Buying a Hundy - Advice?

[Cruisn]

Hello Land Cruiser faithful!

I am in search of an early 100-series. Ideally, I'm not looking to spend more that $9,000 on the cost of the vehicle. I have done some research of the market and what to be wary of when purchasing (especially the TB, water pump replacement intervals). Are there other concerns I should have?

I plan on daily driving as well as road trips to several SEC football stadiums. I am hoping that a cruiser, with regular maintenance and upkeep will be able to keep rolling for at least 100k more miles after my purchase.

From what I have seen, my budget allows for 1999-2000 model with about 200k miles on the odo. Does this sound about right?

I've seen quite a few GX470's that are in my price range with less miles... Would this be a better alternative for my intended use? ... Admittedly, I'd rather have the Toyota badge.

Thanks!

 

[yeti in ga]

First welcome , you have the right idea early land cruisers are the best...the best year is 99 , just sayin...
there are some threads on here for buying advise and or information like this one:

new lc or lx?? what is the difference?

Use the search feature , it is your friend and at the end of the day everyone's.

 

[Cruisn]

Thanks. Hoping to compile some newer information here. Looks like that thread went dormant about 30-50k miles ago. I understand that the Lexus GX470 and LX470 incorporate AHC, but that there are several viable conversions to conventional springs.

As more and more LC100's roll past 200-250k miles, are any problems beginning to arise? Is it reasonable to assume that an adequately maintained cruiser can be viable dd into 300k miles? That's really my target question. It seems pretty difficult to find LC's from the 1999-2000 era that haven't crossed the 200k mark.

 

[BullElk]

the best year is 99 , just sayin...

Yeti....you would rather have a '99 than ATRAC in 2000 ?

 

[Julian Stead]

If you search for high mileage threads then you will find 300k isn't that much. 98 is the year to go for though. Not biased, honest. What weak diff......

 

[wpsfan]

GX470's are also excellent, just saw one on another forum with 400k miles and nothing major had been replaced. I'm actually looking to sell my wife's 100 LC and replace with a GX, I can buy a nicer/newer/lower mileage GX for a little more than what her fair-good condition LC is worth. At times I'd rather have a built GX rather than my own built 100, more rare to see a built one and likely just as capable/reliable.

 

[yeti in ga]

Yeti....you would rather have a '99 than ATRAC in 2000 ?

yes , even though I am a believer in ATRAC in the hands of someone who knows how to work it. Of course getting a 99 with the rear locker option is the ticket, then your only one step to a fully locked rig.

 

[sseaman]

If you plan for mainly road trips with little to no offroad the GX will be able to more than handle what you need with the same creature comforts and better mpg's. I thought about the GX before buying my LX but knew I would want the 100 series and end up trading within a year anyways. The other thing that I am not sure I would like is the swinging door of the GX new or old. It looks like you are in Nashville, take a look at Rockstar motors, that is where I found my LX with a good service history out of the south.

 

[marshcat]

Last month I picked up an '03 Land Cruiser w/ 220k miles for $5000 from the original owner. I'm putting another $1000 of preventative maintenance into it, but even as-is the truck is a great daily driver.

If you spend some time chasing down trucks on craigslist your $9000 should get you something very nice.

 

[Cruisn]

Last month I picked up an '03 Land Cruiser w/ 220k miles for $5000 from the original owner. I'm putting another $1000 of preventative maintenance into it, but even as-is the truck is a great daily driver.

If you spend some time chasing down trucks on craigslist your $9000 should get you something very nice.

Wow, $5000 for a single owner seems incredible even at 220k miles.. I'm having a tough time finding anything under 9000 asking price. Most 2003 and 2004 GX470's are priced at 11000 with about 170-190k miles. May go to some dealerships and try to negotiate.

 

[NCjeff]

"Cough" "cough"
For Sale: - 99 Toyota Landcruiser, 198K miles $6900

Its not too far of a drive for you. And yes it will drive there and back no problem.

 

[creege]

I just spent $7200 on a 2001 with 170,000 miles. I put $1000 back into it for new front axels and flanges to fix a bad clunk problem. Then come to find out, it actually has 480,000 miles. I posted a odometer roll back thread on this a while back. If I am to believe the carfax report, I have a car with a bunch of miles on it. Aside from an exhaust leak that goes away on warm up, there's nothing wrong with it. I find that hard to believe, but as each road trip goes by, I realize that these rigs are built to last.