in many ways to include the ahc. It is faster and more stable. Mine was rust free from nc with 220k+ and now has 265k, running perfectly. I’ve had zero issues with ahc or sais or anything else related to the upgraded tech. Sure there may be some repairs eventually but that would not stop the purchase. Every car needs some amount of baselining. The biggest issue that can’t be fixed is rust. Mine remains completely clean with zero rust underneath with lanolin coatings annually. My dilemma in your question would be consideration of a 200 series at more than 20k.

 

[2001LC]

Some have AHC system so out of tune, and or never touch the mode dial or height toggle SW. Have no idea how sweet AHC is.

Personally I adjust ride mode, more than any other feature of the 100 series except gas pedal, brake and shifter!

AHC, properly turned is sweet and has more features than most know.

1. Comfort mode, for the bumps and Cadillac ride.
2. Sport mode, for added stability on those mountain HWY curves and general more road feel. Is very sweet.
3. Two modes in between comfort & sport, for personal preference.
4. Self levels for loads, even trailer tongue weight.
5. Lower to: load-up, clean, passengers changed by height. To pack snow when high centered.
6. Lower to clear roof rack/stuff on top, entering low overhead garage or obstacles.
7. Raise to high, when parked. Reduces door dings.
8. Raise to clean and work under.
9. Raise to clear rocks, branches, deep snow, deep water, curbs, ect.
10. Raises Automatically, to extra high mode. When system senses needed.
11. Dampens automatically, reduce body roll, when sense in turner. Great for mount HWY.
12. Dampens front automatically, when braking. Stops noise dive.

Same as non AHC: Need to adjust T-bars periodically.

Bad: They do cost more over life of vehicle, to maintained than non. First, we need to flush periodically. Seconsd, around 25 years of use, in properly maintain. Will need 4 new dampening globes.

 

[Bisho]

I read somewhere the vehicle lowers an 1" when over 70mph, but never could find it in any documentation, and of course you can't really tell driving. Probably an old wives tale.