How many daily drivers out there?

[RyanStl]

OP, what is your fear for daily driving a 100? Are you worried about the ride, reliability, gas mileage, etc.? I daily drive my 15 yr old Hundy, which I bought two years ago after selling a 2 yr old Subaru XV. The Subaru was good, but it turned out I didn't like the car payment and needed a third row. The ride is good, but that may depend on the upkeep of the Hundy you buy because it could have worn out bushings. Everyone here always says if you want a good ride get a 100 series over an 80 series. The 80 series is more truck like. When it comes to reliability these are very reliable. Gas mileage is a known quantity as these are EPA rated. My 15 yr old Hundy gets exactly or slightly better than what the EPA says.

 

[Wannabe77]

OP, what is your fear for daily driving a 100? Are you worried about the ride, reliability, gas mileage, etc.? I daily drive my 15 yr old Hundy, which I bought two years ago after selling a 2 yr old Subaru XV. The Subaru was good, but it turned out I didn't like the car payment and needed a third row. The ride is good, but that may depend on the upkeep of the Hundy you buy because it could have worn out bushings. Everyone here always says if you want a good ride get a 100 series over an 80 series. The 80 series is more truck like. When it comes to reliability these are very reliable. Gas mileage is a known quantity as these are EPA rated. My 15 yr old Hundy gets exactly or slightly better than what the EPA says.

I don’t really have many concerns to be honest. I was more curious to see who was actually doing it. Much of this forum is about modding and mudding, so I was just really checking the pulse.

We are somewhat Honda cultists (and for good reason). But the thought of buying a 15 year old vehicle with 150k doesn’t seem logical. And quite frankly, my wife is adamantly against it. A car is a car to her.

I’m still a little bit away from buying, but I know I want a LC/LX. So like I said to start the thread “keeping my eyes on the prize”.

 

[Kabanstva]

The LS430s are known to be one of the most reliable Lexus sedans produced by Toyota. The 4.3 liter V8 is one of the smoothest V8s if not the best out of that era. Coupled with the 04+ 6 speed transmissions it is an incredibly pleasant car to drive. I have done a few 10+hr road trips in my 2004 LS430 cruising at 70-80mph getting 20-22 mpg, best car for it. I think you would be hard pressed to find a car that comfortable, smooth, and quite(I mean silent, if the car is idle you can forget it’s on). Also the interior is really nice, and has held up extremely well over the past 12-15 years.

I second going for “base” model. Air suspension is a common failure, and usually replaced with standard equipment. But even with a base model the ride is really, really good. If you own a Land Cruiser, the LS430 is probably right up your alley for a daily commuter.

(My wife has been driving the LS for two years now, her JCW mini is a garage queen now. Can’t match the comfort on the commute to work)

Issues I have had with the LS in 40k miles of ownership.

1: Replace starter

::end of list::

Car has 83k on it now so timing belt and water pump service are in the near future. That can get pricey $1000-1500. But we all know about timing belts.

There are plenty of issues with LS430s as any other cars, but luckily they are all documented and won't prevent the car from being drive-able.

Rear power sunshade, power folding side mirrors, tilt/telescoping steering motor,door lock actuators, Y-pipe and top of muffler rust (if you're in the salt belt), coin holder and center armrest jamming, rear A/C (on UL models), NAV units have a few reports of failing if you have that option.

Nothing out of the ordinary. All cars have issues.

Does the GS have the same motor just smaller car? Kind of like LX/GX use same motor?

Yes, the GS430 has the same 3UZ motor and 5spd auto. 01-03 LS430 were 5spd and 04-06 went 6spd along with the exterior facelift and other notable features.

The GS is a great car, but think of LS as an S-Class and the GS as an E-Class. LS kinda feels like you're driving a limo, super smooth, quite and isolating. GS is also super smooth and quiet but smaller in size, more nimble, and doesn't have that huge sedan/limo feel. My GS is pretty heavily modded...lowered, pretty much nothing OEM suspension anymore everything aftermarket, bigger brake upgrade, exhaust, intake, throttle controller, etc. I forgot how a stock GS drives but my GS the way it's setup is WAY harsher and more sporty than the LS. Just a tad softer than a stock IS-F which are known to be harsh/non-Lexus riding from the factory.

 

[RyanStl]

I don’t really have many concerns to be honest. I was more curious to see who was actually doing it. Much of this forum is about modding and mudding, so I was just really checking the pulse.

We are somewhat Honda cultists (and for good reason). But the thought of buying a 15 year old vehicle with 150k doesn’t seem logical. And quite frankly, my wife is adamantly against it. A car is a car to her.

I’m still a little bit away from buying, but I know I want a LC/LX. So like I said to start the thread “keeping my eyes on the prize”.

You are right, to most it makes no damn sense to sell a car under warranty, take a depreciation hit at about it's worst point (luckily Subaru holds resale well), and buy a decade and half old rig. Luckily my wife loves big SUVs and loved the idea of a Land Cruiser. Explaining my plan to her dad was like reading The Lord of the Rings to him in Elvish or telling him I'm liquidating my 401K to take a trip to Disney World. The gas mileage also went into my thought process. Do a I trade a $400 car payment and warranty for an extra $150-200 spent on gas a month. Well my timing was good because gas here in Missouri has mostly been under $2 a gallon since I bought my Hundy. If gas goes up significantly I'm going to be looking for other options.

 

[Formulaonehd]

Just purchased mine will be a DD for my wife and mine to go 4WD on weekends. Im lucky i have th 1HZ diesel so fuel consumption is not an issue but would love the VX and LX luxuries that I dont have. Completely stock standard (just picked it up yesterday) only 60000 miles so like some others have said these cars will last 2-5 times longer than most cars on the road so money return is still there even with poor mileage engines like the FZ and UZ.
If you mod your truck be sure to put wind deflectors on roof racks, sunroof and bash plate. This really does help with consumption. My 80 series improved 30% with wind deflector mods

 

[od4x4]

We are somewhat Honda cultists (and for good reason). But the thought of buying a 15 year old vehicle with 150k doesn’t seem logical. And quite frankly, my wife is adamantly against it. A car is a car to her.

No offense but this is probably where you are going wrong.

* Honda’s are good cars but any of their larger vehicles cannot hold a candle to Toyota. (The Civic and Accords of the 80s and 90s rock!)

* Buying a gently used 15 year old vehicle makes TONS of sense when it is the highest quality. (My wife jokes that the only way we could afford an $80k car was to wait until we could buy it for $10k!). This is not like buying a Civic or Corolla with 150k... although even then they are still babies although the interior may not always hold up the best.

* If your wife is against it... DON’T DO IT! Let her drive a couple so she can see how nice they are inside and then show he the data on repairs and maintenance. If you are lucky, she will be like my wife and beg you to find a nice one to be HER daily driver and weekend getaway vehicle!

And lastly... stop worrying bout gas prices. Some simple math... 14 MPG at 40 miles per day with gas at $2 per gallon is $28.57 per week or $114.29 per month... and with gas at $3 per gallon it is $42.86 per week or $171.44 per month. A new SUV is going to leave you with a hefty payment but let’s assume something more reasonable like $250 per month for a vehicle that gets 30 mpg... that same commute at $3per gallon will cost $80 per month which in this example saves you a little over $90per month. (Assuming 5 day commute)

SO... spend $250 per month (plus depreciation and increased insurance) in order to save $90 plus maintenance. Now does that make sense?.

Of course there are alot of other things to consider... but at the end of the day if you want the Land Cruiser and the wife agrees... don’t let gas or age scare you off!

 

[Kabanstva]

No offense but this is probably where you are going wrong.

* Honda’s are good cars but any of their larger vehicles cannot hold a candle to Toyota. (The Civic and Accords of the 80s and 90s rock!)

* Buying a gently used 15 year old vehicle makes TONS of sense when it is the highest quality. (My wife jokes that the only way we could afford an $80k car was to wait until we could buy it for $10k!). This is not like buying a Civic or Corolla with 150k... although even then they are still babies although the interior may not always hold up the best.

* If your wife is against it... DON’T DO IT! Let her drive a couple so she can see how nice they are inside and then show he the data on repairs and maintenance. If you are lucky, she will be like my wife and beg you to find a nice one to be HER daily driver and weekend getaway vehicle!

And lastly... stop worrying bout gas prices. Some simple math... 14 MPG at 40 miles per day with gas at $2 per gallon is $28.57 per week or $114.29 per month... and with gas at $3 per gallon it is $42.86 per week or $171.44 per month. A new SUV is going to leave you with a hefty payment but let’s assume something more reasonable like $250 per month for a vehicle that gets 30 mpg... that same commute at $3per gallon will cost $80 per month which in this example saves you a little over $90per month. (Assuming 5 day commute)

SO... spend $250 per month (plus depreciation and increased insurance) in order to save $90 plus maintenance. Now does that make sense?.

Of course there are alot of other things to consider... but at the end of the day if you want the Land Cruiser and the wife agrees... don’t let gas or age scare you off!

I agree with you, however I see you are in CA. The OP is in PA.

Most 15 year old trucks that lived in PA are most likely in piss poor, rotting condition, borderline unserviceable to to the amount of rust and corrosion everywhere. If he's buying a northern truck, I'd probably agree with the wife that is against buying a 15 y.o vehicle.

Now....if he goes south to get one, that's a different story!

 

[od4x4]

I agree with you, however I see you are in CA. The OP is in PA.

Most 15 year old trucks that lived in PA are most likely in piss poor, rotting condition, borderline unserviceable to to the amount of rust and corrosion everywhere. If he's buying a northern truck, I'd probably agree with the wife that is against buying a 15 y.o vehicle.

Now....if he goes south to get one, that's a different story!

I won’t argue with that... but that’s what planes, trains, and road trips are for! I have purchased many vehicles from long distances in order to find the RIGHT one. It just happens that when it comes to rust free vehicles... I live in one of the greatest states!

 

[gungriffin]

I won’t argue with that... but that’s what planes, trains, and road trips are for! I have purchased many vehicles from long distances in order to find the RIGHT one. It just happens that when it comes to rust free vehicles... I live in one of the greatest states!

Agreed on the road trip opportunity. I went 1200 miles and to another country to pick mine up!

 

[rickmb917]

My 2005 LC is about to go to daily driver status once I sell my 2014 Lexus GS350 F Sport. I drove the LC 1200 miles round trip down to Miami a few weeks ago rolling over 295,000 miles and it reinforced the fact that these things are built solid and totally capable of the task assuming you don't mind brutal fuel mileage.

 

[geanes]

My '98 LX is effectively my daily driver. Bought it this past March with 150k on the clock. Intended to use it for trips to Colorado only with very limited daily driving (targeted 6-8k/year). I own a '16 Outback 3.6r Limited which was my daily driver. Well, wouldn't you know, I LOVE the way the 100 series drives. I'm now at 172k on the clock and driving it every chance I get. My Outback has only had 3k put on it since March. MPG is terrible, but I don't care. This thing is such a joy to drive and is safe as heck.

Putting that kind of mileage on it has accelerated some maintenance issues that need addressed. Specifically, I need to replace both CV Axles, new bushings on the steering rack (rack itself is perfectly fine), new front rotors and one tie-rod end. All in, I'm looking at $1.5k. I'm also approaching the timing belt/water pump service interval (180k) which will be another $1k. But, once those are behind me, I should be good to go for another 90k with minimal maintenance.

Most of my friends thought I was crazy for buying a 20 year old vehicle with 150k miles. My uncles (both own 4-Runners) and several other friends who are shade-tree mechanics praised me for procuring a LandCruiser.

 

[GoldenLX]

I just got my LX470 a few months ago but it is my daily driver (and basically stock, for now). I enjoy the drive.

Probably the most reliable car (not truck) Lexus/Toyota ever made to be honest.

I also have an 03 GS430 that was in our family since 2010 and we racked up a ton of miles on it, has over 210k miles on it now and still drives like day one.

The only thing I'd avoid with the LS430 is do not get the Ultra Luxury edition....even though that's a forum favorite, the air suspension is a common failure item and costs an arm and a leg to replace. I specifically looked for one without air suspension.

To me the LS is like the car version of the LX. Similar room inside but even better insulated and better driving due to having full independent suspension front and rear, 6spd trans on the 04-06 models, better acceleration, etc. Probably the most comfortable driving sedan you'll ever be in unless you get a Rolls Royce or something. I remember reading somewhere that the LS430 has the lowest coefficient of drag of any production vehicle only matched several years later when the Nissan GTR came out. It gets better MPG's than my GS which has the same motor and weights several hundred pounds less. If you're cruising at like 75-80mph and let off the gas pedal, it takes a looooong time for the car to coast down to speed, real evidence of how great the aerodynamics are. It also has one of the quietest cabins ever recorded. Mark Levinson would not install their sound system in any car before the LS because they felt like there was no car that was quiet enough for their system to really be appreciated. The LS was the first vehicle to have ML.

I drove that thing back from Socal to Chicago which was about a 2000 mile trip, going 80+ the entire time with some stretches of highway comfortably cruising at 110mph (In Mexico of course) for multiple hours no problem at all.

Not that the LS needs my help in talking about how great it is, it's widely known, but watch this video from back in the day:

Also, our other car, my wife's DD, is a 2001 LS430 Ultra Luxury. This thing has been awesome. It currently has 249k miles and I have rarely had to do anything more than basic maintenance (tires, brakes, filters, etc...). I have replaced one oil control valve and just last week one of the O2 sensors. All buttons, switches, and all the fun rear seat stuff (recline, massage, heated seats, separate AC, etc... ) all work.

The one issue that always comes up with UL is the comments on the air suspension. Yes, they will fail. But the fix is simple. Instead of spending $1000+ on one new air shock, you can switch ALL corners with either OEM shocks/struts or aftermarket coilovers for basically the same cost. And you can DIY it (other than an alignment). One of the rear air shocks did go out so I replaced all with BC Racing coilovers with Swift Springs set to a rate that was close to the stock LS430. Honestly, if you didn't know, you wouldn't think the car didn't have air. It definitely tightened things up, but the ride is far from harsh. Anyways, just FYI. When this LS430 gives up, our plan is to replace it with another. They truly are great cars.

 

[Kabanstva]

I just got my LX470 a few months ago but it is my daily driver (and basically stock, for now). I enjoy the drive.



Also, our other car, my wife's DD, is a 2001 LS430 Ultra Luxury. This thing has been awesome. It currently has 249k miles and I have rarely had to do anything more than basic maintenance (tires, brakes, filters, etc...). I have replaced one oil control valve and just last week one of the O2 sensors. All buttons, switches, and all the fun rear seat stuff (recline, massage, heated seats, separate AC, etc... ) all work.

The one issue that always comes up with UL is the comments on the air suspension. Yes, they will fail. But the fix is simple. Instead of spending $1000+ on one new air shock, you can switch ALL corners with either OEM shocks/struts or aftermarket coilovers for basically the same cost. And you can DIY it (other than an alignment). One of the rear air shocks did go out so I replaced all with BC Racing coilovers with Swift Springs set to a rate that was close to the stock LS430. Honestly, if you didn't know, you wouldn't think the car didn't have air. It definitely tightened things up, but the ride is far from harsh. Anyways, just FYI. When this LS430 gives up, our plan is to replace it with another. They truly are great cars.

That's an option, but why mess with it in the first place when most came with standard suspension anyways. Sounds like a headache to convert to normal suspension, and than you probably have cluster lights lit up after removing the air, buttons in the center console that are now useless, and still have the rear AC that is a known failure item (especially in the rust belt) that costs even more to replace than all the four air shocks combined.

 

[cruiserdan]

The 100 Series must be a very uncomfortable vehicle that is not practical over long distances. That is surely the reason that it is impossible to find one with less than a gillion miles on the odometer......

 

[lt1fire]

That's an option, but why mess with it in the first place when most came with standard suspension anyways. Sounds like a headache to convert to normal suspension, and than you probably have cluster lights lit up after removing the air, buttons in the center console that are now useless, and still have the rear AC that is a known failure item (especially in the rust belt) that costs even more to replace than all the four air shocks combined.

because the UL has way more options than just he air suspension that you can only get in the UL ticker. If you do it right and there are tons of threads on clublexus you won't get any dash lights.... and it is simple to reverse if someone wants to go back to air. It really is barely more effort than doing a simple spring/strut replacement on a base model.

I was worried about it when I bought mine but after driving a bunch I just couldn't beat the features on the UL vs the non UL. Plus the fact that I got mine for 4k because the little dealer had no info on the car was a good deal. Cali car all its life until 2016. I did the TB and WP and fixed the leaky trans pan seal and it is rock solid.

I plan to do coils on mine soon and then in a few years when i'm actually driving it more for work related things may swap back in the air with a brand new one to replace the leaky one.

The biggest problem with the UL is the fact that people will want you to drive all the time so they can sit in that rear seat... LOL.

 

[GoldenLX]

because the UL has way more options than just he air suspension that you can only get in the UL ticker. If you do it right and there are tons of threads on clublexus you won't get any dash lights.... and it is simple to reverse if someone wants to go back to air. It really is barely more effort than doing a simple spring/strut replacement on a base model.

I was worried about it when I bought mine but after driving a bunch I just couldn't beat the features on the UL vs the non UL. Plus the fact that I got mine for 4k because the little dealer had no info on the car was a good deal. Cali car all its life until 2016. I did the TB and WP and fixed the leaky trans pan seal and it is rock solid.

I plan to do coils on mine soon and then in a few years when i'm actually driving it more for work related things may swap back in the air with a brand new one to replace the leaky one.

The biggest problem with the UL is the fact that people will want you to drive all the time so they can sit in that rear seat... LOL.

Thank you for the response to Kabanstva. I was going to write something very similar. I did a lot of research on ClubLexus (which is another great forum) and then did the conversion to coilovers in one afternoon with nothing but simple tools. No lights in the dash. No worries. And eventually you would probably need to replace the OEM (non-UL) suspension anyways after many miles. Just get an alignment and you're good to go.

I love the extra features of the UL. Now my wife won't consider another car without a rear sunshade and rear window shades princess: yeah, I spoiled her). And yes, now when we go out with other people, they always want to sit in back.

 

[lt1fire]

Thank you for the response to Kabanstva. I was going to write something very similar. I did a lot of research on ClubLexus (which is another great forum) and then did the conversion to coilovers in one afternoon with nothing but simple tools. No lights in the dash. No worries. And eventually you would probably need to replace the OEM (non-UL) suspension anyways after many miles. Just get an alignment and you're good to go.

I love the extra features of the UL. Now my wife won't consider another car without a rear sunshade and rear window shades princess: yeah, I spoiled her). And yes, now when we go out with other people, they always want to sit in back.

Lol to be honest my Wife actually prefers the Cruiser which is why it is her DD now.... but when she used to drive the lexus i'd sit in the back...

 

[badmoon rising]

Driven daily a grand total of 8 miles to office and back. 02 with 105,800 miles - bought it 7 years ago with 58,600 miles. At this pace I'll get to 300k miles in 28 years ... when the rest of the world is commuting in flying cars.

 

[yeti in ga]

I DD mine with 255k and would get in it and drive any where... Its still cheaper than buying a second car that gets good mpg, plus it looks way better. I am saving the environment the more gas I burn and the longer I keep it on the road...

 

[BadReligion]

While my 80 was my DD for a few years, bias ply 37" tires on beadlock wheels condemned it to weekend use only and I just started daily driving my 100. I couldn't think of a better daily driver than a 100 series. Reliable, comfortable, roomy, and actually relatively inexpensive even considering maintenance and fuel costs. Until the new tires, my 80 did ok (my commute is 12 mi each way), but the LX handles better, is smoother on the freeway, has comfortable heated seats, and I can actually go over 50mph up a stretch of steep mountain highway.

Where it really shines is on longer (3+ hour) drives to rural NV for hunting, camping, etc. One of my favorite hunting spots takes 3 hours with the 100 and is a very comfortable drive the whole way, while the same drive takes 4 hours in the 80 and definitely fatigues you a bit from the noise, vibration, steering pull, etc.

At 185k on the odo, I am good for at least another 120k mi before I need to even consider any type of major engine overhaul. At my average of 10k mi a year, that's at least 12 years away.