Buying/Selling - what year, how much, etc. - ask for opinions here (14 Viewers)

[Topmounter]

I read somewhere on the Internet that 2001 is the best LC model year EVER because:

1) Improved front diff
2) No j-gate shifter
3) Easy to find without nav
4) No AHC
5) No mamby pamby electric tilt steering

(disclaimer: I might have read that in one of my previous posts)

That being said ... if it's a UZJ-100, then it MUST be good


Hit the "newbie guide to the 100" in the FAQ, it covers the model year differences in a good amount of detail.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I read somewhere on the Internet that 2001 is the best LC model year EVER because:

1) Improved front diff
2) No j-gate shifter
3) Easy to find without nav
4) No AHC
5) No mamby pamby electric tilt steering

(disclaimer: I might have read that in one of my previous posts)

That being said ... if it's a UZJ-100, then it MUST be good


Hit the "newbie guide to the 100" in the FAQ, it covers the model year differences in a good amount of detail.

HA Ha 2001 = old technology..... 2003+ is the future with value, power, and safety. Drive one and you will kicking the 2001 to the curb.

 

[Anthony.L]

1) Improved front diff

on all 01+

2) No j-gate shifter

took maybe 2 days to get used to

3) Easy to find without nav

true, but personal preference

4) No AHC

only 06-07 had AHC

5) No mamby pamby electric tilt steering

personally, I LOVE the fact the steering wheel moves up and out of the way when getting in/out

 

[Topmounter]

HA Ha 2001 = old technology..... 2003+ is the future with value, power, and safety. Drive one and you will kicking the 2001 to the curb.

I did and honestly I couldn't tell the difference... +5hp and +1 gear didn't offset my (albeit entirely personal and purely idiosyncratic) aversion to the j-gate shifter, integrated nav and electric tilt steering. The '03 I drove had 30k fewer miles and the condition was pretty much the same, but it was $11k or $12k more... the '03 was definitely fancier, but I didn't like it as much and $10k+ buys a lot of baubles and bolt-ons.


VIVA LA 2001!!!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I did and honestly I couldn't tell the difference... +5hp and +1 gear didn't offset my (albeit entirely personal and purely idiosyncratic) aversion to the j-gate shifter, integrated nav and electric tilt steering.


VIVA LA 2001!!!

I have both models and you are kidding yourself there is no difference

 

[1loudLX]

personally, I LOVE the fact the steering wheel moves up and out of the way when getting in/out

you'll love it till it starts making noise and/or fails. I disabled mine before it got to that point, AFTER I got it fixed the first time under warranty.

 

[Topmounter]

I have both models and you are kidding yourself there is no difference

Maybe it's the altitude Nonetheless, coming from a 62, the V-8 is godlike regardless of whether it has 230 or 235HP.

 

[Anthony.L]

I have both models and you are kidding yourself there is no difference

Ditto. I drove both a 99 and a 2003 and the difference was noticeable.

 

[AATLAS1X]

I have to say my '99 was built by one loving pist off Japanese dude. It is wicked strong, even with the new bigger tires, in fact driving my friends is what got me to skip the 80 series, but his has nothing on mine also being a '99 Not bragging about mine, but I find it hard to believe they all break the front left loose in the rain from a stop.

If the '03 is that much better, I will start saving.

 

[rtarh2o]

Thanks for all of the replies. Just as I thought, you really can't go wrong with most any year.
I think if I end up doing this I am going to try to find a nice 98 or 99 with the locker.
As far as the gas mileage and 20,000 miles a year, I need something that can pull a car trailer (the G does so but not well) so my options are limited.
I also now have an old Toyota Avalon I can use on most of my road trips so it may not be that much of a factor but I think I will probably opt for the size and comfort of the Land Cruiser over the Avalon most of the time.
Next thing I need to do is find one to drive to confirm it is what I am looking for.
Rusty

 

[gearguywb]

TONS of info here on the site, read the FAQ and buying advice threads.

Quick info, yes 98 and 99 had rear e-locker standard. 2003+ got a updated V8 and 6-speed tranny. Also has better safety with more airbags.

Any year, in good condition, is an excellent buy and will treat you well for years to come.

I believe that would be a 5 speed tranny....unless my '04 was missing a gear!

 

[murphy744]

2000 LC

I found a 2000 out here in SoCal with maintenance history, second owner, 90k has been done with 112k miles; for $14k.

What do you think?

With all the bad talk of the 2000's, I'm a little apprehensive.

 

[SWUtah]

2004 LX470 is the sweet spot. Built by the oldtimers in Japan before they let them all go.

 

[werewolf]

I've been eying LCs/LXs for a while now.

I've got a couple of questions
1) how many miles can I expect out of the tranny? Assume mostly kid hauling, ski trips but no towing or crossing the rubicon-style of driving
2) how many miles can I expect out of the engine block before a major rebuild?
3) Some of the 100s I am looking at have the AHC (height control). I understand this can go bad. If I don't use it, will that extend / preserve the life of the system?
4) My price range puts me in the 1999-2002 and 100k+ miles camp. What should I budget for repair/ upkeep on a yrly basis?
Is there a particular year you think is better? I was thinking 2000+ for the traction control system

Also please give me your view on these ideas of mine
1) a 5-speed AT (2003+) should give me better MPG than a 4-speed AT
or
2) the SUV is so heavy it doesnt matter

Thanks for the advice!

 

[cbmontgo]

I found a 2000 out here in SoCal with maintenance history, second owner, 90k has been done with 112k miles; for $14k.

What do you think?

With all the bad talk of the 2000's, I'm a little apprehensive.

That's a pretty good price. I have extensively researched the 2000 model transmission issues and they are grossly overdiscussed. If you find a nice 2000, then go with it and don't look back.

 

[Colonal Angus]

I found a 2000 LC with 200k on the clock. It has 3" OME, ARB front, Toyo M/Ts (need replacing asap), little bit of trail damage (few brush scratches along the side and a tree dent). Leather is okay condition.

What do yall think it's worth? If anything? I haven't spoken to the dude yet....so, I don't know if it has a diff drop (I would hope it does), service/maintenance records, etc.

Please let me know what you guys think it's worth. It's definately seen trail and the tires are shot.

Thanks

 

[SWUtah]

I found a 2000 LC with 200k on the clock. It has 3" OME, ARB front, Toyo M/Ts (need replacing asap), little bit of trail damage (few brush scratches along the side and a tree dent). Leather is okay condition.

What do yall think it's worth? If anything? I haven't spoken to the dude yet....so, I don't know if it has a diff drop (I would hope it does), service/maintenance records, etc.

Please let me know what you guys think it's worth. It's definately seen trail and the tires are shot.

Thanks

$5K or less

 

[cbmontgo]

I found a 2000 LC with 200k on the clock. It has 3" OME, ARB front, Toyo M/Ts (need replacing asap), little bit of trail damage (few brush scratches along the side and a tree dent). Leather is okay condition.

What do yall think it's worth? If anything? I haven't spoken to the dude yet....so, I don't know if it has a diff drop (I would hope it does), service/maintenance records, etc.

Please let me know what you guys think it's worth. It's definately seen trail and the tires are shot.

Thanks

I'd say that the market value (unless it's a total POS) is probably $ 8-11K for something like that, depending on how tastefully the mods were done.

 

[hoser]

Answers in Blue.

I've been eying LCs/LXs for a while now.

I've got a couple of questions
1) how many miles can I expect out of the tranny? Assume mostly kid hauling, ski trips but no towing or crossing the rubicon-style of drivingl

The 4 speed is the same as in the 95+ 80 series and they are still going strong. The 5 speed was criticized as not being as robust when they first came out but so far, they seem to be holding up fine
2) how many miles can I expect out of the engine block before a major rebuild?
Many are at 200k+ miles and we still aren't seeing rebuilds. You'll have to wait a few years in order to get the answer to that question.
3) Some of the 100s I am looking at have the AHC (height control). I understand this can go bad. If I don't use it, will that extend / preserve the life of the system? No.
4) My price range puts me in the 1999-2002 and 100k+ miles camp. What should I budget for repair/ upkeep on a yrly basis?
Is there a particular year you think is better? I was thinking 2000+ for the traction control system. Generally, the newest and best maintained you can afford.

Also please give me your view on these ideas of mine
1) a 5-speed AT (2003+) should give me better MPG than a 4-speed AT
or. Yes, maybe 1mpg better overall.
2) the SUV is so heavy it doesnt matter

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Socal Cruiser]

New member here, I'd like to say hello and look forward to all of your input/knowledge to come. I will be coming into to possession of my mothers 99 LC w/ 69K miles & rear diff. This vehicle has been babied/garaged/only driven 1-3 miles a day/and never taken off road. That is all going to change; question is, I know I'm going to have to do the 90k service on it soon and wondering if anyone is familiar with TLC4x4 stage one 300 point inspection which claims to be more comprehensive than anything offered. I believe both are around $ 1k and assume it will cover pretty much cover the same thing/ maybe more?