Long Term 100

[Mark SR.]

I have decided that a 100 is my long term vehicle. My last truck was/is my DD since '92. Taking acquisition cost out of the equation (i.e. considering the cost of a vehicle spread over a 10-15 yr. period instead focusing on a 3-6 year loan), am I better off keeping a near perfect '99 100 w/ 80k mi. or finding a '03-'04 w/ 20-40k mi. and dropping the cash? There are pros and cons to both, either one I would go long term with. The truck will stay mostly stock for at least 6-8 more years. I am not rich, I just look at Toyotas as investments and appreciate their long term "dividends" in relation to other brands. We would also have a cheap car w/ good gas mileage that I would not be above driving when needed/necessary, and my old 4Runner.

What are your thoughts? Sorry if chat.
-Mark

 

[jjbodean1970]

i would keep the 99 model

 

[mtycruiser]

Unless something is wrong with your '99, Keep it!!
It's long term DD, stock, etc, so why spend extra?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

Own TWO!

 

[e9999]

keeping a known quantity is usually a safer bet than getting a new unknown one (if used).

But of course, we ended up getting an newish used 03 rather than going with a 99 etc.

 

[Pitbull]

I found that Landcruisers are not easy to find. A lot of leased vehicles that are not maintained the way you would if you owned it. If you have a good 99 you will get screwed selling/trading it and then you have to find a good 2003/2004 that was taken care of. Unless you are going to buy a new one, I would keep the 99. JMHO.

 

[hank14]

I agree. If you like it, keep it. I think most people get rid of vehicles either because they:

1. Are broke- couldn't afford it to begin with.
2. Didn't mainatain and are worried it is going to crater on them, or
3. Have a case of "stuff-itis" or envy and want the latest and greatest features.

If you're not in one of these categories, keep it, maintain it, pay it off, and enjoy it.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I agree. If you like it, keep it. I think most people get rid of vehicles either because they:

1. Are broke- couldn't afford it to begin with.
2. Didn't mainatain and are worried it is going to crater on them, or
3. Have a case of "stuff-itis" or envy and want the latest and greatest features.

If you're not in one of these categories, keep it, maintain it, pay it off, and enjoy it.

And in regards to point #2, I've read many stories on various forums of things happening (head gasket blows, vehicle makes a weird noise, etc.) in which the owner gets it fixed (temporarily) and wants to dump it ASAP. And it seems that once you blow a HG, even after it's been fixed, it seems the likelihood of blowing it again is much higher than with a rig that's never blown one.

 

[calamaridog]

Keep the 99. Look for a low mileage replacement motor and store it. Now that's thinking long term!

 

[Mark SR.]

And in regards to point #2, I've read many stories on various forums of things happening (head gasket blows, vehicle makes a weird noise, etc.) in which the owner gets it fixed (temporarily) and wants to dump it ASAP. And it seems that once you blow a HG, even after it's been fixed, it seems the likelihood of blowing it again is much higher than with a rig that's never blown one.

Good point - my 4Runner HG went at 88k miles. I always worried that it was an engine flaw not a part flaw. I haven't touched the HG since. I saw alot of 3.0 V6s for sale at 80-90k miles, which is when this seemed to happen in this motor.
-Mark