Anyone here have a LC 100 series?

[jpeaslee]

I know, I know, there are tons of comparisons out there between 4runners and Land Cruisers, but very rarely do I see a LC 100 and a 3rd gen T4R compared. I realize the TLC is 2x expensive. I'm at a point where I really have to make a decision between the two. My initial plan was to get a small loan, about 3-5k and combine it with about 2k cash I have saved up and get a T4R. A few years down the road I'd reinvest in a newish sedan, giving me a more economical DD. In time I'd build it up to be a light duty camping/expo rig (I live in south GA, so not a TON of offroady stuff here... mostly just mud). This would be probably bumpers/sliders, 2-3in lift, and bigger tires. Then I finally test drove a 4runner and remembered how small the back seat was. I really don't actually do that much hauling of people in the back seat, so it's not THAT big a deal. Right after that, my cousin visited with his 04 TLC and I remembered how much I like that truck. It's bigger, and just plain nice. I end up borrowing my parents suburban about 4 or 5 times a year, and the LC would also keep me from doing that.

As far as my daily uses, I drive a 90 mile commute 3 days a week. In the spring/summer/fall, I usually end up riding my Suzuki one of those days. There's also a good possibility that will be reduced. I'm not loaded, I'm single, no kids, and none in the near future. I do tow on occasion, but it's usually a 4x8 trailer with a couple bikes on it. I also strap 2 kayaks to the roof sometimes to make the 2 hour trek to the beach to fish.

So, I'm trying to decide between the two. They both have a great toyota reputation of reliability, but it seems like the t4r seems to get a slight nod when it comes to overall lifespan. Also, I've never seen a $$$ figure attached to this, but the TLC seems a bit more costly when it comes to repair. I wouldn't think general maintenance costs would be a whole lot different.

Can anyone give me their comments, likes, dislikes, etc directly between a 3rd gen 4runner and a lc100?

P.S. I will likely keep this car until it is entirely cost prohibitive/illogical to keep due to $$$

 

[Joelev]

I used to have a 100. Now I have a 3rd gen T4R. They're both great, but I'd err towards the 4Runner if you can do the mechanical work yourself: parts are cheaper and easier to find, by and large, and the initial investment in a truck is much easier. Bear in mind the 3rd gen is about 5 years older than the 100 series, as well.

I'd be happy to answer any general questions you have, but when I bought a new truck for wheeling, I got a 4runner, primarily because of price, size, and gas mileage.

 

[sggaz]

For an under $10K budget there's not much comparison. The 100 series cost will typically be at least 2x the T4R for similar miles. If you go high mileage the 100 has some expensive items to repair or replace when they go down, the AHC being the best known. This forum is a wealth of knowledge to help you maintain the rig DIY to save a ton of coin. The IH8MUD forum is decent for the 100's but much less detailed info is available.

The 100 is a little more thirsty for fuel. As you said it also offers a lot more space. Both are very maneuverable, the 100 is amazing in that way. Tow ratings, surprisingly, are equal at 5000 lbs. I believe the AHC is the reason for the low rating for the 100 but with the V8 it pulls a light load very well.

 

[coinball]

I had a 2004 LX470 up until about a week ago (traded in on a 2014 LC200); put 60k miles on it while we owned it. MPG wasn't horrible, 16.7 was pretty routine. The Mark Levinson speakers in the Lexus are absolute shit and needed to be replaced. I did put Doug Thorley headers on it and did the deckplate mode, but otherwise left it stock. The AHC worked fine, but I did have the rear sensor die on me ($300); and I did the routine fluid flushes in hopes that the globes and accumulators would remain operational while under my ownership...if they die it's buku $ to fix...

 

[jpeaslee]

I'm pretty confident that either one will easily do everything I need of it. I the mpg difference between the two isn't overly bothersome to me. The initial cost difference is justifiable to me due to the bigger size and all the niceness. With the t4r I would be able to pay for it outright, with the TLC, I would be taking on a little debt. My biggest concern is the potential cost for repairs if something goes wrong. I'm pretty handy and while I don't have a ton of experience working on cars mechanically (Electronics i'm solid on), I've been doing a lot more myself (replacing pads/rotors, transmission mounts, motor mounts, fluid changes etc. on my Honda Element). I'm pretty mechanically inclined and with the guidance of the interwebz/forums I'm pretty cool with most things that aren't TOO involved. In general though, it seems like if something goes down on the TLC, it's 2x $$$... Is this true? Another factor that seems to sway for the T4R is parts availability. There aren't so many TLCs in the states, where at T4Rs seem to be everywhere. I'm guessing parts, junkyards, etc. all will be more available for the T4R.

The two TLCs I'm looking at are a 2000 for $11k w/ 154k and a 2004 listed at $13.5k with 190k (though I'd really have to get the dealer down to $12k on this one.

The T4Rs I'm considering are 125k-180k for between $6 and 7k.

 

[sggaz]

Sound System

I don't think the parts pricing is quite 2x but the parts for the LC are more pricey.

One other thing to consider, if it matters to you, is the sound system. Most LX470's came with Mark Levinson and Nav. In that configuration the climate controls are integrated with the sound system which makes upgrading the stereo virtually impossible. It's been done but only by specialists and there are no guides to help do it. So basically if the ML system ever goes down you'll be looking for a refurbed unit. The TLC didn't have ML but I believe in years later than 2001 it is just about as difficult as the LX470 to upgrade. If you go to crutchfield.com and punch in the make/model/year of what you are considering it will tell you what they have available for upgrades.

The 4Runner stereo is very easy to upgrade and options are pretty much unlimited.

 

[white_n_slow]

If you don't need the space, why bother with a barge like the 100 series? And if you're making payments, you're going to be really pissed when you rub it up against a tree. If you don't need the extra space, smaller is definitely better when it comes to wheeling. I'd rather occasionally inconvenience a back seat passenger than drive a less nimble and more expensive rig so that my buddy has a cushier seat once every few months. FWIW, my buddy is 6'4" and didn't have any complaints about a 5-hour trip in the back seat of my 3rd gen.

The 4runner should have enough pep to tow a couple bikes.

The 3rd gen is much more practical, cheaper to buy and put gas in, and better off road, IMO.

 

[Joelev]

Yeah, I mean, I bought a 3rd gen this time around because I wanted something that I wouldn't baby. Not dissing on the T4R at all, but the reality is that it's a cheaper truck that's easier to fix, which I'll take any day over a more capable vehicle that I can't afford to use to its fullest ability.