Best year 100 to buy ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter crazy canuck
  • Start date Start date

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Having gown up in a '76 Olds Cutlas Supreme station wagon, with no rear AC and having to sit in the 3rd row facing backwards, I will take my AC and raise you a center console refrigerator, if I could get one...

Mine is the best. That is because I own it, free and clear. I will be buying a 200 one day though. Keeping the 80, keeping the 100 and then probably the 200, as well.

For those who really want to know which year is the best, well, you probably need to test drive every one of them and then pick HOW you will use it. That will narrow your focus and then take a look at your bank account and that will narrow it even further.
 
VidereStudios said:
I love these kind of threads! I remember reading a similar one when I was shopping for my LC in 2009. Loved reading all the opinions, etc. I ended up buying a 2001 LX470, so take that into consideration as you read the following. In my opinion, like someone mentioned, I would rather have a well-kept and rust-free, high mileage rig than some of the eaten ones from back East. Keep that in mind as one of the most important things to consider. Mileage isn't as important as that (within reason).

From least to greatest in stock form, IMHO:

Stock 2000 - PROS: upgrades include VSC and ATRAC over 98-99 models, can still fit subtanks; CONS: extremely rare chance of transmission failing catastrophically, lost rear locker from 98-99 models
Stock 03-05 - PROS: 5 speed transmission, updated interior, upgraded airbags around; CONS: integrated navigation / environmental controls / audio, charcoal canister under spare tire (no subtanks allowed, yet)
Stock 06-07 - PROS: in addition to above, add VVT-I and LED tail lamps; CONS: same
Stock 01-02 - PROS: upgrades include VSC and ATRAC over 98-99 models, 4-pinion diffs replace problems with 2-pinion diffs, can still fit subtanks; CONS: 4 speed transmission not as good as 5 speed (approx. 1 less MPG) in later years, a lot of LC's now included integrated navigation, though you can still find those without it (not applicable in 03+ years)
Stock 98-99 - PROS: electronic rear locker, can still fit subtanks, no integrated navigation; CONS: no VSC or ATRAC, weak 2-pinion front diffs tend to fail at some point after repeated, hard 4x4'ing situations.

Modify any of the 100 series rigs and you can obviously can fix pretty much all the weak spots in any of the years of the 100 series except for five major things: lack of VSC and ATRAC in 98-99's, integrated navigation going out in 01+ years, lack of side airbags in 98-02 years, 4 speed transmission in 98-02 years, and no VVT-I until 2006. Everything else can be pretty much addressed with the addition of lockers and other small mods. The most important of those five things will drive your decision (not taking into consideration miles, rust, and cost). I guess that is why I am starting to keep my eye out for second LC...this time a 2006 or 2007. The only negative with those (after adding lockers, etc.) is the integrated navigation.

EDIT: The reason I went with the 2001 was that I wanted the VSC and ATRAC and I want to put in ARB lockers front and rear in the future, so I was able to eliminate 98-99 from the search. I read up on the 2000 transmission issue and just decided to avoid that tiny chance of having the transmission go out. I really like the 5 speed transmission and VVT-I from 06-07, but there was no way I could afford one of those back in 2009. So I crossed those two years off. So it boiled down to 01-02 with 4 speed transmission, no integrated navigation, and the ability to install a subtank versus a 03-05 with 5 speed transmission, mandatory integrated nav, and charcoal canister interference with subtanks. The integrated nav and lack of subtank options were a bigger minus than the 4 speed transmission in my mind and for my uses. So I started looking for a 01-02 within my price range, with less than 90,000 miles (so I could do the 90K mile service to my specs and so I could learn how to do it), located in the Southwest (rust-free), and with a single owner who kept up on the maintenance and had great records. It took me several months, but I found what I wanted: within my budget, 78,000 miles, located in Hollywood, and with a single owner who religiously maintained it. So I flew down, rescued it from mall-crawling duties, and drove it back to Oregon. Well worth it, and exactly what I wanted.
Click to expand...


Well... that pretty much covers my trip to own a 100 so far too... although as someone suggested, I have been really kicking around an 03' it does seem I am bogged down now into just thinking 01'-02' in my own search....

you guys are breaking ol' Rusty's heart with all the negatives about rust though... the reason I bout her was she had a great maintenance record and, you know, not every rig can be a spotless bute'... I will repair ol' Rusty !!!!!

this post is great stuff by the way :popcorn:

K
 
The newest one you can afford with low miles. I prefer the older 100's to stay away from the touchscreen.
 
Earlier 100s one can afford and upgrade front end for better lamp/light pattern.

image-3780142163.jpg
 
Just bought a 2000 year. Armored up. Should be in hand next Wed.

image-1146165148.jpg

image-1146165148.jpg
 
OregonLC said:
Is that the one out of Corvallis?
Click to expand...

Yep. Paid for it a week ago..been waiting on transport. I could tell you what I paid, but you would hate me...more.
 
BTUMAN said:
Yep. Paid for it a week ago..been waiting on transport. I could tell you what I paid, but you would hate me...more.
Click to expand...

It was for sale for a good while so I'm sure he was motivated. A lot of miles if I remember correctly, but the value of all the extra bits alone were probably worth what you paid.
 
OregonLC said:
It was for sale for a good while so I'm sure he was motivated. A lot of miles if I remember correctly, but the value of all the extra bits alone were probably worth what you paid.
Click to expand...

Tried to do my homework and had both dealer and independent check it out plus Carfax plus Toyota owners site, etc. included full engine compression check, transmission check, etc. I wanted something to go along with my rigged 200 for my son and this should be better than rigging the wife's LX. My plan is to clean up, fix minor and paint armor, etc

It would have cost me the same or more to find an 80 and rig up for trails, so went for the 100. 260k miles.
 
BTUMAN said:
Tried to do my homework and had both dealer and independent check it out plus Carfax plus Toyota owners site, etc. included full engine compression check, transmission check, etc. I wanted something to go along with my rigged 200 for my son and this should be better than rigging the wife's LX. My plan is to clean up, fix minor and paint armor, etc

It would have cost me the same or more to find an 80 and rig up for trails, so went for the 100. 260k miles.
Click to expand...

So how did it checkout with 260k miles?
 
So how much?
 
SWUtah said:
So how did it checkout with 260k miles?
Click to expand...

Per dealer and independent check- all ok. Will have it in hands next Wed and will know more. The AC clutch apparently is locked up. Has new steering-rack. Engine compression was near perfect and well within tolerance.
 
I am picking up my 2001 hundy tonight at 7pm. Very excited and looking forward to how do you say grown up rig. Listen I've loved and still own an 80 but I am ready for the next phase of driving a 100! If all goes well I will post some pix tonight.
 
crowdaddy911 said:
I am picking up my 2001 hundy tonight at 7pm. Very excited and looking forward to how do you say grown up rig. Listen I've loved and still own an 80 but I am ready for the next phase of driving a 100! If all goes well I will post some pix tonight.
Click to expand...

Congrats. I love my 100 but still wish I had my 1995 FZJ80 too :)
 
i would get a very late 100 series VX Sahara with the 1HDTFTE and 5 speed auto, and remove the chassis and fit my 105 series chassis under it. ultimate luxury/offroad tourer!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
Best size Method wheels for 100 Series Stock Lift
Replies
5
Views
736
Patassa
P
PhoenixTRX
2000 100 series - 13 year 'Courtship' ...now officially ours.
Replies
7
Views
925
pavell
P
S
What year is best.....2024
2 3
Replies
44
Views
5K
steelynorm
S
A
Where to buy parts
Replies
15
Views
1K
w33dies
w33dies

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom