They may seem the same but they definitely aren’t considered the same by their buyers. They appeal to different markets with little overlap.
200 Series Quality/Reliability and Next Vehicle
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I think this has been a question for a long time (back to the 70’s?). But they just seem to keep on kicking. My bet is if they did go under one day they would get bought rather then just close up shop.
Two different people on my street---one in Black, the other in Heritage Blue. Guessing they were picked up from the same dealer since they both feature (likely overpriced) roof rack + offroad wheel setup.
This is a very timely discussion for me as I'm again in the market for a 200. I've looked to buy one a couple of times and each time got cold feet due to concerns about reliability. It's the only Cruiser I've ever had reliability concerns about, and I've owned nearly every series of Cruiser. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like other markets that get the petrol 2UZ and diesel 1VD-FTE variants have as many issues as we do with the petrol 3UR.
And yes, as others have suggested, the Patrol is an excellent alternative to the LC and is often more highly regarded in those markets where they compete directly.
If I were the OP my 200 would likely have been pushed off a cliff by this point. Good luck to him, with all those problems, the reliability bar isn't that high, maybe a YUGO next...
And yes, as others have suggested, the Patrol is an excellent alternative to the LC and is often more highly regarded in those markets where they compete directly.
If I were the OP my 200 would likely have been pushed off a cliff by this point. Good luck to him, with all those problems, the reliability bar isn't that high, maybe a YUGO next...
Karbon
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I genuinely don't understand the talk of reliability issues with the 200. There are entire forum sections dedicated to each generation and the issues that came with them. Maybe because I'm on the young side of this forum I just don't get it.
In my 9 years of ownership, outside of regular consumables, I have had to replace a water pump that developed a small leak and the radiator preemptively because of the hairline crack progressing, of which I did both easily at the same time. Over that 9 years, it has depreciated single digits in value. It has done everything and gone everywhere comfortably with zero issues (other than some parking garages...).
Most of the things people complain about failing are mechanical items that have a defined lifespan on every vehicle. If you want a vehicle with niceties, it comes with maintenance, and usually not a lot. You want a rear A/C unit? You will have to change rear A/C line O-rings when they get old. You want a sunroof? Take 5 minutes and check that your drain holes aren't clogged. At the same time, I would take replacing bolt-on front hubs over the mess that comes on earlier generations. Even if there is $5k in "unreliable parts" over 20 years of ownership on an $85k vehicle, you'll be spending 10X that on gas. There is no world where any vehicle just works indefinitely as if it were brand new. And there won't be threads saying "hey guys another year passed - I wanted to add 3 oil changes and these sweet OEM wiper blade inserts to my build thread."
In my 9 years of ownership, outside of regular consumables, I have had to replace a water pump that developed a small leak and the radiator preemptively because of the hairline crack progressing, of which I did both easily at the same time. Over that 9 years, it has depreciated single digits in value. It has done everything and gone everywhere comfortably with zero issues (other than some parking garages...).
Most of the things people complain about failing are mechanical items that have a defined lifespan on every vehicle. If you want a vehicle with niceties, it comes with maintenance, and usually not a lot. You want a rear A/C unit? You will have to change rear A/C line O-rings when they get old. You want a sunroof? Take 5 minutes and check that your drain holes aren't clogged. At the same time, I would take replacing bolt-on front hubs over the mess that comes on earlier generations. Even if there is $5k in "unreliable parts" over 20 years of ownership on an $85k vehicle, you'll be spending 10X that on gas. There is no world where any vehicle just works indefinitely as if it were brand new. And there won't be threads saying "hey guys another year passed - I wanted to add 3 oil changes and these sweet OEM wiper blade inserts to my build thread."
I don't get it either. Outside of the valley plate leak, I would not even consider the other things to be "issues" worth throwing a 200 series off a cliff...
I would like to know what other modern 2008+ $85-90k+ vehicles that some of you drive that are as luxurious, as offroad and tow capable, hold their value as well as these... but are "more reliable".
I would like to know what other modern 2008+ $85-90k+ vehicles that some of you drive that are as luxurious, as offroad and tow capable, hold their value as well as these... but are "more reliable".
New LC is not the same as the new 4 runnner. It’s the same as the new Tacoma. Same mechanical drivetrain, etc. sad but true.
They’re ALL brothers on the TNGA-F platform, which is shared by Tundra, Sequoia, Tacoma, 4Runner, Land Cruiser.
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True. I think people think the lc250 and GX 550 (minus the engine) are the same but the mechanical components are cheaper on the LC250.
Are they? (I have no clue about that subject)
Lamborghini Urus shares the same platform with a VW Toureg....
Doesn't mean much these days.
You can share the same platform and have substantially different cars. From driving characteristics to components used to fit and finish.
Pretty much been my experience with my 200. But then I have had much the same luck with my 60 and 100, although with a lot more hands on maintenance requirements.
And the Cayenne. And the Q8. And the Bentayga. They're getting a lot out of that platform.
Brothers in Frame: Comparing the LC250, GX550 and 4Runner
Brothers in Frame: Comparing the LC250, GX550 and 4Runner
bison-gear.com
Walking my dog every day before and after work gives me a good insight on this. In my neighborhood I have detected at least 4 Prados. Two 250s and two gx550s. All but one is driven by suburban moms hauling their kids back and forth to school pick up/drop off. One of the 250s is driven by a young dude that I would wage graduated from a 5th gen 4Runner. I would also bet the mommies have no idea what a Land Cruiser is and just like the new squared-jeep-like suv, which is a bit like a Defender but cheaper (in all aspects). I see too at least three 6thgen Runners parked but never saw their drivers. I suspect this represent a microcosmos of what happens throughout the country and I think if the Prado did not exist, I would see a lot more 6thgen 4Runners and maybe a couple more Defenders.
There are also two 200s and my 300OT nearby, all driven by dudes.
I would say 2/5 Prado drivers in my area are college aged females. The rest are overt 4Runner bros who I'm guessing thought they somehow leveled up by buying a different light duty Toyota SUV.
With my 2013 LX I’m starting to get more concerned about parts availability. I just took me 3 months to get a new windshield cowl, and I wasn’t sure I was going to get one.
I don’t have concerns about reliability (well as compared to other vehicles of similar age) but let’s face it many of the 200’s out there are getting fairly old by today’s standards. And parts just are not available in the US for as long as they once were. The 2003 MB E that we bought new and my daughter drives needed a radiator and lower mount 2 years ago (she hit a parking block…) when we bought the MB they advertised that they kept parts available for at least 50 years…. Well times change, at 22 years MB no longer made the mount and I luckily found one at a salvage yard (in Arizona). I’ve had my 2013 for 12 years now and already seeing parts availability problems, which is way worse for me in Alaska where everything needs to be shipped and shipping can be $$$$$$$.
I don’t have concerns about reliability (well as compared to other vehicles of similar age) but let’s face it many of the 200’s out there are getting fairly old by today’s standards. And parts just are not available in the US for as long as they once were. The 2003 MB E that we bought new and my daughter drives needed a radiator and lower mount 2 years ago (she hit a parking block…) when we bought the MB they advertised that they kept parts available for at least 50 years…. Well times change, at 22 years MB no longer made the mount and I luckily found one at a salvage yard (in Arizona). I’ve had my 2013 for 12 years now and already seeing parts availability problems, which is way worse for me in Alaska where everything needs to be shipped and shipping can be $$$$$$$.
300OT? Do you mean the real LC 300 or the LX700? Your sig says Houston (where I'm also located), so I know it can't be the actual LC 300. I see similar numbers around my neighborhood (in Bellaire). The LC club leader actually has both a 200 and a 250 and says he really likes the 250. Of course, he's also got an 80 from Japan and a few others...
good post.Brothers in Frame: Comparing the LC250, GX550 and 4Runner
Brothers in Frame: Comparing the LC250, GX550 and 4Runner
See these are the differences I wish people would point out:
The Land Cruiser and GX550, thanks to their center differential, offer full-time four-wheel drive – a convenient and safe solution on any surface. In the 4Runner this system is reserved for the more road-focused Limited and Platinum trims.
The 6th-gen Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX550 received a larger differential with a 9.5” ring gear. For reasons unknown, the LC250 uses the smaller 8.5” unit carried over from the previous Prado.
The Land Cruiser 250 keeps three-pronged CV joints on the front half-shafts, just like the previous generation. The 4Runner and Lexus GX550, however, are fitted with double-offset joints, which not only allow for greater articulation but are also stronger.
The Lexus GX550, however, uses e-KDSS, which automatically disconnects both front and rear sway bars
They are both 300 series. Same as the previous gen LCs and LXs are 200 series and so on. Check back and you will see I did NOT write LC300 in my post. IMO, the Prado can definitely be liked, so long as you come from a 5th gen 4runner or GX460.