LX 470 100 Series vs. 5th gen 4Runner TE Opinions?

[Littlehouse]

Hi guys,

I know there may be bias, but I figured i'd ask it here.

I'm looking to purchase a new SUV and have it narrowed down to these the LX and 4Runner. Originally I was only looking at the 06/07 LX470 in the $30-$33k range, but i'm seeing people get into the trail premiums for $36-$38k so i'm wondering if the extra $5-$8k is worth it. Zero miles, a warranty, and my maint. schedule vs. something with about 60k-90k miles. The TE also has a locker, and i'm guessing would be better offroad. The positive of the 100 series is AWD so DD in the snow might be better. What makes the LX better than a brand new TE?

A little about myself

-Live in SoCal, but will be moving to Utah or Colorado once I find something i'm interested in. Controller jobs in the outdoor industries a few and far between
-2 people and a dog in the vehicle, and no plans of a family in the near future. I think this eliminates the need for a 3rd seat
-Vehicle will be my DD, so it will see lots of snow in the winter, and i'd also like to take it on long road trips to Moab, trails in CO, and dunes in CA. I don't see myself doing any hard core rock crawling, but armor and at least a rear locker in the 100 is in it's future.
-Towing will be occasional as i'd like to get an expedition trailer for offroading, and eventually a boat in the 4,000lb range.
Don't care about gas mileage, but care about comfort and reliability.

All input is welcome and appreciated.

Thanks!

David

 

[uzj100]

The weight and fulltime 4wd make the LX better in the snow.

The TE will be a much more modern ride as the 100 series was designed in 1996/97 time frame.

If I did not drive my 100 hard all the time, then a 4Runner with a 2wd option would be my next choice. I just prefer fulltime 4wd for my spirited driving style. I had a suv thats normal driving mode was 2wd and it was not fun to me.

WHat about a 4Runner limited wth awd and add the lockers and remove the running boards or a GX470 or GX460? GX470 was designed around 2002 and GX460 was designed around 2008/9.

Hope this helps. I think it really depends on how you drive day to day. I push the 100 all the time to make it fun. ;<)

 

[marshotel]

What makes the LX better than a brand new TE?

Don't care about gas mileage, but care about comfort and reliability.


David

The LX will have heated leather seats and a tailgate you can sit on, whereas the 4R will not have those things.

Also, the driver's position and ergonomics will be better in the LX.

The LX feels like a big luxury cruiser, whereas the 4R is more of a "sporty" offroad vehicle.

The LX will be more comfortable, better "build quality," and it costs less.

Also, I am a big fan of the 2UZ-FE Toyota V8 engine.
(but I have heard that the 4.0 V6 is good too).

 

[uzj100]

Tailgate is huge.

Luxo cruiser is correct. 65k starting price vs 40k starting price gets alot of good stuff.

 

[Junglejack]

Agree about the tailgate. Just a beautiful thing. However, I most definitely do not agree about ride quality and technology. The LX 470's AHC is not too terribly different than the setup in the LX 570. Both of which are far more advanced than the vast majority of whats on tap in SUVland.

The biggest advantage to something like a new 4Runner will/would be powertrain. It will be noticeably faster, get noticeably better gas mileage, while most likely offering similar or better tow rating.

Offsetting this will be far better build quality. No more complicated than the vastly different pricepoints. Obvs a flagship vehicle designed to be used in the most arduous conditions imaginable will have parts produced both by suppliers and themselves that are of little to no compromise. Tis' why it takes no special ownership skills to get 300,000 miles plus...

 

[chpeymack]

Trail edition premium has kdss. As much as I love my LC I'd get the 4runnee TE in a second. The new Trd pro is sweet too.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[Undefined]

I went through the same question. My answer was simple: Land Cruisers are Land Cruisers. They are designed to survive the worst environments in the world and get the driver and passengers to their destination alive and well. They are street legal tanks. 4runners are simply not, in my opinion, built to the same standard.

The 4runner is a very nice vehicle, and I don't have anything against them (almost bought one), but the Land Cruiser is the flagship of Toyota's fleet and has been for close to half a century. Both are good vehicles, but the LC is built to showcase the durability of Japanese engineering.

 

[phsycle]

For your uses, I was going to suggest 4Runner until the 4k towing part. I would go V8 for that. I'd go LC, but you're getting close to the 200-series price range, which will do better towing.

Or get a new Tundra.

 

[sleeoffroad]

I owned a 2011 TE 4runner for a while. I suggest you go drive both. both have pro's and con's but I never could get past the high revving 4.0l v6. It does not have a ton of power unless you drive the heck out of it. Also not sure how it would handle towing 4k lbs. Inside it was ok, but generic. Did not have a lot of luggage space. I think a 100 is a better overland platform, but the 4Runner is a good vehicle for it's intended audience. Just don't try to make it something it is not.

 

[r2m]

In my humble opinion, I prefer the horsepower. Yes, both vehicles are very capable of towing the toys you plan on getting, it's just that the 100 series will do it a lot easier (read: long grades going through mountains, all too short passing lanes that usually also seem to be uphill too, etc.).

One of the features I really like about my 98 LC is the tailgate. It's a shame so many manufacturer's have moved away from tailgates to barn-doors and full-rear lifts.
There's not many things sweeter than getting out of a good surf session parked tail first on the beach at San Onofre and watch your buddies catch waves while not having to move a bunch of junk around to sit on the tailgate.

But, in the end I have to agree with Christo, There's nothing like putting the shoe on to see if it really fits. You may absolutely fall in love the cockpit of the 4Runner, or you may hate it (or other features...).

 

[patrickfinley]

You can't go wrong with either, both are a great choice, uber reliable and very cool. You have a hard decision ahead of you.

When you make your final decision I'd love to hear what helped push you one way or the other.

 

[Daneshavis]

I have owned a 2011 TE w/KDSS, a LC200 (briefly, sadly) and now a 100 but not the LX. I moved from SoCal (Hermosa) to CO so I also understand the conditions you are facing.

TE - Awesome, in theory. Rear locker, KDSS, water-resistant seats, some protection all from the factory is tough to beat. However, the engine completely ruined it for me. The 4.0 while I am sure is reliable, sucks! I did everything possible to enjoy the truck. Driving in S mode and choosing my shift points, buying a mod to the accelerator pedal to depress more than I was, and even attempted the "mash the pedal" that everyone suggests on the 4Runner.org forums. I am not a street racer but I don't want to have to keep the pedal at 60% just to maintain highway speeds. Also, the 2WD is a hassle when there is snow patches everywhere. You could just run in 4H but going back and forth is not ideal. Full Time 4WD is better for patchy conditions. Even the new ProComp that is coming will still have the 4.0 and no matter what you do to "improve" this vehicle the power plant will always be the weak link.

LC200 - Flipping awesome in every way. 5.7 plus 6 speed is butter smooth and with KDSS it rides like a dream on pavement. If $ was not a concern I would definitely go LC200. The LX570 rails are molded to the body making it difficult to remove without modding. Just can't get over pin stripping a $50k+ rig. While I wanted to drive everywhere and contemplated sleeping in the vehicle for a couple of nights I found I was hesitant to take it off road much because it felt like an $80k vehicle.

LC100 - Everyone says a 4Runner is not a LC (even on the 4Runner forums) and that is such a true statement. Everything in this old (2004) rig is still tight and when you get underneath each vehicle you begin to understand that statement. I paid $20K less for my current ride than I did for the 4Runner and even if they were the same price I would probably still choose the LC100. It is very satisfying to know that the engine is set, and that everything else can be improved if needed.

If the TE came with a 5.7l/6speed it would make the decision very difficult but since Uncle T (CAFE Standards) now dictate the vehicle we "should" drive vs. the vehicles we "want" to drive I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Now I will get crushed for this one but the TE is more for the show factor while the LC/LX is Clark Kent. No one knows what you are capable of, and you are totally good with that.

BTW, the TE has a sliding rear rack (and party mode) which works as well as the tail gait on the LC/LX.

I spent more time than anyone ever should on this, including test driving the crap out of a million GX460 & 470 along with all the LX/LC, and 4Runner (4th Gen) you could imagine so if you need more let me know.

 

[Junglejack]

All this talk of power is reinforcing to me just how lucky the select few with a TRD S/C truly are. Must be surreal to have some power along with the loveliness that is the 100 Series...

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

For your intended use and price. I'd say 4runner. If you're borrowing, you'll be able to get a lower interest rate on a newer truck. 4runners hold their value even better than Land Cruisers.

The 4runner actually has more horsepower than the Land Cruiser but higher in the rev range. Sure it has about 60ft-lbs less torque but it also weighs 800lbs less. It has more up to date safety features. More advanced traction control system. Better mileage. A rear locker. And growing aftermarket and factory 4x4 support.

You could always add heated leather seats later. You don't care about mileage right now. Having the 4runner might keep it that way. Once you start getting close to 10mpg, you start busting out the calculator.

For your purposes and daily driving, the 4runner makes more sense.

At the LX mileage you're talking, why not save even more money and look for a cheaper 100? You're paying a $10-15k premium for having 30k less miles on a vehicle known to last forever.

Why not look at a GX470 or GX460? They kind of combine the best of both world. V8 power in a lighter platform. More comfortable than the 4runner, etc.