Is owning a 100 all it's cracked up to be?

[clandr1]

Hi everyone,

Let me first say that I read the FAQ section and I didn't find any threads that specifically speak to what I'm asking below. If I overlooked a previously existing thread, or missed one in the search, you have my apologies. I'll happily accept a link to a relevant thread that answers my questions below if one exists.

I have a friend who has me sold on the Land Cruiser brand after seeing the build quality of his '94 (220k+) and his wife's '05 (now at 170k+), and I am eyeing the 100 series extremely closely right now since I'll be needing a new car for the wife here in the next year or so.

I know the reputation of legendary reliability, but what I want to know, in part, is "what sucks about the 100 series?" I'm looking for any glaring downsides/issues (I know the mileage isn't great, and that doesn't bother me).

What I want is to spend under $25k on a bulletproof vehicle that I will only have to do regular maintenance on. Most of the 100 series in that range have anywhere from 90k-110k on them, and other than the 90k timing belt/water pump service, is there anything that I should be looking to replace/repair on a 10 year old LC with 100k on it? What can I expect to go out/need repair between 100k-200k miles?

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to the day I can contribute (as a knowledgeable TLC owner) to this great forum y'all have here.

 

[jcrandall]

You might want to add your plans for the car. Wheeler or Daily, or both? Wide range of answers depending on how hard you'll be on it. The only I have a legitimate complaint on is the front axle and differential. Sure would be nice to have a solid front axle and a stronger front diff. AHC is a mixed bag depending on you.

 

[sonk76]

I know the reputation of legendary reliability, but what I want to know, in part, is "what sucks about the 100 series?" I'm looking for any glaring downsides/issues (I know the mileage isn't great, and that doesn't bother me).

What I want is to spend under $25k on a bulletproof vehicle that I will only have to do regular maintenance on.

Mileage sucks (you knew that), and so does the low cruising range as a result. This is by far my personal biggest disappointment with the truck.

In terms of bulletproof, I think there is little doubt that 100-series represents one of the most reliable 10-year old, 100k mile cars on the road today. There is also little doubt that a brand new Honda Civic would be a more "bulletproof" for the next 10 years and next 100k miles, for less money.

...said another way: things beyond regular maintenance (we can debate what is "regular maintenance" vs. not) will go wrong with a 10-year old car w/100k miles, no matter how strong the heritage or the platform, that won't happen with never vehicle.

To add to the list of things that others will surely point out: your sway bar links will likely snap somewhere are long the way (I suppose if you never leave the pavement they may be ok.)

 

[Jrod]

Short answer to "is the 100 all it's cracked up to be": yes.

I've owned A LOT of vehicles. Many 4x4's, sports cars, luxury vehicles, etc. No single vehicle I've owned has ever been as reliable or can do nearly as much as this one vehicle. I really don't see myself letting my 100 go - ever. It got my wife to the hospital during a freak snow/ice storm to deliver my son when very few other vehicles could handle the conditions.

It's not perfect - not a sports car, and the MPG can be rough sometimes. But, I know when I get in it and turn the key I'm going to get to my destination, and I'm going to get there safely.

 

[TXLX100]

MPG's are bad, it's heavy, slower than most city cars. There are more components, so more to fail. Parts aren't cheap sometimes.

But it's a big, well built, safe, reliable vehicle. I don't know if there's a better value out there for what a 100 series is and the reliability.

The 100 does have its common failures stretching across all year models, and certain year models. But nothing crazy or unexpected in my opinion. I spend on average less $1k a year on maintenance and repairs driving 10k miles of light abuse.

 

[RND1]

is there anything that I should be looking to replace/repair on a 10 year old LC with 100k on it? What can I expect to go out/need repair between 100k-200k miles?

I've owned my '03 for 2 years now. I bought it from the original owner with 88K miles on it. It was always serviced at the dealer, but the 90K was not done. In my first year of ownership, I had to do the TB/WP service (dealer installed amazon kit), it needed a windshield (safelite), battery (Toyota), and tires (Michelin LTX MS2 from dealer). I had it baselined at Toyota with all new fluids as well. Then I just drove it. In my second year of ownership, other than oil changes, it needed rear brakes (did myself) and CV boots (dealer). Starting my 3rd year of ownership, I'll need to do front brakes (DIY), change the Oil (Mobil 1 5W-30), and shocks all around (just cuz -DIY). I'm at 112K miles and I feel this rig will get handed down to my kids one day.

Annoyances include a parasitic battery drain (discovered to be CD Player) now fixed, metallic pinging from exhaust (living with it), and driveline clunk (well documented on MUD).

If you haven't read this, check it out:

Top 10 Used Overland Vehicles

 

[therealdutch]

yes, they are. it's hard to describe until you're behind the wheel.

 

[re_guderian]

"what sucks about the 100 series?"

Limited front wheel travel, limits lift and tire size. Limited aftermarket shock options that don't suck, break, or break the bank. A few known high dollar, low probability failures - brake booster 98-99, tranny 99-01, nav screen and hvac controls 03+, front diff 98-99. CV's wear. The stock radio in 98-02 is an embarrassment to Toyota. Fortunately it fails and is easy to replace. Hard to find good people to install the windshield. Nothing cheap about these rigs (except OEM shocks for some bizarre reason). That's all I can think of. Oh, the mpg's suck balls. But the good FAR outweighs the suck on these rigs if you don't need a rockcrawler...

 

[bucfl]

I used mine as a tractor to pull a stump...

 

[2000 LC]

What everyone else said.

You won't find a more classy yet understated yet capable yet reliable (etc....) machine out there.

I've been cruising in Lucille for 14 years and will never sell her.

To answer your question: yes they are all they have cracked up to be.

 

[JACA]

New member here, and first thread I read on the forum. I just bought a 2000 LX470 with over 207,000 miles. I had a Lexus mechanic fully inspect it before I bought it. He said he was amazed at how well maintained and clean it was...period, not "considering it's age." Mechanically, it was in perfect condition - no rust anywhere, no leaks, all major maintenance done on time (timing belt, water pump, plugs, etc), and even the AHC system checked out fine. Through drivers.lexus.com, I was able to pull/print every single service/repair/maintenance record ever done on this truck in 16 years. A week after I bought it, I did a 1,200 mile road trip with no issues/problems whatsoever, and I got 16+ MPG.

For 20+ years, all I drove was Toyotas - I previously owned several 4Runners, Tundra, LC-80, and LX450. The only reason I left the Toyota family was because I got a motorhome, and needed an SUV that I could tow behind my RV with 4 wheels down. So, for the last few years, I had a string of Jeeps - Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Wrangler. They were fun and all, but highly unreliable. I enjoyed the Jeeps, but every time I had to wrench on it (not for fun, but because something broke again), I was wishing for a LC/LX again. Finally, my Grand Cherokee got to be so much of a PITA that I sold it, and never looked back. I had been searching for LC/LXs in my area for several months, and when I saw what looked like the perfect one, I pounced on it.

Within a week after buying my "new" 2000 LX470, I put on new shoes (Bridgestone Dueler AT Revo 2, LT285/75R16) and tinted the windows, which made it look instantly better. I'm not a hardcore wheeler, but do go off road occasionally, so I'm also going to replace the stock front bumper with an ARB or custom fab front bumper (with winch and lights), and probably a roof rack with some goodies.

As soon as I get a chance, I'll post some photos. I look forward to learning a lot from this forum.

John

 

[uzj100]

Have to say yes. For me, it beats every other vehicle in most categories, is better built then most others, and is the right size for my family of 4.

It has issues but lives up to the original Toyota design specifications of being driven for 25 years in harsh conditions.

Most people can not believe the truck is 16 years old and has 240k miles. Purchased for $18k, 10 years ago with 100k miles.

The only other vehicle I have experienced that is similar was the 1983 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbo diesel we had from new in 1983. That car was sold for $1800 and had 445k miles on it. To say that car was solid was an understatement.

 

[PabloCruise]

It sounds like it will take several hours to replace the starter when it wears out.

We love our '99 LX.

 

[therealdutch]

The only other vehicle I have experienced that is similar was the 1983 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbo diesel we had from new in 1983. That car was sold for $1800 and had 445k miles on it. To say that car was solid was an understatement.

yep, my father had a 1984 240D, and to this day he will tell you that wasn't the nicest car he's owned, but it was the most reliable/solid vehicle he's ever driven.

 

[PabloCruise]

Have to say yes. For me, it beats every other vehicle in most categories, is better built then most others, and is the right size for my family of 4.

It has issues but lives up to the original Toyota design specifications of being driven for 25 years in harsh conditions.

Most people can not believe the truck is 16 years old and has 240k miles. Purchased for $18k, 10 years ago with 100k miles.

The only other vehicle I have experienced that is similar was the 1983 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbo diesel we had from new in 1983. That car was sold for $1800 and had 445k miles on it. To say that car was solid was an understatement.

ah, the MB 300D! An old girlfriend had one, and it stood up to her driving...

 

[PabloCruise]

It sounds like it will take several hours to replace the starter when it wears out.

We love our '99 LX.

And it sounds like the steering racks wear out.

 

[TheForger]

You say this is for you wife, correct? Well if I were in your shoes, the downsides mentioned above are minuscule compared to the feeling you will have knowing your loved one is perfectly safe driving a tank on 4 wheels. The safety ratings, reliability, and dependability of these vehicles are unmatched by anything else, and that alone is enough to sell me on getting one. Well, another one

 

[PabloCruise]

Oh yes, if it is for your wife, I can say that my wife loves it. One day I needed to borrow it to get the rear bumper installed. I thought I would just borrow it for the day. She asked when I needed to put the bumper on? I told her it would be simpler if I just took it for the day? No, she needed it! She is very attached to our LX!

 

[wolffo]

I previously had a 1999 4runner, I personally put 200k miles on it over 9 years of ownership (amazing experience)
I currently have a 2002 4runner (best package of capabilities imo), 2005 tundra DC (drives big, but it has its place) and a 2003 LC (lots of little problems and rattles, but a nice package for sure)

the 4runner will be the last to go

I like the 4runner, the new one, the old one...whatever

 

[auh]

Only 2 down points I can think of as far as repairs go are the starter motor sucks to change, and the brake master cylinder is a bagillion dollar part if it goes out.