200-series Pinnacle of "Land Cruiser" in the States?

[777Gage]

About a month ago I bought my wife a new 4 Door Rubicon - she's a Jeep girl, which is fine by me. I've had her in a lifted Sequoia, and 2 4Runners, she doesn't "love" them. She likes them when I fix them up, but she's always wanted to get back into a Jeep, which is what she drove when we met 24 years ago.
But just this very morning, she's got a drive 2.5hrs down to Oceanside and she asks to take the LC, because it's more comfortable and quiet, especailly for her coworkers. And any time we go on an extended trip she wants to take the LC.
Don't see my self ever getting rid of this LC, it's everything I could ask for, and boy I don't drive my 40 much now that I've got this modern one.

Looking forward to whatever Toyota brings us and I'm hoping there's some slight tie in to the past history of the lineage. I always find that unique that they care about that stuff.

 

[Tex68w]

Yep and yep. In the last month, I've been told 3 or 4 times...when you are ready to sell, give me a call...nope, my death arrangement is to be burned up in it Viking style. Love this rig. And the wife, gets a GX every couple of years to mall crawl, rim scrape, door ding, grocery get, drive through street flooding, and drop crumbs in between seats and console. But every time, we are going places together she requests...Let's take the "Ghost" (the 200).

Exactly, I keep momma in a lease and trade out every 2-3 years, that's the plan for the current GX and likely the next. If we are on a road trip or going anywhere beyond an hour from the house then the 200 gets the nod every single time.

 

[tbisaacs]

While folks are still arguing about the J250…

200 series inner tie rod vs early and late 100 series

Cruiser Patch 100 Series Products Thread

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Leelanau]

While folks are still arguing about the J250…

200 series inner tie rod vs early and late 100 series

Cruiser Patch 100 Series Products Thread

forum.ih8mud.com

You might be old if you remember this ad campaign...

 

[Blackford Oakes]

Doug's latest take on the 250...

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Doug's latest take on the 250...

He makes some good points. For a lot of people I think it could simply come down to the physical appearance of the vehicle, and the 250 has a cooler, vintage look, more like a "real Land Cruiser" than either a 200 or 300 series IMO. Also the smaller size of the 250 seems more suitable for off roading. Would I prefer a V-6 to a turbo 4? Yeah, probably. I did own a "real Land Cruiser" with a 4 cylinder engine at one time, the BJ70. Other than being a rust bucket it was great, although definitely felt underpowered.

 

[DesertRider]

But there is already the 4 runner for those that want a smaller SUV for offroad. My Prado 150 with the 4 liter V-6 was great for two people and camping gear offroad,

but now that I'm back stateside and need a full size SUV with the power to pull a trailer I need one which is why I got an LX 570. So you have either the Sequoia or LX 600 but both have the needless complex and sadly unreliable turbo V-6 which means you need to get a used vehicle. I still don't understand why Toyota doesn't import the turbo diesel as I would love to get one. I'm surprised given the worldwide market for the Land Cruiser that Toyota went the route they did with the V-6 and making the Lexus LX to only option. The Saudis and Qataris love LC's, and I suppose they are mostly pavement queens so the V 6 turbo is fine. The Qataris especially seemed to enjoy blowing by you at 160 kpy, something the Prado struggled with especially once I put a roof rack on it.

 

[TeCKis300]

But there is already the 4 runner for those that want a smaller SUV for offroad. My Prado 150 with the 4 liter V-6 was great for two people and camping gear offroad,
View attachment 4050067
but now that I'm back stateside and need a full size SUV with the power to pull a trailer I need one which is why I got an LX 570. So you have either the Sequoia or LX 600 but both have the needless complex and sadly unreliable turbo V-6 which means you need to get a used vehicle. I still don't understand why Toyota doesn't import the turbo diesel as I would love to get one. I'm surprised given the worldwide market for the Land Cruiser that Toyota went the route they did with the V-6 and making the Lexus LX to only option. The Saudis and Qataris love LC's, and I suppose they are mostly pavement queens so the V 6 turbo is fine. The Qataris especially seemed to enjoy blowing by you at 160 kpy, something the Prado struggled with especially once I put a roof rack on it.

Diesels time has long passed. Between being saddled with unreliable emissions, poor NVH, weight, low HP, and what EV or hybridization has brought to the table meaning real efficiency and torque that was once the domain of only diesels...

I agree with you on the long term ownership and complexity. Fortunately Prius's has shown it's possible for hybrids to be durable for the long term.

The quesitonable part is the ICE V6. The modern international F33A diesel have been questionable too.

 

[Supra Turbo]

He makes some good points. For a lot of people I think it could simply come down to the physical appearance of the vehicle, and the 250 has a cooler, vintage look, more like a "real Land Cruiser" than either a 200 or 300 series IMO. Also the smaller size of the 250 seems more suitable for off roading. Would I prefer a V-6 to a turbo 4? Yeah, probably. I did own a "real Land Cruiser" with a 4 cylinder engine at one time, the BJ70. Other than being a rust bucket it was great, although definitely felt underpowered.

I guess the "beauty" is in the eyes of the beholder. I think the 200/300 series has a cooler, less toy-like, more mature look.

And from my understanding the dimentions are nearly identical. But the 200 is definitely more luxurious for its release year.

Lastly, I guess it depends on who you ask if the bj70 was a real land cruiser

 

[eatSleepWoof]

depends on who you ask if the bj70 was a real land cruiser

I'd like to formally put this discussion to rest with the following indisputable fact.

This is the last land cruiser, and everything after has been but a cheap, unreliable imitation, meant for weak soy-boys:

Note the smooth, effortless travel over soft sand without having to air down. That's how you know this was the real deal.

 

[DesertRider]

I'd like to formally put this discussion to rest with the following indisputable fact.

This is the last land cruiser, and everything after has been but a cheap, unreliable imitation, meant for weak soy-boys:

Note the smooth, effortless travel over soft sand without having to air down. That's how you know this was the real deal.

Having traveled 1000's of kilometers in several soft sand deserts, I can say that wouldn't get far on deep soft sand. But, definitely traveling with style!

 

[bloc]

Diesels time has long passed. Between being saddled with unreliable emissions, poor NVH, weight, low HP, and what EV or hybridization has brought to the table meaning real efficiency and torque that was once the domain of only diesels...

This right here.

And my perspective is that of someone that put in the effort to diesel swap a 4Runner.

I'd like to formally put this discussion to rest with the following indisputable fact.

This is the last land cruiser, and everything after has been but a cheap, unreliable imitation, meant for weak soy-boys:

Note the smooth, effortless travel over soft sand without having to air down. That's how you know this was the real deal.

invalid without Heritage badge

 

[sdnative]

I'd like to formally put this discussion to rest with the following indisputable fact.

This is the last land cruiser, and everything after has been but a cheap, unreliable imitation, meant for weak soy-boys:

Note the smooth, effortless travel over soft sand without having to air down. That's how you know this was the real deal.

2 horsepower?

 

[Boston Mangler]

Will that leave the 200-series as a relative pinnacle in the US "Land Cruiser" lineage. Did values just further go up?

Yes, absolutely yes!

Which is why i looked for almost 1.5 YEARS to find exactly the one i wanted (2010+, white/grey, high mileage, no rust).

This is the logic I used to buy mine and my logic used to restore/rebuild it as close to new as possible NOW before the parts become unobtanium

I have yet to find anything that checks off all the boxes a 200 does.

We have one of the BRAND NEW Tundras at work with the new powerplant and drivetrain, although i like the interior, and ergonomics, the engine start/stop at lights and the handling/steering feels like something from the early 2000s. So far, quite disappointed in this drivetrain iteration. My 220k+ mile 2010 relic handles better/smoother.

Am i opposed to getting one of the New fancy smancy 550 based electronic SUV later down the road? Not at all! Will likely happen

Will i keep the 200 forever and use it as intended? Aboslutely!

 

[Boston Mangler]

2 horsepower?

@sdnative there are rumors on the intrawebs you got a new goody wagon and have not yet started a build/progress/pics thread.

Mud Rule 47(c)(1) clearly states: "He who purchases a new vehicle, post about it, with pics, within 48 hours of purchase, or face the ban hammer"

#dontgetbannedbro

 

[Boston Mangler]

Fortunately Prius's has shown it's possible for hybrids to be durable for the long term.

I had a 2010 Prius i owned and used as a commuter for almost 10 years, did nothing but change oil, one of the best, most reliable vehicles i've ever owned, hands down.

I have 100% faith in Toyotas hybrid tech and reliability. Its everything else thats the big question

 

[sdnative]

@sdnative there are rumors on the intrawebs you got a new goody wagon and have not yet started a build/progress/pics thread.

Mud Rule 47(c)(1) clearly states: "He who purchases a new vehicle, post about it, with pics, within 48 hours of purchase, or face the ban hammer"

#dontgetbannedbro

I did post a picture here if that counts. I'll work on posting a proper intro thread.

For Sale - San Diego, CA: Method bronze MR702 wheels with Falken Wildpeak AT3W 285/70R17 tires (5) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/san-diego-ca-method-bronze-mr702-wheels-with-falken-wildpeak-at3w-285-70r17-tires-5.1373342

 

[Boston Mangler]

I did post a picture here if that counts. I'll work on posting a proper intro thread.

For Sale - San Diego, CA: Method bronze MR702 wheels with Falken Wildpeak AT3W 285/70R17 tires (5) - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/san-diego-ca-method-bronze-mr702-wheels-with-falken-wildpeak-at3w-285-70r17-tires-5.1373342

No

 

[MRego]

As a former 200HE owner, I say the pinnacle now is the 300 series 700OT - modern triple locked land cruiser. Be gentle.

 

[Zill]

As a former 200HE owner, I say the pinnacle now is the 300 series 700OT - modern triple locked land cruiser. Be gentle.

If they dropped the 5.7 in it, I would agree.

But right now, I can’t trust the V6 V35A. They need to go back to the drawing board on that motor. I’m just waiting for them to issue a recall for the 2025 model year once they have sold the remaining inventory.

It’s a ~2% failure rate right now with just the repairs that have been completed. That doesn’t factor in the engines which don’t have a ton of miles on them and will likely fail with some more use.