Than a VW Polo? Why yes, yes it is.
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ewillis
SILVER Star
The 100 series has a lot of nice things going for it...style and solid axles are not among those things. 
I owned a 2006 GX470. Great vehicle. At first I was scared I would break it, but it's virtually impossible to do. The only thing I hated about it was the air ride suspension.
LS1FJ40
SILVER Star
I wish I could remember the comparison of 80 vs 100 owners... It was classic.
I've owned two hundys. Thought I was buying another but it fell through. But I was buying it purely for a road vehicle. It's just too soft and refined for me. But to each their own. They are very nice cars.
I've owned two hundys. Thought I was buying another but it fell through. But I was buying it purely for a road vehicle. It's just too soft and refined for me. But to each their own. They are very nice cars.
Swap a solid front axle into the 100.
The hundred series are nice but full.floater straight axles are nicer. I'd like a hundred for the v8 but beyond that not really.
I don't know what used civics go for in your town but in mine you could buy 5 or so for the price I was quoted to do a 4.7 conversion. I'd love to go there but not at stupid $$
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"There's just something about an 80" -- I've read it here more than once and I totally agree. Drives kinda like a tractor, practically a go-cart feel compared to a 100 series. It just feels personal behind the wheel of an 80. The 100 on the other hand is IMO the ideal highway car/truck for unpredictable and challenging weather conditions. The size is perfect, and oh-so smooth (as OP points out). After selling our '01 LX a couple months ago, my wife and I test drove 4th gen 4runners, an FJ Cruiser, and Highlanders before concluding that we were silly -- it had to be another 100 but this time with the 5-speed. Wow. What a difference a gear makes -- more zippy and even more milkshake smooth. My dad had a 200, to me it was a boat but that motor was impressive. In sum, think the 100 is one of the nicest, safest rigs out there, but there's nothing like an 80.
It isn't just adding a gear, the A750 transmission was reworked to eliminate a bunch of the drivetrain loss in the A343. So you actually get more power to the ground.
Saddletramp
GOLD Star
I have a 1997 and a 2007, guess which one gets parked outside. The emotional appeal for the 80 is much greater than for the 100 but they each have their place.
We have both the 100 and the 105 here in Aus. If you want off-roadability, you go the 105. Only available with 1FZFE or 1HZ n/a diesel.
Nice road manners and a light duty 4x4, a 100 does the job fine bit they seem to sag a lot on the front. Came with 4.7 petrol, and both 1HZ na plus 4.2 T/D.
Panels are thinner (well they dent easier) than on an 80 tho........
Nice road manners and a light duty 4x4, a 100 does the job fine bit they seem to sag a lot on the front. Came with 4.7 petrol, and both 1HZ na plus 4.2 T/D.
Panels are thinner (well they dent easier) than on an 80 tho........
I've said it every time one of these threads comes up....to feel b/a and in my mind stand out I drive the 80 (luckily it's my DD). The 100 is amazing as pretty much everyone has stated but blends in among the grocery getters (note to self, get those RW wheels and 33's on it). Mostly because no one knows what it's capable of. Two different animals with the same name, as @Saddletramp said above each has its place. Ideal situation is to have both IMO.
Id use the FJ100 to tow my FJ40 but not for off road.
Looks great for town and trips to LA?
Looks great for town and trips to LA?
I agree with everything @jet200 and @NLXTACY just said.
It was the 60 I first wanted. Shortly after I graduated High School the doctor neighbor got a brand new LX450. I said I will have one of those some day. 15 years later I was able to afford one (I must have missed the part about him being a doctor...)
Shortly after getting the 80, I realized the 100 was probably more of what I was looking for. Considering the family and creature comforts of the 100.
But now that I've looked at the 100, and compared to a 200. I will skip the 100 and wait till I can afford a 200. Maybe another 5 years, if I can just get rid of these kids...
It was the 60 I first wanted. Shortly after I graduated High School the doctor neighbor got a brand new LX450. I said I will have one of those some day. 15 years later I was able to afford one (I must have missed the part about him being a doctor...)
Shortly after getting the 80, I realized the 100 was probably more of what I was looking for. Considering the family and creature comforts of the 100.
But now that I've looked at the 100, and compared to a 200. I will skip the 100 and wait till I can afford a 200. Maybe another 5 years, if I can just get rid of these kids...
Don't get rid of the kids. That's a really bad idea. They can help you get the 200 you want. Just sell them.
SmokingRocks
hopelessly addicted to Cruisers
having had experience with all three generations I say skip the 100 and save for a 200. Even the early 200 is killer. Banging stereo, great 6 speed, monster power, silky smooth... its great.
If the 100 started with A750 and the VVT-i it IMO would have been more well received. But it didn't. And to get one with those options you will be spending close to what an early 200 cost. And for that $$$ the 200 is so much more of a rig (+ coil sprung front end!)
I love the 100, have massive nostalgia for them and almost bought one after selling my other 93'...... but in the end... I look at it as a mild advancement. Much like the 60 series was not a major leap forward from the 55. It was meh... (this is my opinion) But the 60 was not a technological leap forward. The 80 with 4 link rear with coils and radius arm coil sprung front was.
The 100 just took this design and added some refinement and IFS. The 200 took that and made it kick ass.
If the 100 started with A750 and the VVT-i it IMO would have been more well received. But it didn't. And to get one with those options you will be spending close to what an early 200 cost. And for that $$$ the 200 is so much more of a rig (+ coil sprung front end!)
I love the 100, have massive nostalgia for them and almost bought one after selling my other 93'...... but in the end... I look at it as a mild advancement. Much like the 60 series was not a major leap forward from the 55. It was meh... (this is my opinion) But the 60 was not a technological leap forward. The 80 with 4 link rear with coils and radius arm coil sprung front was.
The 100 just took this design and added some refinement and IFS. The 200 took that and made it kick ass.
200 will be the next vehicle for the wife..or maybe me and give her my 5th gen 4runner 
I think the 100's and 200's look a bit dopey, in comparison with the 80's. Also, I like driving wounded vehicles on solid axles so the 80 was the clear choice. I will totally get a 200 at some point and put some 35's on 20in wheels, light bars and bull bumpers on it with a massive rising sun on the back glass -- just for the license plate: 4N JKU
Well, I have both. My 100 is not one of the new-and-improved ones with the fancy transmission but it does have A-TRAC. For a 16 year old vehicle, I have to say the 100 is still pretty sweet. It feels generations ahead of the 80.
But it's not an 80.
But it's not an 80.
