Another "which Cruiser" thread...

[mstakacs]

You might want to consider buying one off of Mud - very straight forward honest people. I bought the FJ40 sight unseen from San Diego with a few pics and descriptions within an hour of being posted. Same with the FJ80 from Sacramento. A couple of emails, and I felt comfortable enough. Totally rust free and can see every bolt like it came from the factory. Sure it cost over $1000 each to ship, but that is cheap compared to what we get in rust belt. On the other hand, I bought the Lexus local in Ohio (lady at ski shop was trading it in on a 2016 LX570 so I bought it for almost trade-in value), and I have snapped off a few rusted bolt heads, and the classic rusting-out upper rear hatch. Just make sure whatever you get has a complete history.

My friend bought his wife a 2017 LX570 last year for Christmas, and she would rather have her old 2004 LX470 pearl white back. Yikes. He dropped $103k for it. I offered to swap.

 

[RKTINC]

I have lots of experience with 80 100 and 200. The 100 is my favorite but good luck finding anything under 100k miles at this point. My 2014 Lx is a beautiful vehicle but just too big and floaty for me. The 80 is great for occasional use but just really slow for everyday. I looked for an 80 for a long time before I realized the extra room and power of the 100 was far superior to the 80. If you are 6ft tall or a little full figured you will feel cramped in the 80. I found a 100 with 62k miles and paid full ask for it via phone/internet pics.

 

[jlm43]

Thanks for all the replies and thoughts. It's definitely helping me weed through the chaos.

I found one with 64k miles but I'm a bit concerned as it's lived near NYC it's whole life. Could lead to rust and a crap load of city driving. Or it was just in a garage the whole time.

Another is a one owner with 105k miles but asking close to $20k. $16 would be acceptable but $20k is a stretch when KBB shows $15,000ish.

 

[RKTINC]

Kbb means very little in this world

 

[joseywales]

If you have a 100 series (2004 LX470):
1. No one will stop you, ever, and say "Cool car".
2. It is a Lexus and is the most plush and comfy ride.
3. You can do basic maintenance comfortably, T hoses, brakes, some troubleshooting.

Your LX is stock. My 100 is lifted on 33s and says “LAND CRUISER” on the back. I get people complimenting me on it all the time. They know what an LC is.

2 vehicles I'm considering
2004 LC one owner 110k miles, $16k ( a bit high but in great shape)
2008 LX570 110k miles, $26k, 2 owners, great shape.

I'm still no closer to making a decision. I am glad that I'm in no rush and can travel to get one but the wife is getting tired of me showing her possible candidates.

They have the same miles, so I would save the $10,000 if they are in similar condition. The 200 is going to continue to depreciate on a much more noticeable scale than the 100. One of my clients has a 200, and previously hsd a 100. Money is no object to this gentleman, and he is not an off-roader. He said trading his 100 in on the 200 was a mistake, and he wishes he could have his old 100 back.

 

[Simplespirit]

Your LX is stock. My 100 is lifted on 33s and says “LAND CRUISER” on the back. I get people complimenting me on it all the time. They know what an LC is.

Same experience for me. I just bought a GTI about 3 weeks ago and had multiple people at the dealership ask if I was trading it in or selling it. LX models are a lot easier to find here so having the Toyota branded version adds prestige (probably opposite of what was intended).

The 200 is ugly IMO. Each new gen loses a little bit of character and with the 200 it's all but gone.

 

[NoogaCruiser]

I was in the same boat as you a few months ago. I was choosing between 06-07 LC/LX or a 200 series. If you go the 100 route, you should really try for a 2006 or 2007 IMO. I ended up getting a 2009 LC, but kept my 2001 LC (for now). I love the 200 as far as handling, comfort, and refinement, but the 100 is special in a different kind of way. Also, a clean 100 series with low miles (100k or less) will be rare and therefore expensive. I found several 100 series with low miles listed for 24K and up, which puts it near the cost of a clean 200. Low mileage isn't as much of a delicacy in the 200 market at the moment, though. Meaning it's valued, but not nearly as much as in the 100 market. The major factor in the 200 market is if it's a 2013+ model. the 2008-2011's are moderately less expensive than the 2013's which were refreshed. Note a 2012 model does not exist. Good luck either way!