Rebuild my '01 LX 470 or buy an '08 200 series?

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B

bonze

10 Year
Joined
Mar 10, 2013
Threads
6
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182
Location
Atlanta GA, Big Island HI
Hey fellas, I need some advice.
I have an '01 LX 470 that needs many repairs... AHC system bad(needs a second repair), needs TB/H20 Pump and associated maintenance at 180K, new leather for the seats, new tires, stereo, etc etc. The cost for these repairs could easily top 10k. Has anybody pulled their AHC system out and replaced with standard LC suspension?
I've also been eyeballing the new 200 series. I do not know anything about the 200 other than it's the latest of the greatest, and I've been fighting off the impulse buy.
As I am not handy with a wrench, should I repair the hundy or purchase an '08 200 series?
 
are u going to do all the repairs yourself?
how much would cost labor+parts+headache ?
i wanna c if it's worth it , money wise to just buy a 200 series !!!
i love the look of 100, 470 , IMO it looks better than 200
:beer::cheers:
 
I see you are in Atlanta. I would give it to ACC Toyota and let them pull the AHC and replace with OEM LC suspension. It can be found for free, or cheap on MUD (the parts). Have them do the TB/Water Pump and your set for another 10 years.
 
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I'm not handy with a wrench, so probably not going to try myself unless I got some help.

I did call ACC Toyota about the AHC, parts alone were 1,400. I'm going to get their estimate for the rest of the work when I can bring the rig by their shop.
 
bonze said:
I'm not handy with a wrench, so probably not going to try myself unless I got some help.

I did call ACC Toyota about the AHC, parts alone were 1,400. I'm going to get their estimate for the rest of the work when I can bring the rig by their shop.
Click to expand...

Swapping the mechanical parts is easy (torsion bars, shocks, springs)...all relative. However the AHC plumbing and pumps is another thing. You could always swap the suspension over, given a few ATL guys want to have a wrench day, and have a shop pull the electrical and AHC lines. I have to do front shocks very soon anyway, so I'll be having a wrenching weekend. If you have a time line on when you want to swap it out feel free to PM me.
 
bonze said:
I'm not handy with a wrench, so probably not going to try myself unless I got some help.

I did call ACC Toyota about the AHC, parts alone were 1,400. I'm going to get their estimate for the rest of the work when I can bring the rig by their shop.
Click to expand...

factory LC shocks are about $120 and I'm sure you can get a set of front factory torsion bars and rear coil springs from someone who has installed an aftermarket suspension for dirt cheap if not free.
 
Thanks 2000UZJ, I wouldn't mind trying to learn how to do some of these repairs myself. I will PM you.
 
bamabrock, you bring up a good point...aftermarket suspension. Might as well add a little mod. When speaking with ACC, parts discussed were for 2" lift w ironman parts and diff drop.
 
IMO, the 200 series is a truly great car but the depreciation alone in the first few years is fairly extensive you would lose nearly 10 grand in the first few years of ownership. If you are happy with the LX which is still an amazing vehicle (even better imo) then giving it some tlc will more than likely give you ano ther 10 years service just as faithfully as a newer car. Adding minor aftermarket modifications is also a pleasing excersise as they make your car more capable and pleasant to drive. I am by no means a mechanic but I really enjoy learning the skills maintain and modify my truck as much as possible especially with sites like this to guide and aid along the way. It's easy to just buy a newer one but i really think the greater rewards are in building your own truck. And if you do have to pay someone to do some of it then your supporting them as well.

Good luck!
 
madmaskbass, well said. My thought process was if this TLC project gets into the 15k+(which mods can easily do), that I could be putting that $ towards a 200 series. I've seen a few 200's in the high 30's and low 40's.
 
If a 200 is in your price range grab one before all the other 100 series owners migrate up. There aren't that many of them around.

Lets say your current LX is worth about 15k (just a guestimate). If you sink 10-15k in mods, your LX is only going to be worth about 16-17k if you're lucky. Mods and maintenance don't really add a whole lot of value to your vehicle (other than letting you drive it longer).
 
^ I agree with Patrick. If you're going to put $5K+ in maintenance, plan to drive it another 3-5 years. If you sell the 100 within a year or 2, you haven't gained much compared to the 200's depreciation.
 
patrickfinley said:
There aren't that many of them around.
Click to expand...
Not as rare as many think when you include the LX's which are outselling the LC almost 2:1


Year.....LX.............LC.....Year Total
2006.....5,595.......3,376.......8,971
2007.....2,468.......3,251.......5,719


Year.....LX.............LC.....Year Total
2008.....7,915......3801.......11,716
2009.....3,616.......2261.......5,877
2012....5,005.......2,895........7,900
 
hoser said:
Not as rare as many think when you include the LX's which are outselling the LC 2:1


Year.....LX.............LC.....Year Total
2006.....5,595.......3,376.......8,971
2007.....2,468.......3,251.......5,719


Year.....LX.............LC.....Year Total
2008.....7,915......3801.......11,716
2009.....3,616.......2261.......5,877
2012....5,005.......2,895........7,900
Click to expand...



Thats crazy, considering the Tahoe sales figures in 2007 was 232,967. 2012 was 96,722. That is 4,072.6% more than Toyota in 2007...:eek: . You begin to wonder why Toyota even bothered with the US market.
 
Good point Patrick, there will be no increase in value after the TLC, but I hate to part with my LX. I'm trying to figure out how to keep both. The wifey says no.
 
What about a later model 100 series? I was able to find a lower mileage 100 series for $10K less than a 200 series with similar mileage.

I'm curious about reliability of AHC and other features on the 200 series. I considered buying a 200 series as well, but was concerned about actually being able to work on it myself and the cost of replacing components down the road (i.e. are all 200 series equipped with the refrigerated cup holder.....what would that cost to repair/replace?). Not to mention, I did not want a Land Cruiser with AHC or DVD, which I was able to find and purchase in my 2006 100 series.

The one thing I don't like about the 200 series is the molded front and rear bumpers. I know you can get aftermarket bumpers installed, but most I have seen look like you have to modify the vehicle for installation. Significantly reduces the ability to remove and sell/install on another Land Cruiser if you decide to upgrade in the same series.

Just my $0.02.

Good luck with your decision. Either way sounds like fun!
 
Bloomer, I have considered a later 100, but the next gen seems to be tugging at my curiosity strings. I bought and sold an '80 FJ 40, still have my Island cruiser '96 80 series, not to mention my current LX runs great other than the AHC going out. The other TLC items are scheduled maintenance that a later 100 series might need as well.

I agree about the molded bumpers of the 200, probably the only thing that I don't like.

Why did Toyota decide to make all the newer wagons look similar? Highlander, 4runner, Sequoya, LC all look very similar. IMHO BIG mistake.
 
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Hello,
I think it was Jalopnik that had an article discussing that the 200 Series is in the top 10 worst selling vehicles in the US.

Unlike the 100 Series, it is going to be way harder to find a 200 Series. Most Toyota dealers do not even have LC's in stock and the same applies to Lexus.

I am sure a big part of it is that during the apex of the 100 Series, gasoline was way cheaper than it is now. Couple in the fact that this is the first LC/LX that does not have a bespoke chassis rather now using a modified Tundra chassis and I truly believe the perception of the 200 Series is different.

I have test driven a 2012 LC and the drivetrain is a peach. However, it for some reason reminds me more of a Pathfinder Armada than a 100 Series LC/LX replacement. I would wager serious money that the resale value is not going to compare to the 100 Series, but it is going to be awfully hard for many of us to find one used.
Cheers,
JJ
 
RobRed, just discovered your blog thanks to your post. Looks like a lot of good stuff...It's book marked and I'll be up all night reading it. Much appreciated.

Thank you for the offer, I may take you up on that if I go that route and if no one beats me to it.
 
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