The search continues...

[Exiled]

Well, it's been an interesting few months....I'd originally been looking to replace my wife's 4Runner with a 100 and had been focused on the 2002+ market. Recent changes have me focused now on replacing my TDI Jetta, so I then starting looking at 99-00 models. This has been very frustrating, what I'm seeing out there is either heavy use (reflected mostly on the interior, which is a big reason why I'm needing something a bit nicer than the faithful but no-frills Jetta), high-mileage (100K+) or out-of-whack pricing. I'm also yet to see one with gray interior on pre-2000, it appears to be much rarer than the beige.

I'll keep looking (three yesterday) while I prep the Jetta for sale, but it might push me out to the summer when the price of gasoline goes up again and nobody needs a 4x4 for the winter....

I've jotted down some observations from the 18 UZJ100's I've looked at since I started, can you gurus (I confess I'm an absolutely newbie on post 60 series Land Cruisers) confirm or deny?:

* Gray interior seems to hold better than the beige interior
* The ghey faux-wood trim fades with time and looks even more faux and ratty
* 2000+ models seems to have a smoother ride and a more responsive steering
* Dark Beige, White and Blue seems to be pretty rare colors, vs the Silver, Green, Grey and Black
* Additional flares on the wheel wells (similar to the LX470) are less common?

If it matters, my dream UZJ100 is white with a grey interior (does that combo even exist prior to 2000?), has 60-80K miles and is in really clean condition. After December I'll bump up my budget for them and see if I can get something, what I'm seeing out there does not impress me....

Sorry, just venting my frustration with this search....

 

[firetruck41]

Since when is 100k miles "high miles" for a Land Cruiser? You should know better than that! At 80k you will be paying (or doing) the timing belt, at 100k it should have been done already, plus you will be paying less of a purchase price...

I have a 98 LX, the interior was trashed when I bought it, but a thorough cleaning restored all but the scuffed plastic door sills. The LC wood does not fare well over time, but the LX wood looks as good as the day it rolled off the line, and it is a darker wood that generally looks better anyway IMHO. Tan interior only on the LX (at least the older ones). The LX has a pretty nice ride as the AHC works pretty well.

 

[hoser]

* Gray interior seems to hold better than the beige interior
* The ghey faux-wood trim fades with time and looks even more faux and ratty
* 2000+ models seems to have a smoother ride and a more responsive steering
* Dark Beige, White and Blue seems to be pretty rare colors, vs the Silver, Green, Grey and Black
* Additional flares on the wheel wells (similar to the LX470) are less common?

If it matters, my dream UZJ100 is white with a grey interior (does that combo even exist prior to 2000?)

Yes, pre '00 White LC's came with both beige and gray interiors. I prefer the gray as well. Some owners have removed the ghey faux trim without damage. AFAIK, there was no change in suspension or steering between the 98-99 and 2000. Could be they are just newer or have different tires? The additional flares are common on 100's that came in the Gulf Ports, uncommon elsewhere.

 

[lancaster]

Not sure what your trouble is...

a few weeks ago I looked at what the local Lexus dealer had for the wife and walked away with a 2003 LX 470 w/ 35K and CPO to 100K.

there were three other similar ones on the lot - we picked the one that was black/grey and had the dvd system for the kids.

If your local Lexus/Toyota dealet does not have what you are looking for - why not just do a natiowide inventory search via the respective website?

These things are not really rare. Pick to color/miles etc you want and have them ship it to you.

Am I missing something in your post?

 

[89s rule]

Not sure what your trouble is...

a few weeks ago I looked at what the local Lexus dealer had for the wife and walked away with a 2003 LX 470 w/ 35K and CPO to 100K.

there were three other similar ones on the lot - we picked the one that was black/grey and had the dvd system for the kids.

If your local Lexus/Toyota dealet does not have what you are looking for - why not just do a natiowide inventory search via the respective website?

These things are not really rare. Pick to color/miles etc you want and have them ship it to you.

Am I missing something in your post?

I think with Exiled and many of the rest of us we can't just pick a car and go with it. $ is involved and most of us will drive these past 100K miles when the warranty is long gone.

The wife and I keep contemplating selling her 4runner and stepping up to a 100 series. I have been looking off and on since spring. Prices have rissen since then and the gas scare of $3+ a gallon.

- I know for us its not really a special $ we are trying to get under but rather do we need to pull the trigger and get one or wait a year or 2 when we really need a 100. (Space for kids etc.) We both vowed to never go the minivan route so its a SUV (Toyota is there anything else?) 3rd row seat when the next kid gets here or a classic Wagon (not sure I want to shell out the $ for a classic wagon done up right.)
- Space is at a premium now for us with 2 strollers in the back and then the back seat filled with 2 baby seats. We have no space to go many places as it is. Or thats what I tell the wife to see if I can swing the 100 series

- From reading here on the 100 forum (off and on) I think that we may stay with a 99-02 model b/c of the less electricals. 9Maybe even sticking with a 99 for even less items to worry about. (Not considering a 98 b/c in SC we have to have rear air!

- That is an interesting point about the greay leather holdign up better b/c I dont knwo when I have seen worn greay leather in a yota. (The tan seat leather in our 4runner is worn a good bit.) I have treated and conditioned it some, but I guess not enough.

I know alot of that stuff is random, but wanted to just put some other info out there.

 

[BMWSTOY]

I bought mine 1000 miles away, but interesting I saw lots in Texas where you are. A carfax report, detailed photos and an inspection are worth it for high dollar vehicles even if its not near you.

The 2000 does have a different pinion gear in front which could explain the steering feel? - you can read the 2 vs. 4 threads - even more out on the web. I was convinced that TRAC, break assist and 4 pinion front was something to look at - the 2000 model was the first for these. I was lucky I found one for less than the 99's I was looking at - I tradded high miles for lower price. One thing for sure, drive a 99 and then a 00 at the same time - much quieter and for the most part tighter feel - that was my shopping experience anyway.
Drive a 100 and a 4runner in the same day - that sold me. Good luck.