Buying a new LC? Need advice… thoughts?

[Cathar_Knight]

I have owned a LC 100 series for 14 years. In those 14 years I have racked up a lot of miles – 310Kmiles to be precise.

I am now reaching that point where my repair costs are no longer justified given the age of the vehicle…. Which leads me to the following dilemma.

Do I buy a new (meaning used as I cannot afford $80K on a new car) LC or do I look at – gasp – an alternative? I love LC’s but the low mileage and resulting high gas bills have made me reconsider. If Toyota would bring the diesel LC into the US the choice would be clear but…….

So here is what I am considering:

1. 2008-ish used LC

2. 2015 4 Runner TRD PRO (about $45,000ish)

3. 2010-ish Mercedes GL 350

4. Foreign import of diesel LC (through Canada?, conversion of LC to diesel)

What’s important to me:

1. Reliability – longevity of vehicle

2. Mileage and low operating costs

3. On road handling

4. Off-road capability

5. Towing capability (ideally more than 5000lbs)

Thoughts? I would appreciate other’s experience.

Mark

 

[Dog]

How about a diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK2)? For some of the prices you posted, I wonder if you could find a slightly used 2014 example. It would tick all the boxes you mention (thought longevity would be untested).

I have no experience with them, but here is some info: http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-ecodiesel/

 

[ylexot]

You've put enough miles on your hundred to know what you're getting into. Was the cost of ownership acceptable for your current hundy?

The 200 is supposed to do a little better in highway cruising with the 4cyl shutdown. I haven't researched how well thatworks out.

Importing a late model diesel anythingnis near impossible. Getting someone to import and certify/modify for USA use is the bugger. Doing a diesel swap is hard to justify on a cost basis. You won't find any late model diesel LCs in Canada, but there are 60s running about still. You can probably get a diesel drive trains from other markets, but it is an expensive project if you aren't doing it yourself and isn't cheap if you are. (I've gone the diesel swap route in a 60, which was pretty simple. Research for a diesel swapped 100s has shown it to be cost prohibitive.) I still dream of it. For near term my plan is for an extended range tank.

4Runner is a good truck that I considered before buying my 100. it isn't an LC and I don't like the low seating position in the 4R though. Personal preference thing but probably lower cost of ownership for similar performance and reliability. (I may have opened a can of worms there.)

We've had a few Mercedes. Nice cars. The big knock I've had against them is the lifetime of sensors wasn't great and they can get to be a revolving door with the shop. This was an issue for the early mid 2000s when researching. Maybe the are better now.

Another option many are happy with is the Sequoia. They are bigger than many need though and parking lot performance leaves a bit to be desired.

 

[Sandroad]

Since another 100 is not on your list, I suggest you post in the 200 forum on Mud and also find a 4 Runner forum and Mercedes forum to ask your questions. Some of the things on your "important" list are at least a bit at odds with each other, so you'll have to make some choices; like either good gas mileage or towing 5000+ lbs.

 

[Cathar_Knight]

You've put enough miles on your hundred to know what you're getting into. Was the cost of ownership acceptable for your current hundy?

The 200 is supposed to do a little better in highway cruising with the 4cyl shutdown. I haven't researched how well thatworks out.

Importing a late model diesel anythingnis near impossible. Getting someone to import and certify/modify for USA use is the bugger. Doing a diesel swap is hard to justify on a cost basis. You won't find any late model diesel LCs in Canada, but there are 60s running about still. You can probably get a diesel drive trains from other markets, but it is an expensive project if you aren't doing it yourself and isn't cheap if you are. (I've gone the diesel swap route in a 60, which was pretty simple. Research for a diesel swapped 100s has shown it to be cost prohibitive.) I still dream of it. For near term my plan is for an extended range tank.

4Runner is a good truck that I considered before buying my 100. it isn't an LC and I don't like the low seating position in the 4R though. Personal preference thing but probably lower cost of ownership for similar performance and reliability. (I may have opened a can of worms there.)

We've had a few Mercedes. Nice cars. The big knock I've had against them is the lifetime of sensors wasn't great and they can get to be a revolving door with the shop. This was an issue for the early mid 2000s when researching. Maybe the are better now.

Another option many are happy with is the Sequoia. They are bigger than many need though and parking lot performance leaves a bit to be desired.

Thanks for the advice and ideas. It is really too bad diesel is so difficult because it would seem near ideal. Not sure that I am willing to go as far back as a 60 series. Makes me concerned to jump from one old LC to another. I have very mixed feeling on the 4R. It is not a LC BUT I do like the price point much better and it is nice to get another 5 to 10 mpg. Mercedes .... I am not sure what to think. Doesn't seem to be much of an off-road vehicle. Seems more like a BMW or Audi than a true 4x4.

 

[ylexot]

You will find many here in the US that lament not having a diesel cruiser option. Then I read threads where Aussies will swap out theIr diesel for a gas V8. Sigh...

until last year, I had been driving a 60 of one sort or another for the previous 9 years. There is a big difference in creature comforts and ride between to 60 and the 100. I am starting to really love my 100, but I do like the simplicity if the 60. an HJ62 would be pretty darned bulletproof, but then it isn't going to tow 5000lb either. And you're looking at a restoration project most likely.

The GL350 seems like it might just be a capable off road machine. It doesn't look like it would conquer the off road, but then the 200 doesn't look like much either.

Another option is the Lexus GX. It is the LC Prado with some Lexus refinement. We looked into tbose too last year, but they were too small for our family. its a nice platform: you get a capable wheeler with better fuel economy in a package that is comparable to the 60 in size -- maybe not in cargo room. I don't know all the differences between the Prado and the LC, but maybe worth a look too.

Then there are plenty of under used 100s out there that can be had for a lot less than a new 4Runner. $10k buys a lot of gas and primary maintenance.

 

[Junglejack]

While seemingly a partisan answer, the 200 Series makes the most sense of the above listed. That said, the 4Runner would be tempting as it would be brand new.

On the MB front, a G55 would make way more sense to me than a GL350. Not sure if a G55 can be found for that money, but the supercharged V8 in the G55 (M113) has tended to be reasonably reliable. Obvs, fuel economy would be abysmal, but...