Best year 100 to buy ? (1 Viewer)

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[quote author=e9999 link=board=2;threadid=10674;start=msg96175#msg96175 date=1075253321]
newer and lower miles you can afford! They are getting better. (But more expensive to fix and more electronic gizmos to go bad.)
Unless you want to put a lot of mods and drive over big boulders in which case an 80 might be better.

Jim, that's right, amazingly, the FSM suggests that there is a rear locker and LSD options available for the 03 as well - not that I think they are available in the US - maybe special order though? About the Nav Sys, the problem is that the touch screen also controls the audio and A/C so you may still want it operational rather than just adding an aftermarket if the original conks out. Thankfully, though, there are enough buttons still outside of the touchscreen that you might get by without it for a while.

E
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Oh, I see. I have a buddy of mine who bought a '03 (very satisfied). He regrets not getting the '04 since that model supposedly has a reverse camera integrated into the DVD. Regarding the rear diff lock, we know the parts are available, at least in Japan. :) In the diagrams, are the same axles used for the stock LSD diff and locked diffs? Makes me wonder if the elocker is available in different gear ratios like the 8" diff lock (I got mine in 4.56).

Although new and low miles would be great, an '03 w/ low miles is still $$$$. My philosophy is to get a newer, high mileage vehicle (like 30K mi/yr). That way, you're pretty sure those miles are highway miles. Old and low miles is misleading...just means the suspension/wheel bearings don't have the miles, but the driving could have been 90% stop & go traffic on hills. In Japan (esp. the Tokyo area), miles are low, but much time is spent idling, and often during the hot/humid summer, hence the more frequent recommended oil changing intervals (1000 miles, I seem to recall my bro-in-law mentioning).
 
Best year is the 1999, :D.

No, the best year is newest you can afford.

I am one of the folks who broke their front diff climbing a hill, it was covered under Toyota warranty, no questions asked. It was the carrier, the very middle of the diff, I figured a cv would have given first.

Andrew
 
[quote author=uzj100 link=board=2;threadid=10674;start=msg96480#msg96480 date=1075326317]
Best year is the 1999, :D.

No, the best year is newest you can afford.

I am one of the folks who broke their front diff climbing a hill, it was covered under Toyota warranty, no questions asked. It was the carrier, the very middle of the diff, I figured a cv would have given first.

Andrew
[/quote]

Andrew, sounds like they have some tough parking lots in the malls you shop at. ;)
 
2006. Could be the LC100s' last year. :-\
 
Wanting to buy second 100 series. What's best year? I am worried about switch from Araco. Thoughts?
 
Wow, that's a 9 year old resurection! I would think after 9 years it's safe to start a new thread :)

But I'll concur with the opinions of 2004, the newest you can afford. Personally for my needs I like the 03+ but would certainly buy 06+ if I had the extra cash. Then again, if I had the extra cash I'd even shoot for a 200.
 
'98,'99 with factory rear locker. or 2004?-06 with 5 speed tranny are my suggestions. 2vs4 pinion front diff doesn't seem to matter. If you wheel it you can break either style front diff.
 
Wow, that's a 9 year old resurection! I would think after 9 years it's safe to start a new thread :)

But I'll concur with the opinions of 2004, the newest you can afford. Personally for my needs I like the 03+ but would certainly buy 06+ if I had the extra cash. Then again, if I had the extra cash I'd even shoot for a 200.

Bam, there it is. The '03's five speed tranny lets the 4.7 rev like it wants to. VVT-i is icing on the 100 cake. From there, a 200.
 
Yes but 04 has the head unit issue
 
Tranny grenading issues on the 2000+ models?
 
I think the tranny issues are only early 2000. I was not aware of the head unit issues in 2004, but good to know. I have read that quality post Araco(sp?) was not as great, supposedly because Toytoa outsourced more parts.

At this point, I am thinking about a 2003 or a 2006. If I can find a lower mile 2003, I can get the 5 speed tranny. I only drive about 5,000 miles a year, so the thing should last me 20 years. A 2003 is significantly cheaper than a 2006 right now. The 2006 gets me the VVTI engine, but I am not sure that is worth the extra $10,000 given my circumstances.
 
The 98-02 vs 03-07 is an interesting comparison. Yes the A750F is nice on the 03+. But in 06 (?) you pick up air injection for smog control and for the entire 03+ range you're suck with factory Nav/Climate. And the VVTi is really a HP gain rather than a torque gain so it's not much practical difference for wheeling (spend much time above 4k?). Early years (98-99) are missing electronics (ATRAC/VSC) but have an (optional) rear locker. The 00-02 years are also more economical to acquire which can be a strong influence when looking for a rig to wheel. And the 00 trans issue... it's <5% risk.

That said, I'd probably look for an 04-05 if I were to do it again.
 
02 in my biased opinion. Thousands (like 5g) less than 03, but lose 1mpg w/ 4 speed auto. Very very few trans issues in 02. Old school interior if that matters. If you really plan to keep it 20 years I guess 1 mpg could pay for itself. Personally glad I saved $ on 02. But Drove an 03, it just feels nicer. Not 5 k nicer for my needs.
 
I'm pretty happy with our 1998. It would be nice to have the updated interior and a 5 speed, but it's not worth the money to me. It wold probably cost double what I paid for the 98. 1-2 MPG better is still in the gutter. I bought it to haul my family in and keep them safe, works great.
 
I'm satisfied with my 99. I keep noticing the 03 or 06+ prices drop further. I just tell myself to replace bushings or other parts like leather due to wear. As much as I'd like the 5 speed, plus minor updates on the newer 100s, I'd rather wait and jump to a 200 instead when the time comes. Any year 100 is great, it just depends what you want to pay for age/year.
 
If you think the 200's will fill our needs when the 100's wear out, think again. 200 Sales Volume. Unless Toyota starts providing 70's to the USDM, the majority of us will be driving 4Runners 15 years from now. Pure math.
 

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