RIG Choices, Sequoia 01-04 4x4, LX470, or LX450 (1 Viewer)

[Dbzl]

Guys, I am in the market for a used rig and I'm stuck between a lx450, lx470, and a Sequoia 4x4 01,02 possibly an 03 or better if I can find one.
Most of the mileage I am looking at is between 165Kmiles for the Sequoia, and 200plus for the lx470, and lx450.
I'm trying not to get hung up on the cloth vs leather interior. Considering it will be a DD, and I live in Canada where things are way overpriced. I'm trying to choose between the shape and style of the LX450 which I love, but the age is killing me (like dating an over the hill supermodel), vs the pretty boy LX470, (also timeless) and the Monster look of the Sequoia newer but it's not the LX450 or LX470.
I figure with the LX450, or Sequoia I can do cool upgrades in the interior, and maybe a mild 2" lift.
I won't mess with the LX470 too much.
I don't off road too seriously other than fire roads, and minor off the grid camping spots.

So I need some help making a decision
BTW, I have already owned a 1995 Landcruiser

Thanks
db

 

[bctlex]

I sold my 01 Sequoia after driving it around 100K miles, and bought a 98 LC about 6 months ago. Both are great SUV, but they are a different vehicle. Here is my quick comparison:

Overall Sequoia is larger than LC in every dimension with larger turning diameter. 2nd row leg room is noticeably larger. LC rides and handle better, just feels more solid eventhough it is 3 yrs older and 40K more miles than our Sequoia. I think LC has larger brakes, it feels that it stops faster than Sequoia in panic stop. Sequoia has 4 cupholders in the front, vs 2 in LC. We use two for our cell phones and house keys, and the other two for drinks, so we missed the extra 2 cupholders in Sequoia.

We really like the front seats, feels like they have better support. They just fit us better. We drove 16 hr straight over the summer, and felt like we arent as tired as when we drove the Sequoia. I also like that LC has glass headlights that does not turn yellow with time. Our Sequoia was garaged pretty much since new by the first owner and us, and the headlight lens showed its age. The light output could be better for both, but LC/LX has separate low and high beam, which produce more light overall.

If you end up with Sequoia, remember that the first gen has some rust problem with the frame, just like Tundra. Toyota had a recall to replace the frames on some of them. Mine was not as bad, so they only spray some coating to fight the rust.

Hope this helps.
Chris

 

[sseaman]

Agreed with the previous comments, we have had a 91 80 series, 04 Sequoia and now a 06 LX470, they all have similarities and some big differences. The 80 series I think it is the best body style but is still missing some of the newer tech, the Sequoia is a smooth machine, has the options on earlier models but feels a lot bigger. The LX470 even with much of the same drivetrain and build components seems better built, rides much better in my opinion.

 

[RND1]

You're in a Hundy forum so get the LX470! All joking aside, I looked at getting an 80 series or Sequoia before deciding on the 100. The 80 series have that classic Land Cruiser look on the exterior, but the interior was such a let down - felt like a 90's camry. All the New England trucks were too rusty and if they weren't they were asking the same money as a 100 series.

The Sequoia just felt cheaply made and the interior / exterior design was not as nice as the 80/100 series. When I test drove my '03 LC, it was perfect. Looked great (timeless), smooth, quiet power delivery, firm but not harsh ride, comfy heated seats, and 5sp tranny helps with fuel econ (get 18 on highway). For DD, the 100 is a great choice.

 

[arcteryx]

If you want to be like everyone else, get the Sequoia. It will blend in with every other non-descript SUV model. It's nice don't get me wrong, but most of the folks on here try to do something different than being on a conveyor belt.

I have/had both 80s and 100s. I DD the 100 and take the 80 on wheeling adventures or sunday drives. The 80 is awesome, last of the FJs with the F-series motor with the I-6. But it is already entering classic car price territory and you can get a 100 for the same price point as the 80. If it's you driving it, the 80 would be great. But if your wife will be driving it, or kids are going to be it a lot, the 100 has a much better WAF.

 

[AppleTech]

There is a reason the LCs are more expensive for higher mileage trucks - the LC is made to a different standard and with a much longer service life in mind. The Sequoia is built to be a mass-produced Tahoe/Expedition fighter. Take a ride in both and you will understand the difference. I researched both before buying my 2006 100 and what I found was the US-built Sequoia had many more known issues and was not built to the same standard. Also keep in mind the LC is purpose-built as a 4x4 wagon whereas the Sequoia is just a wagon body on a truck frame, which explains why the ride is so much different.

This is a really good article that explains why I chose a more expensive, less efficient, higher mileage vehicle over more common alternatives:
Why The Toyota Land Cruiser Is So Expensive