Talk me out of 2nd thoughts...or not

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Clunky

Clunky

10 Year
Joined
Oct 11, 2015
Threads
49
Messages
735
Location
Prescott AZ
Hey everyone, newbie here. I've been hunting down a 2000-2002 LC or LX470 and I'll probably find one in the next couple weeks. Yesterday I started reading threads about scary problems with VSC malfunctioning and putting drivers in some dangerous situations. There doesn't seem to be one particular fix to these issues so they are hard to diagnose and expensive to fix.

I started my quest for a 100 series based on stories of legendary reliability, but now I'm having 2nd thoughts. I can't stand the idea of my wife driving my new "toy" and experiencing a vsc malfunction.

So, how prevalent is this issue? Would everyone recommend disconnecting the vsc as a precautionary measure? What is the downside of doing that?

I know everyone here loves their 100s, but my level of excitement has been dashed after reading about some problems people have had. I know there will always be some level of repair with an older vehicle, but I'm hoping y'all can either talk me off the ledge or help set realistic expectations for the care and feeding of a 100 after 130K miles or so.

Thanks in advance!
 
ryanCA said:
I wouldn't get a 2000 though, due to the tranny issue
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Which is very likely overstated given the nature of the data on an enthusiast's forum.
 
SmoothLC said:
Which is very likely overstated given the nature of the data on an enthusiast's forum.
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Likely. However, if I was in a market for today for a LC, I wouldn't buy a 2000, as that is added risk not really necessary to take given the amount of 100 series for sale.

Just like I wouldn't buy a NSX with a snap ring range or a Miata with the long crank nose. Enthusiast website are good (even if overblown) on issues to stay away from.

Just my .02 Turkish Lira
 
Any system can fail on any peice of equipment!
Key factors is frequent inspection and maintenance.
 
I have only praise for my 200 LC 100, by far
IMG_2528.webp
the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. With 207K miles it only want to run and please, do need to replace the smitty winch with a good Warn!
 
I get it, man. I feel the same way, but there are so many other factors to the equation that the probability of it happening to the truck you may purchase is close to 0.

All here would say buy the best kept, best maintenance history truck that you and your family may find, afford, and agree upon.

For those that have experienced failure the bells and whistles got them to take fast action that allowed them to walk away from the incident.

Buy "the" truck for you and your family and budget $1k or so for the assembly part and $$$??? for the fix unless you can do it your self.

Then drive it like you stole it!!!!!!

I love my '98 LX even with the little things here and there that I've had to fix, but I've learned so much and ready to learn more.

If you're that worried about it, then go and score a 2015 Toyota 4Runner or
Lexus GX 460 (same vehicle) and enjoy with your family.

Just sayin'.
 
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Thanks everyone for your replies, you're making me feel better! I wouldn't really mind a $1K fix or something I could do to as preventive maintenance - especially if it ultimately creates a better overland vehicle. My concern was more around illusive diagnosis and spending $3K or more out of the blue.

Anyway, I think I'm going to go ahead and roll the dice. I'll post pics once I've acquired my 100.
 
Do your homework. Car fax and Toyota/Lexus maintenance history check if possible. Check everything. Everything. I look for symmetry on the left and right side for everything. Bolts, nuts, screws. You name it.

I was under a truck for about a half an hour once and they guy was trippin' about me being under there too long. He asked me to stop and I drove away. Lates!!

Take the vehicle to a drive through car wash. Check for leaks. Then check for any electrical glitches.


Get ready for illusive diagnosis and $$$$$$$ spending.

Good luck with the search for " the one." When you find it you'll be stoked!!!!

And when you finish buttoning everything up you'll be even more stoked!!!!
 
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I've been reading a lot over the last couple months and never came across a major VSC problem. Do you mean AHC with Lexus, which could be a 3K fix if you don't save money and switch to LC suspension?

The one thread that had me worried was the brake failure thread. Then again I realized these things happen to all vehicles with age and the LC is the most solid of them all. Imagine reading the Ford Expedition threads. I'm sure there is plenty there to scare you away forever.
 
RyanStl said:
I've been reading a lot over the last couple months and never came across a major VSC problem. Do you mean AHC with Lexus, which could be a 3K fix if you don't save money and switch to LC suspension?

The one thread that had me worried was the brake failure thread. Then again I realized these things happen to all vehicles with age and the LC is the most solid of them all. Imagine reading the Ford Expedition threads. I'm sure there is plenty there to scare you away forever.
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This is what I'm talking about: http://www.clublexus.com/forums/lx-...07/276114-lx470-vsc-slip-control-problem.html
 
Thanks for sharing the link on the VSC/braking issues. I had not seen/read the thread and not aware of the problem.
 
Great, more issues to watch for....
 
I have never seen this happen to a 100. We get them in the shop all the time, many times for blown suspension globes or a issue with the steering column. But if you do have such a problem like this with your 100, you have to be very clear at the dealer that the issue almost caused loss of control. Lexus/Toyota will take it very seriously then, and you probably will not get the vehicle back until they feel comfortable they have fixed it. If they seem to blow you off, speak to a service manager. If he blows you off, go to another dealership and give the previous dealer bad ratings on the service survey because that lets Toyota know if a dealer is not following guidelines. If it gets bad enough Toyota will actually come in and close a dealer down. If it does occur, you could pull the abs fuse, which would disable the electronic control and then you would only have standard hydraulic brakes, and the dash will have lots of lights on.
 
OK, so I just pulled the trigger and bought a 99 LX470, river rock green mica, one owner, CA car, 144K miles, no NAV. I guess that means I'm going to be posting a lot more in the future. It is being shipped from CA, so I'll have to wait a few days to put up some picks.

My first items on the to-do list:

-timing belt / water pump (yes, I've read all the great info in the FAQs)
-sliders

I emailed with Slee, but they're currently out of stock of the AHC version sliders. So, I have to decide if I should wait for them to be back in stock, or move ahead with the white knuckle sliders. Anyone have a strong opinion about that decision?

Also, if I go with white knuckle, I'd love to hear thoughts about pro / con of the diamond top plate on the sliders. I kind of prefer the spartan look with no top plate, but maybe there's some downside I'm overlooking.

Toyota 100 Series/LX470 Rock Sliders
 
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worthless.jpg
 
Congrats, and you managed to find one without VSC in the end lol, which was going to be my recommendation from the beginning! I was a bit scared of all the extra electrical components involved with VSC and ATRAC myself, and wound up with a '98 that I love because I felt more comfortable taking care of the braking myself.
 
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