difference between 100 and 200 series (1 Viewer)

[vilasman]

After lurking on this forum for the last 3-4 years I believe i will finally be getting a 99 or 2000 land cruiser in the next week or so. My mechanic is currently looking for me.
I had never really looked at the specs and features of the LC, especially not a 2000 partially because my I was set on a 92 LC owned by another of my mechanics customers.
My question is... aside from body style and larger engine what are the differences in terms of features and in terms of living with the vehicle on a day in day out basis?
I am the electrician for an apartment complex, I will have a 55 mile (one way) commute, mostly highway, although there maybe a lot of sitting in traffic on I-270 and the capital beltway. I wanted the LC over the 4 runner because of the extra space behind the rear seats. I plan to build a drawer system back there to hide my tools.
I also plan to install wiring for a power inverter. I currently have a 750w but will get a larger one in time.
Also plan to have some type of roof rack since I frequently need a 4-8 ft step ladder.
The LC will also see frequent, maybe once or twice a month , long road trips. I have a farm, that is around 300 miles from my primary residence, but the wife and I have been known to drive from DC to Dallas or Shreveport or Miami or other places is similar distance.
Finally... If you remember at all the winter of 2010 and snow meggedon. I got caught on I-70, driving a 92 honda accord with no heat that night. It took me all night to drive home in what 18" of snow but I did it. And that was when I vowed to get the LC.
Now would all season radials be adequate for such snow and yet give me better gas mileage than monster mudders? I know the mileage on this thing sucks, but every little bit helps.

 

[Carl L]

Since you're looking at a '99 or 2000, I'm not sure what the relevance of comparing to the 200 is, considering they released as 2008s and will cost several league's above what you're looking at. Perhaps you're confused as to the 100 and 200 model designations?

As regards day to day, the 100 and 200 are very similar. 200 is safer, few more toys, stronger ifs, little bit more space. 100 is better looking and represents great value nowadays. The 200 is an evolution of the 100, not a revolution. I for one like that it stuck to the simple formula of sra and body on frame, but still think that Toyota should have been able to improve on the boat-like handling.

 

[Surfy]

Toyota should have been able to improve on the boat-like handling.

Toyota is able to do it.

The europe spec has AHC (Active Hight Control) and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) - and it dont feels like a boat.

You have inside a control switch for the dampers, to choose between confort - medium - or sport.

And you can lift or lower the car, when you need.

The only question is, why Toyota dont sell em to the us, or australia You have to buy the lexus, for getting this stuff.

Also in Southafrica they sell the Diesel with AHC

 

[Carl L]

I have driven an LX570, I did like it but I still wouldn't laud the handling as being up to par with the competition. That said, I would have liked the option of it (though reliability down the line worries me) and DEFINITELY would have wanted the 4.5TTD you have. A 381bhp V8 is nice but wasted 90% of the time in this thing.

200s are great (and I'd buy mine again as it trails, tows, tours and towns without the worry associated with the otherwise excellent LR4s) but they remain dinosaur era.

 

[elkaholic]

OP .. you'd be better off posting in the 100 series forum since the 99 and 2000 models are both 100 series rigs.

 

[vilasman]

I am actually a little suprised that a moderator has not moved it. I am thankful that I havent been flamed for being in the wrong forum.
Having said that... I posted here because I wanted to have an idea of what I would be missing out on... by getting the older cruiser. What there would be to aspire to in 10-15 years when the price of the now new models drops to an affordable level. I figured that there would be people here who had owned a 99 or 2000 and had used them as dailey driver and are new driving a 2010 or newer one as a dailey driver.
I have discovered that there were some major changes in the 2003 model.

 

[HighMile200]

200 (2008 - present) offers significantly more power, better technology package (creature comforts, audio system), updated styling (good or bad depending on personal preference) and IMO improved comfort. I drove both an 07 100 and 08 200 before buying and chose the 200. You can now get into an 08 in the low 40s with a few miles.

 

[elkaholic]

I switched from my 2006 to my 2013. I agree with HighMile on his points. The 200 feels roomier and looks a lot bigger despite the fact that the overall dimensions of the 200 series is not that much larger than the 100 series on paper.

I believe my 100 series was more nimble off road and was a little simpler to work on. The US Spec 200, in my opinion, is more biased towards on road performance than the 100 is. If you are even contemplating a 200, I would suggest taking extensive test drives in both before pulling the trigger.

In my case, the change was to simplify things. I went from a truck and an LC to just an LC. If I was where I want to be, geographically, long-term, the 100 would never have been sold. For my needs / wants, it was the perfect vehicle ... just not perfect for where I am now. The 200 is a better compromise for me ............ at this time.

 

[MEMCruiser]

I had 98 (100 series) and now a 08 (200 series)
After driving the 08 with larger motor, I could never go back. It also gets better MPG.

 

[The Gent]

My wife has an 11' lx570 and I drive an 01' lc. I realize your aren't directly comparing the lexus but I thought I would share. The 100 series definitely rides better (less busy), but doesn't compare to the 200 in handling, braking, and/or acceleration. MPG is also better on the 200. The lexus has a half wood steering wheel which scratches easily and is less driver friendly than full leather. The suspension/crawl mode switches are in a poor location and the truck has only (2) dedicated cup holders. The lexus roof rack is not very usable due to the "shark fin" antenna location and flimsy rear spoiler. The lc100 has a slightly tighter turning radius even with my upsize tires and the front seats are significantly more comfortable than the 200's on long trips.

The lexus tows like a beast though and can really stop a load. mark levinson sounds incredible, but for $3,000 my 100 is a close comparison. To make a closer $ comparison if I were given the option of an 07' lc100 or pay the extra for an 08' lx570, I would take the 07' cruiser in a heart beat. We enjoy my wifes lx, but my how things have changed since 2001.

 

[WoodyCreature]

Notable is the increased leg room (baby changing station) in the second row of the 200. Feels kind of like a limousine back there compared to the 100.

 

[GX-R]

The reason the 100 rode better was probably due to the larger rims on the LX 570. The best way to compare would be to drive a vehicle with similar rim size.

Driving on rough terrain how ever is much better in the 200 series, the cabin feels much more isolated form whats happening down there and the 200 just has this extra sturdy/robust feel to it. The 200 really handles the off road dirt/rocky tracks much better than the 100 series, you almost feel like your driving on the road!
I would pick the 200 over the 100 any day.