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

[Slamd1958]

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.

LOL so your one of the ones I am trying to outcall when something gets listed. I am pretty sure I finally sold my 80 and have been looking every night also. I had convinced myself to look at the 06 & 07's now I am confused again after reading this.. The flippers are killin me.... I will say that this one showed up tonight in Boise and the owner is a Master Toyota Tech at one of the local Toyota dealers. I am gonna go look at it tomorrow, I am pretty sure it is in great shape since he sounds legit and keeps his trucks maintained.. Not really interested in a 98 though... toyota land cruiser uzj100 rare lockers exelent condition If anyone wants me to look at it and take any pics or anything let me know.

 

[dubyahard]

@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.

Thanks for the offer. I may take you up on that. Once I've sold my 80, I'll begin posting about trucks I'm interested in. Likely just using this thread, unless I create too much competition. But I'll need help inspecting vehicles depending on where they are.

 

[Fitzo]

I wonder whats wrong with this one?

2002 Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD 4.7L V8. Navigation. Third Row Seating

Been on Craigslist for 10+ days it looks like. I know its older than you are looking for but looks to be in decent condition and priced fairly without a zillion miles on it.

 

[Fitzo]

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

The Toyota Tech called it a carrier bearing. Its pressed into some sub-assembly and the whole thing has to be replaced. It was contributing to the clunk when shifting from reverse to drive and from part to reverse so I assume its a transfer case bearing. I checked the Toyota Owners website but they did a terrible job updating the work that was done. I can get you more specifics once I get home and can see my receipts. I think it was $700-$800 or so.

 

[M3gilly]

Thanks for reaching out!

@M3gilly I PM'd you back. I'd like to take a look and pick your brain for a few minutes.

Nice meeting with you today, dubyahard! Let me know if you have any more questions for me.

 

[dace voit]

The Toyota Tech called it a carrier bearing. Its pressed into some sub-assembly and the whole thing has to be replaced. It was contributing to the clunk when shifting from reverse to drive and from part to reverse so I assume its a transfer case bearing. I checked the Toyota Owners website but they did a terrible job updating the work that was done. I can get you more specifics once I get home and can see my receipts. I think it was $700-$800 or so.

Thanks for the info Fitzo! I know a carrier bearing is typically in the center of a driveshaft and mounted to some point in a frame or the body. LC's don't use those. The T-case bearing makes sense. I'd guess it would be one of the output bearings. When you get a chance it would be nice to know, but no rush.

 

[C6H12O6]

The GX is a great rig, but the rear gate is a deal breaker for me. I use the tailgate way too often to ever be without.

The LC market in the PNW is crazy. I needed to finance my truck, so was limited to the later years to get a decent interest rate. I found one in Bend and had to drive out to beat people who were supposed to be flying in from MT. Not sure if it was BS, but decent ones last hours, not days. I got lucky and got a great truck for just below KBB. I haven't driven a non-VVTI model, but my '07 compared to my worn-out '95 is night and day.

I'm working on the 40 this weekend and out of town the next, but if you still want to take a look at mine, let me know. I'm in Beaverton.

 

[joseywales]

I know of a good local-ish LX:

One of my clients has a spotless LX (05 or 06 I’ll have to check) that he is going to sell. It isn’t listed yet, but it is the dark gray color, and spotlessly clean. I drove it about 3 months ago and everything works as it should. I believe he just put new tires and a few other things on it. He just bought it in November but it hurts him to drive it since he is super tall (6’7” or so) and has a bad back and hips. He also tried a 4th Gen 4Runner and that didn’t fit either. He had it inspected at the local Lexus dealer, and it came up clean, other than a couple of minor things like an O2 sensor or similar.

The only issue, and it’s a minor one, is that it is in Vancouver BC, so you would have to import it. I have done the process about a dozen times and it’s quite simple. Just some forms to fill out etc.

I believe it has somewhere around 200k on it, and he’d probably want around $13,000 for it since that is what he paid, and has put money in to it. I’ll grab some pics for any interested parties as I will be at his house today. If someone is serious about it, I could possibly even bring it down to PDX for a viewing as my wife always wants a trip to Oregon.

 

[gungriffin]

I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news, but I didn't find ANY decent 06-07 100s for less than $20k. Sure there were some dogs for high teens, but the cat is out of the bag. These cars are slowly appreciating. I think that the 03-05 will be within your budget though. Lower mile vehicles are coveted. That having been said, sometimes the well maintained higher mile car is the better buy though.

 

[dubyahard]

Nice meeting with you today, dubyahard! Let me know if you have any more questions for me.

Likewise! Thanks for the test drive.

The GX is a great rig, but the rear gate is a deal breaker for me. I use the tailgate way too often to ever be without.

The LC market in the PNW is crazy. I needed to finance my truck, so was limited to the later years to get a decent interest rate. I found one in Bend and had to drive out to beat people who were supposed to be flying in from MT. Not sure if it was BS, but decent ones last hours, not days. I got lucky and got a great truck for just below KBB. I haven't driven a non-VVTI model, but my '07 compared to my worn-out '95 is night and day.

I'm working on the 40 this weekend and out of town the next, but if you still want to take a look at mine, let me know. I'm in Beaverton.

I agree, PNW market for these rigs is a little wild. I think I'm set on test driving a VVTI 100 series. I appreciate the offer. I live near Beaverton and work in Beaverton. What color is your rig?

I know of a good local-ish LX:

One of my clients has a spotless LX (05 or 06 I’ll have to check) that he is going to sell. It isn’t listed yet, but it is the dark gray color, and spotlessly clean. I drove it about 3 months ago and everything works as it should. I believe he just put new tires and a few other things on it. He just bought it in November but it hurts him to drive it since he is super tall (6’7” or so) and has a bad back and hips. He also tried a 4th Gen 4Runner and that didn’t fit either. He had it inspected at the local Lexus dealer, and it came up clean, other than a couple of minor things like an O2 sensor or similar.

The only issue, and it’s a minor one, is that it is in Vancouver BC, so you would have to import it. I have done the process about a dozen times and it’s quite simple. Just some forms to fill out etc.

I believe it has somewhere around 200k on it, and he’d probably want around $13,000 for it since that is what he paid, and has put money in to it. I’ll grab some pics for any interested parties as I will be at his house today. If someone is serious about it, I could possibly even bring it down to PDX for a viewing as my wife always wants a trip to Oregon.

Thanks @joseywales . I'd prefer not to have to go through the trouble of importing, a Land Cruiser over an LX, and a lower mileage rig to start with. Although after driving @M3gilly 's rig, I am reconsidering the mileage part.

I don't mean to be the bearer of bad news, but I didn't find ANY decent 06-07 100s for less than $20k. Sure there were some dogs for high teens, but the cat is out of the bag. These cars are slowly appreciating. I think that the 03-05 will be within your budget though. Lower mile vehicles are coveted. That having been said, sometimes the well maintained higher mile car is the better buy though.

@gungriffin It's not bad news, it's just facts. I have found some that are decent priced and mileage but I'm waiting on responses to requests for more pics, including the undercarriage.
In fact, I need to get a few VINs through carfax. Any suggestions on going about that? These are VINs that the free carfax reports (like on cars.com) are not available. I'll pay if I have to, just throwing it out there.

 

[C6H12O6]

What color is your rig?

<-- Pacific Blue. It's the one in the foreground of my avatar pic. I have a funky fly rod holder mounted to the top. I'll PM you my number. Give me a call if you want to take a look some evening.

 

[gungriffin]

You used to be able to buy an unlimited number of Carfax for 30 days, but I don't believe that they offer that any longer. Now the cheapest way is usually to ask someone on a forum who has an account to look it up. I don't have any leads on that.

I live in Denver, the capital of high priced 100s. It sometimes borders on crazy. Also, I should add that I was looking at buying a lower mileage near stock 06-07 when I was looking to buy. So what did I buy? Ha ha one of the most modded 1999 LCs in the country with 275k miles. I am very happy that I did.

 

[joseywales]

I agree, PNW market for these rigs is a little wild. I think I'm set on test driving a VVTI 100 series. I appreciate the offer. I live near Beaverton and work in Beaverton. What color is your rig?

Thanks @joseywales . I'd prefer not to have to go through the trouble of importing, a Land Cruiser over an LX, and a lower mileage rig to start with. Although after driving @M3gilly 's rig, I am reconsidering the mileage part.

Well, I took a bunch of pics. It’s an 02/06 build so VVTI with 201k on it. It’s an Arizona rig originally. Let me know if you want to see more pics. And as a bonus bit of info, you won’t find any Canadian Land Cruisers after the 62 series. All the 80s, 100s and 200s come in to Canada as LXs.

 

[dace voit]

That's a great looking truck. I really like the Galactic Grey. Since it was previously from the states, it should be pretty easy to bring back over?

 

[gungriffin]

Worst case is a 2.5% tax if it isn't originally from the US. I repatriated a US vehicle from Canada. So long as you are with the vehicle at the crossing it is very simple.

 

[dubyahard]

Well, I took a bunch of pics. It’s an 02/06 build so VVTI with 201k on it. It’s an Arizona rig originally. Let me know if you want to see more pics. And as a bonus bit of info, you won’t find any Canadian Land Cruisers after the 62 series. All the 80s, 100s and 200s come in to Canada as LXs.

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Damn. That is clean. It's amazing what 200k mile rigs can look like. I'm a fan of the galactic gray as well, but like I said in my OP, I really prefer the LC looks over the LX.

 

[joseywales]

I just thought I’d tempt you guys. It is as clean as it looks. My friend would love to keep it. He’s driving a rusty mid 90s Tahoe right now as it’s the only thing he’s got that doesn’t hurt him to drive. It’s burgundy too. Gack!

 

[mcewan13]

I could be convinced to sell our gray '03 LC as I'd really like to pick up a GX 470.
Scroll down to the bottom of this album for the good and the bad.

 

[dubyahard]

Thanks @mcewan13 it's a good looking rig. I'm still trying to find a vvti in decent shape first. If the search proves unfruitful, I'll expand to the 2003-05. How many miles are on it? Why are you going to the GX470?

 

[dubyahard]

Well, the 80-series didn't last long on local craigslist. Now the hunt for a 100 begins in earnest.
What do y'all think of this one?
Used Cars for Sale: Search 3 Million Listings & 672,389 Deals - iSeeCars.com
I asked for pics of the undercarriage and this is what they sent.