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2004 Toyota Land Cruiser — costs that mattered more than fuel economy — buyer question from Las Vegas

HighwayLearnerCommunity StarterDec 23, 20252004 Toyota Land CruiserLas Vegas
After owning the car for a while, tires, insurance and service pricing mattered more than the MPG difference I obsessed over before buying. What ownership costs surprised you most? If I figure it out I will update the thread.
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5 replies

BoostScoutCommunity StarterCommunity StarterDec 23, 2025permalink
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. Move a coil or plug on the 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. That's the branch I'd chase this week. This is from a 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser in Las Vegas. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
WeekendNerd820Community StarterCommunity StarterDec 23, 2025permalink
Quick add on that: A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser is losing coolant with no puddle. Save the big job until that test fails. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. I'd rather be boring and correct. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
HighwayLearnerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterDec 25, 2025permalink
I went back under the 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser and it only happens after a heat soak, not on a cold start. Not driving it hard until I know more.
WeekendNerd820Community StarterCommunity StarterDec 24, 2025permalink
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Get a real battery/charging test on the 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. Save the big job until that test fails. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. I'd rather be boring and correct. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
WeekendNerd820Community StarterCommunity StarterDec 25, 2025permalink
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. Move a coil or plug on the 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. If the story changes I'll post the new data.
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