Newest 100 I can afford or does it really matter?

[taco47001]

Hello all. I've been a lurker, in the shadows, here for a while. I'm making the jump over here from TacomaWorld. I've just sold my 01 Double Cab that had 212k on the ticker. It wasn't the mileage I was scared of, it was the lack of space for the family. With that said, I've been looking at 100 series cruisers/ LX's exclusively. It's what I want....period. My question is this.....there are many 100's out there, most are junk in my area (salt belt Midwest) but some are gems. I've found an 04' with 177k on the ticker with an asking of $16k! I've also found many older 100's in the 98-01 range for considerably less $, but similar mileage. Should I be buying the newest one I can find.....and spend the $ on the 04', or save the cash and buy an older version.... I should mention that the 04 is clean.... Looks like it came off the show room floor last week clean. The bad though is, there is hardly any maintenance records available. The ones available through carfax are not specific records, only that "maintenance performed". Checking the VIN through Toyota owners website turns up even less info....... Thoughts? Thanks a ton in advance.

 

[yeti in ga]

Depends on what you want to do with it. Keep it stock or build it up.. Most would say keep looking for one with records and timing belt and water pump replacement. Which is $$$ unless you do it yourself. I would look for the best one with maintenance records any year. The word is out and the 100s are going fast on the used market....
Happy hunting and welcome !

 

[fnpierce]

Get the 04

 

[jLB]

what is the best year of lc100 or lx470 to get?

Which 100 Series or Lexus to buy? (FJ40 owner:)

 

[Jay470]

I looked at 9 different LC / LX's from 98' up in the end I picked the cleanest, most mechanically sound, and lowest mileage version I could find in my budget which happened to be a 98' LX with 130k miles. Yes, each generation has pros and cons but in the end what do you want to do with it and how much do you care about all the electronic / proprietary wizardry e.g. Integrated entertainment and HVAC controls, ATRAC, VVTI, etc.

 

[thegreatgazoo]

There are some easily-neglected small features that might mean a lot to some: e.g. child seat anchors, bluetooth. See also Slee Off-Road 100 Series Newbie Guide

 

[venture230]

I'm asking the same questions. I have an 80 and stuff is 20 years old and starting to ask for replacement.
We tow a camper (3k lbs) and need the 100's V8. Do I get the newest, lowest mileage? Below $20k sounds within budget. That puts me around 100k miles... Various years. We may put 10k highway miles on it a year.
There is a SoCal '99, 177k mi for $16.5, and a recent '01, 152k mi in MT for $12.5k. The SoCal one has some mods while the MT one was stock. I'm drawn to the '99 but fear more of ageing parts as well as paying 3-4K more.... We want to keep this thing a long time, so closer to 100k miles as I can get sounds like the plan. Thoughts?

 

[re_guderian]

I still don't understand the fascination with low mileage cruisers. Buy it cheap and drive the s#!t out of it. It's a LAND CRUISER, they go forever (ish). You guys act like they're gonna fall apart three years after you buy it... a clean, rusty free '04? Freaking do it! The '04 has significant upgrades, especially if you're towing? Can't find maintenance records? Who cares? You're gonna baseline it anyway. Talk 'em down in price for no history, and go. We tow horses, and the '04 >>>> '00. Both mine are over 200K, well 199+ and 236k, and the '04 went cross country last summer with the wife and kids solo.

 

[taco47001]

Depends on what you want to do with it. Keep it stock or build it up.. Most would say keep looking for one with records and timing belt and water pump replacement. Which is $$$ unless you do it yourself. I would look for the best one with maintenance records any year. The word is out and the 100s are going fast on the used market....
Happy hunting and welcome !

Short term it'll stay stock...ish. It'll hopefully act as my DD until I can find a suitable replacement for my current beater (04 cavalier....sport model haha). After that it'll be mixed use weekend driver/ family transporter for a few. I would love to build it to be mild trail capable (lift, tires, armor,). I'm not looking to go full expo really.

Get the 04

what is the best year of lc100 or lx470 to get?

Which 100 Series or Lexus to buy? (FJ40 owner:)

Thanks for these. I know the search function is very handy. I guess my situation/ dilemma isn't so unique haha

I still don't understand the fascination with low mileage cruisers. Buy it cheap and drive the s#!t out of it. It's a LAND CRUISER, they go forever (ish). You guys act like they're gonna fall apart three years after you buy it... a clean, rusty free '04? Freaking do it! The '04 has significant upgrades, especially if you're towing? Can't find maintenance records? Who cares? You're gonna baseline it anyway. Talk 'em down in price for no history, and go. We tow horses, and the '04 >>>> '00. Both mine are over 200K, well 199+ and 236k, and the '04 went cross country last summer with the wife and kids solo.

Thank you! This one quote really eased my mind. It goes against all common sense to spend so much cash on something with so many miles and it helps to be reminded there isn't really an end of use life expectancy for these.

My father in law no too long ago sold his 2000 Tahoe. He couldn't get $3k for it. It had 202k on it. He almost s*** a brick when I told what I got for my Tacoma last Saturday with 212k on it.

 

[CharlieS]

You just need to find someone looking to move up to a 200 series. I've got an '01 cruiser with 126k I'm thinking about selling to move "up", and I'm not going to sell for an arm and a leg. It's all about timing.

 

[RND1]

I would recommend buying the most well loved '03 - '05 LC you can find from a private owner.

 

[m3fan]

You just need to find someone looking to move up to a 200 series. I've got an '01 cruiser with 126k I'm thinking about selling to move "up", and I'm not going to sell for an arm and a leg. It's all about timing.

Same here. I've only had my 05 for a couple months and I love the LC life so much that I already want to move up! I check the listings daily and have yet to see one as clean and low mileage (<120K) as mine pop up in the midwest, though, so when I do sell I will probably go the arm + leg route.

 

[Doubleroses]

I have a 1994 with 216k on it, it runs like a top, a 2000 with over 260k on it and traded in my 4Runner in for a 2006 LX470 with 136k on it yesterday. I was sold on the Lexus when they had over 40 service records reported to carfax and zero rust on it. You really can't go wrong with the 100 series. I just took my 2000 LC to Moab, did the White Rim Trail, and drove back to Colorado in 1 day. That one day consisted of nearly 20 hours of solid driving and it ran great. So great that my wife just took it to Cali. That's a vehicle with 260k on it. Rust free and maintenance records are the way to go. Good luck!

Sent from my SM-G900V

 

[jhanley]

I always buy the cleanest, rust free-ist, best priced 100 series that becomes available. Regardless of year.

One caveat: the 5-speed trans is much better than the 4-speed (but doesn't include better fuel economy, so who cares?) Also, 5-speed trans comes with built-in wonky NAV. I guess, the dream 100 is a vvt with no factory NAV. Does that even exist?

 

[LCHardriver_02]

I have an '02 100 series LC and now I have a 2010 200 series LX. I did NOT get rid of the 100 even though it is fast approaching the 200K mark. My mods are simple and I am planning on keeping the 100 for a very long time, if not forever (even if my daughter THINKS she is getting it...) I use the 200 as my DD and for towing my trailer camping. My 16 yo daughter drives my 100 as a DD with her younger sister. (Still NOT getting it...) Although I do enjoy my 200, I LOVE my 100. Maybe because it was my dream vehicle when we purchased it used in '03.

My recommendation is to find something that makes you smile every time you plant your butt into the driver's seat, is OK with the wallet for the duration of financing, and then drive, drive, drive and NEVER look back and NEVER question your "deal"!

It makes you smile. That is WAY more important and will make the overall price worth it, regardless of what you pay.

 

[96crooser]

Depends on what you want to do with it. Keep it stock or build it up.. Most would say keep looking for one with records and timing belt and water pump replacement. Which is $$$ unless you do it yourself. I would look for the best one with maintenance records any year. The word is out and the 100s are going fast on the used market....
Happy hunting and welcome !

I keep an eye on the market here in the pacific North West, and have noticed a recent shortage of 100's available, compared to about a year ago.

 

[PabloCruise]

It goes against all common sense to spend so much cash on something with so many miles and it helps to be reminded there isn't really an end of use life expectancy for these.

That is how I felt when looking at these! We just started thinking about a 100/470 in Nov and we bought our '99 LX at the end of November. BTW, we love it!

You just need to find someone looking to move up to a 200 series. I've got an '01 cruiser with 126k I'm thinking about selling to move "up", and I'm not going to sell for an arm and a leg. It's all about timing.

If I were you, @taco47001 I would buy @CharlieS a beer every week until he sells to you!

 

[bctlex]

Thank you! This one quote really eased my mind. It goes against all common sense to spend so much cash on something with so many miles and it helps to be reminded there isn't really an end of use life expectancy for these.

While it is true these 100 will last a long time, remember that these vehicle are now several years old. Parts do wear out, and will need to be replaced, even on a well maintained vehicle. Just make sure you budget for replacing parts after you buy the vehicle.

 

[taco47001]

If I were you, @taco47001 I would buy @CharlieS a beer every week until he sells to you!

Solid advice.

While it is true these 100 will last a long time, remember that these vehicle are now several years old. Parts do wear out, and will need to be replaced, even on a well maintained vehicle. Just make sure you budget for replacing parts after you buy the vehicle.

Ya I'm not blowing my load on the vehicle with nothing left to establish a routine maintenance schedule. I'm no certified mechanic but I'm no dummy either. I'm decent with a manual and a wrench.

 

[Doubleroses]

Solid advice.


Ya I'm not blowing my load on the vehicle with nothing left to establish a routine maintenance schedule. I'm no certified mechanic but I'm no dummy either. I'm decent with a manual and a wrench.

I don't advise blowing a load on any vehicle....

Sent from my SM-G900V