Stay away from 2000-2001?

[shaggyFJ]

I am shopping for a 100 series. I'm finding a lot of 2000-2001 models. I have been reading about the transmission issues with them. Should I stay way from them? It seems the consensus is there is about a 4% failure rate? Is that correct. How many of you out there have these model years? I guess I need some positive input here. In the other threads it's mostly people posting failures and not success. So if you have a 2000-2001 please tell us how many trouble free miles you have.

 

[Mike6158]

Idk... My 2000 is at 175k and its fine so far. I wouldn't mind having an '04 but not enough to trade.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

There are thousands of MY 00' out there with no issues at all. The microcosm of Mud makes it seem like a bigger issue that in it is. Don't know where you're getting 4%.

 

[Trist]

I have a 2001 and did have a very unusual transmission problem a while ago. Other than that the truck has been fine. I just replaced the transfer case at 178k.

 

[rmag757]

I have a 2000 with 190,000 and have owned it since it had 115,000. CV joints have been my only major expense. My mother and Sister both have had 2000 with no issues too. I also believe when you get over 120,000 miles the chance of an issue decreases. Most issues posted on Mud seem to occur around 100,000.

 

[shaggyFJ]

I'm considering a 2000 LX with 111000 on it. It's at a dealer and they want $10800. I'm hoping to get one at $10k or less. I guess I'll just search until I find the right one. I'm really hoping to keep the one I get for 300+kmiles. I'm hopeful this will be the last one I ever have to buy.

 

[BullElk]

My wife's 2000 LX has 280K on it now with zero problems

 

[Xetabur]

I'm at 157k on my 2000 and no problems.

 

[shaggyFJ]

My wife's 2000 LX has 280K on it now with zero problems

Now that's what I like to hear!

 

[shaggyFJ]

I think I'm going to go check out the 2000 LX with 111k miles tomorrow. Really was thinking LC but this LX looks really nice with lots of service records.

 

[ThorH]

154K, no problems on our 2000.

 

[re_guderian]

... I also believe when you get over 120,000 miles the chance of an issue decreases. Most issues posted on Mud seem to occur around 100,000.

Not quite, there are failures all the way up to, and over, 200K miles. But anyway, I own a 2000, and drive it without worry. Combine the low failure rate, with the chances that you're way out in BFE when it happens, and it doesn't even cross my mind. There were also more 2000/01 than any other year, IIRC. After 2001, the Sequoia started to eat into the market a bit. Having said that, if you can swing an '03+, the 5 speed drives so much better...

 

[Junglejack]

I would personally have zero trepidation about purchasing either year. We 100 Series owners are so spoiled in the sense that there is admonishment when a 14-15 year old vehicle often with excess of 150,000 miles needs a new transmission!

Moreover, while certainly in the minority on this, I really might even prefer a 1998-2001 (and 2002's not equipped with nav) due to being able to upgrade the AV system.

Getting the Pioneer AVIC-7100NEX along with JL Audio Speakers, outboard amplification, and a subwoofer has utterly transformed my LX. Apple CarPlay is beyond awesome. Crazier still, it is the exact same interface as with brand new vehicles which offer CarPlay. Better still, the sound quality is in another dimension.

My biggest regret is waiting 2 years before finally gutting the OEM Nakamichi system. Getting rid of the tape adapter was one of the happiest days of 2015!

 

[cooper30]

Two days ago, I bought a 2000 LX470 with 113k on it. I plan on going to 300k with it.

I scoured the internet for info about it before I bought it. When I found out about the transmission concerns, I hesitated for a day, searched for more information, then bought it anyway. I came to the conclusion that, like most things, it has become a bigger deal than it really is due to the internet. Every make/model I searched (while I was looking for a truck) had something major being talked about on the various forums.

I bought mine because it's made by Toyota, and over the years I've watch my family members with Toyotas push 300k miles while I've had major problems in my "big 3" trucks at less than 175k. In addition, I've seen substantially less body and frame rot issues in the Toyotas my various family members have owned (Tacoma frame issue aside)....and I live in the rust belt.

 

[BullElk]

My wife's 2000 LX has 280K on it now with zero problems

.....

To add.....I actually have about 1,200,000 miles among five LC/LX's with zero tranny issues.

 

[RobRed]

The 5 speed is more fun but seriously the 2000 is fine - 185k on mine and I run this mother hard. One Trans service at 170k is the only maint.

 

[jmaclaug]

I bought a 2000LX since I wanted the VSC stability control for safety. Currently 160K, zero transmission issues, and zero AHC issues (the other potentially high-cost failure).

 

[tahoejoe]

I bought a 2000LX since I wanted the VSC stability control for safety. Currently 160K, zero transmission issues, and zero AHC issues (the other potentially high-cost failure).

Good to know since i have 2000 LX with 82K. What is your fluids replacement routine on tranny and AHC fluids?

 

[SWUtah]

Per the chief engineer for Toyota, the 100 series was built for a 25 year life in a third world country.

 

[re_guderian]

Per the chief engineer for Toyota, the 100 series was built for a 25 year life in a third world country.

Good marketing ploy by Toyota, but nobody even knows what that means. Anything will "live" forever if you throw enough cash and parts at it...