What's the cost to keep a Land Cruiser 100?

[GregLCA]

Hi,

I'm new here. First let me introduce myself.

I'm from Texas and currently is a college student. I own a 2001 Infiniti QX4 now, which is generally a nice truck. But I want a Land Cruiser 100 if possible. My friend is a dealer, I'm working with him to get me into the used car resale business. So I have access to the dealer only auctions which cost much less to purchase a car.

I was not a big fan of Toyota in general until one day I was tired of fixing my car and decided to buy a Toyota. So I searched the Toyota Land Cruiser ("if I gonna drive a Toyota, I'll drive a good Toyota." That's what I was thinking). I was shocked by the value of the used Land Cruisers. I was like "are you kidding me?!". Then I did a research to figure out why it is so expensive. Next thing you know, I felt in love with Land Cruiser.

I'm planning to purchase a Land Cruiser 100 whenever my financial status allows me to do so.
My questions is: How much is it cost to own a Land Cruiser?
I barely drive 3,000 miles per year. Maybe I drive more this year, 5,000 miles maximum.
What will be the cost to feed the LC? Do I have to use premium gas? How about insurance? Is it much higher than other cars? I'm paying around $65 per month for my Infiniti QX4 with only liability coverage and a crappy insurance company. Most importantly, maintenance, how likely that I will need to replace some parts on a LC 100?( Exclude cosmetic parts, I'm planning to buy one with cosmetic damage since it'll be cheaper, and I can fix it cheaply)

Thank you very much!

As a college student, the whole idea of shopping for a LC seems a bit like misplaced priorities.

If you're paying your own way through college, drive whatever is cheap and reliable and save your money for tuition and books. When you graduate and get a decent job, you should be able to easily afford a LC (and it's maintenance).....

Land Crusiers are pretty reliable overall, but as has been noted on this thread already.... there are a few repairs that aren't for the faint-of-wallet!!! You don't want to be dumping hundreds of dollars into LC repairs at a time in your life when you are probably least able to afford it.


Just my humble $.02


-G

 

[TXLX100]

Don't get me wrong, I love my 100. But if I didn't need the space and didn't take long trips, I'd be in something smaller like you already have. If I didn't need space, I'd be back in a 4Runner quickly. The only "luxury" I care about is leather, power windows & locks, and heated seats.... Which are available in nearly every vehicle model now.

 

[bctlex]

I'm from Texas and currently is a college student.

I'm planning to purchase a Land Cruiser 100 whenever my financial status allows me to do so. My questions is: How much is it cost to own a Land Cruiser?

You are asking an LC forum, of course we will say go buy one

A general advice here, buy what you need and what you can afford, not what you want. Seems like you already have a nice SUV. Do you need another SUV with worse gas mileage than your QX4?

My $.02

 

[GhostZodick]

I put a lot of miles on a 2002 pathfinder, which is largely similar to your QX4, but obviously less luxurious. The VQ35 engine (which is pretty highly regarded in its own right) in the smallish SUV platform is a lot more fun to drive than a LC and the maintenance cost and effort was very similar, as was the reliability I experienced. For your driving needs, the QX4 is probably great. I moved up to the size and capability of the LC when my expedition type trips grew in length (and family and dogs) and I needed the extra space and load capacity.

All that said, the LC is my favorite vehicle I've owned. Go get one!

Now I really want a LC!!! The reason that I started to search for an LC is because of my experience on the bad weather days. North Texas had several bad weather days for the past 3 months. Knowing that my QX4 has a very responsive throttle and the fact that it's a 2x4, I didn't even try to drive it out on those snowy days. One day, it was raining and I noticed a little bit of ice on road. I needed grocery so I drove out anyway. I stoped at an intersection waiting for the traffic light. As soon as it turned green, I hit my throttle as normal, but the truck didn’t go and the rear wheels spins on it's own. I was scared and waited for about two seconds and then push my throttle very gently and it goes. I went home safe and started to thinking why am I paying 14mpg for something that basically is a better looking minivan? Land Cruiser is my solution for my problem.

 

[GhostZodick]

thats fine...until you find our where the starter lives in a 100 series.......the intake must come off to replace

The guy who replaced my starter on the QX4 said 20 "fxxx" while working on it. I guess to replace a starter on an LC will take 100 "fxxx"?

 

[GhostZodick]

You are asking an LC forum, of course we will say go buy one

A general advice here, buy what you need and what you can afford, not what you want. Seems like you already have a nice SUV. Do you need another SUV with worse gas mileage than your QX4?

My $.02

I'll take your advice. I'll eventually get an LC, but I will wait longer.
By the way, I'm not asking advice on "should I buy an LC. I know I should . I only need to know the cost of ownership to see whether I can afford one currently. Seems I'll need to work harder and wait longer.

 

[GhostZodick]

As a college student, the whole idea of shopping for a LC seems a bit like misplaced priorities.

If you're paying your own way through college, drive whatever is cheap and reliable and save your money for tuition and books. When you graduate and get a decent job, you should be able to easily afford a LC (and it's maintenance).....

Land Crusiers are pretty reliable overall, but as has been noted on this thread already.... there are a few repairs that aren't for the faint-of-wallet!!! You don't want to be dumping hundreds of dollars into LC repairs at a time in your life when you are probably least able to afford it.


Just my humble $.02


-G

As I stated earlier, I'm getting into the used car resale business. I'll need a truck that can tow in the future. I think I need to sell several more cars before I consider buying an LC.