New 4x4

What size van are you looking to tow? If only a lighter weight, other vehicles are available.

Russ

If you can get your hands on a 2007 L/C 200 it should be in your price range.
It would be approx 100,000 km +
The diesels only come in auto.
Other attributes? Definitely get KDSS. Although it is mainly advertised as loosening the travel for off-road and keeping the wheels on the ground therefore better traction, it also results in a much much better on-road handling. Specially at roundabouts and tight turns. This is because the KDSS also results in less 'roll' on the hardtop. Best of both worlds.

Hope this helps

CJ

stick with the 100 series TD.
had a look at the twin cab v8 diesel and the salesman said they are still having oil consumption issues to this day.

the 100 series are the vehicle you want.
bulletproof motor.
superb ride, and tow with ease.

the 200 series are getting a few problems still.
power steering pump fails, engine removal for some.. others not bet repairs around the 2g if out of warranty.
also the alternator is in a stupid spot, and dont forget the starter motor, half the top of the engine has to be removed to replace it.. thats a joke !!

but the owners say its the best cruiser theyve ever had, grunt grunt grunt..

but if it was me id stick with the 100series..
only 200 series if it had a decent waranty of like minimum 5 years 150k..
and youd plan to test those km's to the limit..


you should test drive the 4.7 v8 100 series.
its OVER 20g MINIMUM below the price of the TD
thats a hell of alot OF FUEL YOU CAN BUY !!

G/Day Russ, ..Think you would be hard pressed to obtain a low km 200s diesel for that sort of money, maybe the V8 petrol ,with low ks which aren't a bad thing,fuel consumption is not bad for the power, you get and of course theres the reduced cost in servicing through out its life, ,I was happy with my 4.7 l V8 petrol in the 100s, the later ones are a lot better so i'm told.


Cheers Axle.

HI Russ,

There has been a significant fall in second hand value of the 200 series (VDJ200R) in the past 6 months. There are many of the earlier ones now for sale for under $50K (of course with KMs up around the 200k mark). But for your money you would go close to getting a 2010 model with under 100k kms if you search a bit…I saw one locally a few weeks ago for $63,999 (2010 GXL diesel with 76,000km).
In my own research I have observed two main reasons for the fall in value in the past 6 months – (1) The early ones are nearing the end (or have ended) their extended warranty and buyers will only pay a base price to allow a margin for any out of warranty repairs which can be expensive; and (2) at the end of 2012 dealers had a surplus of GXL’s they could not sell as a special edition model was the model of choice. Many dealers discounted these 2012 plated GXL’s (diesel) for $79,999 drive away (about $5000 discount).

What Mountainman said is true but despite all of these issues I would still get a 200 series for the shear joy of driving power and towing ability. There is nothing that comes close unless you jump up to the next level of Ford 250’s, Dodge Ram, or Chev Silverado.

Russ,
Glad you guys are going to be OK. I moved to a new 200series about 6 months ago.
Worth looking at what I know:

Comparing VDJ200 to the HDJ100:
- Motor - 200series is a big lazy V8 that rumbles around town but comes to life on the highway - its great when you put your foot down and use some of the 650Nm torque. HDJ100 is no slouch but I think the 200 is ahead on this one.
- Fuel consumption: Although the claimed figures are slightly lower with the 200, many owners are finding it can use a bit more fuel than the HDJ100 when towing and heavily modified or heavily laden. So far my VDJ200 is using slightly less fuel than my HDJ79 used.
- Auto transmission. Many 200 owners think the 6 speed auto is a bit lazy and fails to use the grunt of the V8 motor well enough. I agree with them.
- Suspension: HDJ100 had the infamous cracked front arm problem when treated rough - toyota seemed to get on top of this eventually. 200series has a more reliable setup with strut front end. But the 200series came out with optional KDSS on the GXL and standard KDSS on VX and Sahara. KDSS is a hydraulic modicication of the sway bars which improved articulation when offroading and improves cornering and reduced roll on-road. It adds a little complexity - it has to be relevelled when suspension changes are done, but not a big deal. As they say on LCOOL "Those with KDSS say it's fantastic, those without it don't know what they are missing" - I don't have KDSS and must say I'm happy with the vehicle so I guess I don't know what I'm missing! Airbags are common mods to the rear springs of teh 200 to level things when towing.
- Servicing is a lot cheaper on the 200 - there's no timing belt to change, no wheel bearings to grease, no valve clearances to check, only 9.3L oil at a change (vs 11.5) and fuel filters and oil filters are half the price. Toyota fixed price servicing is set at $210 a service - a bargain!
- Safety - the 200series is now 5 star ancap because of all the airbags etc - but curtain airbags need a different cargo barrier - some cargo barrier manufacturers ignore this.
- Annoying electronics - the 200series is famous for beeping at you as soon as you do anything wrong - stupid warning chimes when the door is open in your driveway at home etc - most people work it out eventually - just takes time to get your head around.
- Keyless entry and push button start with the 200 - this really grows on you - no need to remove keys from your pocket
- Teething problems - the 200 had its fair share of these and if you're buying a pre 2010 model - I think Toyota had addressed most of these issues which is why I bought a new one. Oil consumption was just a nuisance - motors still went fine. Newer motors use no oil since piston ring design was changed in 2009. Previous motors were hit and miss - some bad, some good. the starter motor problems were due to inadequate water drainage from the V of the motor - its been addressed; power steering problems appear uncommon and may be due to mud in the front mounted power steering fluid cooler; alternators hang lowish but mine has lots of protection - even with the ARB bullbar; low charging voltage - easily addressed if you use a DC-DC charger as your 2nd battery isolator; new airfilter box - a flat one on the 200series - a few reports of dusted motors - fixed with a snorkel and normal servicing of the aircleaner; also the air filter can easily be installed upside down, causing it to suck unfiltered air; injector issues - its all gone quiet lately so I'm guessing things have got better;
- Common rail 200series motor needs nice clean water-free fuel - same as every other CR diesel on the market. Additional filter is a common fitment but you need to look after yourself - don't buy diesel from small crappy outlets and do the common simple things to prevent bad fuel and water. HDJ100 is more resiliant in this respect.
- Brakes - the 200series brakes are the best I've even had on a Landcruiser

Thats enough for now!
Cheers
Phil

Replaced a 2009/10 Patrol with a 2011 GX Landcruiser and really couldn't be happier, this is the first Cruiser after 5 x Patrols.

Was thirsy at first but is coming down quite nicely but defintely not as thirsty as the 3.0l Patrol

Got it for just over $70k brand new

good luck and glad to hear you are all on the mend