Chrisek

Long story short for an intro, have an 04 LC100 I’m looking to go through as it approaches 300,000 miles so am looking for a companion vehicle while it is down. Open to keeping the 2nd vehicle but would like something very different but similar (or better) quality. It looks like I could get a 04-06 LS430 or 92-96 Century for similar enough money. While I appreciate the whole “you are in an LS430 forum, guess which way this will swing” idea. I am also hoping for some interaction with people that have experienced both.
While I am completely comfortable with the build quality of the LS I am super curious about a Century. Understanding the realities of a 25 year old vehicle, how difficult is acquiring the various rubber pieces (hoses, motor mounts, etc) to get in USA? Is the build quality as over the top as I imagine? And maybe as importantly: I am not chauffeured, are either of the non-limo models (std and L) comfortable as a owner/driver vehicle? Or is the comfort heavily biased to the rear seat?
I am comfortable with the old technology either car represents compared to a modern one (my wife drives a 19 ES and am probably switching her into an RX just for that touch screen upgrade &#128580.
Thanks in advance for any input. While it is easy to go check out and meet people who used to own an LS, it looks like I would fly to VA (I live near Nashville) and pick a Century pretty blindly other than generic old car stuff to look for.

YoshiMan

Try checking on Amayama.com, you can find part numbers, and I'll bet anything can be ordered for the Centurys on there as well. Be prepared for high shipping costs and lengthy handling times. Megazip can get you the parts as well, and from what I understand they may be a little quicker on the shipping times, but may be slightly higher in cost.

The Centurys are pretty much hand built, so the quality is probably outstanding! I can't speak from personally experience with them, but I have it on my Bucket list to get my hands on one of the 97+ models with the V12 someday.

​​​​​​​It would definitely be unique to have something that no-one else has!

Striker223

I would get a V12 if anything

Chrisek

Thank you both, and yes I am looking at a V12 in the future, this year I could get a first year v12 (97). But I think I will wait for the 6pd auto to come in (06 or 07? Forgot). I figure the V8 version that drivetrain would be familiar to any technician that ever worked on an LS400 so it would be a relatively “safe” cool Grey import to get.

Chrisek

Anybody owned/driven/been in a century that can comment?

Striker223

It's like an LS turned to 11 in all aspects except driver involvement and power. Less of a drivers car but much nicer for a passenger and extremely high paint and build quality.

I only have been around a V8 version that preceded the V12, I'm looking for a late 12 to own myself but am not having much hope they will be coming over in any good quantity

YoshiMan

Keep in mind that the Toyota Century 5V-EU V8 is a wildly different design than the UZ series V8s

The Century engines are OHV pushrod engine that are more similar to the old Chrysler Hemi engine architecture than anything else. Although I bet no Toyota mechanic would have a problem working on one, as it's probably a pretty simple engine compared to everything else Toyota has built in the last 30 years!

BigBoomer

The 5V-EU V8 is somewhat underpowered for a 2 ton car. The 1GZ-FE and the 3UZ-FE both have 50% more power and torque than the 5V-EU for the same weight of car.
I looked at two V8 Century's and drove the '96 one for maybe 2 miles. Not for me. I'm not keen on the styling and it had less power and torque than the Acura RL I was replacing.
The LS430 has the comfy suspension, is nearly as quiet, handles FAR better than the Century, and has some real get up and go.
The Century might be a nicer car for the backseat passenger, but not for the driver.

dan25man

Thread bump. I'd like to know if anyone's had personal experience with the second gen (97+) Century as well. BTW I found a source that from 1996-2016 only 9,573 Toyota Century's were built. About 478 built per year.