another Hundy vs Sequoia thread

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ylexot

ylexot

10 Year 15 Year
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Alright, so after selling my beloved 62 for an 80 to gain a 3rd row, my wife is unhappy with her leg room riding shotgun in the 80. (I've tried convincing her to travel with less crap by her feet, but to achieve domestic peace, you know how it is...) So now that I've got my 80 about dialed in, short of a lift, I'm suddenly in the market for a different family camp hauler. I've read pretty much everything there is on this subject, but still have a few questions.

1. So I get that the Sequoia doesn't have the same build quality as the LC, but how does this work out comparing a 100 with 250k vs a Sequoia with 100-150k? Around here the only 100s I can afford are a quarter million miles in. Assuming similar upkeep, does 100k more miles on the LC make them similar in terms of remaining life?

2. How off road ready is the Sequoia. I don't do anything extreme: forest service roads and old logging trails. A stock 100 is probably completely adequate for my needs. For the most part I won't be going anywhere that I can't also drag my little lifted camping trailer. I'm not too interested in a big lift. (For reference, I was planning a stock height OME for my 80 to freshen up the ride and a little lift.) I'd like to run 33s, but from what I've read, the Sequoia needs a lift to run anything bigger than 31s. That's a big strike against the Sequoia if it needs the extra inch or so of ground clearance to be effective in the weeds.

3. How much more usable is the 3rd row in the Sequoia vs LC. I've sat in the jump seats in my 80. I wouldn't want to take a long trip back there, and I'm kind of short. Cargo capacity is really the big advantage for the big-trees. Most of the time the 3rd row will be stowed, but we want/need it for my boys when the grandparents visit or friends tag along on trips to the mountains for camping or skiing. My boys are small enough not to care much now, but they are going to be big, and soon.

I've really gotten to like my 80, but I can't keep 2 4x4s. We driven the 100, it is very different than the 80, but I'm sure I'll grow to like it too and the front gives her the room she wants: check and check. As soon as we can find some time, we'll give a Sequoia a firm kick on the tires. We'll probably answer question 3 ourselves. 1 and 2, I can use some help with.
 
The Sequia is a solid truck. It has less bells and whistles. It can handle the offroad stuff you describe, and a slight lift is relatively cheap. Also the 3rd row has pretty good room especially for kids. It does not have a rear locker, but sounds like you don't really need one. They are very reliable if you are strict with keeping up with the maintenance.
 
From everything you wrote sounds like a Sequoia is your best bet. Try to get a 04+ since the early years trannies among other things had issues.

An 03-04 Sequoia at least on my local craigslist with 130-150k miles are listing for anywhere from 8500-10000 which is about what a nice 98-00 100 would cost with 200k+ miles
 
With the 100 you get your AWD, The Big Tree only has RWD or 4wd, from what I remember.
Just like the 100 and the Tundra, if you go with an '05+, you'll get the 5 spd auto trans and a little stronger engine.
You can also get a cloth interior, which likely won't be as trashed as the leather seats look after ten years, and is cheaper than leather.
We went back and forth quite a bit.... wound up with a steal on the 100, so we went that route.

Look out for the 2wd models though! They're out there!
 
I was in your shoes and I chose the LC. The primary reason being I could not stand the interior of the Sequoia. However, looking back, I probably should have gone with the Big Tree. It's bigger but slight more efficient on gas. The second and third rows offer greater space. There's more usable cargo space even with the third row up. And frankly, I could've gotten a low mileage 06-07 for the price I paid for my 04 LC. But alas the decision was made, although I am still toying with the idea of trading the hundy in for 08+ Seq.
 
offthebeatenpath said:
With the 100 you get your AWD, The Big Tree only has RWD or 4wd, from what I remember.
Just like the 100 and the Tundra, if you go with an '05+, you'll get the 5 spd auto trans and a little stronger engine.
You can also get a cloth interior, which likely won't be as trashed as the leather seats look after ten years, and is cheaper than leather.
We went back and forth quite a bit.... wound up with a steal on the 100, so we went that route.

Look out for the 2wd models though! They're out there!
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure the 05 and new models had multi-mode 4WD which included the option of locking the center diff (AWD Mode/4WD mode)
 
I considered the Sequoia when searching for a family adventure rig. Just came down to build quality and made in Japan (LC) vs. made in Indiana (Sequoia). Once the miles get up there, the build quality really counts. I asked the service tech at my local yota dealer and he said LC all the way. What's your budget?
 
Having owned both original and current style Sequoias and a current 100 series owner, I'll offer my opinion:

1. Yes, a Sequoia will be much more affordable.

2. I only owned RWD Sequoias, and they are crap for off road. I'm not sure how capable a push-button 4WD version would be. Can't be even close to a LC capabilities.

3. Yes, more room in the third row than a LC in the original Sequoia (pre-2008). About the same in the newer style Sequoia.

Having three kids (now adults) and taking cross-country trips, I wish I would have bought a 100 series LC to start with.
It's also my daily driver.

Just my $0.02.
 
I have had both

No comparison

I looked at my sequoia as a lemon with all the issues I had.

When trading it towards my 100 series I told the dealer about the vsc and trac lights being on and he told me they all did that

It is a big comfy ride but I would never buy another

I put more into my sequoia in 40k miles than I have in 400k of my various land cruisers.

Some folks love the but I didn't

It was an early model 2002
 
Ok, thanks y'all. Based on what I've heard here, the Sequoia sounds like it would serve our needs as a family camping hauler. I have some reservations about maneuverability in tight spots in the trees, but that comes with the Tahoe sized sequoia.

As for budget, I'd like to get into my next rig for less than 10k. I know that's going to be challenging and will require patience. That price range probably rules out a land cruiser with less than 200k miles.

Lemons aside, what is the expected lifetime of each of these vehicles before maintenance costs become significant and reliability is less certain.

My 62 had 320k before I sold it. They are simple machines and don't have a lot of trim pieces to shake loose. Still the dash was getting a little squeeky and I had to replace the tranny at about 310k. All in all, I was OK with that when considering my costs per mile of use and that I got most of my money back on sale as it was already depreciated when I bought it. My 80 has 215k and is also mostly depreciated though it has lots of life left.

Be it a sequoia with 125k or a hundred with 200k, I want a rig that is pleasant to drive (not full of rattles and squeeks) and doesn't need repairs beyond maintenance every 6 months.

Frame rust recall on the Sequioa was just for the first couple years, right?
 
I looked at both before buying a LX470. The LX won out in build quality, interior noise, ease of driving, features, comfort, in town driving & parking. Sequoia has a bit more room, but to me is basically a suburban Tundra.

You can find nice 100s for around $10k, just have to keep looking.
 
I am in the same boat as OP. We have a 2000 LX that has been great. This year I bought an '04 that looked like a brand new vehicle with only 60K miles on it. Well, after spending months in the shop for electronic and alignment issues they could not repair, the dealer bought it back.

I need a replacement like yesterday. I am trying to find a decent used LX, but have not had much luck. There are a ton of new generation Sequoias out there, but I tend to keep cars for 15 to 20 years and I am just not sure about the build quality. I like the extra size and we have young kids and travel by car quite a bit.

I have yet to see any concrete evidence that the LX is going to last longer than the Sequoia.
 
hkeller, how long have you had your 2000? How many miles are on the clock? Compared to your 04, was is it the updated bells and whistles that were a problem, or just a lemon? What kind of front end alignment problems did you have that they couldn't fix?

I prefer simpler systems personally, and I don't care too much for new fangled traction control, etc. I have half a mind to go get another 60, sound proof the crap out of it, work out a third row and split bench. Then I consider the amount of time I have and resign myself to buying something newer that serves my needs and try to enjoy the gadgetry and hopefully less time doing repairs. I imagine the amount of electronics between an LC/LX and a Sequoia is pretty similar. However, if the gadgetry in one platform vs another is more prone to breaking, that makes a big difference. It also depends on what breaks. If the telescoping steering wheel breaks in the LX, who cares so long as it breaks in a position that is functional and comfortable.

That said, speaking of complicated gadgetry, I've driven a 100 with the AHC system. I liked how it drove and having the option of a lifted ride for trails and standard height for the highway and around town. The more I research it, the more I like it. It is a major component that can break and goes directly against my sense of spartan simplicity. I've read through a few of the repair ads. I still have more research to do on that system, but as of right now, I think I'm willing, if not interested, in taking on the additional maintenance and risk. The Sequoia has a similar system, but it seems directed just toward the rear suspension to help with towing load.
 
My 2000 LX has about 205K on the clock. On the 2004, the Mark Levinson amp wouldn't turn back on after Bluetooth calls ended. They put three separate amps in it according to the TSB right on point for the 04 models and it still didn't work. Also the MFD screen didn't always connect to the navigation DVD. I think that is pretty common on the 04 as well.

The car wandered all over the road. They replaced the steering rack and did three or four alignments and couldn't get it straight. Also, the AHC ride was very harsh and the front was out of level by about an inch. They didn't seem to want to fix it.

It was so clean, like the interior (leather, etc.) looked brand new. I question whether it was a rebuild, but the dealer didn't think so.
 
The Sequoia is a simple truck. I bet you can get 350k out of it. Keep the trans full of fresh fluid, and just stay on top of all the maint and repairs. If something is leaking fix it. If you let one or two things go its easy to let it add up till you have 5k of repairs. The thing about the 100 is it was a 60k vehicle when new. While the used ones are much less to purchase now, the cost of parts is still the same as they ever were. If you buy an expensive vehicle one has to realize that such a vehicle is built with expensive parts (special shocks and electronic gizmos), while the value of the vehicle goes down over time, the cost of purchasing and replacing those expensive parts stays the same.
 
My 2000 and 2001 LX470's have been super solid vehicles. No issues with electronics (I made sure to buy both without the navigation system) and super nice rides (no alignment issues, etc.). Before I bought my second LX (the 2000), I went and drove multiple 2004-2006 LX470's. The slightly better transmission and VVT-i was not worth the seemingly greater electronic complexity of the mandatory navigation. The LX has been the perfect vehicle for me...quietly reliable, smoothly luxurious, and very capable with the right mods.

I liked the original Sequioa's and think that they are a really good vehicle. However, the 5.7L V8 is too much for me (in terms of fuel usage). The size is a bit too big, and it is not Toyota's highest quality vehicle. I bought into the whole LandCruiser mythos when I saw how many (both old and new) were driving around in Uganda when I was there. :meh: Finally, the ability to modify the LandCruiser's to make them a supremely capable world traveler is what I was looking for...not a people or toy hauler.

P.S. I plan to keep the both of them until the motors blow up or the motors fall through a rusted frame.
 
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