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

[bonze]

Hello JJ,
You are correct in that the LC are not even listed in some dealership inventories. The color combo selections are limited too. I'm having to look in another state for a used one in the exterior color that I desire, and I can't even find one with the int/ext color combination that I want. I did not know the chassis is a modified Tundra..hmm. Should we be concerned about the direction that Toyota is taking our beloved LC?

 

[Junglejack]

Hello JJ,
You are correct in that the LC are not even listed in some dealership inventories. The color combo selections are limited too. I'm having to look in another state for a used one in the exterior color that I desire, and I can't even find one with the int/ext color combination that I want. I did not know the chassis is a modified Tundra..hmm. Should we be concerned about the direction that Toyota is taking our beloved LC?

With this being Toyota and all of the priceless brand equity that the LC has earned over the decades, I am quite confident that the 200 Series are excellent on both tarmac and mud.

However, with previous LC's being built on a specially designed chassis, I am sure some will be turned off by the 200's using a shortened Tundra chassis. However, the Tundra is an excellent truck in its own right. It is just LC's are practically a cult of personality.

 

[re_guderian]

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

Sequoia cannibalized 100 series sales big time when it came out in '01. Big step function downward in sales.

 

[madmaskbass]

I forgot to mention Bonze that I'm an aussie so that makes a slight difference. The 200 sells like hotcakes over here!!! Maybe thats because its got a TWIN TURBO v8 diesel in it...In my town of about 4000 there would be at least 60-100!! They also sell for around $100 000. So yeah I did not realise the issues with 200's in US...I hope I didn't skew your judgement...If i had unlimited money I would still own the 100 series and that the honest truth..it would just look prettier!...

 

[GX-R]

The 200 chassis is actually 30% stronger than the Tundra chassis.. i remember reading that somewhere.. Just not sure where. Obviously its also going to be tougher than the 100s Chassis. Toyota wouldn't wan't to mess up the LC...sure it looks boring stock but once its modded it looks much better!
As for the 200 vs 100. The 100 is a great truck, however the 200 is an evolution of the 100 and it builds on its strong points! The front end is stronger, the chassis and diffs appear to be stronger as well! The ride off road is much much better than the 100! NVH is greatly reduced! The 200 has more articulation than the 100 thanks to the KDSS. Its also safer with 10 airbags and has a 5 star crash rating ( the 100 has a 4 star crash rating ) The 3UR-FE is a dream! Go for it! You can visit the 200 section and ask the ex 100 owners!

 

[ntsaint]

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.

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.

I called ACC Toyota 6 months or so ago and the price I got was $1600 installed, but that had no diff drop...

My AHC is also on its last leg...have replaced two sensors myself and changed the fluid twice. Now I have an accumulator going out and the ride is terrible.

This is def on my list to have done ASAP.

Maybe a group trip to ATL??

 

[arich]

I own both a 100 and a 200.
I am trying to find a way to steal my wife's 200 and get her something new.

The 200 is a fantastic vehicle. I'm in the same boat. how much money do you keep pouring into the 100 to keep it running and comfortable. I just replaced all the sway bar bushings and hardware. Spent about $250 and did the work myself. I need shocks next and then who knows what else will come along.

The 100 is easy to work on and the driveline is bullet proof IF IT"S BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. I saw buy some tools, get some free parts and start learning how to work on your own truck.

 

[bamabrock]

Sequoia cannibalized 100 series sales big time when it came out in '01. Big step function downward in sales.

This. Toyota still ships them here for the novelty of brand recognition. They are a business that profits from selling 100s of thousands of camrys and cute utes. The sequoia was priced/sized to compete with the tahoes/expeditions and paying the extra cost for a LC over one makes no logical sense for the vast majority of consumers who put no stock in the LC namebrand.

 

[bonze]

I pulled the trigger on ordering the ironman lift and dif drop from ACC. I decided to make the 100 right even if I decide to sell it. I'm also driving out of state to look at a used 200 on Friday. We shall see how this all shakes out.

 

[ntsaint]

I pulled the trigger on ordering the ironman lift and dif drop from ACC. I decided to make the 100 right even if I decide to sell it. I'm also driving out of state to look at a used 200 on Friday. We shall see how this all shakes out.

Can u PM me with what you were quoted and what exactly they are installing?

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[bonze]

Can u PM me with what you were quoted and what exactly they are installing?

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

PM sent

 

[ntsaint]

PM sent

Thanks! Please let me know if you are satisfied with the AHC removal, and how the new suspension rides!

 

[Wasatch Jay]

Sequoia cannibalized 100 series sales big time when it came out in '01. Big step function downward in sales.

This is (obviously) just my opinion, and I'm biased, but where I live, Park City, Utah, there are many upscale SUV's: Range Rovers, Porsche Cayennes, Mercedes M class and BMW X series, in addition to Tahoes, Expeditions, Explorers, etc, etc. I would say precious few are driven off-road, so true off-road capability probably isn't part of the buying equation.

That said, the 100 series Toyota in both Land Cruiser and LX 470 form outnumbers the 200 series here by a vast margin. Granted the 100 series was available from 1998-2007, and the 200 series hasn't been out there for as long a period, but even accounting for this, the difference in numbers is huge.

I have heard (from a Toyota dealer) that when the 200 series first came out a fair number of 100 series owners "traded up" to a 200 series and then regretted that decision.

The 100 series styling is somewhat unique and they're easy to spot. The 200 series styling is boxy and angular and blends in with some other Toyota models, so they're harder to pick out.

Again this is just me, but when I see an 80 series or a 100 series it's distinctive. When I see a 200 series, it's...well...underwhelming.

 

[jgray]

The 200's have grown on me as I wasn't a big fan of them initially... That is usually the case with most brand new vehicles... I think the 200's outfitted properly are sweet and I may move to one as well on my next Cruiser purchase...

 

[3D FJ]

For me, if and when the opportunity presents, I will be stepping up to a 200. By that time, i should be able to find a good used one for a decent amount. I will be able to get a full icon suspension system and I will be able to learn even more from people who've wheeled it and such. I look forward to this next project when the time comes. Til then, I love my 100.

 

[mcgaskins]

The 200's have grown on me as I wasn't a big fan of them initially... That is usually the case with most brand new vehicles... I think the 200's outfitted properly are sweet and I may move to one as well on my next Cruiser purchase...

I imagine the cost to outfit a 200 like this one is likely more than the cost a pretty nice clean 100 series! However, outfitting and modding a 100 series isn't exactly cheap either.

 

[bonze]

This is (obviously) just my opinion, and I'm biased, but where I live, Park City, Utah, there are many upscale SUV's: Range Rovers, Porsche Cayennes, Mercedes M class and BMW X series, in addition to Tahoes, Expeditions, Explorers, etc, etc. I would say precious few are driven off-road, so true off-road capability probably isn't part of the buying equation.

That said, the 100 series Toyota in both Land Cruiser and LX 470 form outnumbers the 200 series here by a vast margin. Granted the 100 series was available from 1998-2007, and the 200 series hasn't been out there for as long a period, but even accounting for this, the difference in numbers is huge.

I have heard (from a Toyota dealer) that when the 200 series first came out a fair number of 100 series owners "traded up" to a 200 series and then regretted that decision.

The 100 series styling is somewhat unique and they're easy to spot. The 200 series styling is boxy and angular and blends in with some other Toyota models, so they're harder to pick out.

Again this is just me, but when I see an 80 series or a 100 series it's distinctive. When I see a 200 series, it's...well...underwhelming.

I have to agree with you on the styling of the 200. I'm often confused when I spot (from a distance) a newer 4Runner, Sequoia, LC...I'm not sure what it is until I get fairly close. The Toyota family line of newer SUV's look too incestuous. BUT I still want one!