Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Any advice?
In the back of my mind, I just can't imagine Toy opting out of the luxury SUV market and re-badging a Sequoia. There I go agian letting my emotions getting the better of me.
As you say, this waiting game is getting tiresome and I'm focusing way too much on what Toy's going to do :confuse:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_library/display_release.html?id=20050520
:P
Hey, you want a low mileage, clean '02?
It looks like the last thing holding the panel on is a "catch" on the front edge and 2 on the back. They seem spring loaded. I can pull them part way out, but can not get them all of the way out.
How do I complete the process to remove the door panel?
Thanks
-Jess
Being price concious, all my research is pointing towards the 97 TLC. Here's what I know: JD Power has a really high 9.1 rating for this particular model/yr. I don't care about mpg being in a ski town. I heard about the cup holder thing. I know we can sleep a 6 footer & dog car camping in back for the weekend. Any price sensitive GPS recommendations? I'm willing to fly anywhere for a great deal knowing the prices greatly fluctuates across the country. I've been reviewing: Autotrader, Carsdirect, Edmunds & Cars.com
What other questions should I be asking? What else am I missing? What other websites provide insight? Can it really handle snow storms? How's the towing? Do you think the 40th Anniversary Edition is going to hold it's value in the future? I do
There's the challenge.. I'd love to hear your collaborative thoughts
Landrovers depreciate like a rock. Look up some of the 3 year old models on sale and you'll see what I mean. If you are leasing an LR3 it's okay I guess, cause you can turn it into the dealer.
In terms of the Anniversary hold its value issue, in my mind the anniversary moniker is cosmetic. So at most you are talking of a 1000 premium. But as you are probably aware, TLC's tend to depreciate the least. So if you are able to get a used one at a pretty good price, you should reap the lower depreciation %, starting in the 8th year or 2005. I had one new FJ60 for 14 years and 250,000 miles and experienced a 3.125% yearly depreciation. I think for the 97 TLC more like 4-7% yearl depreciation
While that was the case in the past, I would suspect that high gas prices now and in the forseeable future are going to produce a greater supply of used LCs and much less demand. Every cloud has a silver lining - the good news is that you should be able to pick a used one up much cheaper to start with................
Has anyone heard of historical problems with the AC?
My Subaru Air Conditioning just crashed and I'm in Phoenix where it's 110 degrees. Looks like I'll be searching for the right one sooner than later. Thanks bro's
The dealer that did the replacement has run all the available diagnostics and keep telling me that the transmission is in perfect working order. They have also checked the engine and tranny mounts, u-joints, drive shaft alignment etc and even pulled out the drive shafts and re-greased them. None of this has helped the situation any.
Any input on this will be greatly appreciated.
Inside Line
Steve, Host
The LC driver must have changed over the years.....
We love our 96' TLC. But the brakes! Every 15,000 miles or so--or $900 every 8 months! I am thinking I ought to try replacing the pads myself. How big of a job is that? Special tools? Is the Toyota repair manual the best--or is there an aftermarket 'How to' that is better?
Thanks.
Thanks ...
Look at a used '01 Volvo V70 FWD wagon. This is the first year of the current body style. So it is contemporary. Or, find an '00 and bargain hard because it is NOT the current body style. Pop on some dedicated winter tires (e.g., Bridgestone Blizzaks) on dedicated cheap pressed steel wheels from the Tire Rack and you will get the traction of an AWD Volvo XC without paying the price of AWD in initial purchase or diminished gas mileage. Everything will be less money than the TLC: tires, brakes, service, etc. etc. You might actually enjoy the Volvo service experience rather than have to put up with a high volume Toyota service department who work on one TLC every month or so. (You did read the cover article in Baron's last fall about how Toyota stores now have customer satisfaction levels approaching urban Chevy stores? That's not exactly where I want to take my car, with or without an attack dog!).
Can't stand Volvos? Want to save some more money but still want that import feeling? Buy a late model SAAB 9-5 wagon with the 4 cylinder non-turbo engine and the stick shift. The resale on this option set is lower than the visibility in an apres ski bar. Thats good news for you. More good news: ski towns have good indie SAAB repair people.
Leave the very used TLCs to people who actually enjoy bonding with their cars up on a lift, use it as a life style statement while in grad school, and/or have three cars in the family.
I own two LC's... 97 and 99 both over 100k miles. Brakes on each are over 30k miles and still going strong... have not replaced any components or had any major repairs on either. They both drive better than my Ford Expo did at 50k miles.
Maybe I'm the exception, but based on what I read here, I think I'm in the majority.
I think my 3rd car just might be an FJ Cruiser? If only saab built an SUV!
Bought the Volvo in 2002, 43k. I now have 63k and have not had a single repair. 60k service was just under $500k. Other than that, oil changes were all I ever had to do. This is my day-to-day around town and commuting workhorse. 25 MPG city/highway mix.
Bought the Cruiser last August, 61k. It's now at 69k (it's our third car plus motorcycle, so it doesn't get used too much except for longer trips). Rear brakes needed replacing, Toyota's quote was ridiculous. Went to Midas, would have cost $150 were it not for a stuck caliper. Ended up costing $500. Needed new tires in the winter, $750. Brought it in for 70k service at 68k, which should have been $90. I had noticed gas mileage and performance had dropped during the winter and asked them to check into it. They said the fuel injectors needed cleaning, they were dirty beyond what Techron can fix. $750 by the time everything was said and done. Gas mileage (and general performance) did improve back to a whopping 16-17 MPG.
I know, all maintenance stuff, all to be expected, and as my wife says when I ask her about the noticeably lower gas mileage whenever she drives it: "If you want me to drive like a pantsy then you should have bought a Prius, not a V8". My point is simply that this is an expensive vehicle to maintain, and if there is a repair then it gets really ugly. Don't get me wrong, I love this truck, I love the way it drives, the look, the comfort, everything. The best car I've ever owned. But it is neither the most cost-effective, nor is it the most practical. It's great if you can afford it, especially if you have another one (or two) in the garage for your everyday errands.
Just my 2 cents.
Will this be a less expensive vehicle to own for the next 60K than a TLC? I'm betting yes.
I know there are a lot of people out there with no problems with their LC, and I would even count myself in that category. Everything I have experienced is either normal wear and tear or in the "not Toyota's fault" category. Can't blame the truck to need new tires and brake pads, and using bad gasoline probably caused the dirty injectors. Nevertheless, when driving a $50k vehicle, everything is more expensive, from replacement parts to regular maintenance. Same was true for my Mercedes M-Class. That is compensated for by (theoretically) requiring fewer repairs than lower priced cars. In the end, I think it's somewhat of a wash, but in the unlikely event that something major breaks in your premium vehicle you're screwed.
#4526 You can check the fluid via the dip stick and see how dirty it is. A cheap "flush" is to drain and refill the pan every third oil change--which is something you can easily do yourself--at about 10,000 miles or so.
Incidentally, speaking of "upgraded" disc brake pads, I've been told that sure, severe duty pads last longer but at the expense of grinding away the rotors. As a result, this may not be a good idea given the cost of pads vs. rotors.
In terms of the pads grinding away the roters faster, I havn't notice any more ware then normal. I've got the upgraded pads on both of my camry's and the LC, and as fare as I know, the ware's been normal. but if I'm wrong.....there goes another $800.
What are the consequences of NOT replacing the converter? Any suggestions?
Thanks.
tidester, host
Trade in value Private Party Sale Dealer Retail
TLC: $20,500 $23,000 $25,500
Disco II: $11,000 $12,600 $14,300
EB Exploder: $ 7,900 $9,500 $10,900
Gee, someone could buy a Disco or an Exploder, have a dealer install a factory remanufactured engine and transmission, totally rebuild the front suspension (struts, control arms, etc.), install new brakes, rebuild some of the engine accessories (starter, alternator, etc.) and put on four new skins and still be dollars ahead.
In addition, neither the discovery nor the explorer is a Land Cruiser. I happen to like my Land Cruiser very much and I'll admit the inital depreciation supprised me at first, but it's slowed down, and I would NEVER except the explorer being in the same class as the Land Cruiser. Yes, the disco is competition, but the feel of the Land Cruiser is much better then the disco. And if you need to carry 7 passengers, the disco can only carry 4 (6 if the third row if it was avaliable in 2000)
Dubes, I haven't seen many posts from people with over 200k miles... could you share your maintenance/repair experience? Would be interested to know if any major components have had to be replaced/repaired, and what it cost.
Thanks,
Sure hope this info turns out to be true. Could end up being better all the way around?
In my view the LX 470 succsessfuly competed with the likes of Range Rover, because it combined the world class off road capabilities of Land Cruiser with the Luxury enhancements of Lexus. Seqouia, though fine SUV that it is, will probably not attract this market segment, no matter how much lipstick Toyota puts on it.
Toyota as acorporate entity has always been a little strange, in my opinion, but this could rank as an all time high bizarre move, if it is in fact true.
my take
mgreene
I didn't get to talk with the guy long enough to get any more details, but my take was that Lexus would have the perked up Seqouia and Toy keeps the LC. It seems that things that have been in the LX, have a way of showing up in the LC. Such is the case this year (2006) with the height adjustable suspension. The rumor of LC going to be a Lexus only has been circulating for quite a while. As we only get one “trim” option here, I suppose the badging was an issue.
Guess this is something we’ll just have to keep watching!
What are the real differences between the TLC and the LX470? Is either better than another, or is it just an Explorer/Mountaineer but with a classier vehicle? Are they really THAT well made, or are you owners just trying to psychologically justify the expense in your minds? What are the best features of each, and what are the worst features/complaints of each? Knowing what you now know, would you buy that year and model again, or would you seek out a cheaper SUV?
When the time comes, I will be looking at 2006 Explorer/Mountaineer, 2005/6 Nissan Pathfinder, 2006 Jeep Commander, and 2000-2003 TLC/LX470.
Last question...what were the years of the Lexus LX450, prior to the 470, and would you consider that as a more economical vehicle, or did it have any special problems to deal with, possibly solved by the upgrade to the 470.
I do not intend to tow much, as I have a Dodge Ram for that, but what I want is an SUV with part-time 4WD, so I can engage 4WD only when I want it, to go over hills, mud, snow (rarely)...do NOT want AWD...and only need 1st and 2nd row seating, rear will be for 1-2 dogs...
Thanks for any help...