Thinking about going back in time...

[elk]

...From a 2006 to a 2000 that is. My friend has an impeccably maintained 2000 LC with 160k miles that he has owned since 2005. I just turned 200k on my 2006. Mileage is not really a concern for me. He has had his timing belt and water pump done at Toyota within the last year, along with a new header for ticking, and starter. He keeps his things nicely maintained. His truck has no rust (for the mid-Atlantic), and no AHC, nav, VVTI or rear AC. I realize he has the 4 speed and his master and booster are original.

All things being equal, his price to me is really good. I was contemplating selling my 2006, pocketing the difference, and picking up his older truck, leaving me some extra cash for a roof rack for my tent and sliders.

Has anyone gone to an earlier year cruiser voluntarily? I'm tempted to go to a simpler version of my truck, in slightly better condition, with the prospect of a few thousand extra dollars in my pocket. I'm not strapped for cash, but the thought is tempting.

 

[VidereStudios]

I'd do it...especially since you know the guy personally and that he took care of the rig. I like the early 100's just a bit more than the later ones. I looked at two 2006's and a 2007...they just weren't worth the price difference compared to the 2000 and 2001's. But this is from a guy who seems to be going down the LandCruiser year ladder...next stop for me is a HDJ81.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Darn, I sold a nice 1984 Land Cruiser last fall. It could have been yours.

I still have a 1975, but I'm not selling that one.

 

[re_guderian]

Just my opinion, but my '04 is SO much more fun to drive than my '00. They're set up about the same, mild lift, 295/75/16's on both. Later steering is better, and the 5 speed makes a big difference. I DD the 2000. Like taking my wife's '04 whenever I can. Steering wheel controls, better dash, side curtain/side airbags, etc. etc. However, both rock. I was in an '05 RX330 today, and just don't like it nearly as much as the Cruisers. (I'm too tall for it, for one thing, visibility is poor for another).

Ask yourself this, how many times a year are you REALLY going to use rack, tent and sliders? And then ask, how many times a DAY am I going to accelerate, steer, and just DRIVE?

 

[elk]

^Great feedback Rob. I really do like the quality of my '06, and this was confirmed by my recent rental of a '16 4Runner while on a trip to Colorado. The build quality of the Cruiser is far superior. I was concerned mostly about the difference in transmissions between the model years and your feedback supports what I suspect. I find it interesting that you mention the steering is better in the newer models, what is the reason for that difference?

 

[re_guderian]

^Great feedback Rob. I really do like the quality of my '06, and this was confirmed by my recent rental of a '16 4Runner while on a trip to Colorado. The build quality of the Cruiser is far superior. I was concerned mostly about the difference in transmissions between the model years and your feedback supports what I suspect. I find it interesting that you mention the steering is better in the newer models, what is the reason for that difference?

Probably a dying rack on my 2000, honestly...

 

[SHAGGY101]

I'd keep the 06. You can make it simpler if you want but the 5 speed and the extra power in the engine make the difference. I just went from a 2000 to 2006 and wouldnt go back. Working on it has been a breeze, everything is so much more refined than my 2000 was. I feel like the 06 is just a better truck all together than the 00.