Wanting to purchase a 100 series as daily driver. Am I crazy? (2 Viewers)

[JOSHD]

Between myself, wife, and two daughters, I drive a 100 Series, my oldest has a GX470, and my wife and youngest both have 5th gen 4runners. Since you have an 80 to play with, I would definately go with a 5th Gen. They are arguably just as reliable as a 100 series with easier and cheaper parts, get better gas mileage, and are really comfortable if you get a Premium or TRD Pro.

 

[knuckle47]

Ok, I cant resist a good dream. I don’t drive a 100…my very long term love has always been FJ40 and FJ45 of which I currently own with the intent of using them as daily drivers. Both are in OUTSTANDING condition and look pristine. I am an old guy now and being stranded would prove to be a real PITA.

Subsequently, my daily drivers are a Silverado diesel and a Suburban. Once I had these vehicles in the condition they are, I wouldn't hesitate to take them to work and back for the few days I commute. This ride is 134 miles round trip on the freakin’ NJ Turnpike…70+mph and 2-4 car lengths from the nut in front of you, texting, coffee and some of the most horrible music I have heard in 65+ years….When you leave an appropriate following distance, some other nut feel its their space to drive in next.

Since I love my LC’s i’d hate to see something stupid happen in commuter traffic. In the decades I have driven this ride I have seen , like many of us here, some tragic stuff …including some really cool cars destroyed. I do my own work. In 3 years i have probably spent $18,000 on parts, rebuild kits and band-aids.

Buy it, and use it as you want ….I do. Just be prepared. Re-read those labor costs.

 

[Kabanstva]

My wife daily drives a stock '05 LC about 40 miles round trip each day. Almost entirely 55mph and flat. She loves everything about it except the lack of bluetooth stereo connection. Haven't bothered to calculate mileage yet (owned one month). I expect significantly more maintenance needs than the 2011 Explorer it replaced.

You can add Bluetooth to it just so you know. Multiple threads here how to do it.

 

[Kabanstva]

Why is having deep pockets a reason to buy an LC? I get there are some big-ticket items with some high mileage but other than that it isn't a huge cost to own one of these.

He’s probably talking about modifying it etc. you can easy dump tens of thousands into one and not even be half way there

 

[offoradjunkie]

He’s probably talking about modifying it etc. you can easy dump tens of thousands into one and not even be half way there

That is true but OP is talking about having it as a daily.

 

[Kofoed]

I have a honda for daily and 100 for desert. The 100 rides a bit rough around town (E load tires) and 2.5 the cost in fuel compared to my honda. . So slightly less impractical than an 80

 

[OBXJ]

You can add Bluetooth to it just so you know. Multiple threads here how to do it.

Yep, on the list of things to do. I haven't spent much time looking into available bluetooth options. Just completed timing belt/water pump job. Currently baselining all the fluids, one weekend at a time haha.

 

[GTV]

He’s probably talking about modifying it etc. you can easy dump tens of thousands into one and not even be half way there

I’m talking about maintenance. It’s going to cost a lot more to keep an 18-27 year old luxury vehicle on the road than a 1-15 year old vehicle that’s much more basic. That number is compounded if labor is part of the equation.

 

[CBB]

Mine has been off/on daily driver for about 15 years now. At 300k miles I just anticipate one large ticket item annually (steering rack, MC/ABS, radiator). Despite having the 250 as the "House Car" now I still take the 100 just about everywhere. I never hesitate to load up the family/dogs/stuff and take off to anywhere. Most important thing is just making sure you stay on top of maintenance. Little things can get big quick.

 

[Kabanstva]

I’m talking about maintenance. It’s going to cost a lot more to keep an 18-27 year old luxury vehicle on the road than a 1-15 year old vehicle that’s much more basic. That number is compounded if labor is part of the equation.

For sure. People don’t understand stuff just wears out with age unless he finds some low mile unicorn that was babied and stored in climate controlled garage but good luck with that. I’m currently restoring a 80 series probably already 5X into it than the purchase price. I’m too scared to look at all the receipts.

 

[FxFormat]

I have 5 cars in my rotation but i generally grab the keys to my LX to drive to work, errands, junk food runs etc...

Smooth, comfortable, reliable and it's a tank. It protects me and my family from bad drivers.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

I'm curious what you do with a "decked out" 80 in Illinois? A 100 would not be crazy, just slightly less impractical than an 80. If you have deep pockets, your only concern would be potential down time for maintenance and repairs and as older vehicles go, obviously a 100 will have less issues than most others.

Somewhat coincidentally, the Car care nut recently posted a video with warnings for what Toyota/Lexus NOT to buy this year for use as a regular driver and the 80 series was one he mentioned. 100 wasn't on his list, so I guess you're good!

 

[Kabanstva]

I'm curious what you do with a "decked out" 80 in Illinois? A 100 would not be crazy, just slightly less impractical than an 80. If you have deep pockets, your only concern would be potential down time for maintenance and repairs and as older vehicles go, obviously a 100 will have less issues than most others.

Somewhat coincidentally, the Car care nut recently posted a video with warnings for what Toyota/Lexus NOT to buy this year for use as a regular driver and the 80 series was one he mentioned. 100 wasn't on his list, so I guess you're good!

He said that because he’s assuming you’re paying a shop to maintain an 80. He said it’s $5k to rebuild a front axle on one. I just did mine and I’ll tell you it’s not $5k lol. It’s $5k if you pay him to do it.

 

[iliketrucks]

uh yeah it's a dead reliable Toyota SUV. Half of the country DDs Tundras, Sequoias etc.

Some of you guys are making it sound like an 80s Lancia. They're not that expensive to maintain - even if a shop does everything (or at least no more than a Tundra of the same age). Just don't buy a basket case.

but yeah big girl is thirsty.

Well said. I'm reminded of the threads that go like "I'm looking to have my brake rotors replaced, are there any land cruiser specialty shops near me that know how to handle this job?". Half of the reason to get a land cruiser is that it's a toyota: a car you can daily, a car that any good mechanic can handle, a car you can work on yourself.

 

[Exiled]

I've been daily driving a 100 series since I bought my first one in 2007. Love it, wouldn't have it any other way. I've been driving Land Cruisers uninterrupted for 38 years so fuel consumption isn't a concern. Nobody who loves Land Cruisers goes to their deathbed wishing they'd driven a Corolla instead!

 

[rexington14]

Nobody who loves Land Cruisers goes to their deathbed wishing they'd driven a Corolla instead!

I drive both

 

[Patron100LC]

I daily drive mine. You can call me crazy, I've been called worse


Regarding the cost of keeping with the car's maintenance and repairs, I can buy all parts from Rockauto.com and pay the same as parts for any other brand, rebuilt axles for $60, ball joints for $6.99 and control arms for a buck 20..

But the question is... if after replacing enough parts with china's best, Am I still driving a Land Cruiser?

I do drive a Land Cruiser, not regretting paying for those parts from Toyota, and I've learned that replacing them yourself makes you appreciate the job and the vehicle much much more.

 

[CBB]

But the question is... if after replacing enough parts with China's best, Am I still driving a Land Cruiser?

Land Cruiser of Theseus?

 

[rbrave]

I daily drive mine. You can call me crazy, I've been called worse


Regarding the cost of keeping with the car's maintenance and repairs, I can buy all parts from Rockauto.com and pay the same as parts for any other brand, rebuilt axles for $60, ball joints for $6.99 and control arms for a buck 20..

But the question is... if after replacing enough parts with china's best, Am I still driving a Land Cruiser?

I do drive a Land Cruiser, not regretting paying for those parts from Toyota, and I've learned that replacing them yourself makes you appreciate the job and the vehicle much much more.

Learn where to find inexpensive parts and plan maintenance well in advance and you get the best of both worlds. I just received a shipment of items from Amayama that I had forgotten I placed, and will be putting those to use as I complete some other maintenance items this weekend. OEM same price as aftermarket Rockauto, just takes longer to arrive.

 

[YotaWagon]

My wife daily drives a stock '05 LC about 40 miles round trip each day. Almost entirely 55mph and flat. She loves everything about it except the lack of bluetooth stereo connection. Haven't bothered to calculate mileage yet (owned one month). I expect significantly more maintenance needs than the 2011 Explorer it replaced.

Dude get a BT45-TOY and spend an hour installing it for her already!

BT45-TOY

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