Toyota will never abandon the Land Cruiser, as long as there are still places in the world without roads. Its availability in the States, however, could be ending. Nissan makes a comparable vehicle to the LC (NO LAUGHING) called the Patrol- but not available in the U.S. Not enough market for a capable 4x4 in the price range that a capable 4x4 has to be in. I hear tell they even make solid-axle and/or diesel 100 series LC's- but none available here.
Also, one nice thing about the 100 is the incredible room available under the hood. A family of four could sleep in the available space, or you could get extremely creative with enhancements.
I agree, that little V block sure makes for a bunch of working space. Of course, it could also be because, unlike an 80, there's no massive brake booster or huge cyclonic air cannister made for use in more than a graded dirt track. Or, that I have to get on a ladder just to see inside the engine bay of my 80...
I think time has been kind to the 80's styling. For a long time I did not think there could be anything as cool as a 55 wagon. Then I felt the same about the 60 wagons (until the square headlight models appeared and ruined that great face). But one day while working at Toyota a buddy pulled into the circle at HQ to take me to lunch and he arrived in a prototype 80. I was agog. Couldn't believe it. I dragged him out of the driver's seat and tossed him on the brick courtyard. The final nail was arriving at the restaurant I boinked the curb accidentally with the front tire pretty hard and never even felt a tug in the wheel. Solid. I was hooked.
The 100s are plain vanilla. Great engineering, superior powertrain elements, fantastic ride and NVH levels and gobs of great comfort features. But they just don't grab me even after being around for 8 years. The Sequoia was an eye catcher for a year or so, and I'm quite disappointed in the driving/handling dynamic. But its styling quickly wore thin for me. Too much ass and not enough leg.
Ping Pong balls are better than suckage and that thread over in the 100-Section is pure suckage.
fAvE,
Let me know if you find a way to get your 15 minutes back. I couldn't take it for more than 10 minutes but I made it through 20 pages. (No dslyexia here... ) I'd like my 10 min back too.
The 100s are plain vanilla. Great engineering, superior powertrain elements, fantastic ride and NVH levels and gobs of great comfort features. But they just don't grab me even after being around for 8 years.
All of those elements (great engineering, superior powertrain elements, fantastic ride, and NVH) are exactly what take the "character" and more importantly the "soul" out of a great rig.
We keep getting bigger vehicles with smaller tires to make SUVs more like minivans for those who don't have the balls to just drive a minivan, and they look lame (the 100 is quite compentent offroad however...just not easily modded for 35's). Late model minivans are amazing. Incredible room, great features, sedan level gas mileage, relatively low purchase price, and extremely low insurance costs.
Over 10 years you'd probably pay double for SUV ownership than minivan ownership for less capability in day to day life. That truck had better look pretty damn cool for that cost. So get an 80 and a minivan and leave the poser rigs to the posers
