LC 100, LX 470 or 3rd Gen 4Runner? Advice Please.

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isixxer

isixxer

Joined
Jan 25, 2016
Threads
1
Messages
6
Location
Houston
Okay so a little background, I'm looking for a new vehicle. MPG is little to no worry, Reliability, Maintenance and Longevity is Key. I know the 3rd Gen is bulletproof but is lacking in some areas.

I want to go camping, Mild trails, and not have to worry about getting stuck.

A "Virgin" 3rd Gen is extremely hard to find with good service history and lowish miles (less than 220,000).
The LC 100 and LX are in abundance here in Houston (I mean there are 3 worth messing with) so I have heard they are reliable but i also hear somethings go out often and the cost of ownership is relatively high compared to the 3rd gen.

I'm coming from the biggest mistake of my life, 2007 Mini Cooper S. So I want something that doesn't break all the time, Easy to work on, simple Preventative Maintenance, and Fun to drive.

I'm Leaning to the LX just because I have one local that is a Good deal. It has the size but I know some of you have both the LC100/LX470 and a 3rd gen.

Whats your thoughts?

BTW this is the LX I'm thinking about getting. Lexus : LX 4dr SUV
 
Here's my thoughts on it, the folks that talked about things breaking all the time probably didn't own one? I could be wrong!

The thing that is probably the biggest concer on newer LC's and LX's is the AHC. Some of those parts can be prone to problems, however it can be replaced. I have seen many people on here and in person that have well over 250k miles and their trucks still run great. That said I think the 4Runner is a great truck have a coworker that swears by them. His third gen had head gasket failure at 220k and constant brake war page otherwise rock solid truck. Drove as good with 220k as it did off the lot.

The key with any used vehicle is how the previous owners maintained it. A 4Runner with 180k may seem better than a 100 with 90k because the owners maintained it better. I think in the end you have to decide which you want then find a clean example.

I found a deal on my LX on a friends lot and he made me a good deal. It was many maintained the best but not terrible. Nothing I'm not able to take car of it have done. I think the big thing because of cost is water pump and timing belt and the t's for coolant. If there is no record of that maybe you can work it into the deal.

Otherwise happy hunting. I don't think you can go wrong but I do think the 100 is a nicer car, that said both will be dependable as long as they were maintained. Good luck


Sent from my iPhone

2005 Lexus LX470
 
Ive now owned both. I had a 3rd gen that I built up and threw a ton of miles on it, finally selling it with 170k. I loved that vehicle and never had any major repairs or issues, it was very reliable. That being said, it was too small and lacked some major power. Now I have a '00 LX and the vehicles don't even compare. The LX is bigger, has ample power, and is super comfy. The LX is like an upgraded 4Runner to me. When deciding between LC and LX just remember while the LX does have AHC, it also has higher quality leather, thicker glass (I could be wrong), and other amenities that the LC doesn't. The AHC can be a pain though. While mine is currently running fine, I can tell that the system isn't up to par and will be replacing with OME this summer.

Overall I would pick a 100 series over a 3rd gen any day even though I have a special place in my heart for that 4R.
 
What options are out there for alternative to the AHC? Thank you for your opinions!
 
My 99 LX had NO ISSUES WHATSOEVER with the AHC from the time I owned it. I sold with 235k on the clock. Always did the fluid flushes and it performed perfectly. Get one with the maintenance done on it and don't look back - MILES better than a 4runner, in practically every category (fuel consumption aside).
 
you should be able to pull the service history on the LX. man, at $15k, i'd snatch that one up w/ only 150,000 miles on the clock. the thing about 100 series is that typically the original owner and even a second owner has spent a considerable amount to purchase the vehicle, and in my experience those are the type of people that don't neglect their cars. especially Lexus owners. they are usually older demographic that blindly fixes everything the dealer says to fix.

one other thing to consider is that there will probably be a price drop in coming months in houston on vehicles with oil at $30 a barrel. i've already got feelers out for a condo at the San Louis down in galveston when folks start dumping their unnecessary assets to stay afloat.
 
That's quite a gap between a 3rd gen 4runner and 100-series. A 3rd gen is more akin to an 80-series land cruiser.

Toyota offers lots of options between your two options. Have you considered the 4th gen 4runner?

Even better, I'd encourage you to check out the GX470. That truck flies way under the radar and probably is the best value among all Toyota SUVs in the used market, yet likely strikes the best compromise in size/performance/value/etc. It fundamentally is a 4th gen runner, but with the strongest motor, and better coachwork.
 
GX has limited aftermarket, if that's your thing. Also, it's narrow. I'm a big guy, and have a fourth gen 4Runner. Like the car, but just don't fit. Land cruiser is a step up in every aspect though.
 
yep, GX is a little wider than T4R, but just this morning my son asked why i use the passenger armrest (GX is my DD) to lean on instead of mine. but the above points are all correct. it's got the same big 4.7 in the 100 series, lots of available inventory at pretty reasonable prices compared to the 100, but you get the build of a Prado LC with the Lexus amenities.
 
I just purchased a 06 lx470 with 65k miles. I was debating between this, a 100 LC of course 4th even 5th gen 4 runners and some others like a G wagon (maintenance scared me away from that). Anyway, I am quite happy with LX. In my opinion it's way ahead of the 4 runner. Someone just started a thread on this a few days back,
therealdutch said:
you should be able to pull the service history on the LX. man, at $15k, i'd snatch that one up w/ only 150,000 miles on the clock. the thing about 100 series is that typically the original owner and even a second owner has spent a considerable amount to purchase the vehicle, and in my experience those are the type of people that don't neglect their cars. especially Lexus owners. they are usually older demographic that blindly fixes everything the dealer says to fix.

one other thing to consider is that there will probably be a price drop in coming months in houston on vehicles with oil at $30 a barrel. i've already got feelers out for a condo at the San Louis down in galveston when folks start dumping their unnecessary assets to stay afloat.
Click to expand...

Might be a double edged sword. People are dumping assets, but on the other hand anyone holding off on a 12 mpg vehicle may not care anymore with the price at the pump.
 
Thank you Everyone for your advice! I dont like the headlights on the GX470 plus I don't know how I will fit in that thing. I'm 6'5" 200 lbs. The size of the LC100/LX470 is what I really like about them. I wanted a LR Defender but I don't want to pay $60k for a Truck that is worth $12k in UK. The LC100/LX470 is the closest in size I can get. Its honestly the perfect rig to me, the platform is so diverse in options aftermarket speaking.

I just needed some reassurance that I was making the logical choice here. Like I said I have a Mini Cooper S as of now and I need out of that thing, I bought it when Gas was expensive and I was driving 100 miles a day for work. Now my work is closer (~2 Miles) so I can afford the Behemoth that is the LC100

Again thank you Everyone!
 
isixxer said:
Thank you Everyone for your advice! I dont like the headlights on the GX470 plus I don't know how I will fit in that thing. I'm 6'5" 200 lbs. The size of the LC100/LX470 is what I really like about them. I wanted a LR Defender but I don't want to pay $60k for a Truck that is worth $12k in UK. The LC100/LX470 is the closest in size I can get. Its honestly the perfect rig to me, the platform is so diverse in options aftermarket speaking.

I just needed some reassurance that I was making the logical choice here. Like I said I have a Mini Cooper S as of now and I need out of that thing, I bought it when Gas was expensive and I was driving 100 miles a day for work. Now my work is closer (~2 Miles) so I can afford the Behemoth that is the LC100

Again thank you Everyone!
Click to expand...

Have you ever driven a Defender? My buddy has one (110) and it's fun for about 1 hour. I think they are either a love or hate truck but at your size I think you will be very happy with the LX/LC choice.
 
100 series gets the vote from me. I've driven more 3rd gen 4runners than I can count (used to work for Toyota). The LCs (or LX) are far superior in most every way. The increased size is their biggest issue, IMO. If the bigger size and poor mileage don't mean much to you, then absolutely 100 series. No question.
 
I thought it looked like it was low, and you can see in the dash picture that they have the AHC in the low setting. If you have a chance, make sure the AHC cycles through all the settings. Hopefully someone can chime in if that's a fair deal with those miles at that price.
 
Vasopressor said:
I thought it looked like it was low, and you can see in the dash picture that they have the AHC in the low setting. If you have a chance, make sure the AHC cycles through all the settings. Hopefully someone can chime in if that's a fair deal with those miles at that price.
Click to expand...


I saw that too! I looked on Lexus at the service history and was disappointed to find that the timing job wasn't specifically said on the report. I have leverage because the Lexus site shows it has a collision that wasn't reported to carfax. No idea of the extent of damages but I'm going to look at it on Friday.

Anything specifically I need to look for besides the AHC?


Sent from my iPhone
 
That is super clean for the mileage! I would make sure the AHC works well, other than that, use Slee's buying guide to go over it. I just bought a 2000 LX myself! :)
 
I have/ had a 1994 Land Cruiser, a 2000 Land Cruiser, and 2014 4runner. I recently took my 2000 Land Cruiser out to Utah for a wedding. On the way back I decided to check out Moab. I ran the whole White Rim Trail (12hrs) and then made it back to my home in Colorado (7hrs). I drove roughly 19 hours that day and never once felt uncomfortable. Mind you, that Land Cruiser has 260k on the clock. I had zero mechanical issues with it too. January 4th I traded in the 4Runner for a 2006 LX470 that had never been off road, had low miles, a maintenance history, and a great price. I love the comfort and capabilities of the 100 Series Land Cruiser and so does my wife and daughter. I honestly don't think you can go wrong with one.

Avoid rust like it's AIDS. I'd never get a rusty Land Cruiser let alone any other rusty vehicle.

Sent from my SM-G900V
 
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