I switch off daily driving a 2004 LS430 and a stock 2004 100 series. I prefer the Land Cruiser. Enough said.
Coming from a 3rd gen--is the upgrade to a LC100 worth it?
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No one ever regrets getting a 100.
Both are 2 different vehicles, there is nothing really similar between one to another other than the brand. 3rd gens are to me one of the most uncomfortable trucks ever, the seats are too low to the floor so my knee is always half way up the steering wheel.
The 100 Series is so much comfortable, refined, spacious, powerful and better in simply every way.
Go and test drive a few, you will fall in love immediately.
Both are 2 different vehicles, there is nothing really similar between one to another other than the brand. 3rd gens are to me one of the most uncomfortable trucks ever, the seats are too low to the floor so my knee is always half way up the steering wheel.
The 100 Series is so much comfortable, refined, spacious, powerful and better in simply every way.
Go and test drive a few, you will fall in love immediately.
I've had experience with a ton of Toyotas (I think I've had somewhere north of 40 at this point).
The LC100 is by no means "nimble" or what I would call "fun" on the road to drive in comparison to, say, even our 2017 Prius V or a 1998 Camry. Physics is physics and the LC100 is a big vehicle with a lot of weight to throw around. I could drive the Prius V through the twisty's much faster than our LX470 (and I do have quite a bit of auto-x experience). Asking how it handles, from a perspective of nimbleness, compared to a 4 Runner is like asking if I prefer a bicycle or heavy machinery for 1/4 mile fun - neither are the right tool for the job.
With that said, we were expecting to get a 4 Runner in the past (almost) year or so. I owned an 86 T4R a decade+ ago and it was an ok vehicle, small and "nimble" on the spectrum of truck type vehicles. As of recent, having the 100 series and then test driving 4 runners didn't feel like a step back, it felt like 10 steps back.
On our search for a T4R (because I wanted something 'simpler' to have, work on, and teach our kids some basics - all in a "cheaper" package) - we ultimately purchased a 60 series landcruiser because it fit all of those same notches and, well, was a Land Cruiser and not a T4R.
The LC100 is by no means "nimble" or what I would call "fun" on the road to drive in comparison to, say, even our 2017 Prius V or a 1998 Camry. Physics is physics and the LC100 is a big vehicle with a lot of weight to throw around. I could drive the Prius V through the twisty's much faster than our LX470 (and I do have quite a bit of auto-x experience). Asking how it handles, from a perspective of nimbleness, compared to a 4 Runner is like asking if I prefer a bicycle or heavy machinery for 1/4 mile fun - neither are the right tool for the job.
With that said, we were expecting to get a 4 Runner in the past (almost) year or so. I owned an 86 T4R a decade+ ago and it was an ok vehicle, small and "nimble" on the spectrum of truck type vehicles. As of recent, having the 100 series and then test driving 4 runners didn't feel like a step back, it felt like 10 steps back.
On our search for a T4R (because I wanted something 'simpler' to have, work on, and teach our kids some basics - all in a "cheaper" package) - we ultimately purchased a 60 series landcruiser because it fit all of those same notches and, well, was a Land Cruiser and not a T4R.
I think stock tires are around 31" tall. If budget allows, I'd go for a 5speed 100 series 2003+. Vvti isn't a consideration for me. My v8 4runner has vvti and I think it's minimal improvement in power.
For the size and weight, the 100 series can handle surprisingly well at speed with the right aftermarket suspension setup. I was shocked. Even the LX470 stock, with AHC.
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Tons of great insight in this thread. Thank you so much everyone!
I will add that I drove my cousin's 2006 LR3 HS (v6) that weighs slightly less, has a tad less horsepower, and absolutely loved it. Very refined, very smooth, very sturdy.
I'm wary of the statement "no one ever regrets buying a Land Cruiser," as that is what I applied to my 4Runner, but I regret that purchase. Hard.
I will add that I drove my cousin's 2006 LR3 HS (v6) that weighs slightly less, has a tad less horsepower, and absolutely loved it. Very refined, very smooth, very sturdy.
I'm wary of the statement "no one ever regrets buying a Land Cruiser," as that is what I applied to my 4Runner, but I regret that purchase. Hard.
but it would still get outhandled (driver ability the same in both vehicles) by a prius or a camry, on pavement, on a windy road. Wouldn't hold a candle against something "fun" like a manual IS300 or an MR2.
But at the end of that windy road, those people still get out of a Camry or a Prius.
There's a reason the 100s are so sought after and still seen on the road. Not to discredit the Camry (I don't think about Priii until I need to get around one) as they're also going to run forever, but you won't see anybody shopping for months or years across the country to buy one.
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Not a 3rd gen, but I replaced my 4th gen '08 V8 4unner with an 05 LC, absolutely love it. My 4R also had a lift and 33s, while the LC is mainly stock. It isn't nearly as peppy as the lighter, VVTI V8 4runner, but the LC is hands down better in every other way. best of luck!
I have a 99 4 Runner SR5 and a 99 Land Cruiser.
I've had the 4Runner for 6 years and 40k miles. It has a 1/2 lift with heavy shocks and 265/75/16 Michelin all seasons. The ride is closer to that of a Jeep, not a ton of power, but it goes just fine. It's a little loud, and a bit bouncy, but fun to drive. It was the family hauler until my wife decided she didn't like her little Mazda Hatchback anymore.
I've had the Land Cruiser for 3 years and about 40k miles. It is twice the rig the 4Runner. I am much more confident in the rain and in bad weather than the 4Runner. It s a luxury ride compared to any 4Runner I have even been in, from a 1999 to 2018. For the trails, I would take my 4 Runner any day compared the Land Cruiser, but for a daily driver, the Land Cruiser wins for comfort and features.
I've had the 4Runner for 6 years and 40k miles. It has a 1/2 lift with heavy shocks and 265/75/16 Michelin all seasons. The ride is closer to that of a Jeep, not a ton of power, but it goes just fine. It's a little loud, and a bit bouncy, but fun to drive. It was the family hauler until my wife decided she didn't like her little Mazda Hatchback anymore.
I've had the Land Cruiser for 3 years and about 40k miles. It is twice the rig the 4Runner. I am much more confident in the rain and in bad weather than the 4Runner. It s a luxury ride compared to any 4Runner I have even been in, from a 1999 to 2018. For the trails, I would take my 4 Runner any day compared the Land Cruiser, but for a daily driver, the Land Cruiser wins for comfort and features.
No s***. Literally no one is making that comparison. But it handles better than other similarly sized large SUVs do.
Most folks can't drive or are scared to drive, my 04, with DT headers and 3 inch ems exhaust will move out. Fastest 100 I have ever owned even with 800lbs of armor and tires. 04 had a backup camera. The only thing that slows this LC down in curves is VSC (the beep), makes my kids laugh and my wife freak out. ;<)
100 series will not disappoint.
I also went from an 08 4Runner V8 AWD to the 06LC and have never regretted it at all.
I was never really comfortable in the 4Runner and the seating position drove me crazy on long tips.
I wouldn't call the LC Zippy really but it is surprisingly motivated for its weight all the same.
The road manners are just all around better than the 4Runner and everything about the truck is simply several levels of quality above the 4Runner to me.
I also have an 01 Tundra 4wd V8 and it drives and handles on the street better to me than the 4Runner and is also a whole lot more comfy too!
Last but sure not least for me is that I needed a truck to tow with too as I pull trailers pretty often camping and hauling and the LC platform is a lot more stable and stress free towing than the 4R which could be pretty "Twitchy" will under load towing.
I was never really comfortable in the 4Runner and the seating position drove me crazy on long tips.
I wouldn't call the LC Zippy really but it is surprisingly motivated for its weight all the same.
The road manners are just all around better than the 4Runner and everything about the truck is simply several levels of quality above the 4Runner to me.
I also have an 01 Tundra 4wd V8 and it drives and handles on the street better to me than the 4Runner and is also a whole lot more comfy too!
Last but sure not least for me is that I needed a truck to tow with too as I pull trailers pretty often camping and hauling and the LC platform is a lot more stable and stress free towing than the 4R which could be pretty "Twitchy" will under load towing.
Maybe you should learn to how to read s***, instead of state "no s***" as the OP specifically stated/asked:
"How "fun" is it to drive? I'm worried that with the extra weight and size it will not even be somewhat nimble."
So, when I say:
"The LC100 is by no means "nimble" or what I would call "fun" on the road to drive in comparison to, say, even our 2017 Prius V or a 1998 Camry. Physics is physics and the LC100 is a big vehicle with a lot of weight to throw around. "
....is a fair assessment/statement to what the OP stated/asked - and those 2 vehicles I would not consider "fun" nor "nimble" on the spectrum of fun/nimble vehicles.
Again, I have an 01 LX, for a short bit had a 00 LX, a 93 3x locked 80 series, have a 60 series, an 86 T4R, two 40 series, a manual IS300, 13 first gen MR2's, tercel, camry, multiple corollas.. to name some of the Toyotas.... have track time in many vehicles from very small/powerful to even large crossovers.
I was providing an opinion of my assessment of "fun and nimble" in regards to the 100 series.
Learn to read s***.
I have a blast driving my 100 quicky. Grew up with MR2's and 911's. Definitley have to push it. ;<)
Fast cars on public roads get boring quick. Track time at VIR as well.
Seem a little late to the party, but Ive owned a 3rd gen 4Runner, a 4th gen V8 4Runner and a 100 LC.
The 3rd gen is good for what it is, the 3.4 is decent if you don't push it, its a bit small and cramped, doesn't really compare to the other 2 trucks at all.
The V8 4Runner is probably my favorite, I know this is the 100 forum...
It does 80mph at 2000rpm will cruise all day long, its as quiet as a 100LC and manages to get about 17-18 mpg. Not as big, but not cramped either. The seating position is a bit low, but i find the seats to be very comfortable. The 4th gen with some good springs and shocks rides as good as an LC. Kills off road with the full time 4WD and the Torsen center diff. Fitting 285s is a bit of a struggle as you need an aftermarket UCA. The 4th gen 4Runner is an extremely capable, very solid built truck. I love it. Basically a mini land cruiser as the drivetrain is pretty much the same.
100 Series great, built like a tank, I sold it and bought the 4th gen if that tells you anything. Phenomenal car in everyway but just overkill for my needs. It also got 11-12 mpg so that was a struggle as I was in college at thee time so I couldn't really afford to drive it anywhere. The aftermarket off road support is greatest here. Sometimes I miss the storage space and 3rd row seats, but really nothing else.
Edit: Maybe go drive a GX470
The 3rd gen is good for what it is, the 3.4 is decent if you don't push it, its a bit small and cramped, doesn't really compare to the other 2 trucks at all.
The V8 4Runner is probably my favorite, I know this is the 100 forum...
It does 80mph at 2000rpm will cruise all day long, its as quiet as a 100LC and manages to get about 17-18 mpg. Not as big, but not cramped either. The seating position is a bit low, but i find the seats to be very comfortable. The 4th gen with some good springs and shocks rides as good as an LC. Kills off road with the full time 4WD and the Torsen center diff. Fitting 285s is a bit of a struggle as you need an aftermarket UCA. The 4th gen 4Runner is an extremely capable, very solid built truck. I love it. Basically a mini land cruiser as the drivetrain is pretty much the same.
100 Series great, built like a tank, I sold it and bought the 4th gen if that tells you anything. Phenomenal car in everyway but just overkill for my needs. It also got 11-12 mpg so that was a struggle as I was in college at thee time so I couldn't really afford to drive it anywhere. The aftermarket off road support is greatest here. Sometimes I miss the storage space and 3rd row seats, but really nothing else.
Edit: Maybe go drive a GX470
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Wow, why don't you take your own advice before throwing a temper tantrum? You were replying to MY post. I was replying to your response to my post.
Everything else you followed up with is irrelevant to my post.
Scroll up and read.
Here, I'll do it for you.
Me:
For the size and weight, the 100 series can handle surprisingly well at speed with the right aftermarket suspension setup. I was shocked. Even the LX470 stock, with AHC.
You:
but it would still get outhandled (driver ability the same in both vehicles) by a prius or a camry, on pavement, on a windy road. Wouldn't hold a candle against something "fun" like a manual IS300 or an MR2.
Me: NO s***.
I have a v8 4runner limited as well and I love it. It's small, quick, does well offroad with VSC. Kept the LX because my kids are growing and it has more space for them.... and I like cruisers.
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So the long of the short if it is I drive maybe 160 miles a week (max) which means that I'd get two weeks out of a tank of gas which is about what I get now in terms of longevity. Now, its about finding one to test drive. I live in Memphis, TN if anyone lives there locally and would be willing to allow me to drive theirs (I know, I know!).
I'm pretty excited. I've wanted a Land Cruiser since I was a kid, and they're just great trucks from what I've seen. Thanks for the input everyone.
I'm pretty excited. I've wanted a Land Cruiser since I was a kid, and they're just great trucks from what I've seen. Thanks for the input everyone.
