Should I consider a 100 Series for a Kid Hauler?

[suprarx7nut]

I think it's a great kid-hauler if you've got some $$ to spare and do any occasional dirt roads. It's definitely not the most economical thing, but it's very reliable and relatively safe. Plus... I mean... it's cool. A Sienna is also great, functionally.

Up until just recently a 100 series (99 and now 06) has been our main family car. My wife has a newer Pilot now and it's better for suburban duty for 3 kids in car seats.

 

[hoser]

Sometimes they're defeatable. I just had a 2024 rental Sonata and we couldn't turn off smart cruise. I Googled, I even called a dealership to ask. Couldn't be done without turning off cruise altogether.

I don't agree with them being more predictable. I had a long thing written up but this isn't the place.

Sure, we'll just disagree.

 

[HuntersHikes]

We have my 2006 100 series (with third row removed) and my wife's brand new Grand Highlander. There's something to be said for 2024 technology and luxury, but my oldest son (13) much prefers the Cruiser!! So, yes, the 100 is a fine kid hauler if you're OK with lighting money on fire at the gas pump.

 

[Trapper50cal]

Every Wednesday we (my wife, my 8yr old son and me) meet up in town at a Mexican restaurant for dinner (her Wednesdays are her longest work day) and every Wednesday my son wants to ride home with me in the Cruiser...my wife is sorta miffed that he never selects her and her 2014 Fusion. He just thinks the 100 is the coolest. For two or one kid, it's a great kid hauler. Three or more, look into a First Gen Sequoia.

 

[04UZJ100]

I grew up in Cruisers as a family of 5. I now haul my family of 5 in exclusively Toyota Cruisers.

See signature.

 

[AZSlim]

Does anyone know if there are LATCH options in any of the 100-series cruisers?

 

[Zuberg]

Does anyone know if there are LATCH options in any of the 100-series cruisers?

I have them in my cruisers. Don't quote me but think they were added in 2001.

 

[FrankieJoe14]

Yes, 2001 and later. Only for two of the seats in the back. The middle and behind the drivers seat.

 

[AZSlim]

Yes, 2001 and later. Only for two of the seats in the back. The middle and behind the drivers seat.

Thanks! I'm driving a 1999, I don't suppose you know if the seat hardware with the latch accommodation is adaptable to older models, do you?

 

[FrankieJoe14]

Theoretically if you found a rear seat from a 2001+ and swapped it into your truck you would have the seat based LATCH anchors.

But you would not have the floor mounted anchors that are bolted to the cargo area floor.

So to answer your question, not really.

You could see this thread for more info.

01+ LATCH to 98-00?

There are threads like this: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=32286&highlight=latch about making your own kind of LATCH system, but does anyone know if the OEM LATCH parts from 01+ are easily retrofitted to the 98 through 00 100s? Can you even obtain just the LATCH stuff? For...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Pucker5]

My $0.02...I bought my 05' LX back in December not knowing anything about this platform...fast forward to now and I enjoy driving it EVERY time I jump in it. I have 5 kids ranging from 7 y/o to 16 y/o and all 7 of us fit comfortably in there. It's hard to point to 1 thing, but the 100 series to me is the perfect blend of old and new, a bit of a throwback to analog driving, but the newer creature comforts. For reference, our other vehicle is my wife's Tesla Model Y, so she hates the LX (not enough electronics for her)...which secretly makes me love it more! lol

Bruh, I hope that Tesla isn’t anywhere near your 100 in the stables

 

[OwnerCS]

I have a 99 Tacoma Prerunner, a 99 LX (now wrecked), and an 02 LC. There isn't a huge difference in MPG between those trucks. Maybe the Taco will get 19 on the Highway. I get almost 16 MPG with the LC and did with the LX. The larger fuel tank on the LC gives a nice cruising range. I've not complained about MPG on the 100 series. I learned many years ago that optimal MPG depended on squeaky clean O2 sensors, coils, and good spark plugs. Also, while I run a mud tire, combined wheel and tire weight is 72.4 lbs.

 

[thegardentool]

Well it's stayed really busy for me since I first posted a few months ago. I finally got to test drive a late model 100 series. It certainly felt like it drove bigger than what it is. Not terribly different than I anticipated. It's been so long since I had the 4Runner though I imagine it wouldn't have felt too much different in that back to back. I was pretty impressed with it overall. This particular example seemed to be in good mechanical condition. Everything that had needed to be addressed had. Though was coming up again on Timing Belt and Water Pump interval and I'm sure some other things here and there. Isn't there always? Believe the term I keep reading around here is baselined would need to likely address a few things. Cosmetically it wasn't perfect. Some wear and tear inside and outside though nothing looked too severe or out of place on a nearly 18 year old vehicle. Some surface rust here and there underneath but none of the rust cancer that you'd see with a northern vehicle. All in all a pretty good contender.

Unfortunately the only 200 series real close to me needed to go through their service bay before they'd let me test drive it. Got to play around in the interior for a few minutes before I needed to go do some other things. Felt like it would be comfortable as well and completely usable. That particular example was overpriced for the year by quite a bit. Wasn't too impressed with the infotainment--not that I was by today's standards on the 100 either but I do at least know it's an option to replace it at a cost not sure if it is on a 200--but rest of it was fine. Only other 200 that really has seemed like a contender locally that hasn't been snapped up instantly is an LX with the spindle grill redesign that is a bit further away from me and has one reported wreck. Hadn't been paying too much attention to the higher priced one that I would be looking to get out of the Tacoma immediately for yet.

I have a 99 Tacoma Prerunner, a 99 LX (now wrecked), and an 02 LC. There isn't a huge difference in MPG between those trucks. Maybe the Taco will get 19 on the Highway. I get almost 16 MPG with the LC and did with the LX. The larger fuel tank on the LC gives a nice cruising range. I've not complained about MPG on the 100 series. I learned many years ago that optimal MPG depended on squeaky clean O2 sensors, coils, and good spark plugs. Also, while I run a mud tire, combined wheel and tire weight is 72.4 lbs.

Yeah I'm still not too concerned on the difference. My last fill up this week was a whooping 14.5 combined on pure gasoline, wahoo! Maybe if I was used to a Civic or something it would be a shock. I'm more interested in comfort for all five of us, overall reliability, and it still getting me to the places I need to go. I suppose I could still try to track down a similiarly priced Sequoia just to see.

 

[pwil393]

I have a coworker who choose the Sequoia due to the captain chairs. To me, I prefer the double chair that pushes forward - hence the LC. I still love mine and highly recommend. I haul a family of 6 and a golden retriever. I’ve added a rear hitch and a rooftop bag for the larger road trips and camping once my 10 month old is old enough.

I would say, if looking at any older vehicle to verify information vin history, carfax and test drive it over multiple surfaces. Location matters a lot but most importantly the service history is key. If you can find a one vehicle owner who loved it that’d be even better.

 

[ls6]

Current setup. Two full size car seats in the third row and an infant car seat in the second row. Removed the flip up second row 40/60 seat to increase access and add more of that 90s Dodge Caravan feel.

 

[Dparo]

Anyone try to install three carseats in the 2nd row yet? Will they fit?

 

[originalcruisey]

check out the sequoias! They can be had for quite a bit cheaper than the 100 series and they have a lot of room. 6” longer than a Chevy Tahoe.

 

[LCT]

Anyone try to install three carseats in the 2nd row yet? Will they fit?

They do but it'll be tight fit and will also depend on the car seat make/model.

 

[FrankieJoe14]

Anyone try to install three carseats in the 2nd row yet? Will they fit?

They do! I run three across the middle row for a while now. My kids are 7, 3, and 1.5.

Keep in mind only two seats have the LATCH anchors.

 

[plainjanefjc]

check out the sequoias! They can be had for quite a bit cheaper than the 100 series and they have a lot of room. 6” longer than a Chevy Tahoe.

Kid hauler would be an easy choice for the sequoia.