Choosing a used Landcruiser over a new Tundra

[buellfire]

I could use a bit of help deciding a path on a new vehicle. I own a 2003 tacoma access cab 4wd with 260k on it, and a few Camrys and Sienna in the family with close to 200k, so I'm no stranger to high mileage Toyota's. I feel service history is the key to dependability with high mileage. Yesterday I looked at a 2013 LC one owner with 97k on it. Full service history with regular dealer visits every 5k. Owner has bought a new cruiser every 3-4 years since the early 90's. The dealer offered it to me for 42k and 5k for my current Tacoma. I keep cars a while and love driving the newer cruisers. While there I looked at a new crew max Tundra offroad and can buy this loaded with everything except leather for 39k and same 5k for my Tacoma.
so 36k and my truck for the cruiser and 33k and truck for the Tundra. I don't really need a truck any longer and would place a cap on the truck if purchased, as I prefer to use a trailer to move things around my property. The Tundra drives nice but not as smooth as the cruiser or the other choice is to buy a 2013 LC with 20-30k for low 50's and same 5k trade in from the Tacoma. I guess I'm struggling with the thought of buy a 100k mileage vehicle that is still over 40k dollars. A cruiser is what I really want, but I'm not sure it makes sense.

 

[FinallyGotOne!]

Sounds like you're leaning towards the LC. Why buy a truck when you need an LC? I just bought an '11 LX with less than 10K miles for $55K. I think if you search, you'll find a more affordable used LC/LX and you'll have made a good choice!

 

[kreiten]

I had a 2011 Tundra for a bit, nice trucks but they got nothing on a 200! Find yourself a nice LC and enjoy it!!! My 2013 has about 60k miles on it and it's just like new!(minus the scratches)

 

[Yossarian]

I guess I'm struggling with the thought of buy a 100k mileage vehicle that is still over 40k dollars. A cruiser is what I really want, but I'm not sure it makes sense.

It does and it doesn't. To the casual observer we are all insane for spending that kind of coin on a used vehicle. To the Land Cruiser enthusiast who knows exactly what they are buying, it's money well spent.

Asking this question in the 200 section on mud will result in the obvious answer of "buy the LC". Only you can decide what is right for you, good luck. BTW, get the LC!

 

[RTaylor]

42k for a '13 is a great price. If you consider another 2k for a platinum warranty, you're still in the green in my opinion. I prefer 13-15 over 08-11.

 

[buellfire]

Lol, I ask this crazy bunch because I figured you would all get the desire to own a cruiser! I do most all of my own work on vehicles as therapy and like turning wenches. I will use this vehicle as a daily driver and long haul family cruiser, my wife thinks I'm crazy looking at a car with 100k. Even though we drove the Tacoma 250 miles yesterday without a thought! I love the outdoors and offroad, but I ride Dualsports a Dr650 to be exact to enjoy the mountains in Tennessee and Colorado. Not sure how much off road the cruiser will see, however I have been following the Ouray Thread and love that area. Been there many times on Dualsports.

 

[buellfire]

Has anyone noticed a little stutter during the 1st/2nd gear shift on a 200 lc? Probably nothing but when driving the 97k mile Lc, I had my hawk eye on everything!

 

[highrisk]

I love my cruiser. It is my first. I owned a rangerover which I loved but the 5k breakfixes just kept piling up. I was ready to get rid of the rangerover. I wanted an F250, born and raised in TN, my wife hates trucks. She asked if there was anything else I would consider and the (2013)LC came up. We went a test drove one and she was sold, as was I. I haven't looked back. I have had zero problems with the LC.

I do pull a trailer pretty often and the only complaint I have is that the Trailer light hook up is to far away from the hitch. Other than that I love it.

 

[INTP]

A little over a year ago I got an 08 with 122k miles. In my first year I have had to replace the water pump, radiator, starter, tires and brakes. It has not been completely painless, but I have 145k on it and this is the nicest vehicle I have ever owned. Also, it pulls my 21' Boston Whaler with ease.

 

[Rigger]

Bought my '08 at 90k - paid $38k. It rides like a new truck.

Bought a new Tundra. A '14. It also rides like a new truck.

Not sure where I'm going with this.

 

[LCHardriver_02]

I purchased my 2010 LX earlier this year for $42K with 67K miles. This was the cheapest local option, as all of the LCs that have come through were up in the >$60K range. With that said, I would not think twice buying a 2013 LC with 100K for the same price, with all of the maintenance records. Those records have value, in my opinion. Negotiate the upcoming service for the vehicle and then drive it home. Since you stated that you don't need a truck, the LC should provide everything you need out of a vehicle for a very long time. Also, I tow a large trailer with my LX, so depending upon the total weight that you are looking to tow, you should not run into any problems. If it is greater than 6Klbs, get the Tundra.
Those are my thoughts. I hope it helps in your decision.

 

[Markuson]

Bought my '08 at 90k - paid $38k. It rides like a new truck.

Bought a new Tundra. A '14. It also rides like a new truck.

Not sure where I'm going with this.

Ya... Bought my 08 earlier this year for $39k. Only had 48k miles. Everyone who gets in it can't believe it's 7 years old. Looks new inside and out. Drove a built up 100 for years, but loving the 200. Just starting to build it up.

You will love the LC. Nothing else like it.

 

[ryanCA]

1) Sell me your Tacoma 4x4

2) In your situation I would get the Tundra. You are getting a 0 mile new vehicle cheaper than the LC.

For those of us crazy enough to own 2-3 LC at a time, there is no substitute. But if you are cross shopping the Tundra, you are getting 100k fewer miles for less $.

 

[Markuson]

My 2 cents:

Buy the vehicle you truly want to DRIVE & USE.

You don't DRIVE & USE the odometer.

You drive the Vehicle.

So... Set your sights on the vehicle you want...with an odometer you can comfortably deal with...and there ya go.

One suggestion:
You might want to consider a somewhat older 200 with fewer miles. My 2008 looks, feels, drives NEW with 48k. To me, the mileage and upkeep is more a factor than the year...once you are into the 200.

 

[Markuson]

It does and it doesn't. To the casual observer we are all insane for spending that kind of coin on a used vehicle. To the Land Cruiser enthusiast who knows exactly what they are buying, it's money well spent.

Asking this question in the 200 section on mud will result in the obvious answer of "buy the LC". Only you can decide what is right for you, good luck. BTW, get the LC!

Your mention about the "casual observer" thinking we're insane..." reminded me of an article a recently read, titled, "WHY THE LAND CRUISER 200 IS SO EXPENSIVE."

Find it at the link below.

If nothing else...check out the article for this AWESOME chart showing every single LC model over the years....

Article link: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/why-t...d&utm_campaign=Feed:+jalopnik/full+(Jalopnik)

Check out this coo chart:

 

[D21FJ60]

I can't say much in regards to purchasing or ride on a 200 series as I don't own one, but I would say get the LC because it sounds like it suits you better and has better options. You say you would put a cap on the Tundra- that's space that can't be practically utilized if you have numerous people on board (in regards to human carrying) but in the LC it's not an issue.
Hope I made sense.

 

[buellfire]

Ive been talking with the dealer today, still have not made the decision. Markuson I read the story on the LC lastweek very interesting. D2 I agree that my Pickup days seem to be behind me. Hard to believe after driving Toyota Pickups for years. Ryan my truck is nice but we use salt around here and the truck has had a new frame and is starting to show a bit of rust on the hood. Thats why I want to buy the newest one I can. Old around here means RUST. I thought 5K for the truck was a good price. May look at two 2013's with miles between 20 and 30 thousand. Its about a 10K jump, so 52ish thousand for those.

 

[Markuson]

Ive been talking with the dealer today, still have not made the decision. Markuson I read the story on the LC lastweek very interesting. D2 I agree that my Pickup days seem to be behind me. Hard to believe after driving Toyota Pickups for years. Ryan my truck is nice but we use salt around here and the truck has had a new frame and is starting to show a bit of rust on the hood. Thats why I want to buy the newest one I can. Old around here means RUST. I thought 5K for the truck was a good price. May look at two 2013's with miles between 20 and 30 thousand. Its about a 10K jump, so 52ish thousand for those.

You might actually want to consider shopping for a used on on the West Coast...or somewhere that is far from salted roads. Might pay off in the long run in rust avoidance. My 2008 not only had zero rust...but even zero DUST it was so clean when I bought it earlier this year with just 48k miles. Cruisers you buy in Southern California present zero worries over rust as we are dry...and salt-free here for the maaaaany mall cruisers that are found for sale...

 

[Canyonero]

Ive been talking with the dealer today, still have not made the decision. Markuson I read the story on the LC lastweek very interesting. D2 I agree that my Pickup days seem to be behind me. Hard to believe after driving Toyota Pickups for years. Ryan my truck is nice but we use salt around here and the truck has had a new frame and is starting to show a bit of rust on the hood. Thats why I want to buy the newest one I can. Old around here means RUST. I thought 5K for the truck was a good price. May look at two 2013's with miles between 20 and 30 thousand. Its about a 10K jump, so 52ish thousand for those.

I came to my 2015 LC from a 2013 Tundra Crewmax Limited Rock Warrior edition. Great truck and we absolutely loved it!

That said... it never felt "premium" the way an LC does. It's hard for me to quantify this comment other than every single thing about the LC feels more solid, more robust and more likely to last forever. I thought my Tundra was amazing looking, it had great power (felt way more powerful than my LC for some reason), insanely big interior, great center console storage (the storage on LC's absolutely sucks btw)... but even with all that, I just don't miss it.

There is something special about the LC. Part of it is the rarity of the vehicle, part of it is that no one else knows what you're driving (I promise someone will ask you if it's a Sequoia or a Highlander), part of it is how it earns your loyalty by being amazing when it comes to QDR (Quality, Durability, Reliability) --even among other Toyota products.

 

[Canyonero]