Acquiring or converting a later model Land Cruiser (or Lexus) in the US or Canada.

[Cathar_Knight]

Hello all,

I know this question has been asked on several occasions but I am just getting ready (in the next few months) to purchase a new or later model Land Cruiser or Lexus. I would love to purchase or import a diesel but know this can be very challenging. Recently I have seen people advertising LC's out of UAE and implying they can be brought into the US. Does anyone have any experience with this or bringing a LC in from Canada? I am curious about costs, and bureaucracy.

Additionally, I understand that LC's can be converted to diesel (or bio-diesel). Again, I am curious about cost, and results from other people on here. Any recommendations on who can do the conversion? Also, I am assuming this completely voids the Toyota warranty.

By the way .... My wife and I have test driven the 2018/19 Lexus and Land Cruiser models and are favoring the Land Cruiser but could go either way. We would like to purchase a newer (2015+) vehicle. I would other people's thoughts on any advantage or disadvantage of a Land Cruiser vs. the Lexus in terms of off and on road performance.

Thanks everyone.

Mark

 

[hickuptruck]

Hahaha, there are no Land Cruisers sold new in Canada. Also, you won't be able to get a overseas 200 series into USA and plate it legally. But .....you can bring a non US market 200 series, there are a couple of things you have to meet though.

We're not back in the 80s where S-classes are cheaper grey market.

 

[Cathar_Knight]

What are the “couple of things”?

 

[TeCKis300]

There are very stringent US laws to protect against grey market vehicles, but also protect the emissions standards that are here in the states. So no chance, no way. If it were 25 years old, there are avenues to import those vehicles and legally drive them on the streets, but again, not for a modern current generation vehicle.

May I ask what what particular quality you're looking for in a diesel?

You know the US isn't exactly friendly to those either, as modern domestic ones are saddled with ridiculous additional emissions equipment that kills their performance and reliability. An import has no chance, especially as that emissions equipment won't exist.

 

[bloc]

So no chance, no way

Well, that depends.

Import whole? I'd be shocked if someone could make it happen.. but stranger things have happened. Doing it legally though? Sounds like a good way to get a very expensive vehicle confiscated and possibly crushed.

Depending on OP's state of residence a conversion is fully possible (and legal through loopholes that may not last forever), but they better REAAAAALLLLYY want the extended range. If it's about saving fuel costs, there is simply no way to break even. I vaguely remember seeing a 1VD-FTV in the states on ebay and the auction was something like $30k just for the engine/transmission.

Otherwise I agree.. why a diesel? Understand that you are looking at spending more than a few tens of thousands of dollars on top of the cost of a 200 to get that sweet turbo whistle and clatter, parts are very difficult to get here in the states, you'd be relying on the advice of out-of-country people for troubleshooting, etc. As well as being down 120hp as compared to a gas 5.7.