Amazingly...a writer finally GETS IT.

[Markuson]

No...this is not click-bait. It’s just nice to finally read a guy who sees the best and worst of the LC as I (and many of us) actually see it. Written based on an 800 mile family trek in a 2018 LC.

Worth a read.

Funny that his biggest gripes are mine. Namely: the ultra-mini fuel tank.

A non-idiot! Woo!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/jalopn...ser-bends-the-world-to-its-wil-1823171685/amp

 

[wardharris]

No...this is not click-bait. It’s just nice to finally read a guy who sees the best and worst of the LC as I (and many of us) actually see it. Written based on an 800 mile family trek in a 2018 LC.

Worth a read.

Funny that his biggest gripes are mine. Namely: the ultra-mini fuel tank.

A non-idiot! Woo!

https://www.google.com/amp/s/jalopn...ser-bends-the-world-to-its-wil-1823171685/amp

Ya, somebody aught to do something about on-board fuel LOL.

Seriously, a good read.

PS - Here is a video for 200 lovers

 

[Union]

That was a good read. I didn't agree with some of the stuff he said, for example the gas mileage? Single digits in the city and 15 on the highway? My 2017 definitely gets about 13 in the city and 18 on the highway at 70mph (yes it's the first vehicle i've ever owned that I felt actually matched the epa's numbers). The steering doesn't feel sloppy and no one has grabbed the "oh s***" handles on the exit ramps lol. I definitely appreciated the Dante's Peak reference tho

 

[Markuson]

Ya, I think the whole curve handling opinion thing likely comes down to whether a person is used to driving a truck or not. I found my stock 200 downright zippy, and although stock suspension sucked...an upgrade to shocks and springs made it feel stable, and frankly unstoppable.

I liked how he put his off-road experience in the LC... He said the LC simply “proceeds” over stuff...without drama. That’s true. Fast...slow...soft...rocky?
-Over you go.

 

[mcgaskins]

I’m surprised he didn’t complain about the cup holders. As trivial as I know it sounds, it’s one of my biggest complaints. They’re a terrible size/shape and far too shallow. You basically need a custom fitted cup and/or modify the freaking thing to make it usable. My Tacoma has 5 very usable cup holders within easy reach of the drivers seat which is awesome for wheeling trips - each front seat passenger can have a water bottle plus a coffee, tea, soda, whatever and there’s still an extra space for keys, wallet and phone. For such a big vehicle, the 200 has crappy cup holders and storage solutions. And yes that’s a valid complaint for an $80k+ vehicle.

 

[Dan Higgins]

I’m with you on the cup holders, Matt, though we’ll down the list of my more minor grievances. My kludge to fix the cup holder problem is putting beer can cozies around my coffee mug.

 

[coleAK]

Funny how he compared it to the g500. I had a ‘04 g500 I drove for 10 years prior to getting my ‘13 LX 570. Totally different other than both being luxury off road vehicles. The g500 is smaller and feels both smaller and bigger at the same time. The first thing I noticed when I got my LX was how much more maneuverable off road despite its larger size than the G. The G had a large turning radius and with all the lockers on the heavy steering was amplified. The first thing my wife noticed was she no longer felt like her fillings were going to be shaken out (true quote). The ride of the G is very truck like and pretty similar to a wrangler, well a heavy tank of a wrangler (most of the guys I off roaded with at that time had wranglers).

As for the cup holders the Lx has the best cup holders of any car we have owned over the last 30 years (in chronological order) - LC 60 series, allroad, g500, GC trail hawk (had for 1 year horrible, I try and block from memory...), LX 570 (my wife also had a SLK (another horrable car), s2000, gt3, and E320).

 

[coleAK]

My biggest complaints are lack of storage compartments and fuel capacity. I have that mesh bag thing next to the rear gate full. As for mpg I get 13-14 in town 17-18 out of town and ~8 towing my camper or off road. I have to take along 10-50 gallons of fuel when I head north in AK.

 

[TonyP]

My cons:
Lack of storage for such a claustrophobic interior
Fuel
Outdated electronics that will fail eventually
Weight
Seats
Styling
It's not like a lifetime-keeper like 40 through 80 can be.

 

[Markuson]

My cons:
Lack of storage for such a claustrophobic interior
Fuel
Outdated electronics that will fail eventually
Weight
Seats
Styling
It's not like a lifetime-keeper like 40 through 80 can be.

Re above:

Storage: Drawers, Attic, Molle
Fuel: Ward Harris
Electronics: Turn screen off and pretend they aren’t there
Weight: 2725’s
Seats: Eat more sour cream on everything
Styling: Build it withsquare-edge doodads like Bubba
Not Lifetime Keeper:
Die sooner, of course!

 

[TonyP]

- Still not great space utilization
- Doesn't help the 12mpg
- Until the screen breaks and you can't turn the A/C on
- Still too heavy
- Already eat keto
- Styling still isn't great, it was never a vehicle I would look back at in a parking lot to cop a glance. This busted 80 looks better, in my opinion.
- I don't plan on making it to 40 anyways.

I like the 200. I just never loved it.

 

[Markuson]

- Still not great space utilization
- Doesn't help the 12mpg
- Until the screen breaks and you can't turn the A/C on
- Still too heavy
- Already eat keto
- Styling still isn't great, it was never a vehicle I would look back at in a parking lot to cop a glance. This busted 80 looks better, in my opinion.
- I don't plan on making it to 40 anyways.

I like the 200. I just never loved it.

Heh... I was mostly kidding...but I do love my 200 and I do glance at it. I did NOT glance at it when stock—except to envision its eventual transformation.

Right now my other gripe is the paneling on the interior. Would love less padding and more bare metal to attach stuff...or just open up the space more.

I do get your draw to a troopy interior for space/utility. If I could afford a cut-roof conversion on my rig, I’d love that.

As for looks...I’ve posted these many times, but I defy anyone to say with a straight face that this doesn’t look like a keeper: (though I DO get @TonyP ‘s comment about the “timeless” appeal of the 40 thru 70 series)...

 

[littlegreenmonster]

I have kids and really like the 200. No, its not an 80, but i have one of those too (and yes she's a keeper). I use the third row a lot and although they do take up room, the jump seat is much easier to deal with than the third row in other SUV's like the Sequoia and Tahoe. I would agree that it isn't the most attractive vehicle ever produced. I was driving a pickup prior to the 200 and the fact that it drives like a truck is a huge plus for me.

Problem with the 80 is:

12mpg.....everywhere....
no real cup holders
storage sucks
power to weight ratio is worse than 200 at 22.5lbs/1HP (compared to 15lb/1hp for 200)
not very practical for highway driving
if you dont own one already, prices are no longer reasonable for a good one

My only complaint is fuel economy/capacity. I feel like a polar bear dies every time i start it. I get 13/17. Having a family and using the 200 for road trips, daily driving, light wheeling, camping, and a million other things its perfect. To have something better Toyota would need to make a TRD Sienna or TRD Highlander (triple locked of course)!

 

[RaptorOO7]

I had read this article a while ago and it was good to reread it again. Would I want an LC to get 20+ MPG, you get, but the range isn't why I want a LC, I want it for what it is, what it will do and its been my dream for 35 years to own one. That dream is coming soon and the real fun (not really fun) is the part where I tell my wife I got one . . . not a fun conversation.

 

[TeCKis300]

I love the 200-series, faults and all (none in my mind). It is what it is, because of what it is. It's the pinnacle of the species. It's what technology has allowed at that price point when it was conceived. Measured against that, none does it better for less (or more). Compare the 70, 80, 100, and now 200-series. Each has climbed higher with less trade-offs than the previous generation. The 300-series will repeat this march forward. Even with the current 200-series having been out for awhile, no other brand does it better in my mind.

It's easy to say it should be more this, or that. In engineering, nothing comes for free.

 

[TonyP]

The 70 is still current generation. Nearly 35 years going.

 

[Markuson]

The 70 is still current generation. Nearly 35 years going.

Ya, that is pretty amazing.

Takes “timeless” to a new level.

 

[Climbingnut]

The 70 maybe timeless, but if you spend much time bundu bashing in one, then your body will hate you. The factory suspension and seats will make you feel like Mike Tyson has been beating on your back and kidney's... I've yet to ride in one, modified or not, that didn't make me realize that owning one (for me) would require a complete rear suspension swap to coils, new seats throughout and a superior A/C compressor. The 80 series is far superior in EVERY way to the 70 series, lacking only in the USA, the option for the venerable 1HD-T/FT/FTE motors. I think that Cristo Slee has the best 70 series in existence. It has the form of the 70, but the function of the 80. Just my opinion, based on how I use Cruisers.

 

[Markuson]

I think that’s close to Tony’s plan... Troopy box on 80 frame.

 

[TonyP]

The 70 maybe timeless, but if you spend much time bundu bashing in one, then your body will hate you. The factory suspension and seats will make you feel like Mike Tyson has been beating on your back and kidney's... I've yet to ride in one, modified or not, that didn't make me realize that owning one (for me) would require a complete rear suspension swap to coils, new seats throughout and a superior A/C compressor. The 80 series is far superior in EVERY way to the 70 series, lacking only in the USA, the option for the venerable 1HD-T/FT/FTE motors. I think that Cristo Slee has the best 70 series in existence. It has the form of the 70, but the function of the 80. Just my opinion, based on how I use Cruisers.

Spent plenty of time in one. They're utilitarian and purpose built.
'Every way', is overly hyperbolic.
If you think Slee's 79/80 series is the best 70 ever you should see some of the rigs they build in Australia. His was nice, but 70s over there are like Jeeps over here with the cult following.

But this isn't a 70 or 80 series thread, it's a Highlander 200 series thread.