Events/Trails 2008 USA Land Cruiser Pics and Test Drive Impressions

[eurorom]

I have a Vette, and no problems it runs in the lows __ and has over 507hp in the dyno. It is not my DD, however I run it on the quarter mile every month and still no problems!



Now my doctor has a 06 vette and it has been in the shop most of his life!



I still prefer Toyota for everyday use!

 

[ats4x4dotcom]

I do know this:

We are not going to buy a 2008. The decision is in. While it offers many improvements over my 2001, I think the price tag for a new DD is too high

SOMEONE ELSE LEAD THE PACK WITH THE 200-SERIES!

This was obvious from the moment you wanted to post the "first" test drive, with all the details, otherwise you would of waited till you had one...

At leastw e should be free of the same 3 "flex" shots in this land cruiser section

 

[LandCruisers4Life]

SOMETIMES true. For me, no. That last thing I want is my neighbors 2006 Z06 Vette. It's been in the shop, no lie, about 10 of the last 18 months. It's on it's 3rd engine. I want the car in my garage, not the shop. That's why I will not own a BMW, MB, Rover, etc.

I have two Rover vehicles, and they have been outstanding. BMW also has made excellent cars for years, so I don't know what you pretend to speak of. As far as MB goes, I don't follow them.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I have two Rover vehicles, and they have been outstanding. BMW also has made excellent cars for years, so I don't know what you pretend to speak of. As far as MB goes, I don't follow them.

Read. Read. Read. It's all out there.

 

[twstrchasr]

I have two Rover vehicles, and they have been outstanding. BMW also has made excellent cars for years, so I don't know what you pretend to speak of. As far as MB goes, I don't follow them.

My family has been driving MB's for about 30 yrs and if they are maintained properly will last a very, very long time. Some people like to put down what they (he) doesn't understand. Better to bash that to experience ! Gee, I remember not that too long ago when Toyotas were not much more than cheap pieces of tin.. I guess I could base all of my comments on that period of "quality" from Toyota !! Oh, but I did actually own one back then and can personally attest to my ownership experience ....

 

[dtt255]

My family has been driving MB's for about 30 yrs and if they are maintained properly will last a very, very long time. Some people like to put down what they (he) doesn't understand. Better to bash that to experience ! Gee, I remember not that too long ago when Toyotas were not much more than cheap pieces of tin.. I guess I could base all of my comments on that period of "quality" from Toyota !! Oh, but I did actually own one back then and can personally attest to my ownership experience ....

You were doing so well.......here we go again!

 

[pkfj]

Read. Read. Read. It's all out there.

It's True.

In my experience, As I've owned several BMWs, Toyota seems

more dedicated to keeping their cars reliable.. Sometimes, in

fact, it seems these premium German brands, use the consumer (i.e

their money investment) to fund research and development on

on their new models..Many times I'd go to

the dealer frustrated with re-occuring mechanical problems or

software issues, and they'd just say, "Well, it's all going to be

taken care of by your warrenty." However, as good as that may

sound, there is still the inconvience, of not only the trips to the

dealer, but being in a situation where you don't have your car..

Never mind that you may have paid 60-70 thousand dollars for it.

In any case, I've learned that reliability and peace of mind, with

regard to owning a car, are the most important luxuries ...

While it may be true that nothing drives

like a BMW..I'm sure that pertains to when it's actually working..

My 2 cents .

 

[uzj100]

Well said.

 

[Ting]

Well said.

Ditto

 

[twstrchasr]

Rubbish ........

It's all Japanese propaganda !!


Anyway, this is a bleeding pro Toyota web site for Christ sake! I don't expect to hear much dissension !!

I'd like to hear the story about how many steering racks someone in this thread has been through on their UZJ100 ...3? 4? 5?...We are on to you !!

Remember, the truth will set you free !!

;p

 

[dtt255]

Rubbish ........

It's all Japanese propaganda !!


Anyway, this is a bleeding pro Toyota web site for Christ sake! I don't expect to hear much dissension !!

I'd like to hear the story about how many steering racks someone in this thread has been through on their UZJ100 ...3? 4? 5?...We are on to you !!

Remember, the truth will set you free !!

;p

I am still on my first one! If I count

 

[FirstToy]

There are different philosophies at work between excellent German and excellent Japanese cars. There are very different ways of thinking and engineering at work here. I am a big fan of German cars, they are driver's cars. Wrench on one and you can see why, the engineering is like a a race car nut w/ a corporate badge. Very impressive and beautiful engineering.

A paper clip and a leather bound folio do the same thing. I will hazard to guess the paper clip will be more reliable and easier to replace. That doesn't mean it's the best tho... it depends on what the consumer is looking for and values in the product.

 

[pkfj]

There are different philosophies at work between excellent German and excellent Japanese cars. There are very different ways of thinking and engineering at work here. I am a big fan of German cars, they are driver's cars. Wrench on one and you can see why, the engineering is like a a race car nut w/ a corporate badge. Very impressive and beautiful engineering.

A paper clip and a leather bound folio do the same thing. I will hazard to guess the paper clip will be more reliable and easier to replace. That doesn't mean it's the best tho... it depends on what the consumer is looking for and values in the product.

BMWs, of which I'm a big fan also

are not neccessarily more technology laden than lets say a 200, or

in its time, even a 100..A 2003 BMW X5, for example, isn't all

that much more advanced, in terms of technical features, than

a 2003 Landcruiser 100. In fact, feature, for technical feature,

they are nearly equals..However, the Toyota's technical features

seem to have less problems...And quality/reliability data seems

to support this as well..To suggest that a paperclip vs. leather bound

portfolio is tantamount to demonstration of defining differences

btw. a state of the art BMW (not withstanding an M5) and a

modern day toyota is not IMO, a fair and accurate analagy

 

[FirstToy]

BMWs, of which I'm a big fan also

are not neccessarily more technology laden than lets say a 200, or

in its time, even a 100..A 2003 BMW X5, for example, isn't all

that much more advanced, in terms of technical features, than

a 2003 Landcruiser 100. In fact, feature, for technical feature,

they are nearly equals..However, the Toyota's technical features

seem to have less problems...And quality/reliability data seems

to support this as well..To suggest that a paperclip vs. leather bound

portfolio is tantamount to demonstration of defining differences

btw. a state of the art BMW (not withstanding an M5) and a

modern day toyota is not IMO, a fair and accurate analagy

I'm not talking about features and ammenities. I'm talking about things maybe only drivers and mechanics can appreciate.

I'll take something I'm familiar with-
Audi's suspension control arms are all alloy (to totally minimize unsprung weight) with alloy crossmembers that look like modern sculpture w/ latticework structure and triangulated beams. The A-arms are independent, meaning each leg is a seperate control arm, keeping the suspension geometry perfect thru the travel. The mechanical design is stunning. In comparison to most Japanese mechanicals, it's downright exotic.

Does this make it bad design because it is less reliable than stamped steel A arm w/ 1 uniball joint? because it certainly is less reliable... but that's why it's a drivers car, as are BMW's, for the amazing handling and road feel.

When I see a Toyota a-arm, it's certainly functional, reliable and gets the job done. It will most likely last the life of the vehicle. In that sense, it's a great design.
However there is something to be said for what I call "engineering masturbation" and when I look at excellent engineering, it's got that in spades.

There is nothing wrong with a paperclip analogy- in the offroad wilds, I'd rather have a simple, perfectly functional paperclip everytime That is why Toyota makes great suv's.

 

[pkfj]

I'm not talking about features and ammenities. I'm talking about things maybe only drivers and mechanics can appreciate.

I'll take something I'm familiar with-
Audi's suspension control arms are all alloy (to totally minimize unsprung weight) with alloy crossmembers that look like modern sculpture w/ latticework structure and triangulated beams. The A-arms are independent, meaning each leg is a seperate control arm, keeping the suspension geometry perfect thru the travel. The mechanical design is stunning. In comparison to most Japanese mechanicals, it's downright exotic.

Does this make it bad design because it is less reliable than stamped steel A arm w/ 1 uniball joint? because it certainly is less reliable... but that's why it's a drivers car, as are BMW's, for the amazing handling and road feel.

When I see a Toyota a-arm, it's certainly functional, reliable and gets the job done. It will most likely last the life of the vehicle. In that sense, it's a great design.
However there is something to be said for what I call "engineering masturbation" and when I look at excellent engineering, it's got that in spades.

There is nothing wrong with a paperclip analogy- in the offroad wilds, I'd rather have a simple, perfectly functional paperclip everytime That is why Toyota makes great suv's.

Perfectly executed point! Sorry I missed it.

On that note...I agree.. The handling, steering, braking on a BMW, especially with regard to the 3 series, is absolutely sublime!

 

[007-FJC]

I like past bimmers, but this new iDrive crap is.. well crap. Other than that, likem. I have don't have anything against MB except that its just a badge and a name. My cousins 04 E330 has its fair share of CEL and onboard computer drama and theres a weired ticking noise almost as loud as the old V6 valve lifter tickings. Steering is alil slugish, but I think overall its not bad. If I had one I wouldn't complain, but if I were in the market for a luxury car, I'd only shop for Lexus, BMW and Audi.

 

[Atticus]

Good report, Shotts. Thanks.

 

[dclee]

I'm seroiusly trying to give Lexus kudos for this car, but in all reality, how many ppl from the customer base that Lexus is going after (think ppl who have a chauffeur) will honestly pick a 600 over a MB, Jag, Bentley or BMW; I'd have to say only a handful if that.

I know this for a fact. Coming from the Mercedes-Benz world, the prevailing thought process (which I don't necessarily share; afterall, I own a Toyota!) is that, no matter how nice Lexus makes them, they're still Toyotas under the covers. No lineage, no character, and built on the legacy of econoboxes (and one outstanding but utilitarian little 4x4 called the FJ40...). Mercedes innovated (Karl Benz actually invented the first true gas-powered automobile). Toyota copied and improved on existing designs.

Snobbish? Yes. But also true.

As an aside, for the all-knowing Mr. Shotts, the S550 costs $17,000 less than the 600H and does the 0-60 a tenth of a second faster if you use factory figures for both cars. Let's not even talk about the AMG models. Gas mileage hwy only differs by ONE mpg, in the city the 600H has a six mpg advantage (20 vs. 14). Not exactly earth-shattering, and anyway, $17,000 will sure buy a lot of gas...

On-topic: good report, this is my first in-depth look at the 200, and I must thank you for that (although I ignored most of your commentary... ). However, until I actually drive one, I have to say that so far, I agree with you that it's not worth the extra money. The 80 is still the best looking wagon Toyota ever built (and the best general off-roader - discuss ), but the 100 wasn't bad in either department. This new thing looks just like a Highlander on steroids. The elegance of the Land Cruiser has now officially been terminated. Yuck!

My $0.02,

 

[dclee]

I'm not talking about features and ammenities. I'm talking about things maybe only drivers and mechanics can appreciate.

Excellent point James! I remember way back when Mercedes introduced the five-link rear suspension (that's five links per wheel, not five total links like on a modern Land Cruiser rear axle!). Superior engineering from Formula One racing, in a passenger car! It totally transformed the handling. Most manufacturers today still don't offer five links (most do three or four). One example of why MBs cost so much, it's all the engineering under the covers that most people never see or care about. Incidentally, this is the same explanation I give people when they ask me why a stupid Toyota SUV costs friggin' $65K new...

...


OK, I actually don't remember it, since I was a kid at the time, but I have certainly experienced it (and continue to do so)!

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

As an aside, for the all-knowing Mr. Shotts, the S550 costs $17,000 less than the 600H and does the 0-60 a tenth of a second faster if you use factory figures for both cars. Let's not even talk about the AMG models. Gas mileage hwy only differs by ONE mpg, in the city the 600H has a six mpg advantage (20 vs. 14). Not exactly earth-shattering, and anyway, $17,000 will sure buy a lot of gas...

Who cares? If a vehicle is not reliable (and MB is on the bottom of the list with LR) I would not even consider it. You compare two high performing cars. One is a live-at-the-dealer POC (S550). The other is the total opposite.