2000 Land Cruiser as '07 4runner replacement ?

[BassMiesterNJ]

Thinking about going the used vehicle route once my 2007 4runner lease expires in September.

While looking around, I came across a fully loaded 2000 Land Cruiser 112k miles.

Buying my 07' 4runner Sport with 74k miles will cost at least a few grand more than the Land Cruiser.

If I were to buy the Land Crusier, it would eventually be phased out of being my daily driver and just used to tow a boat and during bad snow.

Opinions ?

Any known problems/expenses to look for with the 2000 Land Cruisers ?

 

[THEROK]

Total downgrade. Have you sat in one of those? The interior is hella dated. Go drive one. It'll feel like the year 2000.

 

[Nashvillerunner]

IMO I think it is a downgrade. I LOVE the LC's just for an off road play toy but I wouldn't want one for a daily driver unless it was a brand new one. I would keep the 4runner if it was me!

 

[BassMiesterNJ]

Total downgrade. Have you sat in one of those? The interior is hella dated. Go drive one. It'll feel like the year 2000.

Yeah, I know it's dated but the leather seats are better than the dreaded (too me) fabric seats in my current Sport.

Keep in mind, this vehicle would eventually become a second duty, boat tow/off roader.

 

[progress4m]

Total downgrade.....

I do not agree with downgrade statement…. Partially because you can’t really compare LC with 4Runner….
Obviously 2000 would be dated vs 2007, but again this is LC we are talking about: silk V8, proven design etc, etc, etc
However, if I would be looking for used LC I would look for one with VVT-I, I believe they had it the same year 4Runner (V8 models) did in 2005. Also LC interior got updated in 2003 along with transmission: got 5 speed. I do not recall exact years, but I believe it was before 2003 they had issues with weak deferential in the front, so I would research that as well.
But overall LC is a great choice if you can afford it and especially if you can keep it as a second vehicle.

 

[M1911]

Didn't the early 4.7s have an exhaust manifold issue?

 

[THEROK]

I do not agree with downgrade statement…. Partially because you can’t really compare LC with 4Runner….
Obviously 2000 would be dated vs 2007, but again this is LC we are talking about: silk V8, proven design etc, etc, etc
However, if I would be looking for used LC I would look for one with VVT-I, I believe they had it the same year 4Runner (V8 models) did in 2005. Also LC interior got updated in 2003 along with transmission: got 5 speed. I do not recall exact years, but I believe it was before 2003 they had issues with weak deferential in the front, so I would research that as well.
But overall LC is a great choice if you can afford it and especially if you can keep it as a second vehicle.

Again, sit inside the 2000 LC and sit inside a comparably equipped 4th gen 4Runner. Drive both. The 4th gen has the same V8 and the interior is nearly the same size with vastly superior interior plastics.

I can't even get myself to like the Sequoia interior even compared to my '03.

But then, my 2003 is pretty damn mint.

 

[eskimochaos]

Again, sit inside the 2000 LC and sit inside a comparably equipped 4th gen 4Runner. Drive both. The 4th gen has the same V8 and the interior is nearly the same size with vastly superior interior plastics.

I can't even get myself to like the Sequoia interior even compared to my '03.

But then, my 2003 is pretty damn mint.

LOL the interiors are not even remotely the same size or quality.

 

[progress4m]

Again, sit inside the 2000 LC and sit inside a comparably equipped 4th gen 4Runner. Drive both. The 4th gen has the same V8 and the interior is nearly the same size with vastly superior interior plastics.

I can't even get myself to like the Sequoia interior even compared to my '03.

But then, my 2003 is pretty damn mint.

I tested and looked at many LC before buying my 4runner 2 years ago, including couple 2000 LC models. I would not write my comments without known what I am writing about.
And again, it is not reasonable to compare LC to 4runner….. it is like apples to oranges.

 

[THEROK]

LOL the interiors are not even remotely the same size or quality.

some of these dudes must think the LC is some sorta escalade extended body. seriously, you can't even have captain seats in the rear just like the 4runner because there isn't enough room.

 

[BamBam]

I agree... those LC interiors feel extremely small compared to what you'd expect looking at the outside. They are nice vehicles for sure, but they don't get very good gas mileage and they are quite expensive to repair. Going seven years older you are going to be looking at more repair bills and they will be higher than on an 07 4Runner. You aren't really gaining anything over your 4Runner in my view except for the Landcruiser name. For a 7 year difference in age then it might be worth it to spend the extra and buy out your lease at the end, or turn it back in and shop around a bit more... or to try to sell the 4Runner now and see if you can come out ahead on it. I've known a few people who have done that as they approached lease end and gotten enough money to pay it off and gotten a bit of a down payment on their next vehicle (at least enough to cover taxes).

If you really feel like you want something significantly bigger for boat towing and such, then I hate to say it... but maybe you should be looking at a Tahoe or a Suburban or something like that. The 2000 Landcruiser isn't an incredibly huge vehicle. The 80 series they made up through 97 I believe feels downright cramped. My friends are like me in that they love Toyota and Honda vehicles, but when push came to shove they bought a used Expedition to tow their boat exclusively and found they really liked it because it was so cheap, repairs aren't overly expensive, and it does a great job as a boat towing/vacation only vehicle and it cost literally almost nothing for them to buy. They use it more than they had originally planned and have held off on buying another SUV because their old Ford keeps on going. Not trying to talk you out of Toyota as I think they are the best, but if it is rarely being used and just for a tow vehicle then no sense in paying big insurance and repair bills is all.

 

[FourEyedWilly]

I'm a Land Cruiser fan having an FJ62 and driven the 80 and 100 series. All of them are TANKS. Being a tank, it's heavy and slow. All of them feel a bit underpowered.

My suggestion is cough up a few extra grand because you know where your 4R has been and how it's been taken care of. I tow my 4,700lb boat with my 4R SE V8 and it's perfect!

And someone said it, LandCruiser parts are more. There just is not a mass quantity of them around. My 62 for instance, is only 1 of 40,000-50,000 made from 88-90. Of those, how many are left? Most rusted away, got traded in with the cash for clunkers program, accidents, whatever... Even worse, my 62 has crank windows so it's 1 of 1,400 in 1990. Parts are nuts.

 

[THEROK]

I agree... those LC interiors feel extremely small compared to what you'd expect looking at the outside. They are nice vehicles for sure, but they don't get very good gas mileage and they are quite expensive to repair. Going seven years older you are going to be looking at more repair bills and they will be higher than on an 07 4Runner. You aren't really gaining anything over your 4Runner in my view except for the Landcruiser name. For a 7 year difference in age then it might be worth it to spend the extra and buy out your lease at the end, or turn it back in and shop around a bit more... or to try to sell the 4Runner now and see if you can come out ahead on it. I've known a few people who have done that as they approached lease end and gotten enough money to pay it off and gotten a bit of a down payment on their next vehicle (at least enough to cover taxes).

If you really feel like you want something significantly bigger for boat towing and such, then I hate to say it... but maybe you should be looking at a Tahoe or a Suburban or something like that. The 2000 Landcruiser isn't an incredibly huge vehicle. The 80 series they made up through 97 I believe feels downright cramped. My friends are like me in that they love Toyota and Honda vehicles, but when push came to shove they bought a used Expedition to tow their boat exclusively and found they really liked it because it was so cheap, repairs aren't overly expensive, and it does a great job as a boat towing/vacation only vehicle and it cost literally almost nothing for them to buy. They use it more than they had originally planned and have held off on buying another SUV because their old Ford keeps on going. Not trying to talk you out of Toyota as I think they are the best, but if it is rarely being used and just for a tow vehicle then no sense in paying big insurance and repair bills is all.

Insightful and honest feedback (diamond in the rough).

And to add another dimension, if you're looking at the LC because it's what you can afford and you're tired of car payments let alone a "rent" payment (i.e. lease), then dated interiors aside, all the more power to you. It absolutely boggles the mind that Americans continue to get locked into debt inanely justified by pretty crafty excuses to fool themselves into thinking somehow it's good to have a $500 note on a sure-fire depreciating so-called asset that continues to carry cost throughout its lifespan.

At the end of the day, I'd love to see you happy with your new setup. Is the LC going to make you happy?

For practicality purposes, the American trucks/SUVs rule. They're cheaper. They're plenty powerful. They're reliable, too. How many rental 4R and LCs do you see in the Avis line-up? Now compare that to your bevy of Tahoes and Expeditions near the airport.

Is the older American SUV going to make you happy?

My main thing is, though you didn't ask for financial advice (gotta love the www), get what's truly, honestly within your budget and start there.

Good luck

 

[Atlanta_man]

LC: slow, eats brake pads

mine did anyway

 

[Flyer]

Would not be a shabby 2nd vehicle at all. I was close to buying one (2000) last year. However, when I finally drove one, I was pretty dissapointed. It was really heavy and really slow. It felt seriously underpowered and ungainly. So I waited and bought a V8 4Runner instead. The interior and features were fine for me but I could not get past the heavy and slow feeling. Just my opinon....not meant to sway or convince either way.

 

[FoneRunner]

I've got a 99 LC...pretty similar if not identical to the 2000. I bought it just over a year ago with 160k miles on it. Sure, it's used. Sure, it gets bad MPG's. And sure, it's no race car. It is however a safe and reliable ride. I have put nothing in it but gas and oil since I brought it home. It rides like a dream, it has plenty of power for what it is (which is a large SUV), and since it will never see off road duty(just ice and whatever snow shows up) it will last me a good long time...with no payments since I saved up and paid cash.

Bottom line: I wouldn't want to commute any distance with it, but as the secondary grocery getter and occasional trip vehicle I love it.

 

[phishtaco]

I would trade my 4runner for a LC 100 series anyday.

Negatives on the 2000(only)
Exhaust Manifolds
Tranny's had problems, but usually showed up way before 100k miles

Positives
Fit 35's easy
Better aftermarket support in Bumpers, slides
Seating capacity

 

[Thai]

I would trade my 4runner for a LC 100 series anyday.

Negatives on the 2000(only)
Exhaust Manifolds
Tranny's had problems, but usually showed up way before 100k miles

Positives
Fit 35's easy
Better aftermarket support in Bumpers, slides
Seating capacity

Other positives: stronger frame, much cleaner underbody, thicker steel panels, quieter on the highway.

Does the 2000s have stability control? That would be a big negative for me if it did not have it, esp. as a daily driver. Side curtain airbags are another negative for me.

If i were the OP, then i would save up for a later model TLC with lower mileage.

 

[M1911]

Does the 2000s have stability control? That would be a big negative for me if it did not have it, esp. as a daily driver. Side curtain airbags are another negative for me.

Good point. Call me a sissy, but I won't buy a truck without stability control and side curtain airbags.

 

[BassMiesterNJ]

Well I haven't gone for a test drive of the 2000 LC yet.

Keep in mind, this is going to be a "financial" decision.... used car loan involved etc.

I have to make the numbers work for my "current" income (or lack there of).

So we'll see.