More newb questions

[SC Joe]

I asked the other day about a 99 LC with 94K for $17,400. Looks like that is the lowest the dealer will go. It has had the 90K service. Clean as it can be with leather sunroof 3rd row seats, excellent condition, no rust. How many miles, with regular maintenance, should I expect before I start having issues? I can turn a wrench pretty well--howver, I have become spoiled by not having to.

Also--What can I expect for gas mileage? Am I optiimistic hoping for 18-20 mpg on the highway?

I am trying to decide between this an '05 4runner V-8 2wd ltd. I won't offroad at all, however, the LC would be a paid for vehicle and the 4runner would not. I hate car payments.

I will be trailering my 20' center console boat (about 4000-4500# for boat motor and trailer)often, so this will be a factor. And as you see, both vehicle have plus and minus aspects.

What do you think?

 

[Imola Red]

Gas mileage will be less then that. I got 15mpg with stock type tires.

Seems like a great price! You shouldn't have to do any major wrenching of any kind for another 100k.

If your not going to do any offroad driving then you might be able to do better with gas mileage if you went with something 2wd.

 

[tabraha]

Yup, 17-18mpg is TOPS for a 100 with 15-16 being pretty frequent on this board. That being said I would NEVER pay more for a 4Runner than a 100. Having a vehicle paid for would help ease the cost of gas, actually one months payment would more than offset the increased gas usage.

Does it have rear A/C? In 99 that was optional, not yet standard in the LC. Trust me, as a fellow South Carolinian your passengers will beat you if you don't have this option come July/August.

Also don't forget to look at LX470's. Don't know if you searched this avenue yet or not. I was uneducated when I started looking and was shocked to find the Lexus was the same price and relatively identical with the suspension being the only major mechanical difference.

100's won't really test your wrenching ability. Maybe you have to do the starter contacts soon but other than that that's pretty much all I've run across. Just maintenance pretty much for most of us.

I think you've got a fair price, a vehicle that's up to date and face it; you want it!

 

[cruiser4life]

That being said I would NEVER pay more for a 4Runner than a 100.

Ditto. Have you driven them both?

 

[SC Joe]

I think it does have rear A/C--I saw a control for it anyway. If it's in the middle of the dash under the other HVAC controls, then yep--it's got it.

I'll admit--I've been intrigued with these things for awhile. I've never owned a Toyota, which is interesting considering th number of cars I have had. I just sold my '98 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was doing duty as my tow vehicle (and not very well, at that) and am now down to one car--an '05 Civic EX I drive back and forth to work, that I also hate to admit, will miss.. I gotta tell ya..I LOVE 36-38 mpg. It will have to go however to if I get the LC.

 

[SC Joe]

Ditto. Have you driven them both?

Actually--I haven't driven the LC yet. It's going to get that (obviously) and mechanic's checkout before I do anything. I stopped by Saturday and looked it over good, then again Sunday, and it rained today..maybe tomorrow.

 

[tabraha]

I'd miss that kind of mileage too! Maybe if you buy the 100 you could load the civic into the cargo area when they're not looking? Definitely see if you can drive a 4R off the lot before right before you drive LC. You'll have the checkbook out after that, and I'm not bad mouthing the 4R. It's just that big of a difference.

 

[cruiser4life]

Tad's right. If you drive them back to back (runner 1st), the deal is done. It's an amazing vehicle. You won't be disappointed in fit, finish, build quality, ride, capability and reliability.

 

[e9999]

we've gotten 17+ on the highway several times...


with the 5 speed, though, which adds about 1mpg IIRC...

 

[tabraha]

we've gotten 17+ on the highway several times...


with the 5 speed, though, which adds about 1mpg IIRC...

See, they were memorable.

Ours gets 17 pretty routinely too but I seem to be in the minority on here.

 

[Real]

I'm a newbie, too - first post. I picked up an '01 w/53k for a little shy of $24k about 3 months ago. Also my first Toyota. Absolutely love my LC so far (been off-road a couple of times and it's "like buttah"), but I get max 15mpg - usually 14 and change whether I'm on the highway or around town. Admittedly, my right foot is a little heavy, but even when I'm behaving my mileage doesn't vary.

Tad - How did you fit the 34" Swampers? Stock OME lift or did you do something extra? I see Shotts has 35s with some spring and shock swaps.

 

[tabraha]

First welcome to the board! I've got the Lexus version which has the hydraulic suspension that has adjustable height. The swampers clear when at normal height, which would be similar to the normal LC setup but when offroading I always run it in high mode that gives a little extra clearance to "stuff" the tires.

I'm the only 100 owner running the 34" LTB swampers so it's not impossible that they wouldn't fit on a stock LC with the normal suspension. Just no one's tried; yet.

Hey Andy, if you're reading this we should try this on your 100 some time to see if it would work! (but you gotta gimme my swampers back when we're done.

 

[cruiser4life]

Tad fits the 34's with his pinkpantymobile's AHC.

He has the Lexus, not the Cruiser.

It's a badass setup, I've seen it in person.

 

[cruiser4life]

Hey Andy, if you're reading this we should try this on your 100 some time to see if it would work! (but you gotta gimme my swampers back when we're done.

Sounds like a plan. You taking the 470 to Tellico again? Looks like the 100 will be my transport, either towing or alone.

 

[tabraha]

I'm gonna bust my arse to do Tellico, my birthday's the 26th so it sounds like a match made in heaven. Hope to make Cullowee too. I really enjoyed camping on the upper bald. Probably be a little more temperate this time of year too.

Tellico is always a blast. Wish I could've worked out GSMTR.


edit: I can't keep my wheelin trips straight. Cullowee is the weekend near my b-day.

 

[F0RSAKEN]

Thats a pretty damn good price compared to what Im looking at here in WA. I cant find a decent 100/LX470 for under 20k, regardless of miles. Most 100's list around 22-26k. It would be cheaper for me to buy one from the midwest and have it shipped here

 

[LXPearl]

SC Joe,
It sounds like a very nice price for a vehicle in excellent condition. Those of us who tout the 2000+ for TRAC/VSC will pick it over a pre-99 if there is a choice. Based on your past vehicles, the 99 will be a gem for you.

I would take an older 100 over a new 4Runner (and have). Lots of reasons.

Gas mileage in the 100 will be around 14-15 overall. On the highway it can get upwards of 17, more likely if you stay under 70 mph. The 4Runner gets about 2 mpg better.

If you tow the boat and have passengers - no contest - the 100 by head and shoulders. The Land Cruiser is Toyota's flagship not because of cosmetics, but because it is built and designed as the top of its models.