Non VVti LC vs. VVTi LC?

[CruisnPremo]

Greetings 100 Series LC Community,

I am a long time Landcruiser admirer and use to own a FJ40 and a FJ60. Regretfully, I sold them 10 years ago when I moved over seas for work projects.

I just returned and looking to start my love affair with the LC again. This time I'm heart set on a 100 Series LC and debating whether to go with a 2004/2005 or a 2006/2007.

I test drove a 2004 with 225K miles and 2006 with 160K miles and I honestly could not tell the difference in power delivery during acceleration. In fact, I felt that the 2006 was more sluggish than the 2004 during acceleration from zero! This is making me reconsidering a 2004/2005 instead of 2006/2007 as the later is more pricey.

Could I have just test drove a poor conditioned 2006? I'm also not a big fan of the AHC feature on the 2006/2007 as I don't see the use for it on the road or trails. Would like to hear from the community on their experience, thanks!

 

[White Stripe]

The vvt is definitely much faster. Although neither are near as fast as my 80. The non vvt engineis easier to work on by a bit. I suggest getting a 200 series instead.

 

[CruisnPremo]

The vvt is definitely much faster. Although neither are near as fast as my 80. The non vvt engineis easier to work on by a bit. I suggest getting a 200 series instead.

Thanks White Stripe for your insight. I am leaning towards the Non VVTi as the intent of this LC is to leisurely cruise the roads and trails and not race to a finish line. I want reliability and not so much speed.

I did consider the FJ80s, but I wanted a V8 in my next LC and I wanted to see if I could push the LC's 4.7L V8 to 1 Million Miles like their Tundra Cousins! In the near future I am planning to get a 2019-2021 Tundra so I'll save the 5.7L V8 for the Tundra. Cheers!

 

[Coin]

'03 LX 470

5-speed tranny w/ dip stick
Upgraded front diff
Nicer interior and sound deadening
No air injection system to worry about
AHC is bad ass. Don't knock it until you've driven one that is tuned right.

IMHO

 

[Rhetoric]

AHC on the road is far superior to any static suspension out there. I can adjust the ride dampening on the fly to go from Caddy cushion to coilover stiff.

Love my VVTi 07. I have read that most of the gained power is in the upper RPMs. Im not doing much road racing with this machine but it is nice to have the most powerful incarnation.

 

[DuckLN]

I have both and prefer the 2000 model for what its worth

 

[RAMf1]

My 2006 definitely has more get up and go than a 2002 when I drove them back to back. The AHC is amazing both on-road and off-road. The ride over washboard (corrugated) roads is the best, it really absorbs the bumps well...

 

[newbielx470]

The VVTI for 06-07 is pretty reliable. Many of Toyota/Lexus engines have VVTI since the early 2000's. From what I read, the original million-mile 2007 Tundra actually has the similar 4.7 VVTI (not a 5.7) as the Hundys, except being US-made.

 

[Coin]

The VVTI for 06-07 is pretty reliable. Many of Toyota/Lexus engines have VVTI since the early 2000's. From what I read, the original million-mile 2007 Tundra actually has the similar 4.7 VVTI (not a 5.7) as the Hundys, except being US-made.

I had a 2005 tundra with VVti. Engine was fantastic, but the air-injection injection system had issues. I finally installed a bypass.
To me VVti is fine, but not worth the extra cost in the 100's, being the '06-'07's sell for a premium.

 

[J1000]

The 5-speed makes a bigger difference than VVTI, but the VVTI should be noticeably faster. Probably was just in need of a tune up (coils/plugs/clean MAF) and some good fuel. 160k miles is really low for a 100, I'd jump on that.

 

[RobbyBoy32]

We had a 06 LX 470 that drove like a dream, my wife absolutely loved that car, BUT the secondary air injection system went. We did the bypass and below 30 degrees you had to start the car twice to keep it from going into limp mode. (This is a VVTi only problem) Weird. I guess fix the system for what, $1500-2000? We sold it and got a 200 series. I still have a 100 series LX with AHC delete (globes needed replacing, and lines rusted). Other than that I'd say they're amazing with non vvti.

 

[Kabanstva]

'03 LX 470

5-speed tranny w/ dip stick
Upgraded front diff
Nicer interior and sound deadening
No air injection system to worry about
AHC is bad ass. Don't knock it until you've driven one that is tuned right.

IMHO

How long have you had your car and how hard do you use it?

 

[Kabanstva]

AHC on the road is far superior to any static suspension out there. I can adjust the ride dampening on the fly to go from Caddy cushion to coilover stiff.

Love my VVTi 07. I have read that most of the gained power is in the upper RPMs. Im not doing much road racing with this machine but it is nice to have the most powerful incarnation.

Silly comparing vvti and non vvti talking about power and racing lol. These cars barely keep up with kias on the road these days. Just buy the cleanest land cruiser you can find and afford and call it a day. They’re all slow dinosaurs at this point.

 

[rexington14]

We had a 06 LX 470 that drove like a dream, my wife absolutely loved that car, BUT the secondary air injection system went. We did the bypass and below 30 degrees you had to start the car twice to keep it from going into limp mode. (This is a VVTi only problem) Weird. I guess fix the system for what, $1500-2000? We sold it and got a 200 series. I still have a 100 series LX with AHC delete (globes needed replacing, and lines rusted). Other than that I'd say they're amazing with non vvti.

Sell a 100 series because of a $2000 repair? It might not have been the right vehicle for you in the first place. I can think of quite a few other things that would also result in a bill similar to that amount.

 

[Kabanstva]

Sell a 100 series because of a $2000 repair? It might not have been the right vehicle for you in the first place. I can think of quite a few other things that would also result in a bill similar to that amount.

As if 200s dont have a ton of repairs that would be well north of $2k lol. Sounds like he just wanted to get rid of it.

 

[hoser]

Sell a 100 series because of a $2000 repair? It might not have been the right vehicle for you in the first place. I can think of quite a few other things that would also result in a bill similar to that amount.

He had (2) 100's. Putting the $2k towards a newer vehicle vs repairing the old vehicle is sound logic. Personally, I'd rather have one of each (100/200) than two of the same.

But I'm also the guy that just put in $5k repairing a $5k vehicle. Friends thought I was crazy.

 

[rexington14]

He had (2) 100's. Putting the $2k towards a newer vehicle vs repairing the old vehicle is sound logic. Personally, I'd rather have one of each (100/200) than two of the same.

But I'm also the guy that just put in $5k repairing a $5k vehicle. Friends thought I was crazy.

Even if that was the reason, wouldn't fixing & keeping an 06 make more sense than keeping a 00?

Regardless, a $2k repair is nothing for a 100 series, or any LC for that matter. What is he going to do if (when) his 200 radiator cracks, or the valley plate starts leaking, alternator fails, or whatever else can go wrong over there goes wrong? Trade for 250?

 

[Kabanstva]

Even if that was the reason, wouldn't fixing & keeping an 06 make more sense than keeping a 00?

Regardless, a $2k repair is nothing for a 100 series, or any LC for that matter. What is he going to do if (when) his 200 radiator cracks, or the valley plate starts leaking, alternator fails, or whatever else can go wrong over there goes wrong? Trade for 250?

Yes. It makes more sense to invest into a newer model like Hoser said haha. Nonsense. It's newer after all right? Regardless if the engines blow up randomly, some before seeing their first oil change. BUT because its a newer vehicle, that's the one you should spend your money on.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Silly comparing vvti and non vvti talking about power and racing lol. These cars barely keep up with kias on the road these days. Just buy the cleanest land cruiser you can find and afford and call it a day. They’re all slow dinosaurs at this point.

So true. Modern gas cars are quick. Modern EVs are insane. These 100's are all slow. Reaaaaaal slow, lol. Enjoy the ride, drive like a grandma. Save the abuse for trails.

 

[Kabanstva]

So true. Modern gas cars are quick. Modern EVs are insane. These 100's are all slow. Reaaaaaal slow, lol. Enjoy the ride, drive like a grandma. Save the abuse for trails.

Exactly. I treat this thing and the 80 like classic cars. Not trying to impress anyone and keep up in stop-and-go traffic. They can all fk off and go around if theyre in a rush.