Can't decide to keep or sell 100 series to go to 200.

[ayowtf]

Hi everyone long time lurker first time poster. As the title says I'm thinking of selling my 100 series to get into a 200 either a lx or lc. I am having a tough time because there is a lot that I like about the 100 series. Mine is a 99, with the rear locker. A lot of the things I like about it are the fact that everything is fairly simple. It doesn't have a proprietary infotainment system that I can't change easily, it has a manual transfer case, and it just feels rugged and strong.

That being said it does have 319k miles, which a lot of people say isn't a lot for these cars but I do worry that overtime things fail especially on an almost 30 year old car, especially since my profession is pretty important that I be where I need to be when I am called. I mean the last time I drove it, the bottom radiator hose went out, and before that both cv axles in the front are going out and I had to replace one of them, as well as recently replacing the abs pump.

I am contemplating the 200 specifically a 2016+ since I personally like the look of it better compared to pre facelift, I am just worried ill regret selling my 100. Has anyone here gone from a 100 to a 200 and regretted it and why? Alternatively, is the general consensus saying its worth it to just do some preliminary maintenance on the 100 and hope for the best?

Side note: I bought the 100 maybe 4 or 5 years ago, since then I have put about 19k miles on it and done just oil changes and basic stuff. More recently I am starting to really fix the thing preparing to drive it a lot more (20-25k miles a year maybe more) and I am wondering if its even worth it or if I just sell it and get the 200 to not have to worry about those things for a while (water pump, timing belt, heater Ts, radiator, cv axles etc).

 

[AZLX570]

Get the 200 and then be the one to take it to the 300k miles (what you have on your current rig). There are plenty of threads on this topic (100 -> 200) if you search the forum. General consensus seems to be people loved their 100 but haven't looked back much after upgrading. 1999 to 2016+ 200 series will be huge.

If my budget was 2016+ money, I don't think I'd ever chance putting 20K miles a year on a 1999 vehicle if my profession depended on it. Regardless if it's a Land Cruiser or not. Seems like your time is more valuable than that. Something will inevitably break inconveniently.

 

[gasman4u]

Maybe @tacoduck could let you know his experience?

EDIT: @AZLX570 has some great advice.

I only have the 2016+ LC and think it's amazing. Perfect? No. But it's got all the necessary boxes ticked that I wanted it to for my uses.

 

[LTSR]

Get the 200 and then be the one to take it to the 300k miles (what you have on your current rig).

This is the way to look at it. I was in your shoes @ayowtf I was the one buying old, used, high mileage vehicles and having to throw a bunch of money on it and sell it <5 years because it's now even higher mileage and more things to go wrong. I went for 2016+ for a lot more money but it's oil changes, brakes and tires (consumables) for the next decade without any concern.

 

[TimCFJ40]

Went from a 327k Mile 2000 100 series to a 200k mile 2008 200 series about 8 years ago. The 200 has 295k miles on it now and has needed some maintenance (brakes, tires, fluids, plugs, one ignition coil, etc), but nothing major. It's about to get a new AC compressor, as it cuts out in hot temps, but that's not all together unreasonable after 17 years and 295k miles.

I actually liked the 100 series a little better in some aspects, but the 200 definitely has more power and is a bit more modern. I miss the regular double din radio vs the all in head unit. I liked the visibility of the 100 better, but the 200 isn't bad. The rear seats (2nd and 3rd row) coming out easier in the 100 was nice. The 200 isn't hard, but it does take a few tools and 5-10 minutes vs the 100. Personally the 4.7L V8 is smoother than the 5.7 but doesn't touch it on power.

Now I am looking at upgrading to a 2016+ since I am getting back to the 300k mile mark with my current 200. I'll try and get under 100k miles just so I am not back at this decision point again too soon...

 

[mobi-arc]

I have a '98 and '21. If you're going to post that much mileage annually, over a period of years, it doesn't take much to justify a more fuel-friendly means of transport.

 

[xeuxaz]

The 5.7 offers more power and better fuel efficiency. It also includes nicer creature comforts, especially in 2016 and newer 200 Series models. If a newer 200 fits your budget, it is an easy decision, particularly if you plan to drive more than 25,000 miles annually.

Have you test-driven one yet? The 8 speed/bigger brakes on the 16+ are nice.

 

[ayowtf]

The 5.7 offers more power and better fuel efficiency. It also includes nicer creature comforts, especially in 2016 and newer 200 Series models. If a newer 200 fits your budget, it is an easy decision, particularly if you plan to drive more than 25,000 miles annually.

Have you test-driven one yet? The 8 speed/bigger brakes on the 16+ are nice.

I havent driven one yet I currently live outside the US and move back in december so thats when the decision will have to take place. I am going to visit in late august for a couple of weeks so I am going to allot some time to drive a 200 then. If I dont like the 200 ill either keep the 100 and get a daily or sell it grab an 80 and get a daily but the 200 makes the most sense currently

 

[xeuxaz]

I havent driven one yet I currently live outside the US and move back in december so thats when the decision will have to take place. I am going to visit in late august for a couple of weeks so I am going to allot some time to drive a 200 then. If I dont like the 200 ill either keep the 100 and get a daily or sell it grab an 80 and get a daily but the 200 makes the most sense currently

In my experience, the only real advantage of the 100 is that it feels smaller/compact and the arm rests ..... The 2UZ engine is also slightly smoother. However, from a practical and functional standpoint, the 200 is better suited for daily use in most situations.

 

[tacoduck]

In my experience, the only real advantage of the 100 is that it feels smaller/compact and the arm rests ..... The 2UZ engine is also slightly smoother. However, from a practical and functional standpoint, the 200 is better suited for daily use in most situations.

I do miss those adjustable armrests. That’s about it. Op, it depends on your mission. Tight trails, the 100 wins. The 200 does everything else better. The lx570 ahc is night and day better than the 100 series. Crawl control is sweet, especially in sand. The lx drives incredible. It feels like a 100k vehicle with premium seats, and no expense spared build quality. I haven’t missed my 100 series.

 

[krice118]

If you can, keep the 100.

I have both and just brought the 100 back into DD. It has more soul than my 2013 LX

 

[Heckraiser]

Two thoughts here:

1) I have regretted every land cruiser I've ever sold (and there's been a lot of them)
2) I went straight from 80 to 200 and it was a tough adjustment. Huge jump in power and refinement, big loss of ground clearance off-road chops (but some mods have sort of fixed that). I'm also of the opinion that the 200 is just too big (exterior dimension). I'm glad I have the 200, especially when I have a weekend of roughing it, hard wheeling and abuse, then get on the highway and zip home at 80mph. I don't think any truck does this quite as well as the 200. I still prefer the more analog feel of the 80 and 100, and the sight lines are better.

Regardless of mileage, your 100 is of the age where it's going to start needing a lot of maintenance just due to rubber wearing out. It will surprise you with minor failures here and there unless you really go through it thoroughly. That's a losing proposition money wise and only worth it if you have a sentimental connection to the vehicle.

 

[Willie G]

I have regretted every land cruiser I've ever sold (and there's been a lot of them)

So much truth in this!

Only buy, no sell!

Fleet discounts for the win!

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Two thoughts here:

1) I have regretted every land cruiser I've ever sold (and there's been a lot of them)
2) I went straight from 80 to 200 and it was a tough adjustment. Huge jump in power and refinement, big loss of ground clearance off-road chops (but some mods have sort of fixed that). I'm also of the opinion that the 200 is just too big (exterior dimension). I'm glad I have the 200, especially when I have a weekend of roughing it, hard wheeling and abuse, then get on the highway and zip home at 80mph. I don't think any truck does this quite as well as the 200. I still prefer the more analog feel of the 80 and 100, and the sight lines are better.

Regardless of mileage, your 100 is of the age where it's going to start needing a lot of maintenance just due to rubber wearing out. It will surprise you with minor failures here and there unless you really go through it thoroughly. That's a losing proposition money wise and only worth it if you have a sentimental connection to the vehicle.

I have not regretted in the least selling any of my previous 3 land cruisers. But then, they all had serious issues-primarily rust.
In general I agree with you, namely that a Land Cruiser can be a "forever" car. After all, isn't that one of the major reasons for owning one, that they're built to last? This exceptional feature becomes completely moot if the owner is flipping vehicles every few years. That's primarily why I suggested OP keep the 100 and forget about the 200.

I have owned a couple old trucks in another state for 20-25 years and have not found what you're saying about rubber pieces wearing out to be true.
Granted, I did change all the coolant hoses on the '90 4runner after one bypass hose sprung a small leak, but this was not exactly a big expense.
However, the old '95 Nissan hardbody still has the original radiator and all hoses. Neither vehicle has had any major repairs necessary.
In my favor, I don't drive many miles there, or here in Alaska for that matter. So, the high mileage he's planning to put on his Cruiser could be a concern.

 

[grinchy]

I cross shopped both in 2018. The cheapest 200s were a few thousand more than the typical 200k 100 at the time.
I drove three or four 100s that were for sale. They all had a thing or two wrong with them. Just old . . .

At the time I thought the 200 was just better. A big factor was the safety air bags, important for WAF.

7 years of ownership of a relatively high mile (260k now) hasn’t changed my mind on which one would be better for me. I also am staring down future old truck work (suspension bushings), and expect to do it.

I say this, but I also think importing a 105 would make for a fun time.

 

[Sandroad]

Hi everyone long time lurker first time poster. As the title says I'm thinking of selling my 100 series to get into a 200 either a lx or lc. I am having a tough time because there is a lot that I like about the 100 series. Mine is a 99, with the rear locker. A lot of the things I like about it are the fact that everything is fairly simple. It doesn't have a proprietary infotainment system that I can't change easily, it has a manual transfer case, and it just feels rugged and strong.

That being said it does have 319k miles, which a lot of people say isn't a lot for these cars but I do worry that overtime things fail especially on an almost 30 year old car, especially since my profession is pretty important that I be where I need to be when I am called. I mean the last time I drove it, the bottom radiator hose went out, and before that both cv axles in the front are going out and I had to replace one of them, as well as recently replacing the abs pump.

I am contemplating the 200 specifically a 2016+ since I personally like the look of it better compared to pre facelift, I am just worried ill regret selling my 100. Has anyone here gone from a 100 to a 200 and regretted it and why? Alternatively, is the general consensus saying its worth it to just do some preliminary maintenance on the 100 and hope for the best?

Side note: I bought the 100 maybe 4 or 5 years ago, since then I have put about 19k miles on it and done just oil changes and basic stuff. More recently I am starting to really fix the thing preparing to drive it a lot more (20-25k miles a year maybe more) and I am wondering if its even worth it or if I just sell it and get the 200 to not have to worry about those things for a while (water pump, timing belt, heater Ts, radiator, cv axles etc).

Easy call to me. Connecting 3 critical dots in your post; 319k miles now, 25k miles per year, and important to be where needed when called, I’d say for sure get a 200. I only miss my 80 and my 100 when I’m not driving my 200.

 

[stonepa]

I have a 98 100 and a 2015 200. Both bought new. My 100 is at 480k miles. I just couldn’t sell it. I keep it at my summer place and love driving it. The 200 is a something I love driving as well. Overall I would say I prefer the 100 to drive but the 200 for maintenance. The 100 requires lots of hands on maintenance. Timing belt replacements. Manual repacking of the wheel bearings. So, you can see, a tough choice for me so I kept it.

 

[DallasTide]

It sounds like you spend a good amount of time behind the wheel. The cabin of the 200 is just a much nicer place to spend time. Once you adjust to the modern interior I think it would be hard to go back to the 30 year old interior. Not to mention all the extra power. Personally I don't think fuel economy is a good reason to buy any LC. Sure the 200 is an improvement over the 100 but it's still a very thirsty vehicle. I get 11 mpg in town and 15-16 mpg on the highway.

If you are attached to your 100 and budget permits then get a 200 and keep the 100. I'd have no problem owning a 300k mile 100 but I wouldn't want to depend on it daily for my livelihood. Just my 2¢.

 

[urinalcake]

Another vote for keep the 100 series and buy a 200 series. With that mileage on your 100 series, it probably won't attract a huge selling (or trade in) price. It could serve as an outstanding back up vehicle - or a fun project or overloading build vehicle.

 

[99toylc]

Having had both - 200 series hands down.
Yes, I still miss my adventures in the 100 series, but they are memories of my truck that was about 10-13 years younger and not knowing the 200 series trucks...
From the perspective of today I could have a 100 if it was a toy used only for a particular purpose, but for daily with family or driving across the country 200 is the only choice.
Also, while taking it to Colorado mountains the AHC in my LX did wonders on trails and it came back without a scratch on the body or chassis.

Best of luck !!