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Prices are ridiculous for clean 06-07s.
What year is best.....2024 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter steelynorm
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I've seen quite a few clean <200k mile examples for around $15k now.
I'd still like to drive one.
'03 - '05 LC is the sweet spot. 5sp ZF, side curtain airbags, rear view cam (04+), trans dipstick ('03), glass headlights, big improvement in gauge cluster (compared to '98-'02), no AHC (common on '06-'07), no VVTi, no SAI.
I have a 2002 and for me personally i would have searched for a 06-07 model if i would have known more about the vvti and 5 speed. I love my 02 but lack of power and 4 speed especially at elevation, with larger tires is a pain, not to mention if i'm towing something. But they are more expensive because they are newer and more updated and people know that.
2001LC
SILVER Star
2007 for all the bells and whistles. Plus bragging rights of the last 100 series made. LX470 for all refinements' and extras. Also the fewest manufactures. 2006 is the same, just not last year made 
98-99 Good: LC, rear lockers. Bad: least get-up-and-go. Throttle body issues. Weak front diff.
00-02 Rear lockers removed. Front diff beefed up. Throttle body issues seem to have been corrected. Watch out for 2000 year, a few of Automatic Transmission (AT) have failed under 100k miles typically. (Note: Typically all years have a bullet proof AT. When properly maintained, seem to last forever). We get all window auto. 2001 (IIRC) gets child seat anchors.
2003 Gets you to next level (3rd) in the series. With better gearing and still has the AT dipstick the last we see of it in Toyota. Aslo improved and smilpfield throttle body. But lacks rev camera. Also additional air bags. IIRC, we lose glass lenses in 2003 headlights, 03-up plastic.
2004- Gets the back up camera and updated software in NAV screen. We lose the AT dipstick. 2004 up, AT fluid was factory underfilled (TSB changes AT fluid temp used to set level) Also use the new Toyota coolant SLL pink.
06-07. Reduce pollution in manufacture processes and engine output. Has the most power of all 100 serie. More of a sport car feel get-up and go.
As with any good auto manufacture. We see minor issues, get improvements in subsequent years. These are often very minor glitches, discovered in real word use. Sometimes we don't even know they've been done. They can be an updated parts and even a small tweak in the assembly line procedure.
98-99 Good: LC, rear lockers. Bad: least get-up-and-go. Throttle body issues. Weak front diff.
00-02 Rear lockers removed. Front diff beefed up. Throttle body issues seem to have been corrected. Watch out for 2000 year, a few of Automatic Transmission (AT) have failed under 100k miles typically. (Note: Typically all years have a bullet proof AT. When properly maintained, seem to last forever). We get all window auto. 2001 (IIRC) gets child seat anchors.
2003 Gets you to next level (3rd) in the series. With better gearing and still has the AT dipstick the last we see of it in Toyota. Aslo improved and smilpfield throttle body. But lacks rev camera. Also additional air bags. IIRC, we lose glass lenses in 2003 headlights, 03-up plastic.
2004- Gets the back up camera and updated software in NAV screen. We lose the AT dipstick. 2004 up, AT fluid was factory underfilled (TSB changes AT fluid temp used to set level) Also use the new Toyota coolant SLL pink.
06-07. Reduce pollution in manufacture processes and engine output. Has the most power of all 100 serie. More of a sport car feel get-up and go.
As with any good auto manufacture. We see minor issues, get improvements in subsequent years. These are often very minor glitches, discovered in real word use. Sometimes we don't even know they've been done. They can be an updated parts and even a small tweak in the assembly line procedure.
I have an 03 lx and my only comparison is my 06 tundra with the VVTi and I wish I would have been more patient and bought an VVTi 100 series. The extra power would be nice.
Totally biased...but 2006-07 are the best years
That being said, as I peruse sales listings for 100 series, I'm looking at anything 2004 and up. If power is an issue the Thorley headers wake up the pre-VVTI 2uz motors quite well. Or use the money saved buying pre-06 and put it towards an Elate supercharger.
That being said, as I peruse sales listings for 100 series, I'm looking at anything 2004 and up. If power is an issue the Thorley headers wake up the pre-VVTI 2uz motors quite well. Or use the money saved buying pre-06 and put it towards an Elate supercharger.
Anything against the 03? It has the only 5spd tranny with a dip stick!Totally biased...but 2006-07 are the best years
That being said, as I peruse sales listings for 100 series, I'm looking at anything 2004 and up. If power is an issue the Thorley headers wake up the pre-VVTI 2uz motors quite well. Or use the money saved buying pre-06 and put it towards an Elate supercharger.
It retains the amber window tint of the earlier 98-02 models with the interior update (if you could call it that?) of the 03-07
This may be completely subjective but my wife’s 05 (non vvti) feels peppier on the throttle than the 03 (also non vvti) - not sure if there is a difference
Some 03’s don’t have back up cameras
Not sure if there were any airbag differences
Dangit I had the year wrong. I like the 5 speed and side curtain airbags. Didn't know that about the window tint and dipstick on the 03. Pretty cool.
Do you enjoy driving one of your LC’s over the other?
I feel like those who have more than one are still drawn to one more than the other. Crazy right?
I think finding one in good condition is way more important than the year. My boss had an 03 Toyota LC, high mileage, TX car flew out and drove it back. Ended up spending thousands repairing rust from a botched windshield replacement and other areas. I drove it multiple times on the highway and streets. It did not really feel solid at all. Just felt like a rattle trap. The P.O removed all the interior panels to sound proof it and change out all the bulbs to LEDs…. Let’s just say some people should never work on cars. He broke most of the clips etc so everything felt loose on it. Felt like you’re driving a 70s pickup truck.
I would just find one bone stock that wasn’t messed with. Unless of course you can find and afford a solid built one that appears like no corners were cut.
I would just find one bone stock that wasn’t messed with. Unless of course you can find and afford a solid built one that appears like no corners were cut.
I love my 2000 LC. It’s built for off road and will take me anywhere. We put a lot of miles on it exploring the country.
I love my 07 LX. It’s bone stock. More my gentleman farmer truck. Much peppier and I drive it more around town.
I’m really not drawn to one over the other, other than picking the right truck for the day.
GTV
SILVER Star
'03 has the best overall specs for the money, IMO. Headers are readily available and cost effective (unlike 06/07) to help with the power gap. The fuel/evap system is also much more simple on the 03/04. The dipstick wins it for '03.
I'll take the simplicity of the pre-nav model LX to swap in the three-knob HVAC unit and a head unit that supports multiple cameras and all of the car play options. Transfer case with 3:1 4L option give it enough power to pop wheelies. Never any complaints about mileage or power.
I found the trail cam to be worth two tire sizes.
Keeping the wheel and tire weight for 285/75R16s at or near the original spec is easy on the suspension and the 4-speed with a lower rotational mass.
I found the trail cam to be worth two tire sizes.
Keeping the wheel and tire weight for 285/75R16s at or near the original spec is easy on the suspension and the 4-speed with a lower rotational mass.
If I had to get super picky between my 2, I'd say the 2006 but that's because the AHC rides so nice.
I had a new forum member stop by a few weeks ago and helped him look over his new purchase and got to drive it. Was a 2004 LX470 (AHC had been removed) but I thought it was fine for power (non VVTI). I'd be happy with anything 2003 and up. Love the older 3 knob HVAC controls but 5 speed auto makes a big difference with the amount of freeway driving I do.
2001LC
SILVER Star
03 - 05 should feel the same. Since weight, air intake, exhaust and drivetrain the same! Tire size will make a difference as will engine tune.
I've one 03LX 317K miles. It has pep, but not as much as my 06LX and 07LXs.
Like most things in life its good to step away and then re-appreciate each time you come back
I’ll occasionally get the honor of refueling my wife’s LX - and while driving in her cush ride I begin to question every mod I made to my LC that slowly chipped away at the functional and comfortable ride it had when stock. I’m serious, Real remorse
So when will you unveil the 06 ?
Without defining your use case, “best” really has no meaning. I loved my 98 LX, after it was totaled, it was replaced with an 06 LX, both as DD. After 13 years with the 06 LX, I bought an old used 99 LX as a spare car, and offroad toy. After 8 years of 98 LX, 18 years of a 06 LX, 5 years of a 99 LX, and 10 years of my son’s 00 LC, each model year has its pluses and minuses. Without use case, I’d lean 03-05, but wouldn’t overlook other years with proper maintenance.
The mods are fun but I do appreciate a cruiser in stock form. the lx are definitely more quiet inside too.
No idea on when I'll finish the 2006. Realistically will be another couple months when I have everything buttoned up. It went from a repaint and refresh to now doing every rubber bushing and a motor out re-seal. Mission creep....
