J200 Longevity

[marshcat]

I currently drive an '03 100-series with ~230k miles. It feels like with just regular maintenance the 100-series could drive forever. Occasionally I see examples with 400k+ miles in great shape.

Does the 200-series have similar longevity? I'm looking at an '08 LX with 250k and wondering whether it has lots of life left, or would be a maintenance pig going forward.

 

[ckkone]

No timing belt to change on a 200, so I'd say they require less maintenance.

 

[Softride62]

I miss the 100 series as far as maintenance goes (beyond the usual 90K svc, starter, exhaust mani, thunk,etc) I have spent over $8000 on my 2008 200 with 149K on it now. (mind you, I baby this thing I don't off road it, it's a highway machine) Service includes: new radiator, new alternator, new starter, water pump, new fuel sending unit and fuel pump, new drive shaft (had the famous thunk as well) and next up will be the valley plate coolant leak. I love this truck , the ride is exceptional, still at 149K it feels like a vehicle with 25K miles on but it's crazy how much maintenance. The 200 series, at least the earlier ones seem to commonly have some of those issues mentioned, after reading through post on Mud about the 2008. I'm looking for anew one soon because my daughter may want this one. In my search I have considered either sticking with the 200 series ( ad find a 2016 or newer) or maybe try to find a sweet unicorn of a 100 series with low mileage ...

 

[40Man]

Buying any car with 250k miles in my estimation is risky. 250k miles is what I'd put on a care over 20+ years, so I take that into account when I am valuing whether a vehicle is worth it for me. 200s are fairly reliable, but do have some minor issues, most of which are repaired around 100-150k based on many user reports on this site (starter, radiator, water pump, etc.). If I knew the history of a 200, and knew it was well taken care of, with a lot of highway miles, etc., I'd buy it with 200k+ miles, but only because they are built well. Not many vehicles I would consider with over 100k miles. Check it over carefully, look for the cam tower leak, etc.

I know the air suspension on the LX470 costs a lot to replace. The 570 is new enough that it is hard to say how well the AHC will hold up.

 

[DOCBG]

Replaced our AHC at about 80k, $2,000 at dealer.

 

[Markuson]

100 was similar.

I had to replace basically identical “weak points” on my 100 series...just like the 200.

Same old:
Radiator crack...
Alternator...
Water Pump...
Starter...

And all of the above hit at similar mileage to the reports on the 200.

The biggest improvement on my 200 is I haven’t had any CV problems as was a real issue on my similarly-lifted 100. 200 CV angles are much better.

 

[Sandroad]

I see you're in MA. Mechanically the 100 is stellar, but watch the rust. On your 14 year old truck, the rust may get to some critical parts soon if you haven't really kept after it. With regard to moving from a 230K 100 to a 250K 200, I would say better the devil you know than the one you don't. If reliability is at the top of your "list", either make sure you know the COMPLETE history of any vehicle with a quarter million miles before you buy it, or opt for a much younger version. If there are other reasons besides reliability to make a change, fine, but if you're happy with the '03 and have kept after the rust and maintenance, I would sure consider keeping it over a 250K '08.

 

[TonyP]

The funny thing about know the history is, it still doesn't completely alleviate the second guessing of the actual work. Only until you repair/maintain something yourself (proper baseline) can you be totally sure it was done and done right. Unless you buy off the showroom floor.

Which is why a $3k parts order will be happening soon for my 200. Afterwards, I'll know for sure where it stands and not question the serviceability of components when I'm at a 45° angle on slick rock. Questioning my installation is another matter altogether.

 

[FinallyGotOne!]

Good discussion...and some interesting answers. Sorry to read of Softride62's issues, but I certainly will be disappointed if my 570 isn't more reliable with less required maintenance than my 470.

Though I maintain religiously, by 240K I had not only done the 470's timing belt/water pump twice, and starter contacts once, and repacked front wheel bearings four times, and replaced CV joints once, and replaced CV boots twice, but had electric mirrors and seat heater fixed, some other small stuff I don't remember repaired, and had replaced the tranny at 160K due to the model year 2000 bearing failure. Oh, also had to replace the exhaust manifolds with headers due to cracks. A great truck, but far from infallible.

Assuming a solid transmission in my 570, I'm already ahead due to lack of timing belt and maintenance free front bearings. At ~50K, I've had zero problems.

If you can get maintenance history for the '08 570, or get a good mechanic to check it out, it might be a good move. Same mileage, more power, modern safety features, no timing belt, etc.

BTW - the Automatic Height Control (AHC) is hydraulic, not pneumatic, and my 2000 470's AHC worked flawlessly for 15 years and 240K miles. I did a lot of towing with that truck, as well as wheeling, and used the AHC often. I flushed the fluid every 60K per the schedule and had no problems. I expect same with the 570.

 

[Narkhelek]

I would not say my 2009 LC has lived up to the LC reputation. Although it has not left me stranded anywhere, the sure number of things that have required repair/replacement is very disappointing. Now don't get me wrong, despite the repairs I absolutely love my truck. It just seems that Toyota did not have everything fully baked in the earlier models.

Things I have or need to fix so far (not sure I can even remember them all at this point):

• Front passenger seat belt retractor
• Both side mirror repair kits
• Water pump
• Cam tower oil leaks
• Frozen LCA cam bolts
• Door check assemblies on both front doors
• Frozen KDSS valves
• Transfer case steering wheel vibration
• Cool box fan

 

[TonyP]

If a 200 had a failure that would cause the vehicle to be stranded often, I wouldn't have bought it or I would have sold it long ago. Not to speak against Narkhelek's experiences but none of those will leave me stranded. Annoying? Sure. Expensive? Yup (if I didn't have the means to do my own work). If a vehicle will leave me stranded, calling for help, I don't consider that reliable. Using that metric, I don't consider the 200 unreliable by any means. It'll get you home. I'll drive my 200 to the middle of the desert tomorrow without a worry in my mind. Is that a product of the vehicle or of the maintenance? In my opinion, 80/20.

 

[Reckless]

Wow, all of the experiences being reported are totally opposite of mine. My 200 has had zero issues in 60k miles (other than glove box not shutting always and tightening of mirror screws when I bought the vehicle). I bought mine with 110k miles without checking maintenance and service history, only thing I was adamant on was very littlr under carriage rust. My 100 had alot of issues esp with AHC but my 200 is a tank. Only other issue I can think of is my dash lighting up like xmas when it was put in 4 lo but it went away.

I love how amazingly reliable my 200 is that I hope to sell all my other cars and keep a spare if I ever have an accident. Mostly because blk/grey 2009-2010s are rare (the vinyl is awesome and looks new even with 170k miles). I will definitely avoid 2008 now.

 

[steenh]

I have an '08, bought at 60k 5 yrs ago and now has 133k. I've not had a single real problem with it. I did have the wobbly mirrors and the glove box door never gets opened because I know it will be a pain to close, but as far as reliability goes, not a single issue. That said, I did opt for preventive maintenance at 120k for the hot button items (starter, water pump, radiator) and that wasn't cheap, but if that's all I have to do in 120k, I'm fine with that. I also had a 100 that I owned from 125k to 185k over 6 years. 2 CV's, a strange electrical problem that led me to replace the fuse box under the dash, and at 180k I did the full maintenance and timing belt which also wasn't cheap. All in all, to me they are comparable as far as reliability. What you get with the 200 is a truck that is miles ahead of the 100 in comfort, still drives like new (even more so than the 100 at similar miles), has exceptional power, great off-road prowess with front end articulation, and with the right mods, just looks fantastic.

I loved the 100, and love the 200 even more.

 

[SWUtah]

I put a steering rack in my last 100 @ 140k miles that’s about it. I hope my 2015 LX is trouble free and they have fixed the engine seal problem. I understand the radiator problem has been fixed by my model year. Water pumps wear out consider that a maintenance item. No thunk keep driveshaft lubed,

 

[linuxgod]

My 2013 has 73k miles. Only repair was the fuel door spring - $4 in parts and 60 seconds of labor. Granted my center diff light flashes occasionally but it seems like exercising the locker keeps it from reoccurring for several months

 

[DOCBG]

My 2013 has 73k miles. Only repair was the fuel door spring - $4 in parts and 60 seconds of labor. Granted my center diff light flashes occasionally but it seems like exercising the locker keeps it from reoccurring for several months

I would put 100-120k as the spot to really look at potential issues. Under 100k is taken for granted with a Toyota you aren’t going to have problems.

 

[linuxgod]

I would put 100-120k as the spot to really look at potential issues. Under 100k is taken for granted with a Toyota you aren’t going to have problems.

Statistically I tend to agree.

 

[jblatl]

Just passed 100k last month, within the last 6 months I have done some PM and repairs as follows:

Cam tower seals
Front cover seal
Water pump
Steering rack
Spark plugs
Radiator
Heater t’s
Flushed all coolant and gear boxes

Truck drove great before, truck still drives great. I can not tell the difference at all.

Just no burning oil smell.

That list is about $8,000 give or take a little.

But I know my truck is right for the next 100k.

 

[SWUtah]

Just passed 100k last month, within the last 6 months I have done some PM and repairs as follows:

Cam tower seals
Front cover seal
Water pump
Steering rack
Spark plugs
Radiator
Heater t’s
Flushed all coolant and gear boxes

Truck drove great before, truck still drives great. I can not tell the difference at all.

Just no burning oil smell.

That list is about $8,000 give or take a little.

But I know my truck is right for the next 100k.

What year is your 200 series

 

[jblatl]

2011
Still drives like new, just got back from a 1400 mile trip through the Florida keys last month.