Megan, where abouts are you in the country? I'm guessing somewhere north of the wall? There's bound to be someone closeish who would hold your hand on this. Failing that, take pictures. It's really under the back end and rear axle that are what we need to see.
The LC3 came with good equipment levels but very standard suspension. Typically on an LCS the spare wheel is on the back door. The LC4 and LC5 got increasing levels of equipment including fancy suspension and traction control (ATRAC) as well as leather, sat nav etc. The spare wheel is usually underneath, but there was a factory option to move it, but most people didn't.
LCs are incredibly reliable as are all Toyotas, but at this age, there's always going to be the chances of failure on tricky little motors and sensors etc. Because there no original warranty left, this might get expensive. Don't be put off, they are reliable, but the LC3 has significanty less of this to worry about. Plus I think the rear wheel is very useful for putting things on, not least your cuppa!
Depending on what you get, one thing to save some money for might be tyres. OK so it might come with some brand new ones on - great, but to really see the benefits of this vehicle especially in winter driving is decent tyres. A set of something like BFG ATs would not only give you all the grip you'd want in snow, you'll be pulling other cars out of hedges. They're quiet, hard to puncture and you'll most likely get something like 70k miles out of them. Failing that then the Cooper AT3 Sport is another good, cheaper, choice.
Once you have bought one, we'll talk you through the four wheel drive setting so that you're never stuck again.