What year is considered the best year to have within the 100 series? Is it the 98-99 with the rear locker option? Is it a 2007 because it's the last of the 100?
What is the best year of the 100 series and why?
I'm asking as i'm in the market for another cruiser and the 100 series is calling my name.
Common answer: the newest model year with least miles you can afford. Also, minimal rust.
I personally wanted a non-Nav 2001. It has the LATCH system for kiddo car seats without the restriction of navigation.
Eventually settled on a 2000 due to great price, low miles, and killer service record. Still looking for that 2001 owner to swap the middle row with...
**Personal bias is '98 because that's what I have. Factory rear locker, no nav and no ahc were three things that I liked about that. Plus I have a pretty badass tape deck.
Issues:
- Weaker front differential (I installed an ARB)
- No rear A/c (I just had 3M's CR40 tint film applied: almost completely transparent but still delivers >50% heat reduction)
167K miles at purchase, now 190K, still very happy with it.
But really, it comes down to how much weight you put on each difference. I personally didn't care about being able to go aftermarket since bluetooth and sirius are options with the factory '06. I put more weight on 5-speed, VVTI, and newest year possible.
My 99 has rear air. When I first started my search I was looking for a 99 for the rear locker and rear air but had heard about the front diff weakness. I was lucky to find one with an ARB front locker so no issues. As far as which is best, I agree with the others, buy the one you can afford. My search was for a built 100 so I didn't have to start a build again, I wanted a turn key 100. I was also looking for something with low miles which I was having a hard time finding, the one I found had 98,000 miles. It took me several months and no way I would have found it without MUD. I paid a premium for it but it was exactly what I was looking for. After a couple months of driving it, I have no regrets.
Keep looking at the 100 classifieds, you'll find it. Don't let long distances scare you off either. I'm not saying everyone would do it but the owner of my rig drove it to me from Arizona and caught a one way flight back. Mud members are the best !
It's the same as a 2007 from what I can tell, but for some reason the hp numbers went down just a tad in 2007.
But an '06 will have 5 speed trans, night vision, LED tails, updated interior, VVTi engine, full towing capacity (6500 lbs, as they originally had), and are available in gray. I don't care for the NAV, but I've pretty much accepted that I'm not finding an LX without one.
I think that was just on paper - I.e. a correction of a previously overstated number. My recollection is that Toyota got caught overstating HP numbers on several models in that era.
But an '06 will have 5 speed trans, night vision, LED tails, updated interior, VVTi engine, full towing capacity (6500 lbs, as they originally had), and are available in gray. I don't care for the NAV, but I've pretty much accepted that I'm not finding an LX without one.
I think that was just on paper - I.e. a correction of a previously overstated number. My recollection is that Toyota got caught overstating HP numbers on several models in that era.
Yes it was a just on paper, but if I remember correctly, it was a change in SAE methodology for rating horsepower, not "caught overstating/cheating on HP numbers".
Yes it was a just on paper, but if I remember correctly, it was a change in SAE methodology for rating horsepower, not "caught overstating/cheating on HP numbers".
Suffice to say they were very late in complying, and had to be reminded to comply. The SAE standard (SAE j1349) came out in 2004. Honda had to restate some cars as well but Toyota was the worst offender. Everyone else was in compliance in that timeframe - Toyota, Honda Dial Back Horsepower Claims
Just got my 06 LX470 and LOVE IT!
If you are towing a lot it sounds like an 06 or 07 will have a slight edge.
If you are looking to replace the whole sound system you want to find something without nav.
Someone told me buy the lowest mileage newest one you can afford with a solid service history.
Whatever you get I am sure you will be happy.
Any year is a great year it's a 100!
