Should I consider a 100 Series for a Kid Hauler? (1 Viewer)

[lowenbrau]

Just brace yourself for when the kids love it so much they take it off to college. <sniff>

 

[originalcruisey]

Growing up my friends family had a 2002 sienna. It was just the family car. Running errands and whatnot. If one of their kids needed it for the day or whatever. They still had their nice preferred cars but the sienna was always there. They purchased it for 1800 bucks. It hit 500k miles and then sold it for 2 grand. They never had to do any repairs during ownership

 

[HokieCruiser]

When one considers what used cars cost and the insane price of new cars (which are built like throwaway appliances these days, for the most part). Factor in insurance costs and personal property tax (not cheap here in Virginia), and these 100s provide a fantastic value. Most other vehicles feel like tin cans in comparison.

I'm in NOVA as well...I love getting our personal property tax bill in the mail and showing her the pennies on the dollar I owe versus her Tesla...! And yes, who the hell can afford a NEW car these days, without taking out a 84 month loan...its crazy...

 

[Dparo]

Growing up my friends family had a 2002 sienna. It was just the family car. Running errands and whatnot. If one of their kids needed it for the day or whatever. They still had their nice preferred cars but the sienna was always there. They purchased it for 1800 bucks. It hit 500k miles and then sold it for 2 grand. They never had to do any repairs during ownership

I've wondered what kind of mileage can be expected out of well-maintained vehicles. There seem to be a lot for sale with 150k+ miles.

 

[100LandyWhale]

The 100's passenger and cargo volume is not really comparable to a Sienna. The 100's 3rd row is unusable except for tiny kids, simply not the case in a Sienna. Maintenance costs are also higher than a Sienna. Bargains on clean 100's are not exactly easy to come by either.

Those are good points, but a Sienna is a totally different kind of vehicle. I suppose it comes down to being able to go almost anywhere with a super reliable vehicle, or go anywhere on paved roads with a super reliable vehicle. The 3rd row is sufficient for people under 6 ft in my opinion. I’m all for Siennas, however a good deal on a 100 can be found if one is patient. I got mine for $6k. But definitely expect to do some maintenance that a Sienna does not require. However, the Sienna also doesn’t have the million mile 2UZFE engine

 

[originalcruisey]

I've wondered what kind of mileage can be expected out of well-maintained vehicles. There seem to be a lot for sale with 150k+ miles.

Towards the end of its life it was consuming a quart of oil every gas tank, but 500k is a lot and it had its share of wot

 

[thegardentool]

Still been keeping up reading this, and other posts, while lurking about. Was a bit surprised to see the renewed discussions after a quiet end of Summer and Fall. I messed up a couple weeks ago not knowing a local dealer to me had at least on paper one that I would have bought with little doubt. Unfortunate circumstances didn't end up seeing the listing for it until the morning after and it had sold. Outside of that, most I haven't really considered for a number of reasons. They are either already modded out and I'm looking for something as close to stock as I still can find. They are early model years and I really am only looking for 03-07 with 04-05 being the prime years I'd rather have. One less thing to cause problems without the VVTI. Or they already have 250k+ miles on them. That doesn't scare me completely away but I'd really like to find one closer to 150k that I can feel more comfortable being the one that can still put 200k+ more on it. Though I do see the big price differences between 150k and 250k at this point, and that would pay for a whole lot of future extra repairs. So it is something I am reconsidering.

To reiterate, Sienna/Minivan is a no go for any reason. They work for a ton of people. Even my sister loves her minivan. But it's not going to work for me. I'm not talking about even having to use the third row all the time. It's a once in a while thing. I'm not needing something to purpose build to off-road, but I go off pavement just about every day. And sometimes things aren't predictable and that 6 inches of ground clearance just isn't going to cut it.

Sequoia, it's a possibility, but I don't know. I felt like they were really large for something I'd daily drive. Would be top of the list I think if I needed that third row all the time.

 

[Kabanstva]

Still been keeping up reading this, and other posts, while lurking about. Was a bit surprised to see the renewed discussions after a quiet end of Summer and Fall. I messed up a couple weeks ago not knowing a local dealer to me had at least on paper one that I would have bought with little doubt. Unfortunate circumstances didn't end up seeing the listing for it until the morning after and it had sold. Outside of that, most I haven't really considered for a number of reasons. They are either already modded out and I'm looking for something as close to stock as I still can find. They are early model years and I really am only looking for 03-07 with 04-05 being the prime years I'd rather have. One less thing to cause problems without the VVTI. Or they already have 250k+ miles on them. That doesn't scare me completely away but I'd really like to find one closer to 150k that I can feel more comfortable being the one that can still put 200k+ more on it. Though I do see the big price differences between 150k and 250k at this point, and that would pay for a whole lot of future extra repairs. So it is something I am reconsidering.

To reiterate, Sienna/Minivan is a no go for any reason. They work for a ton of people. Even my sister loves her minivan. But it's not going to work for me. I'm not talking about even having to use the third row all the time. It's a once in a while thing. I'm not needing something to purpose build to off-road, but I go off pavement just about every day. And sometimes things aren't predictable and that 6 inches of ground clearance just isn't going to cut it.

Sequoia, it's a possibility, but I don't know. I felt like they were really large for something I'd daily drive. Would be top of the list I think if I needed that third row all the time.

They do offer lift kits for siennas just so you know. They’ll go on 80% of trails that I see people posting around here in their 100s.

 

[Couvi]

I may have already mentioned this, but we also have a 2005 Sequoia Limited. It's a fantastic vehicle that is my wife's daily driver. We often take it rather than my 04 LC due to the extra room. It's drives so smooth and has more get up and go than the LC (due to the VVTi and only being 2wd). But for years, we took the Land Cruiser and our family of 6 all over the place, 3rd row is fine for small kids and we just threw a cargo topper from sears and hit the road – no complaints. Best of luck.