2024 GX/Prado Release and Discussion (4 Viewers)
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The fit and finish and production quality on the new Tundra was so poor that I declined to buy a Tundra I had planned to buy after seeing it in person and driving it. I'm not sure how much of that to chalk up to new model and covid issues. But, it was not good. And that was obvious stuff I could see on a new vehicle without any special effort investigating. It wasn't Tesla bad, but it was surprising to say the least. If it wasn't brand new - I would have been sure it was at a minimum a respray on parts of the paint.
It's a sample size of one. The older Tundra I bought instead is much better in that respect. Paint still kinda sucks, but it's consistently heavy orange peel across all the panels.
In terms of long term reliability - Sequoia beats Land Cruiser in the only long term large sample size data set I know of. It's not very good data due to the low LC volumes. I don't think they even score the LC200 because the sample population is too low. Not sure how much weight to put on it. But the Tacoma and 4Runner are practically identical. And the Lexus LX scores slightly below the Sequoia - but probably close enough to be in the margin of error. It's only a sample population of 2230 LX and around 10,000 Sequoias.
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I've kind of noticed the same with the 300
Bigger panel gaps than the 200
Some annoying issues that would usually be excused as first year issues lasting beyond the first year (hood flutter for example)
&
Abit more orange peel in the paint vs the 200 (though LX still feels fine)
That's what I noticed
I'm sure quality will improve as time goes by but this seems to be a trend with TNGA Toyota products sadly.
Alot of them feel flimsy from a touch and feel perspective.
To drive its much better than the 200 & i dont doubt the mechanical bits are as tough as the 200 if not tougher but just some things that I noticed.
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Is the hood flutter just a Toyota thing? My 4Runner had it and so does this 200 I recently picked up.
The hood flutter on the 300 is another level. Proper flutter. Happens at highway speeds. You get used to ignoring it after a while.
They have a fix for it but it doesn't seem to have been implemented on the production line yet (atleast as of 5.2023)
That's a bummer. My last 4Runner was very good fit and finish all around. Granted they haven't changed it in about 20 years, but everything fit very well and the paint was consistent. I don't really care that much about the orange peel - the issue I had was that it was visibly different between panels. The interior was really bad in places. Like leather that was so loose in the corners that it had wrinkles where they shouldn't be and not enough foam to pull the seat cover tight. Just poor assembly.
I had already sold my f250. Went to the dealer as soon as it came off the transport expecting the test drive to be more like a formality before doing the paperwork. And it was bad enough to walk away. It would surprise me to see that out of Japan. Or even Mexico.
That's an amazing truck ! One that I always wanted ! One of my friends dad from school dad had one. He was a Civil Engineer and really used the car as it should or was made for. I had scholarships all through school, so had the chance to mingle with kids with much higher socioeconomical situations. In fact, he is my oldest friend and his dad was an amazing guy. He passed in 2003 and my dad followed in 2005. Anyways, I have very fond memories of that LC, my friend learned to drive in that car....
And an amazing place it seems you are ! Reminds me the green of my own (other) Country , so beautiful !
Thank you very much for sharing !!
Cheers,
G
And an amazing place it seems you are ! Reminds me the green of my own (other) Country , so beautiful !
Thank you very much for sharing !!
Cheers,
G
I was going to say the same, that is bad to hear. 
.
I can say that all the T4R's 5th gen I had, were good. Thye all had the same hood "flapping" at highway speeds, but other thabn that, they were fine. Now, compared to the 4th and the 3rd, yes.... those were WAY much better finished and fit. I cannot say the same of the LC's though. The 80, the 100's, and the 200's all had been very well made, again my data points.
Oh God, I really hope Toyota brings up the A+ game with the LC Prado !
Q: I am confused with your last paragraph... A fold F250? Japan? Mexico?
Cheers,
G
.I can say that all the T4R's 5th gen I had, were good. Thye all had the same hood "flapping" at highway speeds, but other thabn that, they were fine. Now, compared to the 4th and the 3rd, yes.... those were WAY much better finished and fit. I cannot say the same of the LC's though. The 80, the 100's, and the 200's all had been very well made, again my data points.
Oh God, I really hope Toyota brings up the A+ game with the LC Prado !
Q: I am confused with your last paragraph... A fold F250? Japan? Mexico?
Cheers,
G
I was looking around at automotive product quality websites, I found the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study, it really gives me pause, look at Toyota's ranking, below average, and ranked right next to Ford, now that is scary.
I gave up on wanting to buy a Ford Bronco when I saw how abysmal their quality was and thought I would look at Toyota since they had a reputation for reliability. But, is that reputation for reliability past tense, as seen with your experience with the new Tundra? You wonder if Covid is actually a valid excuse for them or if it is the push to add more technology, as this article says.
Then I look at Consumer Reports Brand Reliability Study and it says Toyota is number one for brand reliability. Knowing all the data is different, it really makes you wonder what data to believe.
By the way @Jetboy, what website is this data from?
Here are the top five brands for reliability from the CR study, for those that don't have a subscription for the above link.
TheRealDeal124
GOLD Star
Anyone else prefer the Sombrero instead of the bold TOYOTA that has went from being a heritage type badge to an IN YOUR FACE BRAH type, LOOK at ME vibe. The font is so huge on the Tundra and Sequoia. I just really like to be under the radar.
I know ! You are right ! A lot of it is built on the previous years.... My personal hope is that the Sequoia and Tundra examples are from what I knew about the Highlanders made in USA vs Japan: Still great, but not Japanese great... and as such, I hope that the LC Prado Japanese made, would be as good as the 100, 200, and previoius GX.
I do really want to buy a new LC Prado, but if it is going not to be Toyota quality as we knew it, might as well buy the cheapest Wrangler Sport that give me all I need and nothing of the perks I dont. And plenty of parts and etc around.
I do really want to buy a new LC Prado, but if it is going not to be Toyota quality as we knew it, might as well buy the cheapest Wrangler Sport that give me all I need and nothing of the perks I dont. And plenty of parts and etc around.
@TexasFunRunner
It appears to be this website
www.dashboard-light.com
It appears to be this website
Lexus LX Reliability - Dashboard Light
Get long-term reliability information and rankings for the Lexus LX and other vehicles using the Long-Term Quality Index.
Agree !
But not that big as we have seen it ! Big NOT always means better.
But not that big as we have seen it ! Big NOT always means better.
Retro all the way (this is the true FJ40 heritage look)...
It loooks like that indeed.
Man, for the life of me, I cannot remember the original web site that had very similar, if not the same, graphs and data. It was from a guy that was a mechanic....
Man, for the life of me, I cannot remember the original web site that had very similar, if not the same, graphs and data. It was from a guy that was a mechanic....
@TexasFunRunner
It appears to be this website
Lexus LX Reliability - Dashboard Light
Get long-term reliability information and rankings for the Lexus LX and other vehicles using the Long-Term Quality Index.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the picture. If I pan out a bit on this picture you can see the terrain I have previously described where this FJ70 thrives and station wagon SUVs drown. You see very narrow terraces, where until a century ago wine was cultivated, cascading down very steep hills into deep valleys and crevices. The picture does not render the elevation change well, but these are expert level ski slopes. And if it is dry, like it is now in July, a RAV 4 could circulate much of this terrain. But when the rains comes and snow, the mud is like quicksand, the ascents treacherous and the heavy wagons get bogged down while the FJ70 circulates freely.
Its a fundamental rule always worth recalling that one must match their equipment to their terrain. Pretty obvious. If you live in a very dry, arid desert that is essentially flat with few serious impediments, you might do very well with a Highlander or a Camry with good tires. A FJ70 in this kind of terrain offers little advantage. But in terrain like the one you see in the picture, you will need a good crawl tractor, a FJ70 or FJ40, and that is about it.
If you make the wrong choice of equipment and you are a recreational weekend driver, the worst that can happen is that you need to be towed. But if you are using these tools for a commercial application, then a bad choice can cost you time and money.
Internet influencers and posters on forums can make very convincing arguments, at least on the surface, but only you can know the kind of challenges you will face in the terrain you will confront. Match your equipment to the challenge and ignore the rest.
TheRealDeal124
GOLD Star
It was a great look until people started buying Amazon knockoff grilles. When I drive around and see someone in a Tacoma or 4Runner with gigantic bold TOYOTA script, they're some of the biggest douchbags. On some vehicles I prefer the Sombrero versus the heritage script.Retro all the way (this is the true FJ40 heritage look)...
This is the single most important aspect of it for me. I am fine with a Prado, I am fine with new technology and actually would prefer to see a modern day Cruiser here in the states. 6 cylinders or 4 make no difference to me as long as the engines are reliable, make good power, and have decent mpg. All of the offroad bits I could ever want will be there. I just hope it retains the tight assembly and quality control that the LC is known for. If it is going carry the Land Cruiser name it needs to be made with their very best ingredients and cooks in the kitchen.
What I'm wondering regarding production...I know ! You are right ! A lot of it is built on the previous years.... My personal hope is that the Sequoia and Tundra examples are from what I knew about the Highlanders made in USA vs Japan: Still great, but not Japanese great... and as such, I hope that the LC Prado Japanese made, would be as good as the 100, 200, and previoius GX.
I do really want to buy a new LC Prado, but if it is going not to be Toyota quality as we knew it, might as well buy the cheapest Wrangler Sport that give me all I need and nothing of the perks I dont. And plenty of parts and etc around.
Japan production of the FJ Cruiser just ended (it was still sold in the Middle East until 2022), which frees up production capacity for the new US LC (Prado). Sure they have capacity for the existing sales of the international Prados but you would think they need additional capacity for US bound models.
Adding to that, IF, they move 4Runner production to Mexico, which has been batted about in some rumors, it frees up more Japanese capacity for the international LC Prado or the US LC (Prado).
Long story short, we can hope for better LC quality(?) if it is built in Japan. But then again, if some of us winup buying the new 4Runner, then we are back to wondering about Mexico build quality(?).
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