Wanted Slim pickins in Montana - LC100 LX470 GX470

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Greetings, I've been driving a '97 Toyota T100 4X4 3.4L stick since '98; it has gone almost 200K miles with me and still runs smooth. No offense to the T1Honey but now I want to step it up a notch. I came on board here last weekend via my inter-tube search for either a Land Cruiser 100 series or LX470 within a day's drive of Great Falls, MT. Since joining, I've learned a great deal already. For example, I knew nothing beforehand about the GX470 and now am quite interested by its promise of brawn and beauty. My wallet's limiting this quest to about $13K worth of vehicle (clean and well-maintained w/records). The GX470, preferably with the KDSS (kinetic dynamic suspension system), has joined the target list. All of my desired vehicles seem especially hard to come by in this area. Can you steer me to a potential source? All leads will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
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Ryan, thanks for your suggestion to head south. I could sing along with the Allman Brothers' in their classic, "Lord I'm Southbound". . . (great song). I would hate to fly somewhere to check out vehicles and come home empty-handed. I guess if I do my homework I can heighten my odds of driving home the golden ticket. Of course finding something closer to home would be preferable.
As for selling the T100, I'm not ready for that day. Not sure I ever will be.
 
^^
I say that because I have done it a few times. I have bought cars one way ticket (southwest) and great drive home.

I had situations where I had to fly home wthout a car.

Depends on your need/want and selection.

Nothing in the SEattle area? I see tons of LC in Seattle/Portland. Much closer than LA/PHX.

No one ever wants to sell their old TOyota trucks :(
 
Yes, I've seen a few around the Northwest. I suppose if I can be patient something in my price range and criteria will eventually turn up within 500 miles. But first things first -- I need to test drive these models to compare and hone in on first choice. Adding complexity to the quest, I've wrangled the V8 '04-08 4runner onto the target list. My wife kind of likes their looks and from what I've read, they're worthy of a test drive, too.
 
Let's hear it, Ryan, what's uniquely excellent about the Land Cruiser in your mind? By the way, that's the model that started my wish list; I've been dreaming about owning one for at least five years. My main concern with the LC is mpg. I bet they differ from unit to unit within a couple miles per gallon but overall, they suck at fuel efficiency. Not that the GX or 4Runner sip gas either. I'd prefer an O3 or 04 to get a 5-speed but I've noticed prices jump in those years. I really like the tailgate set up on the LC. Not sure about that swinger on the back of the GX. So many cool choices, at least on paper from where I'm sitting.
 
The part that sucks about the GX (my mom has one, bought new with 180K trouble free miles), is even though it is the amazing Land Cruiser Prado, TOyota decided never to switch the door to the right side. So in a LHD country, when you park next to a curb, notice which way the tail opens, hate that.

I grew up with office sanctioned U.N. Land Cruisers. When we lived through the gulf war, Land Cruisers got us to the airport and out of the region.

Nissan Patrols are amazing too. MPG sucks on Land Cruiser. Lugage room, with 3rd row up sucks on teh Land Cruisers, but like most stereotypes, there is truth in it.

The lore of the Land CRuiser is true. THough in America all are gussied up Luxo Cruisers, in other parts of the world the Land Cruiser is good enough for the Taliban.

When I am doing Doctors without Borders in international places, we use Land Cruisers. ATF agents in Columbia all use Land Cruisers.

To me the go anywhere ability with the 500k bulletproof reliability is what me draws me to it. Only thing I have owned with similar build quality is our Toyota Crown, and Lexus LS.

I could go on and on, and this whole website is dedicated for the love of the Land Cruiser.

4 runners, Prados, are great. Different machines for different needs.

For me it is like a woman. I can't explain to you why I like women and not men. Just wired that way.

I am wired to love a Land Cruiser. Whether you see one, driven by old money in the Hamptons or Greenwich, or a 500k mile one driven by someone doing Outlander activities, there is a right Land Cruiser for every situation.

How do you explain your love of your own children? I can't. I have 2 boys.

I am a car/bike junkie, on car #41. I have no attachment to any of them. BUt I can never sing praises like I can of a Land Cruiser.

It will save your life, give you eternal joy, take you anywhere in the world. It is more reliable than your Dog, and will never ever talk back.

If you believe in God, as I do, God invented the Land Cruiser.

Land Cruiser-there is no substitute and no comparables. In a league of its own.
 
Right on, Ryan!! That was damn impressive. Did you just write that up? I'm honored to have at least partially inspired such eloquent prose about an arrangement of machined steel. Time and space at its finest. While that articulation was brewing out in some constellation (shaped like a land cruiser no doubt), two vehicles on the top of my To Pursue list just sold in the past few hours. Both LX470s, one near Houston the other near Seattle. Both for about $10K with about 140K miles, looked to be real clean. Poetic justice in there somewhere. Thanks, you two, for sharing your affection for the 100 Series! My hunt continues . . .
 
mcgaskins said:
Come on @ryanCA tell us how you really feel about the Land Cruiser :D I've had several Audis, BMWs, Volvos, Jeeps, Toyotas, and a bunch of things in between, and the 100 series is by far the best all around vehicle I've driven.
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Same here, Lotus, Acura, Mazda, Lexus....and nothing brings the passion like a Cruiser! :D

smoothcruiser said:
Right on, Ryan!! That was damn impressive. Did you just write that up? I'm honored to have at least partially inspired such eloquent prose about an arrangement of machined steel. Time and space at its finest. While that articulation was brewing out in some constellation (shaped like a land cruiser no doubt), two vehicles on the top of my To Pursue list just sold in the past few hours. Both LX470s, one near Houston the other near Seattle. Both for about $10K with about 140K miles, looked to be real clean. Poetic justice in there somewhere. Thanks, you two, for sharing your affection for the 100 Series! My hunt continues . . .
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Sorry it wasn't as eloquent as I would have liked. I am on a post 30 hour shift from the hospital, so dead tired and in need of sleep.

10K for 140k miles is a steal. In LA, 10K will get you a 200k mile Land Cruiser (100 series).
 
Even more impressive that you wrote that after such a long shift. Upon further review, I see one LX470 I missed had 118K miles and listed for $10,840. It's a pure Texas Lexus, year 2000 with Nakamichi stereo and no NAV. Not sure I'll see one like that anytime soon. Constant vigilance. . .
 
Okay. What the hell, I'm goin for it. Flying to Oakland red eye tomorrow morning to look at and, man I hope, drive home a 2000 Land Cruiser with 107,000 miles on it. One teeny little concern is the owner, an older Mexican woman (yes a Grandma) whose been driving it (occasionally) since 2001, does not recollect if the timing belt has been changed! She has a mechanic friend that services it (and her Mercedes) so I'm hoping he knows. If nobody knows, guess I'll be looking to have that done before driving it home. All this action just unfolded in the past few hours this evening. I have a feeling a long strange trip has just begun.
 
smoothcruiser said:
Okay. What the hell, I'm goin for it. Flying to Oakland red eye tomorrow morning to look at and, man I hope, drive home a 2000 Land Cruiser with 107,000 miles on it. One teeny little concern is the owner, an older Mexican woman (yes a Grandma) whose been driving it (occasionally) since 2001, does not recollect if the timing belt has been changed! She has a mechanic friend that services it (and her Mercedes) so I'm hoping he knows. If nobody knows, guess I'll be looking to have that done before driving it home. All this action just unfolded in the past few hours this evening. I have a feeling a long strange trip has just begun.
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Cool story bro.
 
smoothcruiser said:
One teeny little concern is the owner, an older Mexican woman (yes a Grandma) whose been driving it (occasionally) since 2001, does not recollect if the timing belt has been changed!
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Also curious if you can relay to us what a person's nationality/race and perceived age/family status has anything to do with the truck? I know you're new here, but we tend to shy away from stereotypes and prejudice on this board.
 
mcgaskins said:
Also curious if you can relay to us what a person's nationality/race and perceived age/family status has anything to do with the truck? I know you're new here, but we tend to shy away from stereotypes and prejudice on this board.
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Dude relax. Obviously, since he's making that type of trip on the belief that the cruiser is right, he wasn't implying what you suggest he's implying.

Nothing to see here. Move along. Unless you want to apologize to him for even making that post, which is probably the right thing to do.
 
ntsaint said:
Dude relax. Obviously, since he's making that type of trip on the belief that the cruiser is right, he wasn't implying what you suggest he's implying.

Nothing to see here. Move along. Unless you want to apologize to him for even making that post, which is probably the right thing to do.
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There's no need to apologize here. Read back through the thread and you'll see a couple places where the OP was sarcastically digging at other members which isn't cool, especially for a brand new member's first thread. I'm cool with looking the other way on most of that stuff because it doesn't matter, but unintentional or not, mentioning someone's race and age as "concerning factors" is inappropriate - so no I will not apologize. I'm feeling like this thread should marked as chat because it has little objectivity throughout.
 
You're right, I can see how my post looks kind of loose and bull**** that way. I should have explained my reference to the owner's age and ethnic background. She and I had occasional difficulties communicating details of the vehicle, including the timing belt, as my Spanish is not strong and neither is her English. I alluded to her age and family status to reflect the stereotypical image of "grandma's car" that is ever so softly driven, and perhaps softly maintained. Not maliciously and yea, stereotypes are real dangerous. I apologize if I came off racist and/or age-ist. I try to relate with and about everybody equally but god knows I don't always do my best.


mcgaskins said:
Also curious if you can relay to us what a person's nationality/race and perceived age/family status has anything to do with the truck? I know you're new here, but we tend to shy away from stereotypes and prejudice on this board.
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I'm sitting in the Salt Lake airport now. Going to look up phone numbers for East Bay mechanics who can assess the engine's condition. The kind owner offered to pick me up at my destination airport in a few hours. We shall see what happens. Anticipation and excitement grows. So does some nervousness since I'll be scrambling if this LC100 does not fit the bill. Either way, good things are bound to come out of this journey.
 
Totally understand @smoothcruiser thank you for clarifying. A lot can be lost in translation on message boards no doubt! My girlfriend over the last few years (who works for a non profit helping those in special/protected classes) has flipped me from being completely insensitive to the opposite extreme LOL. She literally hit me the first time I said the "r" word (mentally challenged) in front of her which I had been using casually to make fun of things my whole life, and now when I hear it I cringe!

Good luck on checking it out. I'm sure you know all the normal things to look for with the 90k, but also check for the condition of the sunroof drains to be sure they're not blocked, definitely be hyper aware of the transmission as the model year 2000 seems to be the only one around here that's had failures, check for rust in the usual places, look out for the normal driveline "clunk" by stopping pretty abruptly then letting off the brake quickly again (not a big deal just means the driveshafts need to be lubed well which is often overlooked), and do the normal checking each body panel for the VIN number to be sure it's original. Hopefully it's easier to work together in person as it can be tough doing it over the phone - I know as I've fielded over 20 calls in the last week selling my 100. Good luck and let us know what you find out.
 
mcgaskins said:
There's no need to apologize here. Read back through the thread and you'll see a couple places where the OP was sarcastically digging at other members which isn't cool, especially for a brand new member's first thread. I'm cool with looking the other way on most of that stuff because it doesn't matter, but unintentional or not, mentioning someone's race and age as "concerning factors" is inappropriate - so no I will not apologize. I'm feeling like this thread should marked as chat because it has little objectivity throughout.
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This I don't understand. I'm not "digging at" anybody in my post(s). And I did not refer to age and race as concerning factors. Sometimes, age and race add description to a story (and I realize I should have been more careful). If I'm not providing enough objective info, fine, throw me to the dog house. But mcgaskins, please quit digging for dirt where it aint and get off my ass.
 
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