More options more problems? Choosing between two 100s to buy (2 Viewers)

[Snowrydr01]

I have my search narrowed down to two vehicles, both have 160k between $10.5K to $11k good inside and out (havent seen underneath yet) but they are on two ends of the spectrum and looking for advice beyond the obvious inspection and history variables.

One is a pretty straight foreword 02 LC with nav and a gigantic dealer installed dvd (maybe even vhs) player with a tiny 2002 era screen.

The other is an 03 LX470 with nav, VGRS, and nightview.

The history of the lx show the vgrs and ecu for it being replaced at 30k miles which doesnt give me the warm and fuzzies about its long term reliability.

Thoughts?

 

[chrisbruck]

Well the '03 looks a whole lot nicer to me, especially on the inside. You also get the 5sp tranny too. I'd lean towards it for sure but a physical inspection / test drive should tell you lots about each.

 

[planomateo]

The 5 speed transmission would be a plus in my book with the LX. The A750F is standard on the LC/LX starting in 2003.

Which ECU that was replaced, the VGRS ECU?

 

[Snowrydr01]

the service says vgrs actuator and ecu at 31k miles

 

[vman07]

You're also deciding between the LC with no AHC and the LX with AHC , if it were me I'd take the LX for the 5 speed auto alone ...

 

[Snowrydr01]

yup, thats part of the more options more problems question. LC is a very basic suspension vs the LX with more potential failure points. Although if AHC does fail its a pretty good catalyst to drop a lift under it.

 

[Mark WV]

I have an 03 LX that has been problem free and the 5 sp transmission does help - 17 MPG on last interstate trip. I would have liked to have the night vision option but they are difficult to find.

If the LX service history does not show the Globes (accumulators) being replaced then plan on them within the next year or two ($1,000 - $1,200) DIY. or as others suggest drop in a non-hydraulic suspension (although I personally love the AHC for the smooth ride)

As far as the Nav on the LX goes, the 03 LX system is the older Generation 2/3 - be aware that the last available update for that Gen is 2014 (or 15?) and that no future map updates will be released or so I have been told. Even with Nav, I normally use WAZE on my phone as it is much more user friendly for address searches etc. although I do display the map on the nav system as a backup.

Assuming they are both clean underneath and comparable in service history I would go with the LX...

 

[Visceral]

I have the night vision option and not only can I not get it to actually work, but I have the option on a couple other German cars and aside from a few fun times when the cars were new, the feature seems totally worthless to me.

All that said, the 03 LX is the right one, condition being equal. Dealers would replace ECUs adn a VGRS unit if something was acting up and they couldn't either reproduce it or troubleshoot it. I wouldnt worry myself about the long term viability. These are Toyotas, not BMWs. The reliability of electronics in these cars is vastly (vastly) superior to Bosch and Siemens.

 

[Snowrydr01]

the documented history on the LC is MUCH better then the LX. At the same time i am not super hung up on that. My bigger concearn was that it doesnt have a documented Tbelt change just "that the PO did it at 150" which wouldve been late anyway. Im not getting hung up on it though becuas the LC had it done exactly at 90k miles but since it was 9 years ago its due again according to PM schedule. So either one id have the same cost so not no differentiation there. unless you read into the fact that the PO defered that major maintenence, what else would they have.

I am looking at the lx tonight and will be checking the AHC via basic tick marks and what ive read referent to as the "curb test" letting the tire drop off quickly.

 

[tacoduck]

Is it located in the door?

If the LX service history does not show the Globes (accumulators) being replaced then plan on them within the next year or two ($1,000 - $1,200) DIY. or as others suggest drop in a non-hydraulic suspension (although I personally love the AHC for the smooth ride)

My 07 lx470 has 270k miles on original globes. I own both AHC and non AHC trucks, and really like my AHC truck. The AHC system is surprisingly robust. undercarriage rust will hurt AHC longevity.

 

[Placemotorsports]

I like the LX for more sound proofing and the 5-speed, but the LC is nice as well.....hmmm, Id get the LX I think though

 

[Snowrydr01]

looked at the lx last night. AHC was VERY stiff and the nightview specific windshield was cracked. It was enough to get me to primarily look for LCs unless i find and LX for $1k cheaper in the next two days to budget for an AHC overhaul.

I think i am resigning myself to the fact that any that are in my price range are probably either gone or on their way out and thats why they were traded in in the first place.

Thinking long term ownership, the LC should be easier and if i did ever sell it 10 years from now would most likely have a higher value then the LX due to aging components.

 

[tabraha]

Thinking long term ownership, the LC should be easier and if i did ever sell it 10 years from now would most likely have a higher value then the LX due to aging components.

Honestly, 10 years from now they will both have bottomed out at about the same price. The 200 is pushing stock 100 prices down rapidly. Built 100's will move faster due to them being relative bargains compared to building a 100 yourself or building a 200. Now when built early year 200's start showing up more readily on the market those will take a small hit too but not short term and there will always be a better value on buying a turnkey built truck that hasn't been trashed rather than building a truck that hasn't been trashed at 2x the cost out of pocket.

There are alot of really nice 100's on this board that are well built and well cared for IMO. When some of those pop up it would be wise to be sitting on the cash to snatch one up as they will be the real deals to have in the used 100 market and they move fast from what I've seen on the 'mud classifieds.

 

[tacoduck]

IMO, in your location your primary concern should be rust. Find a rust free example and move on down the road. I have 2 UJZ 100's, and they are the finest, best designed vehicles I've ever owned. dead reliable. My wife DD's one with 270k miles on it. leaving for a 350 mile trip next week.

 

[norville]

I fell into a one owner well documented 2000 LC with 130k miles. It was owned by a family friend, he was buying a new one and gave me the trade in price.. It was maintained by the dealer he had the underside scraped and undercoated. That's not saying it didn't need a few things. I was not prepared for this offer , luckily had some cash on the side. I had looked at for one a few years ago and couldn't find what I wanted so I bought a JK unlimited.. The wife is enjoying the LC as our date car and trip car so no pressure yet to sell the jeep...yet

keep looking.. don't be afraid to look in the southern states and ask a member to look at it. Jersey and NY seem to have good deals on high end cars..

 

[Snowrydr01]

Well aint that a b. The clean rust free LC fell through too. the member on here is also a dealer and decided he could try to make more profit if he threw an ome kit on it and relisting it. All together not cool since i had a stack of cash in an envelope and bags packed, child care arranged and dog walker scheduledto make the trip to get it.