I have two choices now in buying a LC. one is a 07 Certified with 37k miles and $40k, another is 04 NON-certified with 40k miles and $29k. I am leaning on the 04 one because it saves arould $11k, but I also like the warranty coming with the ceritified LC . Any advice is welcome.
advice on 04 LC and 07 LC
- Thread starter chlc
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Well, no AHC on the 2004, which to me is a plus. Others here like AHC, but I see it as just something that can become a costly problem.
When I went to get a full sized Land Cruiser, I initially set out for a 2007, being the last year. Then I found out about AHC, and I also did not like the late model wing on the rear of the vehicle. I do however like the wing on the 2004 model. So I got the 2004, because it didn't have AHC, and did have the wing style I liked. Also, the 2004 was the last ARACO year.
PS - with those kinds of miles and the reliability of the vehicle, I would go with the 2004 and use the $11K for lift, tires, ARB lockers front and rear and 4.88 gears
When I went to get a full sized Land Cruiser, I initially set out for a 2007, being the last year. Then I found out about AHC, and I also did not like the late model wing on the rear of the vehicle. I do however like the wing on the 2004 model. So I got the 2004, because it didn't have AHC, and did have the wing style I liked. Also, the 2004 was the last ARACO year.
PS - with those kinds of miles and the reliability of the vehicle, I would go with the 2004 and use the $11K for lift, tires, ARB lockers front and rear and 4.88 gears
PS - with those kinds of miles and the reliability of the vehicle, I would go with the 2004 and use the $11K for lift, tires, ARB lockers front and rear and 4.88 gears
I agree with this.
For a couple of thousand dollars, you can buy a Toyota extended warranty or a third-party warranty. That's what my wife and I did when we bought our '03 in May from a Honda/Nissan dealer. Three year, nearly bumper-to-bumper warranty covers us until our 100 is nine years old. YMMV.
P.S. I don't care for the newer style rear wings either. I had even thought about taking our [older style] '03 wing off, but it does a great job of keep the rear window clean.
Good luck!
P.S. I don't care for the newer style rear wings either. I had even thought about taking our [older style] '03 wing off, but it does a great job of keep the rear window clean.
Good luck!
The difference in the rear wing things is the black minimal one that can be easily removed and the big chunky body-colored thing with the integrated 3rd brake light that can't be removed easily?
$11k does fund a lot of upgrades.
$11k does fund a lot of upgrades.
I have been very happy with my 04. Like the others I don't like the wing on the 07 but I do like the newer taillights on the 07 - h/r if you need to replace them they are very expensive.
I thought AHC was an option in 07.
I think they became standard on the LC with the 06-07 models.
It was an option. Many southern Land Cruisers do not have the AHC system. (for 2006 and 2007 model years)
It is a big deal, last built by the oldtimers they did quality work. Buy the 2004 and save the $11K, you don't need an extended warranty.
'06 AVS with AHC - $1620.00 option
Go with the '04 and go ahead with an extended warranty. I purchased one with my '02 for under a grand and it provided a bumper to bumper for 4 years or 100K miles and we took the beast in at 98K and had them replace the hood and lift gate struts and look at the captains chair because the lumbar support wasn't working (which they replaced)... all in all with several other little items, the total would have been about $4000 if not for the warranty. Best $$ I spent on a warranty. Never really had any problems that concerned anything other than cosmetic.
Overall, you will be $$ ahead with the assurance of a warranty.
My $0.02.
Overall, you will be $$ ahead with the assurance of a warranty.
My $0.02.
Be very, very wary of 3rd party warrantys. I bought one with my 97 in 2001. By 2003 the company went bankrupt long before the warranty would have expired.
Be very, very wary of 3rd party warrantys. I bought one with my 97 in 2001. By 2003 the company went bankrupt long before the warranty would have expired.
Mine had been too, but the dealer still stuck to it. Luck? Maybe. Peace of mind, since I had never owned a Toy... yup.
One (ok, maybe 2) other thing that I would have to add regarding 3rd party warranties... 1. I do agree that you have to be very careful and get in writing from the dealer that they will honor the warranty, for the life of the warranty (if possible). 2. READ IT VERY CAREFULLY. I found that mine expired a year earlier than I had originally thought because it started from the date the car was first put into service and since I was the second party to own the car, this meant that I had purchases something that had started prior to me purchasing it (confusing? Yep, me too). So read it very carefully... take it home scour it.
But overall, it was worth what I paid for it... 4 times over.
Just my thoughts...
Best Advice: Test drive both!
Up to 2005, ~230 hp. 2006-2007 ~275 hp.
Does the 07 have AHC? Do you like it? Does the Toyota warranty cover the AHC?
Does the 07 have any other features that are important to you? (I.e. I have 4 kids, and my next 100 or 200 TLC WILL have the factory rear DVD player.)
Will the difference in payments between the 04 and 07 cause hardship? (NA if you are paying cash) How long do you plan on keeping it before you upgrade again? If you plan on holding on to it forever, I would go newer.
Do you plan on building it for hard wheeling? If so go for the 04 and use the price difference on upgrades.
Up to 2005, ~230 hp. 2006-2007 ~275 hp.
Does the 07 have AHC? Do you like it? Does the Toyota warranty cover the AHC?
Does the 07 have any other features that are important to you? (I.e. I have 4 kids, and my next 100 or 200 TLC WILL have the factory rear DVD player.)
Will the difference in payments between the 04 and 07 cause hardship? (NA if you are paying cash) How long do you plan on keeping it before you upgrade again? If you plan on holding on to it forever, I would go newer.
Do you plan on building it for hard wheeling? If so go for the 04 and use the price difference on upgrades.
Best Advice: Test drive both!
Up to 2005, ~230 hp. 2006-2007 ~275 hp.
Does the 07 have AHC? Do you like it? Does the Toyota warranty cover the AHC?
Does the 07 have any other features that are important to you? (I.e. I have 4 kids, and my next 100 or 200 TLC WILL have the factory rear DVD player.)
Will the difference in payments between the 04 and 07 cause hardship? (NA if you are paying cash) How long do you plan on keeping it before you upgrade again? If you plan on holding on to it forever, I would go newer.
Do you plan on building it for hard wheeling? If so go for the 04 and use the price difference on upgrades.
Great advice. Great thoughts regarding long term intentions. I agree.
I would think you could get a better deal on the '04. ...even w/ the low miles.
I bought our '03 less than a year ago for $16,900.
I bought our '03 less than a year ago for $16,900.
Jim_Chow
V8_Fan
The Toyota certified warranty is a joke...3 MONTHS/3K miles. The Lexus certified warranty is worth it...3 YEARS/up to 100K miles platinum. '07 LC for $40K is fairly priced, IMHO. An '06 certified LX will probably run about the same price. The only drawback to the '04 that I can think of is some had defective nav units, and since it's out of the factory warranty, replacement is $5K.
Get the 04, 11k in mods goes quick, you'll need it 
