Portland, OR Test Drive 2003+, non-VVTI and VVTI

[dubyahard]

BLUF: I'm moving from a 80 series to either a 100 or 120.

The 100 series market is pretty tight in the Portland area. I'm likely purchasing from out of state. I can rarely find them at dealers to take on a test drive. I want a 2003 or newer but I'm leaning to VVTI so 2006 or newer. I'd like to test drive both - VVTI and non-VVTI. I've only driven one and it was a while ago and a 2002.
This will help me decide between the two platforms - 100 vs. 120. I've read all the threads on the topic on each forum. 120s are easy to find and test drive. I can get a lower mileage 120 for less money = more money for farkles.

If you don't mind letting me test drive your 2003-2005 and/or 2006+ 100 series (Land Cruiser or LX470), and you are in the Portland area, please PM me. I'm a serious buyer and a qualified driver. Heck, you can drive around in my 80 if you want.

Thanks in advance.

 

[68W65D]

I bought my LX470 at M&M Investment Motors. I know they picked it up at a dealer auction. You should give them a call and see if they can find one for you. I am very happy with the vehicle they sold me.

I just looked and they have a 2003 in stock right now.

2003 Lexus LX 470 AWD / NAV / DVD / 3RD SEAT / NIGHT VISION


Also, Auto Connections in Bellvue, WA always seems to have a handful of 100 series on hand. I don't know where they get them, but they always seem to have them.

 

[Ambledog]

I bought mine from PDX Auto Imports, small dealership and they seem to have a land cruisers or LX470 on hand. They have a 2000 LX470 with 187,000 miles right now older but at least you can try different ones out just to see. They usually have really clean vehicles. Agreed on being tight, there just isn't a lot to choose from, and the prices run high compared to what I see others talk about in other parts of the country.

 

[Fitzo]

We are all in competition with M&M here in Portland in the used LC/LX market. These guys definitely flip Landcruisers and know the market. I'm just lucky I bought mine off of Craigslist within 20 minutes of it hitting the market, before M&M and the rest of the flippers could get their hands on it. I'm driving an old 01' though. Bought right here in NW Portland from the original owner for $6839.00 (odd listing price, he was a Dr.) with 168K. I did have to dump some money into the front end but now I'm all set. If M&M ended up with it, it would probably be listed for 10K+.

 

[PDXLX]

I was totally displeased with M&M. They seem to flip a lot of cruisers but they also seem to put a lot of lip stick on some well worn pigs.

I was really happy with these guys.

westcoastautoenthusiasts.com

The owner is a cruiser purist.

That said, they don’t currently have any 100s...

 

[68W65D]

In defense of M&M, when I was looking at my LX, I gave them a list of issues I had with it. It was a handful of little things like a blown subwoofer, missing DVD panel, etc.
They offered to fix everything on my list at no additional charge.
I thought that was pretty cool.

And the vehicle they sold me was a 1-owner rust-free immaculate vehicle with all service records and maintenance.

 

[M3gilly]

BLUF: I'm moving from a 80 series to either a 100 or 120.

If you don't mind letting me test drive your 2003-2005 and/or 2006+ 100 series (Land Cruiser or LX470), and you are in the Portland area, please PM me. I'm a serious buyer and a qualified driver. Heck, you can drive around in my 80 if you want.

Thanks in advance.

Where about in Portland are you located? I have a 2006 I'd be more than happy to let you test drive.

 

[Fitzo]

Buying a used Landcruiser is tough. I got a good deal, but was so worried about having the vehicle sold out from underneath me (seller would not take a deposit to hold the vehicle), I didn't even ask to have it sent to a mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. Service records were decent, but not perfect. Timing belt was done at 112K. I called him inside of 20 minutes of his listing hitting craigslist and he told me his phone was ringing non-stop. I knew I had to act decisively and fast. I did test drive it and looked it over in the parking lot here at work. Told him I would take it and pay full asking price. Once I purchased the LC, I took it to the Toyota shop and it needed two new wheel bearings, 2 CV axles and a new carrier bearing (expensive). Wasn't happy about dumping the money into it right after purchase, but now all those items are brand new and good to go. I figured if I tried to haggle or dick around with getting it inspected, he would have just sold it to someone else. At the end of the day, no complaints.

 

[sethro]

when you do test drive both-can you post about your experiences? I'm wrestling with the same choice...

thanks and happy hunting!

seth

 

[dubyahard]

Thanks for reaching out!

@68W65D I saw the same LX470 at M&M. I test drove it today.
@Ambledog I've never heard of PDX Auto Imports so thanks for the heads up, I'll keep an eye on their website.
@PDXLX I've been to West Coast Auto Enthusiasts before. That's where I drove the 2002. I think Todd was who I spoke with - he's the cruiserhead but not a purist since I think he had a chevy engine in his 60 series.
@M3gilly I PM'd you back. I'd like to take a look and pick your brain for a few minutes.
@Fitzo You aren't kidding - it is tough. I've already realized that I'll be going out of my local market to source one. There's a couple in Kansas and Texas I've been monitoring. I scan craigslist nationwide every night.

 

[dubyahard]

An update for you, sort of. Whenever I test drive a truck like these, I sit in it, adjust everything, listen to it idle, etc. Then I take it out make some lower speed stop/starts, hit a few bumps, make some left and right turns, then head to the highway. Floor it on the on-ramp, cruise a few miles around 65-70, take exit and rapidly decelerate. Real scientific stuff. All comparing to my 80 series with 34s and 2.5" lift, ARB front, etc. These are subjective thoughts. I've done the research and looked at the numbers - I know the objective differences between the vehicles.

I drove a 2008 GX470 last week. My initial impression was better than good. Limited body roll, felt easy to stop, didn't feel like a struggle to accelerate. Felt tight through the turns. On the on-ramp I scared myself when I looked down and saw 90 mph... I think the fastest I've ever been in my 80 was 76.39 mph. Felt more spacious than the 80. The rear cargo area felt close to the same size as the 80, but easier to access since there isn't a tailgate in the way.

I drove the 2003 LX470 at M&M today. My initial impression was good. Less body roll than the 80, but more than the GX. Felt much wider than my 80 from sitting in the driver's seat. Still stopped better. Faster acceleration than the 80 but not the GX. Like WAY better than the 80. It's hard to believe that that was the leap from 80 to 100. Seems like we missed a few steps somewhere. The rear cargo area felt much larger than the 80. Then after I handed the keys back I got a phone call from Lapin Motor Co. They had a 2007 with 109k on the clock available for a test drive.

I drove the 2007 Land Cruiser at Lapin Motor Co today. My initial impression was damn, this is just like the 2003. Except the AC didn't work and when I got it to 65, the steering wheel just rotated back and forth on it's own. I couldn't tell a difference between the two 100 series trucks during the hard acceleration. I tow a camp trailer sometimes and I *think* that's when the vVTI will make the biggest difference.

My budget largely depends on what I sell the 80 for, but I'd like to stay within the sale price of the 80 plus $2k. I can find sub-150k mile LCs for around $16k in the 2006-07 variety or $14k in the 2004-05 variety. GXs are another story. I can find sub-110k mile GXs for less than $13k.
While writing this all out has been cathartic and useful in organizing my thoughts, I am still no closer to a decision...

 

[FxFormat]

GX looks funny to me, and it won't be an LC, so don't buy that and end up regretting later. If you can't tell the difference between an 03 and an 07, the obviously get the older one to save money. Don't let mileage scare you, just check for rust and leaks, service history and accident history. Good luck.

 

[RND1]

I drove the 2007 Land Cruiser at Lapin Motor Co today. My initial impression was damn, this is just like the 2003.

I discovered the same thing when I was shopping a few years ago. Didn't notice any difference between the non-vvti and vvti.

Looks like Lapin is asking $26.9K for that '07 so if you only want to spend $2K more than your 80, you're prob going to have to stick with an '03 - '05 LC/LX or GX. The GX's are cheaper for a reason. Be patient and get an LC/LX.

You never said why you want to sell the 80 and buy a 100/120? Maybe that info can help us to shed some light on your decision.

 

[dubyahard]

I discovered the same thing when I was shopping a few years ago. Didn't notice any difference between the non-vvti and vvti.

Looks like Lapin is asking $26.9K for that '07 so if you only want to spend $2K more than your 80, you're prob going to have to stick with an '03 - '05 LC/LX or GX. The GX's are cheaper for a reason. Be patient and get an LC/LX.

The GX does look funny but I can get past it. I can’t get past the LX470 front end. Lapin is asking way too much for that truck. It needs help. I was just going there for the test drive. I cannot afford that much and I *highly* doubt my 80 will sel for that much.

 

[rjones]

I can’t get past the LX470 front end.

Amen to that. Something about that shape of the High Beam headlight and all that chrome. It's the only part of my truck I do not drool over. I've got some ideas to try and clean it up but haven't got there yet.

I test drove 6-7 different 100's from 1998 to the 2006 I purchased and I agree that seat of the pants I can't tell a VVTI difference looking back on those drives.

and it won't be an LC, so don't buy that and end up regretting later. If you can't tell the difference between an 03 and an 07, the obviously get the older one to save money. Don't let mileage scare you, just check for rust and leaks, service history and accident history. Good luck.

I know we are all biased here in the 100's section and all but I agree with @FxFormat that the GX is no 100. I'm sure the 120's are good or even great vehicles but that is not apples to apples comparison by any means. I also second Fx in that no rust, good service and no accident history is the most important.

Cheers!
rjones

 

[mmbirtcher]

I just picked up an LX earlier this month. A 2004 after I told myself I would only get a VVTI 2006+. Did an overnight test drive on the spotless 2004 truck. After coming from a 2000 T4R, it felt like a rocket ship. I briefly considered a GX early in the search, but the rear door and general appearance didn’t do it for me.

I asked the sales guy about the overnight test-drive and he said it’s about 85% successful, .. Love the truck, by the way, and don’t think I miss the HP at all.

Edit- goofy headlamps and all...

 

[FxFormat]

The VVTI should help with highway passing, but off the line, both trucks will feel just about the same with the amount of torque. I have driven both and it's slightly quicker on the hwy when you punch it.

The LX is a lot quieter than the LC, i wish they would put the LX interior inside of an LC exterior.

 

[mmbirtcher]

@FxFormat agreed.

 

[mcewan13]

@dubyahard - It sounds like you already had a chance to test drive the rigs you wanted to, but if you have any other reason to see an '03, I currently have two of them. One is a moderately lifted expo rig with 265k on it and the other is an 80k stock rig. You are more than welcome to check out either or both. I'm also available as a second set of eyes and ears when test driving rigs. I've bought multiple vehicles over the internet and the IH8MUD brethren have helped me out with pre-purchase inspections and advice so I'm always down to pay it forward.
Cheers,
Matthew

PS - look me up on the PDX Overlanders group on FB and come on out on an adventure. I love to balance out the overload of tacos, FJCs and Heeps on trail runs.

 

[dace voit]

Once I purchased the LC, I took it to the Toyota shop and it needed two new wheel bearings, 2 CV axles and a new carrier bearing (expensive).

Do you mean one of the output/input bearings on the T-case or diffs? Which one?