Honest thoughts, 100 series or Sequoia for me?
- Thread starter Shakazulu12
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- #22
subspd said:
Exactly, basically will get driven in snow only, maybe long trips when I cant fit everything in the m5, no serious off roading or anything.
My order of preference is the LC/LX, 4Runner, then Sequoia. The Sequoia is great for its purpose (American SUV to compete with Expedition and Tahoe). It is truck based, but the rear suspension is better than Tundra and the 4WD Multi-mode is an improvement. It can be driven full time in 4wd, if needed. We looked at it several years ago, but the long seat cushions got the "No" vote from my wife and daughter, who are short. Also, Sequoia is USA made, and the quality difference between that and Japan made are real. I have had good experiences with Japan made; poor with USA made Toyotas.
The 4Runner V8 with Fulltime 4wd is a really nice package and was a pleasure to drive. The drive train is similar to the LC, but the TRAC did not seem quite as good on the one I had. It tended to be quick to beep at me in comparison to the LC. The LC has normal and off road settings for its TRAC and ABS - I am not sure the 4Runner has the Off Road settings.
The LC/LX is designed to be top class and it delivers in every way. What more is there to say?
The Sequoia is a definite step up from the 97 F150 4x4 I had. But 4Runner and LC are better. I prefer a used LC to a new 4Runner.
I recommend an 00 or newer LC, but really like the 01 over the 00.
The 4Runner V8 with Fulltime 4wd is a really nice package and was a pleasure to drive. The drive train is similar to the LC, but the TRAC did not seem quite as good on the one I had. It tended to be quick to beep at me in comparison to the LC. The LC has normal and off road settings for its TRAC and ABS - I am not sure the 4Runner has the Off Road settings.
The LC/LX is designed to be top class and it delivers in every way. What more is there to say?
The Sequoia is a definite step up from the 97 F150 4x4 I had. But 4Runner and LC are better. I prefer a used LC to a new 4Runner.
I recommend an 00 or newer LC, but really like the 01 over the 00.
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- #25
I'm sure I could find it on here somewhere, but what changed in 01?
The Sequoia's Selectable 4wd is no match for the LC (my '94 fzj80 is better in snow, more consistent grip)
if you don't drive carefully in snow the back end of the Sequoia will kick out on you from time to time. tracs helps but you still can't drive like an idiot.
The Sequoia has room for 8 people AND stuff. No LC can do that. Sequoia has better space than the expedition or tahoe and a much more flexible third-seat setup.
The Sequoia also got an uprated engine for 2005 (I think), the difference is noticeable.
We have had zero reliability issues with our '03 sequoia at 60k.
A 100-series sounds like a lot of $ for a weekend rig...buy an late 80 and send me $ for mine
G
if you don't drive carefully in snow the back end of the Sequoia will kick out on you from time to time. tracs helps but you still can't drive like an idiot.
The Sequoia has room for 8 people AND stuff. No LC can do that. Sequoia has better space than the expedition or tahoe and a much more flexible third-seat setup.
The Sequoia also got an uprated engine for 2005 (I think), the difference is noticeable.
We have had zero reliability issues with our '03 sequoia at 60k.
A 100-series sounds like a lot of $ for a weekend rig...buy an late 80 and send me $ for mine
G
Shakazulu12 said:
It sounds like what you really want is a LC (although a Sequoia would fit the bill) - you've got the budget, so get what you want. You can find a nice LC for $25K.
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- #28
gregc said:The Sequoia's Selectable 4wd is no match for the LC (my '94 fzj80 is better in snow, more consistent grip)
if you don't drive carefully in snow the back end of the Sequoia will kick out on you from time to time. tracs helps but you still can't drive like an idiot.
The Sequoia has room for 8 people AND stuff. No LC can do that. Sequoia has better space than the expedition or tahoe and a much more flexible third-seat setup.
The Sequoia also got an uprated engine for 2005 (I think), the difference is noticeable.
We have had zero reliability issues with our '03 sequoia at 60k.
A 100-series sounds like a lot of $ for a weekend rig...buy an late 80 and send me $ for mine
G
Not really, figure that I can own it for ten years with little to worry about and its all worth it. I have always found in life the spending a little extra for the best, usually pays off in the long run. Plus, I really want the extra power of the V8, otherwise I would be all over an 80 series just because I love the look.
dealmaker said:
And the 120 Series Land Cruiser Prado!
The difference between the 2000 and 2001 models are primarily nice to have features in contrast to the major drivetrain (TRAC) change for 2000. The 1 touch for 4 windows (up/down) is an nice feature. The JBL with 6-CD changer in the LC and the Mark Levinson in the LX are nice. The electrochromatic rear view mirror with compass in quite handy. The 3rd row seats and dual auto A/C was essentially std in LC - I did not see any without them. I really like the remote lock buttons in the key in stead of having a separate key fob. The NAV became available for the first time - I don't care much either way on it, but tend to prefer no NAV. On the LX, in 2001 the running boards got lights.
So how did it go?
We were in a similar situation last year when we replaced my GF's Land Rover. We looked at a number of SUVs 4Runner ( I already have one), X5 (Don't ask), LR3 (again don't ask), 100, Sequoia, Touareg (definitely don't ask), GX470. We looked at 2005 models new at the time, so if you are looking 2nd hand and 2006 models there will be differences especially engines (HP rating) and gearboxes on the 100/Seq.
Our impressions were that the 4R was the most sporty of the bunch, but the smallest. The interior is pretty nice in terms of quality, better than the Sequoia, but can't compate with the 100/GX. Low on the lux side.
The Sequoia was by far the biggest inside in terms of people and cargo space and you can actually put 7-8 adults in it (only the LR3 can actually also carry 7 people, but nevermind you need to be skinny for the seats to be comfortable). It performed pretty well with the new VVTi V8 and 5spd box. The 4WD system felt akward to use as engagement was finicky. I didn't care for the dash interior layout with column shift and very GM looking dash. Woman love it as it has tons of space to put little things all over the interior. Ride and handling was pretty good for its size, but felt big and clumsy compared to the 4R.
Getting into the 100 was definitely a big step up from the Seq, however the interior space is definitely down. All 3 rows felt like it had a lot less head and leg room than the Seq, cargo space was pretty good with the 3rd row not in use. Definitely up on the lux scale, problem was we couldn't get anything but a fully loaded one with Nav, rear DVD, etc which put the price MSRP well into the mid 60's. The ride was nice and solid, handled better than the Seq, but felt far less nimble than the 4R. The suspension was more supple than the 4R though. It had enough power, but felt slow and lazy compared to the Seq and 4R (non VVTi V8 and extra LBs). I did feel a bit short changed at the time in terms of power on interior space for the price. Some of this has been addressed with 06 (engine and suspension option). Small adults can be seated in the 3rd row, but they will most likely like to kill you after a ride longer than 30min.
We then did the GX. Its lux was on par and in places better than the 100. The interior space in the first 2 rows in terms of head and leg room was better than 100. I normally do a self behind self test adn was surprised that the GX was actually more roomy than the 100 in head and leg room. The 100 has more shoulder/hip room, but the GX has plenty even though it looks tall and skinny. 3rd row on the GX like the 4R is not usable by anybody but small children. Cargo space is pretty much on par with the 100, little less but not much. Power and handling was lagging the 4R slightly, but way better than the 100 or Seq. The ride was really good with the adjustable shocks and rear air, I like the self leveling suspension (which you can get even better on the 100 now). It could also be had for way less than the 100, funny enough the Lexus dealers were far more willing to deal on the GX than the Toy dealers with the 100. Needless to say we ended up with the GX and have been happy since.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of them pending on your need. Pre 03 100s have the old school dash I believe, 03+ had a real nice upgrade on the interior. You trade a superior chassis/driveltrain for more interior space with the 100/Seq. Pending the money you want to spend you can also look at the new 4R/GX as well. 4R LTDs have a nicer interior to the others, same with Seq you probably want to only look at the LTD for a nice interior, but neither is close to the 03+ 100 or GX.
my 2c
We were in a similar situation last year when we replaced my GF's Land Rover. We looked at a number of SUVs 4Runner ( I already have one), X5 (Don't ask), LR3 (again don't ask), 100, Sequoia, Touareg (definitely don't ask), GX470. We looked at 2005 models new at the time, so if you are looking 2nd hand and 2006 models there will be differences especially engines (HP rating) and gearboxes on the 100/Seq.
Our impressions were that the 4R was the most sporty of the bunch, but the smallest. The interior is pretty nice in terms of quality, better than the Sequoia, but can't compate with the 100/GX. Low on the lux side.
The Sequoia was by far the biggest inside in terms of people and cargo space and you can actually put 7-8 adults in it (only the LR3 can actually also carry 7 people, but nevermind you need to be skinny for the seats to be comfortable). It performed pretty well with the new VVTi V8 and 5spd box. The 4WD system felt akward to use as engagement was finicky. I didn't care for the dash interior layout with column shift and very GM looking dash. Woman love it as it has tons of space to put little things all over the interior. Ride and handling was pretty good for its size, but felt big and clumsy compared to the 4R.
Getting into the 100 was definitely a big step up from the Seq, however the interior space is definitely down. All 3 rows felt like it had a lot less head and leg room than the Seq, cargo space was pretty good with the 3rd row not in use. Definitely up on the lux scale, problem was we couldn't get anything but a fully loaded one with Nav, rear DVD, etc which put the price MSRP well into the mid 60's. The ride was nice and solid, handled better than the Seq, but felt far less nimble than the 4R. The suspension was more supple than the 4R though. It had enough power, but felt slow and lazy compared to the Seq and 4R (non VVTi V8 and extra LBs). I did feel a bit short changed at the time in terms of power on interior space for the price. Some of this has been addressed with 06 (engine and suspension option). Small adults can be seated in the 3rd row, but they will most likely like to kill you after a ride longer than 30min.
We then did the GX. Its lux was on par and in places better than the 100. The interior space in the first 2 rows in terms of head and leg room was better than 100. I normally do a self behind self test adn was surprised that the GX was actually more roomy than the 100 in head and leg room. The 100 has more shoulder/hip room, but the GX has plenty even though it looks tall and skinny. 3rd row on the GX like the 4R is not usable by anybody but small children. Cargo space is pretty much on par with the 100, little less but not much. Power and handling was lagging the 4R slightly, but way better than the 100 or Seq. The ride was really good with the adjustable shocks and rear air, I like the self leveling suspension (which you can get even better on the 100 now). It could also be had for way less than the 100, funny enough the Lexus dealers were far more willing to deal on the GX than the Toy dealers with the 100. Needless to say we ended up with the GX and have been happy since.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of them pending on your need. Pre 03 100s have the old school dash I believe, 03+ had a real nice upgrade on the interior. You trade a superior chassis/driveltrain for more interior space with the 100/Seq. Pending the money you want to spend you can also look at the new 4R/GX as well. 4R LTDs have a nicer interior to the others, same with Seq you probably want to only look at the LTD for a nice interior, but neither is close to the 03+ 100 or GX.
my 2c
Excellent summary - could not have said it any better. Will be interesting to see if the Sequoia closes the gap with the upcoming redesign. If so, Toyota really needs to counter with a Land Cruiser that separates itself from the other Toyota SUVs in the next couple of years.
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Yeah if the Sequoia comes up in the quality and drivetrain departments then they need to step it up with the next LC.
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- #35
bulldog-yota said:
Didn't make it out to check out trucks this weekend, snow was too good to pass up. I'm pretty sure I'm getting the LC/LX though now. I like a little size, which may rule out the 4Runner, sounds like the Sequoia doesn't measure up quality wise, and the GX is just out of the price range for what I need it for.
I am committed to getting out and kicking some tires on Sunday though, so I'll know for sure then.
Sounds like a plan. BTW where are you from Shaka? Natal?
Get the least expensive one with the lowest milage and run a set of studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta SUV with the extra money.
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- #38
bulldog-yota said:
Portland Oregon born and raised, although I lived in seattle for a few years. The screen name is a combination of a counselor name I used working in youth programs (we didn't use our real names) and my jersey number from my failed basketball career (also worn by other members of my family)
I had done a lot of reports etc on the history of the Zulu nation when I was younger.
AH Ok.
