American in Africa - Need some guidance! VX, VX -Premium, VX-R Premium

[JimmyK]

Hello Gents,

I am an ex 80 owner - which I sold on this lovely forum and am currently on the east coast of Africa.

I have 3 options in front of me - not sure which one to go for - is the extra money worth the additional features - I actually dislike the TVs in the VX-R premium but the active suspension maybe helpful on the long drives I have to take monthly on these poor roads - thoughts?

Different models:
185K USD VX
195K USD VX - Premium
215K USD VX-R Premium

VX-R options are int he center column bottom of page - feedback please?

 

[iwashmycar]

Probably not helpful, but it appears the "Front and rear lower spoilers (front with chrome details)" really look terrible.

So all this extra stuff (from VX) is FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS? I almost cant fathom lol

 

[options2]

The VX looks to already have most of the good stuff. I do not like all the options on the VX-R Premium. I would not want the lower spoilers, the AHC suspension, or the 20s. However, the 360 view camera comes in handy on and off road. The power upper rear door is nice with the remote and for the wife.

It is interesting to see the packages differ by country. Just to note on the Toyota Owners Portal the grade for mine is listed as a VX-R. It has a mix of options from the VX Premium and VX-R Premium

 

[TonyP]

For that price I'd look into buying stateside and shipping it over. Unless you aren't able to and/or really want a 1VD which is understandable.

 

[JimmyK]

For that price I'd look into buying stateside and shipping it over. Unless you aren't able to and/or really want a 1VD which is understandable.

I know my 80s wel what’s up with the 1VD?

Can’t buy stateside partner have to buy locally - which are brought in from South Africa.

I’ll be frequently doing 4-6 hour drives does that suspension make a large difference?

 

[TonyP]

I know my 80s wel what’s up with the 1VD?

Can’t buy stateside partner have to buy locally - which are brought in from South Africa.

I’ll be frequently doing 4-6 hour drives does that suspension make a large difference?

Fair enough.

1VD-FTV is the turbo diesel in the overseas 200 series.

 

[dnh1]

AHC is awesome for 99% of people if you are not going to lift the truck. I have owned 3 LXs with AHC (my wife drives on of those now) and two LCs without. AHC is 100x better than the LC stock suspension if you are not lifting it and or going rock crawling and whatever else people do. For on road handling, towing, launching boats, etc. its so much better. If I didnt hate the front end of the new LX so bad I would drive a 2 row LX mainly just for the benefits of the AHC. Being able to get an LC with AHC is the deal.

 

[aging fleet]

Edited, I missed the spare location on the standard VX.

The VX and VX Premium would both be fine for me, the VX-R Premium seems like a bit too much bling.

 

[JimmyK]

AHC is awesome for 99% of people if you are not going to lift the truck. I have owned 3 LXs with AHC (my wife drives on of those now) and two LCs without. AHC is 100x better than the LC stock suspension if you are not lifting it and or going rock crawling and whatever else people do. For on road handling, towing, launching boats, etc. its so much better. If I didnt hate the front end of the new LX so bad I would drive a 2 row LX mainly just for the benefits of the AHC. Being able to get an LC with AHC is the deal.

Thanks buddy done- that quote just cost me 40k USD I will order it soon

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

$215,000 US Dollars for a Cruiser???

 

[JimmyK]

They are expensive here... lots of Tax as well...

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

I guess if you're dealing diamonds then it's all relative.

 

[dnh1]

Thanks buddy done- that quote just cost me 40k USD I will order it soon

ha ha! sorry but that truck is great

i got the same rims on mine, they cost me a ton of money

 

[Whiskerz]

Looking forward to pictures. Can you get a rear diff lock ? What colors did you pick ?

 

[JimmyK]

Looking forward to pictures. Can you get a rear diff lock ? What colors did you pick ?

Strangest thing - they are telling me there is no tan interior available, is that true? I asked for White or gray with tan interior - I have my Porsche in agate gray - I am a bit queer like that - I like when the car colors match... don't judge please. However, I am sure when my wife arrives in January she is going to get some funky red Land Cruiser Prado and through off the entire feng shui of my garage...

 

[Climbingnut]

@JimmyK, I used to live just outside of Livingstone, Zambia. The luxury tax on vehicles like the LC is/was 90% I believe. We've tried for years as an organization to get around that. Recently a vehicle has to have 10 seats in order to do so. That means it has to be a 7x series LC, which while reliable, aren't exactly comfort wagons. Are you and your family located in Lusaka or elsewhere? We'll be in Zambia sometime in June next year.

 

[linuxgod]

Strangest thing - they are telling me there is no tan interior available, is that true? I asked for White or gray with tan interior - I have my Porsche in agate gray - I am a bit queer like that - I like when the car colors match... don't judge please. However, I am sure when my wife arrives in January she is going to get some funky red Land Cruiser Prado and through off the entire feng shui of my garage...

I don't believe tan is offered anymore for 2019. Check the US Toyota vehicle configurator but it looks like black/black or black/dark brown (terra) for the interior only. Brown is available for all colors, black is available only for black, white, and light gray exterior colors.

 

[studawg]

Tan interior hasn't been offered since 2015, gray hasn't been offered since 2011. Only black or dark brown since 2016.

EDIT: In the US, I dont know about elsewhere

 

[dnh1]

I have the Terra on my 16. It has gotten annoying over time. I liked it at first. I wish I just had black.

 

[JimmyK]

What an absolute treasure this forum is - unbelievable...

@JimmyK, I used to live just outside of Livingstone, Zambia. The luxury tax on vehicles like the LC is/was 90% I believe. We've tried for years as an organization to get around that. Recently a vehicle has to have 10 seats in order to do so. That means it has to be a 7x series LC, which while reliable, aren't exactly comfort wagons. Are you and your family located in Lusaka or elsewhere? We'll be in Zambia sometime in June next year.

Great feedback buddy - okay clear. We will be moving to Lusaka In Mid January - I will be bouncing all over country for first 3 months - but by June would be a pleasure to meet up! PS any direction on where to get my wife a car? a 2 or 3 year old Prado or LR Discovery?

I don't believe tan is offered anymore for 2019. Check the US Toyota vehicle configurator but it looks like black/black or black/dark brown (terra) for the interior only. Brown is available for all colors, black is available only for black, white, and light gray exterior colors.

Thanks for the leg work - that is clear will email my procurement guy now.

Tan interior hasn't been offered since 2015, gray hasn't been offered since 2011. Only black or dark brown since 2016.

Thanks partner

I have the Terra on my 16. It has gotten annoying over time. I liked it at first. I wish I just had black.

Thanks for the feedback - just made my decision a whole lot easier.

Again a sincere thanks gents - super impressed with this global Cruiser family -Jimmy