1998model Toyota Land Cruiser VX Limited

The 100 Series Land Cruiser, produced from its debut in 1998 until 2007, has ridden a global wave of reappraisal over the past few years.
The catalyst was the passage of 25 years since its release, which triggered the lifting of the North American import restriction known as the “25-year rule.” As a result, demand has surged in overseas markets—particularly in North America—and models equipped with the 1HD-FTE diesel engine, like this example, are increasingly being recognized as the “last truly durable, practical Land Cruiser.”

In Australia, a true SUV powerhouse where the “overland culture” of living and traveling by vehicle across entire continents thrives, vehicles that are too modern are criticized for being impossible to repair once they break, while those that are too old lack sufficient comfort for long-distance missions. The 100 Series is praised as the perfect intersection of these extremes. Popularity of the HD-FTE–powered Land Cruiser is especially pronounced, and in a market where used vehicles would normally depreciate with age, the 100 Series has defied convention by rising in value. The fact that Australian users—within one of the world’s largest Land Cruiser markets—have rated it as the “most long-lasting practical vehicle” is clear proof of the 100 Series’ inherent strength.

Indeed, the 100 Series Land Cruiser is now regarded as the ideal expedition vehicle.
Its weight and size are well judged—not as excessive as the 80 Series, and not as overly dependent on electronic control as the 200 Series.
Above all, as the last Land Cruiser equipped with a fully mechanical 4WD system, it offers exceptional serviceability in harsh environments, allowing many issues to be addressed by the owners themselves while on the road. This outstanding sense of balance—a value rarely found in other SUVs—stands out ever more sharply as modern vehicles continue to grow increasingly complex.

Now then, let us take a careful, in-depth look at the 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser 100 VX Limited that stands before me today…

As described above, the Land Cruiser 100 Series sits at the most miraculous golden crossroads in Land Cruiser history, combining the “military-grade durability” of the 80 Series with the “quietness and comfort” that would define the 200 Series and beyond.
Its ironclad strength still stands out, while electronic control remains restrained, and refinement as a passenger vehicle has been meaningfully elevated. This balance creates an appeal entirely different in nature from that of the later 200 and 300 Series.

This 1998 VX Limited is a particularly rare example in which all the virtues of the 100 Series can be experienced in their purest form. Aside from aftermarket steel wheels fitted with BFGoodrich all-terrain tires, it remains a completely unmodified, unreconditioned, fully original vehicle…!

Still untouched, color code 057—White Pearl Crystal Shine, a premium color reserved for upper trims at the time—retains a calm, quiet luster that feels as though its 28 years of age have matured into deep character rather than decline.
For seven years, this vehicle has been enjoyed by the current owner’s family, creating fond memories through mountain trips and camping adventures. While there are a few light scuff marks—on the left and right front bumper corners, just ahead of the left rear fender, near the left rear door handle, and on the corner of the left rear bumper—none have distorted the panels. Seen as patina, they can be left as they are, or with a light cosmetic touch-up, the car’s “original expression” would easily return. It is a very healthy, unreconditioned, fully original example that retains just the right amount of margin.

Another outstanding feature of this vehicle is the remarkable soundness of its chassis.
Even when inspecting the underbody, there are no major impact marks, scraping damage, or notable rust to be found. As a result, the doors close precisely, with no play in the hinges, clean engagement of the latches, and body seals that have not yet sagged—clear evidence that the cabin integrity remains intact. Among 100 Series vehicles with mileage in the 200,000-km range, examples that retain this level of tightness are rare, and this alone speaks volumes about how carefully this car has been raised and cared for.

The completely original interior further reflects the character of this example.
This can be seen in the roof liner, pillars, and frequently touched inner panels, where the density of the fibers remains intact, preserving the Toyota interior materials’ original feel—solid and honest, yet not overly dry—where robustness was paired with thoughtful design. The original factory moquette seats have been protected with dedicated leather-style covers during outdoor use to prevent soiling. Even when glimpsing the original fabric beneath, it retains a firmness and texture that belies the car’s age. Truly, this is the benefit of careful stewardship.

For those living in NOx and PM-restricted areas, we must apologize, but the very core of this vehicle lies in its legendary 1HD-FTE inline-six turbo-diesel engine.
The immense sense of security—that it will take you anywhere, and that you will always make it back alive—is something you feel as a steady pulse. From the instant it fires, you are reminded of the famed “one-million-kilometer legend,” directly experiencing the extraordinary durability for which it is celebrated.

The idle is perfectly stable, free of any roughness. Uniform vibrations subtly stir the air, and the exhaust emits an exceptionally quiet, gentle sound without disturbance. As someone who has long loved and studied diesel engines across eras and continents, the author found this soft, refined sound particularly impressive, and could deeply appreciate the trustworthiness embodied by the great 1HD-FTE engine.

In contrast to the Pearl White Crystal Shine body color, the blacked-out steel wheels and rugged BFGoodrich all-terrain tires give the exterior a strikingly masculine appeal. Yet aside from the wheel and tire set, the vehicle remains astonishingly original throughout. For those reading this, it needs little explanation how rare an “untouched 100 Series” has become nearly 30 years after its release—especially given that SUVs are typically used hard in everyday life.

Over the past seven years, this 1998 Land Cruiser 100 VX Limited has quietly accompanied the lifestyle of its owner’s family—through fishing, mountain climbing, and camping—creating countless irreplaceable memories along the way.

As life inevitably brings changes in one’s stage and priorities, the vehicle has moved from being actively maintained with registration to temporary deregistration. And with the growth of the family, the decision was finally made to let it go. Including that history, this example carries the gentle imprint of human lives lived alongside it—a Land Cruiser 100 imbued with warmth, memory, and quiet depth.