Indecision over what to buy...

[gomar]

I've been hunting for a 100-series for a little while now to serve as a base for an overland build. I've been seeking an '06 or '07 LX 470 given the feedback I've read here on how nice the added power is from the addition of VVTI in those model years.

Well, I now have the opportunity to buy a practically mint condition 2001 LX 470 with ~70K miles. It's owned by a collector, and beyond meticulously maintained. It's perfect. All services were done at a Lexus dealer. All were done significantly ahead of schedule. The undercarriage has been treated with FluidFilm every year and it's garaged for the winter, not a spec of rust anywhere. Long winded way of saying, it's mint condition.

It's expensive, but not beyond budget. If it was an '06 or '07 I'd be completely overjoyed and would buy it without thinking twice.

I need your help thinking through this.....here's where I'm hung up:

1. First and foremost, I am worried that I'll regret not having VVTI. I plan to add 33" tires and some armor. Worried the '01 will feel too sluggish. In all honesty, I'm a slow driver by nature, but I expect to cover some long distances in this thing.
2. It feels a bit sacrilegious to buy a collector grade 100-series that's been so well looked after and kept in such spectacular condition, just to slap after market bumpers on it and take it off-roading. You know what I mean?
3. I've heard the sound deadening is better in the '06 and '07 years. That's not a huge issue, but it is an added benefit.
4. I seriously value reliability. That's partially why I've had such a difficult time sourcing one of these. It's very enticing to know how well the mechanical components have been taken care of.

Put simply - is it worth holding out for an '06 or '07? Or should I just snag this '01 and be happy?

All thoughts/advice are greatly appreciated!

 

[GTV]

I wouldn’t regret not getting vvti. I would regret not getting a 5 speed.

 

[aging fleet]

I have an ‘06 and the vvti is nice, but it comes with some maintenance downsides I wouldn’t mind not dealing with. If we’re in the market, I’d be shopping both vvti and non-vvti examples.

Does the ‘01 have a rear locker?

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Vvti meh! Its still nice without it. As I recall vvti is an interference engine! Timing belt goes, so does your engine. Collector level and overland dont go together. Get a cheaper one and throw the savings into builiding it to do what you want. Move your money toward utility and reliability over looks. Looks cant get you out of “nowhere”.

 

[Couvi]

I think the sweet spot is the 03-05’s. You get the 5 speed, upgraded interior and no added complication of the SAIS.

 

[squidmotion]

I wouldn’t regret not getting vvti. I would regret not getting a 5 speed.

I second this. My 99 is ok, but I would love to have the 5spd… at 70+ mph it’s turning more RPMS than I would like. The 33s will help a bit with that. For longer trips, I take my Tundra, as it covers ground at 80mph a lot better.

If you are looking to put a lot of highway miles going from destination to destination, then taking it off highway when you arrive, I think the 5spd would a must-have. Also a mint condition vehicle will have you second guessing where you park, what you will be willing to put it through, etc.

Mileage means nothing on these, but proper maintenance does. A few small dents and dings, like mine has means I don’t have to worry about adding a few more!