The Perfect Second Vehicle?
- Thread starter willc
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Just be careful man those tundras are absolute sht on fuel economy. Everyone I know who’s used one as a work truck or a daily absolutely hated the MPG. And they ride extremely rough compared to a Ram or similar American full sized truck.
I have a 2016 Tundra set up for ‘beach overlanding’ if that is a thing.. larger fuel tank, compressor and tank setup, fridge, cap, load bars, lights, 2” lift, etc. etc. I love this truck, and I’ve never had one issue with it after 105,000 miles…It’s a nice companion to the 100 LC. These things can carry a LOT of gear.
Suspension modifications are easy, lot’s of options. I have the Bilstein 5100 setup on this one, with a Toyotec add-a-leaf in the rear, and it gives a pretty darn good ride. I’m not a fan of spacers and blocks.
I wouldn’t recommend it for an ‘around town’ vehicle, as it’s kind of a beast, but that’s what I have the LC for.
As others have stated, mileage is pretty poor (i average 13.1mpg according to the dash meter), but I can sure afford a lot of gas with a paid off truck, and no monthly notes. The larger tank gives it very good range, and i usually just use this for trips and adventuring. I’ve never cared about MPG that much anyway. I prefer the durability, dependability, and power of the 5.7.
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- Thread starter
- #45
Nice truck thanks for the feedback. Still leaning the tundra way bc it’d check a lot of my boxes, hold its value, be fairly reliable, etc. driving in town… hmmm maybe borrow my wife’s car for that haha
If you like to daily the 100 then maybe just consider a beater/spare/backup vehicle. LS 430 is nice but similar dynamics to a 100, purchase and upkeep costs are also high.
Instead of (another) truck, get a trailer.
I'd look for a lower purchase price, minimal cost of ownership, reliable, economy car with an easy to work on 4 banger that you can zip around town on the cheap. Old camry or even a corolla can fit a car seat or two just fine for local errands. Saves you money for keeping the 100 in tippy top shape.
Instead of (another) truck, get a trailer.
I'd look for a lower purchase price, minimal cost of ownership, reliable, economy car with an easy to work on 4 banger that you can zip around town on the cheap. Old camry or even a corolla can fit a car seat or two just fine for local errands. Saves you money for keeping the 100 in tippy top shape.
Sequoias and Tundras around here can rack up incredible miles with no exposure to salt or snow melting chemicals. This is a lady in Jonesboro with a Sequoia that will hit 1,000,000 miles this year. Once it hits 1 mm, she said she will trade it in on a new one.
My 100 has been easy on fuel comsumption. It can easily get 15 to 16 MPG on the interstate with 13 suburban driving. Although the Tundra weighs 1,000 pounds less, I can tell it does not get the same mileage at 177,000 miles as the LC with 325,000. I need to do some things to inprove the Tundra MPG.
I always install new O2 sensors when I buy a used vehicle with over 150,000 miles. That usually helps a small amount. I need to weigh the Tundra wheels and tires. The LC100's wheels and tires weigh 72.4 lbs running 285/75R16 mud tires. If I can get the Tundra outfitted with something similar, I might be able to see a benefit.
My 100 has been easy on fuel comsumption. It can easily get 15 to 16 MPG on the interstate with 13 suburban driving. Although the Tundra weighs 1,000 pounds less, I can tell it does not get the same mileage at 177,000 miles as the LC with 325,000. I need to do some things to inprove the Tundra MPG.
I always install new O2 sensors when I buy a used vehicle with over 150,000 miles. That usually helps a small amount. I need to weigh the Tundra wheels and tires. The LC100's wheels and tires weigh 72.4 lbs running 285/75R16 mud tires. If I can get the Tundra outfitted with something similar, I might be able to see a benefit.
its a 2016 with only 105k miles.... do the math. You're not driving that thing alot. I can put that many miles on my daily personal vehicle in 2.5-3 years easy. Why on earth would someone use that as a daily driver?
disagree. What does similar dynamics even mean? Nothing similar between a LX470 and an LS430. Completely different driving experience.
LS430 weighs 4000 lbs and is almost a foot longer than an LX470. You are still driving a very large, heavy, luxury expensive vehicle. You aren't really zipping around town in either.
Compared to a 9th gen Corolla that weighs 2500 lbs (but also fits 2 car seats just fine), and can be thrown around narrow roads and city streets (and basically never breaks). That's different.
A BMW M5 weights over 5,000 lbs now. Is that kinda like a Land Cruiser too now? Go drive both cars, they’re nothing alike at all.
You’re comparing 3,900 vs 5,400 curb weight. That is a HUGEEEE difference. Are you joking right now?
The LS is more or less what an average sedan or coupe weights these days. Cars have all gotten significantly larger and heavier in the last two decades. You can easily drive that thing anywhere and not feel like you’re a truck driver (which is what driving a built/heavy Land Cruiser feels like sometimes).
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The only thing an LS430 and an LX have in common is that they are both smooth and quiet. Handling, acceleration, braking, overall feel is completely different. I rotate them every other day for my commute. Both are really great vehicles and it's tough to find a better bang for the buck vehicle to replace them.
Context is important. I suggested an -older- 4 banger corolla. If a 4k lb LS vs 5400 lb LX is a HUGEEE difference, imagine what a 2006 corolla at 2500 lbs feels like. A lot HUGEEEEEEEEEEEEER? Maybe go drive the Corolla to see what an even bigger difference feels like? An LX (and an LS) is a boat comparatively.
Not to mention it will have -significantly- reduced purchasing costs, maintenance costs, repair costs, and operating costs as a 4k lb luxury full side sedan. All of which would be important to me in a BACKUP / SPARE vehicle.
Has been mentioned previously. Costs and difficulty finding a "nice" LS430 have both increased these days. Affects the bang for the buck.
True, but if you can work on cars, you can buy clapped out LS430 for 2-3 grand and fix them up nicely. Tons of FB marketplace
Another vote for a Tundra.
Pros:
- 5.7, last of the V8s
- Reliable, practical, not quite boring but more dependable and simple
- Comfortable on long drives
- Find one with a 38 gallon tank and you can go 400 miles between filling up
- The rear seat of the double cab (the smaller cab) is bigger than a Tacoma crew cab and similar in size to a 100 rear seat I would say. Surprisingly large. Plus then you can have a 6.5' bed
Cons:
- MPG. Probably 15-17 average for me. If you can resist the urge to lift it and add 35s you can keep the MPG up
- Pretty big for a daily depending on your location. If you have a lot of city streets and tight corners I would get something smaller. If you're out in the open and rural areas it's great
- They're actually pretty fun to drive especially in tow/haul mode. So before you know it you'll accidentally buy Kings and a supercharger, whoops. Now you need a daily for your daily that turned into a project
Biggest thing to look out for is rust. If it doesn't have rust it should run forever. Oh and if you tow, Toyota cheaped out on the '19-21 Tundras and removed the transmission cooler so you'll want to add one.
I bought a 2021 with 8K miles on it last year when I realized that a) I was tired of messing up my 80's interior trying to haul big stuff and b) I wanted to be able to work on my 80 at a comfortable pace rather than trying to rush repairs to get it back on the road for daily duties. The Tundra really won't need much beyond oil changes and regular maintenance.
I haven't had a truck for a couple years and I couldn't believe how much I missed having a bed. I haul stuff all the time. Lumber, home depot runs, dump runs, landscaping, pulling trailers, Christmas tree, you name it.
I don't "daily" it though, I've only put 6K miles on it over the last year. it's great for long trips and hauling stuff but if I had a commute I'd probably get some kind of Lexus. Maybe an IS, or an IS500 if I didn't need AWD. Or a GR Corolla
When I bought it (I probably should have left it this way)
After
Pros:
- 5.7, last of the V8s
- Reliable, practical, not quite boring but more dependable and simple
- Comfortable on long drives
- Find one with a 38 gallon tank and you can go 400 miles between filling up
- The rear seat of the double cab (the smaller cab) is bigger than a Tacoma crew cab and similar in size to a 100 rear seat I would say. Surprisingly large. Plus then you can have a 6.5' bed
Cons:
- MPG. Probably 15-17 average for me. If you can resist the urge to lift it and add 35s you can keep the MPG up
- Pretty big for a daily depending on your location. If you have a lot of city streets and tight corners I would get something smaller. If you're out in the open and rural areas it's great
- They're actually pretty fun to drive especially in tow/haul mode. So before you know it you'll accidentally buy Kings and a supercharger, whoops. Now you need a daily for your daily that turned into a project
Biggest thing to look out for is rust. If it doesn't have rust it should run forever. Oh and if you tow, Toyota cheaped out on the '19-21 Tundras and removed the transmission cooler so you'll want to add one.
I bought a 2021 with 8K miles on it last year when I realized that a) I was tired of messing up my 80's interior trying to haul big stuff and b) I wanted to be able to work on my 80 at a comfortable pace rather than trying to rush repairs to get it back on the road for daily duties. The Tundra really won't need much beyond oil changes and regular maintenance.
I haven't had a truck for a couple years and I couldn't believe how much I missed having a bed. I haul stuff all the time. Lumber, home depot runs, dump runs, landscaping, pulling trailers, Christmas tree, you name it.
I don't "daily" it though, I've only put 6K miles on it over the last year. it's great for long trips and hauling stuff but if I had a commute I'd probably get some kind of Lexus. Maybe an IS, or an IS500 if I didn't need AWD. Or a GR Corolla
When I bought it (I probably should have left it this way)
After
I’ve driven those corollas plenty of times, Matrix, etc. many different gens. I know exactly the tin can , zippy, POS they are. That’s why I am amazed you’re cross shopping that an an LS430. Sure if you just want a cheap POS to get around town that’s the car you should get.
Another vote for a Tundra.
Pros:
- 5.7, last of the V8s
- Reliable, practical, not quite boring but more dependable and simple
- Comfortable on long drives
- Find one with a 38 gallon tank and you can go 400 miles between filling up
- The rear seat of the double cab (the smaller cab) is bigger than a Tacoma crew cab and similar in size to a 100 rear seat I would say. Surprisingly large. Plus then you can have a 6.5' bed
Cons:
- MPG. Probably 15-17 average for me. If you can resist the urge to lift it and add 35s you can keep the MPG up
- Pretty big for a daily depending on your location. If you have a lot of city streets and tight corners I would get something smaller. If you're out in the open and rural areas it's great
- They're actually pretty fun to drive especially in tow/haul mode. So before you know it you'll accidentally buy Kings and a supercharger, whoops. Now you need a daily for your daily that turned into a project
Biggest thing to look out for is rust. If it doesn't have rust it should run forever. Oh and if you tow, Toyota cheaped out on the '19-21 Tundras and removed the transmission cooler so you'll want to add one.
I bought a 2021 with 8K miles on it last year when I realized that a) I was tired of messing up my 80's interior trying to haul big stuff and b) I wanted to be able to work on my 80 at a comfortable pace rather than trying to rush repairs to get it back on the road for daily duties. The Tundra really won't need much beyond oil changes and regular maintenance.
I haven't had a truck for a couple years and I couldn't believe how much I missed having a bed. I haul stuff all the time. Lumber, home depot runs, dump runs, landscaping, pulling trailers, Christmas tree, you name it.
I don't "daily" it though, I've only put 6K miles on it over the last year. it's great for long trips and hauling stuff but if I had a commute I'd probably get some kind of Lexus. Maybe an IS, or an IS500 if I didn't need AWD. Or a GR Corolla
When I bought it (I probably should have left it this way)
After
Damn off topic but those houses would cost $3M where i live
That’s a nice tundra. That car maybe makes more sense where you live man. Out here people just drive these tanks to the office and back. And occasionally see them towing a small bass boat lol. All the real towing you need a diesel anyways.Another vote for a Tundra.
Pros:
- 5.7, last of the V8s
- Reliable, practical, not quite boring but more dependable and simple
- Comfortable on long drives
- Find one with a 38 gallon tank and you can go 400 miles between filling up
- The rear seat of the double cab (the smaller cab) is bigger than a Tacoma crew cab and similar in size to a 100 rear seat I would say. Surprisingly large. Plus then you can have a 6.5' bed
Cons:
- MPG. Probably 15-17 average for me. If you can resist the urge to lift it and add 35s you can keep the MPG up
- Pretty big for a daily depending on your location. If you have a lot of city streets and tight corners I would get something smaller. If you're out in the open and rural areas it's great
- They're actually pretty fun to drive especially in tow/haul mode. So before you know it you'll accidentally buy Kings and a supercharger, whoops. Now you need a daily for your daily that turned into a project
Biggest thing to look out for is rust. If it doesn't have rust it should run forever. Oh and if you tow, Toyota cheaped out on the '19-21 Tundras and removed the transmission cooler so you'll want to add one.
I bought a 2021 with 8K miles on it last year when I realized that a) I was tired of messing up my 80's interior trying to haul big stuff and b) I wanted to be able to work on my 80 at a comfortable pace rather than trying to rush repairs to get it back on the road for daily duties. The Tundra really won't need much beyond oil changes and regular maintenance.
I haven't had a truck for a couple years and I couldn't believe how much I missed having a bed. I haul stuff all the time. Lumber, home depot runs, dump runs, landscaping, pulling trailers, Christmas tree, you name it.
I don't "daily" it though, I've only put 6K miles on it over the last year. it's great for long trips and hauling stuff but if I had a commute I'd probably get some kind of Lexus. Maybe an IS, or an IS500 if I didn't need AWD. Or a GR Corolla
When I bought it (I probably should have left it this way)
After
I'm lucky to live here! Paid much much less than that
Yep if it's office and back a Lexus or honestly even some Toyota hybrid would be the move. Also I had no idea how cheap electric cars are. You can get leases on Teslas for like $3-500/mo. I ran the numbers and considered getting an electric car for running around town but the break even point for miles (at least for me) was like 15K/yr
Looking back, I may have missed the point of the conversation. No, I don’t daily drive this thing if I can help it, but it’s an alternative as a vehicle used for touring, and using the 100 as a daily driver.
Yes, I’m not driving it much, because around here, you tend to lose vehicles to idiots plowing into them and totaling them out, than you do to miles, so i keep it out of ‘town’.
