I'd like to chime in here. I found my 2013 with 62,000 miles at a SoCal dealership and paid $46,000 back in 2016. The truck was a trade in from AZ. Always maintained at Camelback Toyota. Mint condition. I put 10K in mods and love it to this day, have no desire to get rid of her now at 105,000 miles. Last month I couldn't resist and bought an 80 series for 20K. Not locked but in great shape with slight mods by a fellow mudder. Obviously prices are going up. I have always wanted an 80 and in some ways I now prefer it over the 200. I found my 60 in 2008 for $4000, California rig, no rust 185,000 miles. Those days are definitely over! If I had the coin, I would buy a 2020 and throw it in a warehouse.
Am I Nuts for Considering a Cruiser Purchase in Today's Market?
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there are like, 16 used car websites. Car Gurus, autotrader. all of em. never ending. Create an email address. use said email address and create an account on each site, then set up the alerts features with the specs you're interested in. Be liquid. Have cash in hand.
When the alert does its trick, be ready to call said dealership and wire them cash to hold the vehicle. It's extremely competitive right now, rates are low, cash is up, and this vehicle is coming to a halt in the US.
When the alert does its trick, be ready to call said dealership and wire them cash to hold the vehicle. It's extremely competitive right now, rates are low, cash is up, and this vehicle is coming to a halt in the US.
Speaking of this, if you have really good credit, I've had great success with Lightstream bank for auto loans. Their rates were the lowest I could find (for both new and used vehicles), but more importantly they just deposit the loan into your bank account and then you can go buy the vehicle with cash. They also don't end up on the title, so despite the fact that the rates are priced like an auto loan, it's really an unsecured loan. I know I probably sound like a shill for them but if you want to pay in cash but don't actually have enough cash to do so outright they are totally the way to go.
That said if you're buying from a dealer, you will most likely be able to negotiate a good deal if the salesman and dealership think they are going to provide you a loan. They get rebates (kickbacks, effectively) for pushing your loan through their preferred banks, and most finance departments will try to mark up your loan rate as well as they get a cut of that, too. (So yeah, never use the finance department's bank unless you've already secured your own financing and they are *actually* lower, because the first rate they offer is typically higher than what someone with good credit can find on their own). You can always tell them you're planning to finance the purchase, and then when you get to the finance dept pay however you want.
I have a strong suspicion the 300 will make its way to the U.S in four years once the supply shortage catches up and Toyota can offer a special edition model. All the overpriced 200’s will lose value rapidly from what people are paying for them today. Toyota will make an over the top announcement and this special edition will be a more off-road focused 300. Land Cruiser is not dead in America, it’s coming. You heard it here first. 
Lighstreamed my 100 few years ago, can confirm this is actually an amazing loophole.
I wonder how they know whether you bought the vehicle from private party or dealer? Or does the loan not actually process until you have a VIN to provide them?
Either way looks like a good deal. One strategy someone can use is allowing the dealer to pad the loan but to give you the lowest price possible on the truck, then turn around and refinance the truck. When i bought my LX, the 1st offered interest rate was ridiculous. I fussed with them for a while and they lowered the rate 2 times, but it was still way too high. I told them I'd agree to that if they lowered the price on the truck one more time. Then I bought the truck and refinanced it 2 months later to a realistic rate.
I have a strong suspicion the 300 will make its way to the U.S in four years once the supply shortage catches up and Toyota can offer a special edition model. All the overpriced 200’s will lose value rapidly from what people are paying for them today. Toyota will make an over the top announcement and this special edition will be a more off-road focused 300. Land Cruiser is not dead in America, it’s coming. You heard it here first.
Maybe and for all of us enthusiasts it would be a welcome addition. I think it's all dependent on how well the next gen 4Runner and GX and new LX do between now and 2024 when all of these vehicles will be sitting on dealer lots. I could care less about the resale value of my late model 200 as I don't plan to sell it in the next 10 years or more. If I wanted top dollar for it I'd off-load it right now but then I'd be stuck over paying for something I didn't like as much in a shorted inventory environment. Again, I still have high hopes for the Bronco and the next Gen 4Runner and GX, any of which would be a welcome addition to my LC and RAM.
On my way home from the motorcycle dealer yesterday, I noticed some hard tops on newly delivered Broncos at the Ford dealer. I snuck out back to be nosey and it turns out both were First Edition models, I couldn't snag any pics of the yellow one as it was already in make ready but this burgundy one is a color I think I could grow to love. Whoever ordered these did so in the first few hours that the order banks were open some 1.5+ years ago because the First Edition sold out in a few hours. The little bull bar on the top of the bumper is a joke, it sits way too close to the grille and pushing on it with only one hand nearly had it flexing into the grille. I'd ditch that flimsy turd immediately. They look good sitting on 35's and triple locked, a 2" lift and 37's and these things will be beasts capable of traversing anything in North America, so long as you upgrade the tiny TRE's lol.
I am definitely curious to see what they do with next GX but the way Lexus keeps moving forward with over the top exteriors, it may just be another soft looking carpool lane suv. Maybe Lexus will surprise us.Maybe and for all of us enthusiasts it would be a welcome addition. I think it's all dependent on how well the next gen 4Runner and GX and new LX do between now and 2024 when all of these vehicles will be sitting on dealer lots. I could care less about the resale value of my late model 200 as I don't plan to sell it in the next 10 years or more. If I wanted top dollar for it I'd off-load it right now but then I'd be stuck over paying for something I didn't like as much in a shorted inventory environment. Again, I still have high hopes for the Bronco and the next Gen 4Runner and GX, any of which would be a welcome addition to my LC and RAM.
On my way home from the motorcycle dealer yesterday, I noticed some hard tops on newly delivered Broncos at the Ford dealer. I snuck out back to be nosey and it turns out both were First Edition models, I couldn't snag any pics of the yellow one as it was already in make ready but this burgundy one is a color I think I could grow to love. Whoever ordered these did so in the first few hours that the order banks were open some 1.5+ years ago because the First Edition sold out in a few hours. The little bull bar on the top of the bumper is a joke, it sits way too close to the grille and pushing on it with only one hand nearly had it flexing into the grille. I'd ditch that flimsy turd immediately. They look good sitting on 35's and triple locked, a 2" lift and 37's and these things will be beasts capable of traversing anything in North America, so long as you upgrade the tiny TRE's lol.
It's the honor system. They don't know (unless someone at the bank is searching the DMV records). No VIN, dealer name, etc are required. They just ask the amount you need and the loan type (new or used, dealer or private party) and the date you intend to buy. The $ ends up in your bank account a day or two earlier.
Note that from what I've read your credit score needs to be extremely good (upper 700's or possibly 800) for Lightstream to approve. I've used them twice and not had issues, but I'd previously read of people claiming they had very good credit but couldn't get approved. But I assume the honor system seems to work for them because if you're only dealing with people with excellent credit they're unlikely to game the system (and if they do the default rate is so low they ultimately end up paying off the loan so secured vs unsecured doesn't end up mattering)
I locked in a rate yesterday. Investing a bit more in Reits. Gotta stay ahead of inflation. As gas prices continue upward, more Land Cruisers and LX 570 will be hitting the market. You always see comments from folks who say “if you can afford this suv,etc., gas cost isn’t a concern”. Well, for us frugal folks we do care. Just like I adjust the AC or heat during the day/night to save some coin. I was raised to invest and save, not throw money into the wind. I have a feeling many folks who buy LC are similar types as to why they don’t buy RR, Escalades, etc. even though they could. Stealth wealth is key. Anyways, I think more folks will get tired of paying $4gal twice a week and look for SUV’s with better fuel range/mpg. I could be wrong of course but based on history, suvs and trucks end up on lots once threshold of cost vs value is reached. That’s when I’ll jump in and buy.
It is kind of amazing that as gas prices continue to rise, so have the value of some of these gas guzzlers.I locked in a rate yesterday. Investing a bit more in Reits. Gotta stay ahead of inflation. As gas prices continue upward, more Land Cruisers and LX 570 will be hitting the market. You always see comments from folks who say “if you can afford this suv,etc., gas cost isn’t a concern”. Well, for us frugal folks we do care. Just like I adjust the AC or heat during the day/night to save some coin. I was raised to invest and save, not throw money into the wind. I have a feeling many folks who buy LC are similar types as to why they don’t buy RR, Escalades, etc. even though they could. Stealth wealth is key. Anyways, I think more folks will get tired of paying $4gal twice a week and look for SUV’s with better fuel range/mpg. I could be wrong of course but based on history, suvs and trucks end up on lots once threshold of cost vs value is reached. That’s when I’ll jump in and buy.
I am of the belief however, that if you love a vehicle gas cost is a distant second in deciding on the purchase.
Will be curious to see if the market will be flooded with the LC and LX due to the gas hikes.
Angelo is right about dumping of suv trends, but also the demo here probably doesn’t care and needs to haul stuff and kids regardless. I still think the lx 570 leases are the best bet here when 600 comes. LX buyers probably want the latest over the LC crowd. Specially considering they have known it’s going away for a couple years now.
We are definitely the minor
We are the minority buyer. The high values of LC’s is certainly the lack of them but people are finicky and that excitement fades pretty quickly if they aren’t diehards like us on this forum. I don’t see gas prices falling much and will continue to increase this coming spring, unless America goes back to energy independence but based on what I’ve seen in the last few months, that’s not happening. Inflation is the highest it’s been in something like 30+yrs. We will see a breaking point and many folks won’t care how cool the LC is and will either garage them or sell them who aren’t us. Keep in mind, those of us who spend min. $10k to mod a 200 will take that into account before overpaying for a 200. Sure, I could buy a $120k Heritage edition but then I’d tell my wife to kick my balls for wanting to mod it after spending that much. Actually, I wouldn’t have to ask.
I absolutely do not like a stock 200. The suspension blows and looks odd on duratracs.
Never buy the first year of anything , I seen a few write up’s and 4runners are out performing the bronco , I don’t the the Aluminum UCA and LCA is a weak link , guess they did not want to have any problems with a straight axle … I think that would have been a better selling option .
I sold the the wifes LC200 a few months ago 93k and did not loose out on the tax trade value I did not need all that cash so took a 2021 Jeep Gladiator rubicon Eco Diesel … and a check , just another toy .
I still have my 2020 LC200 is a great truck but would not spend what they want for low milage LC200’s right now .
I actually have a 2022 Toyota 4runner TRD Pro in Lime Rush coming in a week or 2 .
I have a 2020 GMC 3500 Denali that just sits I haul rocks and dirt with , turns out my local GMC / Toyota dealer wants my truck and I’m getting 16K over what I paid for the truck , figure why loose the tax , I’ll take the 4runner , not sure on the color but we will see … and A check .
My dealer dose not mark up any of there Toyotas , I’m paying 56k MSRP and processing .
I sold the the wifes LC200 a few months ago 93k and did not loose out on the tax trade value I did not need all that cash so took a 2021 Jeep Gladiator rubicon Eco Diesel … and a check , just another toy .
I still have my 2020 LC200 is a great truck but would not spend what they want for low milage LC200’s right now .
I actually have a 2022 Toyota 4runner TRD Pro in Lime Rush coming in a week or 2 .
I have a 2020 GMC 3500 Denali that just sits I haul rocks and dirt with , turns out my local GMC / Toyota dealer wants my truck and I’m getting 16K over what I paid for the truck , figure why loose the tax , I’ll take the 4runner , not sure on the color but we will see … and A check .
My dealer dose not mark up any of there Toyotas , I’m paying 56k MSRP and processing .
The lime color might look pretty cool if you wrapped the hood and roof in black vinyl
If the grille is not black, do that as well. I bet that would look pretty mean. 
Living in a popular (and "tech") city sucks on sooooo many different levels.
Aint no way any dealers here in Austin aren't marking up. Even builders cancel contracts and markup the houses after the agreed price (some of that is justified though)
I got mine in San Antonio as do a lot of Austin buyers. What really helps is going out of your local dealer monopoly, i mean "network". Otherwise they play hard ball.
I locked in a rate yesterday. Investing a bit more in Reits. Gotta stay ahead of inflation. As gas prices continue upward, more Land Cruisers and LX 570 will be hitting the market. You always see comments from folks who say “if you can afford this suv,etc., gas cost isn’t a concern”. Well, for us frugal folks we do care. Just like I adjust the AC or heat during the day/night to save some coin. I was raised to invest and save, not throw money into the wind. I have a feeling many folks who buy LC are similar types as to why they don’t buy RR, Escalades, etc. even though they could. Stealth wealth is key. Anyways, I think more folks will get tired of paying $4gal twice a week and look for SUV’s with better fuel range/mpg. I could be wrong of course but based on history, suvs and trucks end up on lots once threshold of cost vs value is reached. That’s when I’ll jump in and buy.
We are doing the same with the real estate market.
We are definitely the minor
We are the minority buyer. The high values of LC’s is certainly the lack of them but people are finicky and that excitement fades pretty quickly if they aren’t diehards like us on this forum. I don’t see gas prices falling much and will continue to increase this coming spring, unless America goes back to energy independence but based on what I’ve seen in the last few months, that’s not happening. Inflation is the highest it’s been in something like 30+yrs. We will see a breaking point and many folks won’t care how cool the LC is and will either garage them or sell them who aren’t us. Keep in mind, those of us who spend min. $10k to mod a 200 will take that into account before overpaying for a 200. Sure, I could buy a $120k Heritage edition but then I’d tell my wife to kick my balls for wanting to mod it after spending that much. Actually, I wouldn’t have to ask.
I agree, they look kinda silly and soccer mom-ish stock, not as bad a GX or JKU/JLU but close. I fight the urge every single day to lift ours and slap bumpers on it but until the misses is done using it as her daily I am going to keep it as is so that I don't have to hear about how difficult it is to get in/out of in heels and dress clothes lol.
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