There are a bunch of threads about this. I believe this is one of the better ones and Beno really is a Toyota ninja. why do many prefer an araco built 100?
what is the best year of lc100 or lx470 to get? (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter khm3rgtr
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
There are a bunch of threads about this. I believe this is one of the better ones and Beno really is a Toyota ninja. why do many prefer an araco built 100?
ARACO or not, my '05 was still built in Japan and that's good enough for me. I'm a 12 year Army vet, and love my country. However, I shopped for a LC or LX for a reason which is build quality. From 4Runners, to FJ's, to Cruisers, the build quality of these vehicles is superior to American made vehicles pre or post 2004 ARACO. American made is getting better, but I would trust my '05 LX with 99,500 miles to go anywhere. My '14 GMC Acadia (company vehicle) is falling apart after a year and 20k miles...literally. The center radio stack moves inward 1" when I select a button, the arm rest creaks, there are several creaks throughout the interior, and the transmission jerks violently when downshifting at times just to name a few problems. I LOVE my LX and would still consider the build quality superior even if it were built on a wooden raft in the middle of a river...in JAPAN!! 
Here is what happened in 2004-2005. They had a retirement offer for the old guys that built all the Araco vehicles, so they had a transition between 2004-2005 but only the top people at other plants could apply or be accepted to take their place. That is why the 2005 is the sweet spot. You have the retiring old guys working with the best of the best new guys building the 2005's. So in 2006-2007 you have the new guys that are the best of the best motivated and building top quality vehicles so maybe every year is a sweet spot for the 100 series.
To the OP:
You’re asking the wrong question. You may as well be asking “What is the best color?” or “What is the best month of manufacture?”.
These vehicles are 8-17 years old. With the limited number of these vehicles for sale at any given time, and their age, I would argue that the vehicles history (prior to your purchase) and condition should be more important to you than the year it was manufactured.
I currently drive an 06 LX. I’ve had a number of these vehicles (80/100 series), both new and used, as play toys and daily drivers. About 10 months ago, I went through finding the right 100 series for my 16yo son’s 1st car.
We found about a 4:1 ration of LX to LC for sale in our area, so we opened our search to include LXs.
Everyone knows that (just like the 80 series) the only real 100 series is white, but we didn’t find much available in our 1st choice of color.
I eliminated the pre-2000 models, because I preferred to put my son in one that had VSC. (This ruled out a factory rear e-locker, but for our current use, that really didn’t matter.)
My son’s “technology needs” indicated we needed a “non-nav” model, which realistically limited us to 2000-2002.
It took about 2 months looking in our area, to find the “right” 2000 LC in Riverock Green Mica that met our requirements.
Had I been looking for me, I would have leaned towards a LX in 2003+ with a preference for the newest models first.
I enjoy driving either vehicle, and could be happy with either one as a daily driver.
What I miss when I drive my son’s 2000 TLC
VGRS (2003+)
“Crank Hold” (2003+)
Memory Seats (LX vs LC)
5spd Transmission (2003+)
VVTI engine (2006+)
Projector headlamps (LX vs LC)
beep on lock w/ fob (?)
auto lock when put in gear (?)
backlit gauges w/o headlights (?)
auto “rain sense” wipers (?)
tilt/telescope wheel (LX vs LC)
wood steering wheel (LX vs LC)
sound system (LX vs LC)
What I like better in his 2000:
Front end looks (LC vs LX)
No multifunction display. (Non-Nav)
Non “drive by wire” accelerator
no AHC
Modern Kenwood Nav/Stereo (added after purchase)
To repeat previous posters. Check Slee's buyers guide. Find any "must have options" and narrow your search (this might require going out and driving a few to get a feel for the differences). Buy the newest, best condition one that meets your budget and requirements.
You’re asking the wrong question. You may as well be asking “What is the best color?” or “What is the best month of manufacture?”.
These vehicles are 8-17 years old. With the limited number of these vehicles for sale at any given time, and their age, I would argue that the vehicles history (prior to your purchase) and condition should be more important to you than the year it was manufactured.
I currently drive an 06 LX. I’ve had a number of these vehicles (80/100 series), both new and used, as play toys and daily drivers. About 10 months ago, I went through finding the right 100 series for my 16yo son’s 1st car.
We found about a 4:1 ration of LX to LC for sale in our area, so we opened our search to include LXs.
Everyone knows that (just like the 80 series) the only real 100 series is white, but we didn’t find much available in our 1st choice of color.
I eliminated the pre-2000 models, because I preferred to put my son in one that had VSC. (This ruled out a factory rear e-locker, but for our current use, that really didn’t matter.)
My son’s “technology needs” indicated we needed a “non-nav” model, which realistically limited us to 2000-2002.
It took about 2 months looking in our area, to find the “right” 2000 LC in Riverock Green Mica that met our requirements.
Had I been looking for me, I would have leaned towards a LX in 2003+ with a preference for the newest models first.
I enjoy driving either vehicle, and could be happy with either one as a daily driver.
What I miss when I drive my son’s 2000 TLC
VGRS (2003+)
“Crank Hold” (2003+)
Memory Seats (LX vs LC)
5spd Transmission (2003+)
VVTI engine (2006+)
Projector headlamps (LX vs LC)
beep on lock w/ fob (?)
auto lock when put in gear (?)
backlit gauges w/o headlights (?)
auto “rain sense” wipers (?)
tilt/telescope wheel (LX vs LC)
wood steering wheel (LX vs LC)
sound system (LX vs LC)
What I like better in his 2000:
Front end looks (LC vs LX)
No multifunction display. (Non-Nav)
Non “drive by wire” accelerator
no AHC
Modern Kenwood Nav/Stereo (added after purchase)
To repeat previous posters. Check Slee's buyers guide. Find any "must have options" and narrow your search (this might require going out and driving a few to get a feel for the differences). Buy the newest, best condition one that meets your budget and requirements.
Last edited:
Just as a pricing ref for you I picked up an 06 LC 140k for 16,900. It was a one owner with a ton of mx records from a dealer. That being said it has quite a few door dings and some hail dents, nothing my paintless dent guy can't handle.
2001LC
SILVER Star
Nice posts with some informative info.
But "2000-2002 dog of the bunch" why would you say that?
My 2001 has been bullet proof, and I don't have the issues of:
- Transmission shutter due to water in vent of the 5sp. What years? Was that ever corrected?
- Charcoal canister causing fuel problem when topping off. What years? Was it corrected?
- 06-07 have an air sensor for emission control issue don't they?
- VVTI may be nice for something, not sure what? Document to blow engine on Timing Belt failure.
- How about that extra maintenance & replacement cost of the ACH, is it worth it?
- I don't have the NAV/touch screen, but how many have now failed?
- My FOB tends to reduce life of a bulb or two, better than annoying beep of horn.
- My T-Body has been trouble free. Didn't some? Newer model's have some issues?
- Sure both my exhaust manifolds needed replacing, but Toyota cover me.
- TBS on one CPU and replaced by Toyota, something with security system.
Be nice to see Slee's buyers guide & TSB's update with some of the issues that have arisen over the years.
A DOG YEAR!
Last edited:
I hear you, 2000-2002 might be the most reliable out of the box
I hear you, 2000-2002 is probably the most reliable out of all of them actually, and reliability is why I love LCs. Its just another set set of compromises, add a feature here or there and it just makes it more complex, less reliable. That fifth gear in the 03+ is nice though, and I don't think there is much trade-off if any, except the fact that about 95% of them have that ancient NAV system.
Nice posts with some informative info.
But "2000-2002 dog of the bunch" why would you say that?
My 2001 has been bullet proof, and I don't have the issues of:
- Transmission shutter due to water in vent of the 5sp. What years? Was that ever corrected?
- Charcoal canister causing fuel problem when topping off. What years? Was it corrected?
- 06-07 have an air sensor for emission control issue don't they?
- VVTI may be nice for something, not sure what? Document to blow engine on Timing Belt failure.
- How about that extra maintenance & replacement cost of the ACH, is it worth it?
- I don't have the NAV/touch screen, but how many have now failed?
- My FOB tends to reduce life of a bulb or two, better than annoying beep of horn.
- My T-Body has been trouble free. Didn't some? Newer model's have some issues?
- Sure both my exhaust manifolds needed replacing, but Toyota cover me.
- TBS on one CPU and replaced by Toyota, something with security system.
Be nice to see Slee's buyers guide & TSB's update with some of the issues that have arisen over the years.
A DOG YEAR!
I hear you, 2000-2002 is probably the most reliable out of all of them actually, and reliability is why I love LCs. Its just another set set of compromises, add a feature here or there and it just makes it more complex, less reliable. That fifth gear in the 03+ is nice though, and I don't think there is much trade-off if any, except the fact that about 95% of them have that ancient NAV system.
Best year is 2005 LX470 with OME lift, rock sliders and a set of BFG AT/KO's
2001LC
SILVER Star
What makes the 5sp nice? Really the only thing I've heard was from a dealer that said smoother shifting.
Well if it's a solid color, I may have to agree!
The overall gearing of the 5spd seems much better suited to these vehicles. Especially the lower 1st gear.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachments/new_gear_chart-jpg.842500/
https://forum.ih8mud.com/attachments/new_gear_chart-jpg.842500/
2001LC
SILVER Star
2001LC
SILVER Star
I have not experienced this issue with any of my 5spd vehicles (04/06). You'll have to seek input from others that have had that issue.
2001LC
SILVER Star
Thanks jLB. FWIW this is the issue I'm asking about:
2004 Transmission Issue - Washboard Vibration, Shudder
"TRANSMISSION & CLUTCH
TC001-05
Title:
FIFTH GEAR SHUDDER
Models:
'04 - '05 LX 470
January 28, 2005
Introduction
Models affected: 2004-’05 LX 470 vehicles produced before the Production Change Effective VIN: JTJHT00W#53553516
Some 2004 and 2005 model year LX 470 vehicles may exhibit a shudder (or vibration) sensation, usually accompanied by a cyclic droning noise, when lightly accelerating (less than 15% throttle) after the transmission shifts into 5th gear (usually between 35 and 45 mph). This condition may be caused by water entering the transmission breather, contaminating the transmission fluid. The transmission breather has been changed to prevent water intrusion."
2004 Transmission Issue - Washboard Vibration, Shudder
"TRANSMISSION & CLUTCH
TC001-05
Title:
FIFTH GEAR SHUDDER
Models:
'04 - '05 LX 470
January 28, 2005
Introduction
Models affected: 2004-’05 LX 470 vehicles produced before the Production Change Effective VIN: JTJHT00W#53553516
Some 2004 and 2005 model year LX 470 vehicles may exhibit a shudder (or vibration) sensation, usually accompanied by a cyclic droning noise, when lightly accelerating (less than 15% throttle) after the transmission shifts into 5th gear (usually between 35 and 45 mph). This condition may be caused by water entering the transmission breather, contaminating the transmission fluid. The transmission breather has been changed to prevent water intrusion."
I think that well might be the cheapest I have read a 2006 selling for. Provided you got the hail damage repaired as hoped, that is a silly good deal.
I picked up a tan 99 LX. So, that's the best 100 series. (It's Uber clean and has a s***-ton of maintenance history)
I've owned and daily-driven every variation of the 100 series Landcruiser. They all have strengths and weaknesses. Buy the best example you can afford.
Remember, lockers can be added. The 5-speed is awesome, but, no difference in fuel economy vs 4-speed. 03+ interior is great, but factory nav sucks. Etc etc etc...
I've owned and daily-driven every variation of the 100 series Landcruiser. They all have strengths and weaknesses. Buy the best example you can afford.
Remember, lockers can be added. The 5-speed is awesome, but, no difference in fuel economy vs 4-speed. 03+ interior is great, but factory nav sucks. Etc etc etc...
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Glad to hear it! My wife is pretty short, so a lifter 100 would probably not work for her. Looking forward to wheeling with the AHC.
