VVTi or not?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

7

75Denver

10 Year
Joined
Nov 14, 2011
Threads
12
Messages
82
Location
Reno, NV
I've posted up a couple pics of my recent purchase but I'll do it again. My real question is this:

Is a '06 LC w/ 118k an all around better vehicle than a '04 LC w/ 51k??

Both rigs are rust free, have excellent maintenance records, 1 owner ('04), 1 family/2 owners ('06). I know the assembly factory between the two MIGHT yield a better build quality. Considering both vehicles are nearly identical mechanically, is a slightly higher mileage VVTi equipped LC better than a low mileage non-VVTi??

I will say the exterior, interior, undercarriage and engine bay of the '04 are showroom clean. The '06 show the wear of a family rig.

IMG_2181.webp


IMG_2191.webp


IMG_1969.webp


IMG_2044.webp
 
Definitely the 06.

Do you need me to send my address, so you can deliver the POS 04 to my door?
 
I wouldn't really want a 2006 or 2007 because of all the smog control crap which causes problem and there's also the issue that people are having when they just stop running on the highway when it's hot. The reason for this problem has not been solved
 
I have both VVT and non VVT 100's. I can't really tell a difference between the two. VVT are harder to service, and if the timing belt fails, the engine is toast. IMO, you can't go wrong with either. newer truck= less stuff worn out. If they were the same price, I would prob go w newer.
 
I voted non VVTI with my own money. Took me a long time to find a cherry 2005, but I think that it was worth it.

I had my timing belt break in my 2000 without having any collateral damage. For that reason alone, I would only consider a 100 from 2005 and before.
 
Lange said:
I voted non VVTI with my own money. Took me a long time to find a cherry 2005, but I think that it was worth it.

I had my timing belt break in my 2000 without having any collateral damage. For that reason alone, I would only consider a 100 from 2005 and before.
Click to expand...

you are the first one I've heard had a timing belt break. My mechanic buddy has 2 friends that are service advisors at the lexus dealership. in 12 years, they never saw a broken timing belt. these belts are robust!
 
I have the exact same truck in exactly the same color and also a 2006 model. It currently has 166k miles and the thing is flawless. It's an incredibly smooth truck. Not one issue in 10k miles of weekend driving (she's my third car). The VVTI head kicks ass and the hydraulic suspension is smooth as butter. Maybe I'm just lucky guy. It did have a s*** ton of miles when I got her. The PO wrecked it at 92k miles (head-on with airbag deployment and front subframe replacement). He then drove it for 60k miles and I got it from one of those chinese export dealers in El Monte, CA. I took a huge chance but I checked the records on toyotaowners.com and the car had an extensive service history. So far so good. Not one issue. Everything works like the day it left the factory. I vote for the 2006!
 
tacoduck said:
I have both VVT and non VVT 100's. I can't really tell a difference between the two. VVT are harder to service, and if the timing belt fails, the engine is toast. IMO, you can't go wrong with either. newer truck= less stuff worn out. If they were the same price, I would prob go w newer.
Click to expand...

What exactly makes them harder to service? I've always been spot on with recommend factory maintenance though some people I know have gone double the mileage w/o failure.

In this case, both cost the same. However, the '06 needs a couple things to make it as nice (steering rack, shocks(?), dent repair, tint, etc).
 
There is a <$200 work around for the emissions/vvt-i issue.

I ran two 06 100's in Mexico where temperatures exceeded 100 most of the year. I never experienced the overheating issue mentioned above.

I personally would look for an 06/07.
 
you have to remove the cam to replace the cam seals.
 
I do like the power of my 2006 over the other 100's I've had, but I would put the benefits/drawbacks of the VVT engine low on the list and go with whichever truck is in the best overall condition or has features you prefer.

Isn't the interference issue a problem only if the belt were to break when the engine is on the VVT profile?
 
Do you own both and are trying to decide which to sell? Sell the 06.

My uncles 07 shut off when coasting downhill. The water pump pulley had failed, which threw the timing belt off and shut the engine down. Major damage internally, had to replace the engine. At around 120k, a Lexus dealership had replaced the TB, but not replaced the water pump. The belt itself wasnt even fully broken, it just jumped a few teeth. Due to the VVTi, the hydraulic suspension that most 06-07s have, and the extra emission crap, I like the 98-05s way better.
 
I don't think you can go wrong with either option.

The question really is your intended usage, driving style, and the expectations of your right foot.

If you ever intend to tow, or build her up and load her heavily, I'd say the VVTi would be a stronger factor. I've driven both versions the VVTi made a substantial difference at higher fwy speeds. This is important to me for road trips, when loaded heavily, and being able to pass on single lane highways. Also, I do tow, and the VVti again helped tremendously in this regard.
 
studawg said:
Do you own both and are trying to decide which to sell? Sell the 06.

My uncles 07 shut off when coasting downhill. The water pump pulley had failed, which threw the timing belt off and shut the engine down. Major damage internally, had to replace the engine. At around 120k, a Lexus dealership had replaced the TB, but not replaced the water pump. The belt itself wasnt even fully broken, it just jumped a few teeth. Due to the VVTi, the hydraulic suspension that most 06-07s have, and the extra emission crap, I like the 98-05s way better.
Click to expand...

Yes, I own both. But one has to go.

That sounds like bad luck and something that could happen to any engine if the work was not properly done. I've read the emission stuff is somewhat of a cheap fix. What drew me into the '06 was that it was the first one I'd found w/o AHC (and rust free).

TeCKis300 said:
I don't think you can go wrong with either option.

The question really is your intended usage, driving style, and the expectations of your right foot.

If you ever intend to tow, or build her up and load her heavily, I'd say the VVTi would be a stronger factor. I've driven both versions the VVTi made a substantial difference at higher fwy speeds. This is important to me for road trips, when loaded heavily, and being able to pass on single lane highways. Also, I do tow, and the VVti again helped tremendously in this regard.
Click to expand...

LandCruiserPhil said:
▲This▲

Towing and the need to have the BEST passing power available on a 100 series = VVTi having owned both

The secoundary air pump is a $200 fix:meh: well worth the addition power
Click to expand...


Now that I've had some seat time in both, the '04 is an all-around tighter vehicle. As it should be with 67k less miles. I was just under it today and EVERY bolt on the drivetrain still shines!! I can attest that the '06 will get up and go a lot quicker. Especially in the higher end for high-speed passing. Though, I should admit to driving like a Grandma most of the time.

I think overall intended use will be more weekend explorer as well as DD. I get a mix of driving but back roads is always prefered. I really don't think I'll go as far as full Expedition. But the idea of towing something as simple as a pop-up camper for the fam does sound like the VVTi would be better. That style of Glamping is a ways down the road for me though;).

My other thinking is which will be worth more in the long run. Having paid the same price for each, I'm almost leaning towards the '04 because I can drive it for a while w/o worrying about mileage depreciation. I could always wrap the white with a color of choice;).

Thank you all for the great advice! I might just have to leave it to a coin flip.
 
Usually, 40 hp isn't a big deal. If you're looking at a 3,500 lb Corvette or M3, with 400-500 horsepower, an 8-10% bump in power in an already blisteringly fast car, is arguably unnecessary. But we're talking about a 5,600 lb truck with 235 or 275 hp. That's a 15% swing in power.

I have an '06. With the family and all luggage, etc., passing on a two-lane takes planning and timing. There's none of that - sit on the bumper of slow car at 60 mph, floor it, launch to 75 mph and make the pass. It's more like - stay back from the slow car, see the opportunity, floor it, get a running start, move left into the oncoming lane... pass... move right.
 
75Denver said:
Yes, I own both. But one has to go.

That sounds like bad luck and something that could happen to any engine if the work was not properly done. I've read the emission stuff is somewhat of a cheap fix. What drew me into the '06 was that it was the first one I'd found w/o AHC (and rust free).

I could always wrap the white with a color of choice;).

Thank you all for the great advice! I might just have to leave it to a coin flip.
Click to expand...


It is my understanding that that can NOT happen on a pre-VVTi engine. Never heard of a TB breaking or jumping time that resulted in engine damage on the pre-VVTi 2UZ-FE. In this case, the TB was changed at 90k, but not the WP. About 30k miles later, the WP pulley failed, when it was going downhill, which would suggest it was not even on the VVTi profile.

The emissions system bypass is a cheap fix, but then you run the risk of not being able to pass emissions testing, would depend on your state laws I guess.

I think the extra performance comes at a cost to reliability. Im kind of splitting hairs here, but it has to be said that the 04 is more reliable than the 06 due to the VVTi and emissions, (and usually AHC but not in your case.) I tend to choose reliability over performance, but thats just me. I like the 03-05s the best of the 100 series. The fact that the 06 doesnt have AHC/AVS is a big plus and would make the decision harder for me. But given the low mileage of the 04, you know you would have many, many years of trouble free miles with only basic maintenance. If you try to sell the 04, you might not get the premium of that really low mileage. Everyone is going to hit you with, "yeah but its 12 years old, blah blah blah." The 06 will fetch a pretty penny, its got the right mileage, a good color combo and perfect tires, and you can use that money, and the ultra low cost of ownership of the 04 to save up for a 200 with the 5.7 and 386 HP! (The 3UR-FE has VVTi but has a timing chain instead of a timing belt.)

Like someone said, you can't really go wrong either way. But you are trying to make a decision and have to choose, so....

Life is a series of compromises. Good luck. By the way, white IS the best color on Cruiser wagons! ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom