Do "They" lurk here??

[patrickfinley]

Do you think Toyota ever reaches out to forums such as this to see what people feel about their vehicles and ways to improve them?

Seems that if the LC is the Grandaddy of Toyota's then they might spend a little time on here to see what we think.

 

[uzj100]

I would say yes however they would never admit it. This is some of the best research they cannot buy.

Turbo diesel for the states please with front and rear diff locks and a factory winch.

 

[mark71]

and the supercharger option, please!

 

[Carl L]

I doubt it, this forum is quite small and quiet. On the off chance they do, OEM rock sliders please.

 

[MoneyMan]

uzj100, i know it is only a wish list, but why a factory winch? that would probably mean a different bumper, springs, etc. wouldn't it? but, then they i guess could have as an option "the bumper winch package" which in addition to the upgrade package would push a new LC200 up close to 6 figures. YIKES! i know, we're only fantasizing!

 

[JBHorne]

uzj100, i know it is only a wish list, but why a factory winch? that would probably mean a different bumper, springs, etc. wouldn't it? but, then they i guess could have as an option "the bumper winch package" which in addition to the upgrade package would push a new LC200 up close to 6 figures. YIKES! i know, we're only fantasizing!

There is already a factory winch in the UAE. There are pictures around here.



And yes, Toyota does in fact read these forums. I specifically asked a Toyota Field Engineer and he said yes. I also asked one of the media coordinators who runs the Toyota Facebook page and got the same response.

If you think about it, why wouldn't they? This is some of the best damn research there is! Even though we represent the minority of users, internet forum users on average know more about vehicles than the average joe, otherwise we wouldn't care. We put these vehicles through their paces and aren't afraid to share both positive and negative impressions.

 

[Carl L]

And yes, Toyota does in fact read these forums. I specifically asked a Toyota Field Engineer and he said yes. I also asked one of the media coordinators who runs the Toyota Facebook page and got the same response.

If you think about it, why wouldn't they? This is some of the best damn research there is! Even though we represent the minority of users, internet forum users on average know more about vehicles than the average joe, otherwise we wouldn't care. We put these vehicles through their paces and aren't afraid to share both positive and negative impressions.

To begin, I totally agree with your sentiment. That said, did you specifically ask if they read "IH8MUD.com" or just Toyota forums in general? While I concur that it would make sense for them to survey owners, falling sales are normally the only thing that prompt huge corps to take such proactive action. When I spoke with the owner of M5Board (which is far busier than this site) he said that he can pass along information to M5 engineers but they do not specifically come to his site (I had a question regarding the launch control on my sedan which was answered. Maybe this has changed over the last couple of years.

As an aside, Land Rover offer a factory Warn winch for the Defender in Europe and a raised air intake (often referred to as a "snorkel") too. For all the hoopla about taking twice as long to develop (7yrs) and twice as many engineers(1,500) as a regular Toyota, I don't think they do a good enough job of making the LC feel special (other than the pricing.)

 

[patrickfinley]

That said, did you specifically ask if they read "IH8MUD.com" or just Toyota forums in general?

I was wondering if they lurk in Toyota forums in general.

I work in the film industry and have seen movies change dramatically after the release of the first movie trailer. Public opinion hits the forums/blogs/tweets/facebook and directors and producers take note. All sorts of changes can take place to the film depending on how the trailer is received.

Perhaps for the auto industry feedback comes in some easily quantifiable way from the dealerships.

 

[mark71]

For all the hoopla about taking twice as long to develop (7yrs) and twice as many engineers(1,500) as a regular Toyota, I don't think they do a good enough job of making the LC feel special (other than the pricing.)

When I drive the 200, whether at double the speed limit on a Nevada highway or crawling along some goat trail in the hills, I am reminded just how special the vehicle is. It's not flashy, just VERY good at many things.

 

[uzj100]

I agree with you. Most just know it is expensive. Trying to explain a LC to someone is very difficult. They just don't get it. They just see the price tag and that their Tahoe/Suburban/Expedition/SEQUOIA is BIGGER and why would I pay more for smaller. Also, there is safety in numbers. Must be good, everyone drives one. ;<)

They buy 3 of those for every 1 USED cruiser I buy. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Carl L]

When I drive the 200, whether at double the speed limit on a Nevada highway or crawling along some goat trail in the hills, I am reminded just how special the vehicle is. It's not flashy, just VERY good at many things.

By special I mean dealer support and available OEM options. The vehicile itself does exactly what I expected of it, though I wouldn't want to travel the speed limit in it as steering feel, braking and body control are all very so-so.

 

[planetalaska]

For all the hoopla about taking twice as long to develop (7yrs) and twice as many engineers(1,500) as a regular Toyota, I don't think they do a good enough job of making the LC feel special.

Among all these engineers, they need to fire the team that designed the climate control. I don't ever use any of the climate control buttons under the nav screen, but I change the speed, air flow direction and turn on and off the fan 10 times a day. I have to use the @#$%!!~# nav screen for that.

Also, who allowed the LC200 to go into production without a light switch in the cargo area (controlled from the tailgate)? I know it's petty stuff, and I still love the truck and think it's one of the best out there, but still... It's some basic ergonomics principles that they missed.

And since I'm venting, what's the deal with the brake booster pump buzzing my brain out of my nose every 3 pumps of the brakes? Yet, I wouldn't want to drive anything else...

► Alaska 2011 LC200 / Silver / 285-65-18 BFG All Terrain TA/KO ►

 

[patrickfinley]

Among all these engineers, they need to fire the team that designed the climate control. I don't ever use any of the climate control buttons under the nav screen, but I change the speed, air flow direction and turn on and off the fan 10 times a day. I have to use the @#$%!!~# nav screen for that.

Funny, living in Alaska dealing with -33 F you have a very different take on the climate control. Here in the mild Southwest I've set the temperature on my LC100 months ago and haven't touched it since. You are correct however, it should be designed to work easily in even the harshest conditions.

I think they should make the LC200 seats removable like the 100 series.

Also, I think it would be an unnecessary but neat gadget... an Altimeter!

 

[pagemaster]

I highly doubt they come on this site. There is almost no valid info a a site like this because it can be easily made to be false or made up.

Using info you found on a forum.website is not the same as using verified owners/paid focus groups and paid research and field testing.

 

[MoneyMan]

your 250+ club posts speaks for its self so I am not questioning your credibility, but give me an example by what you mean by saying "it can be made to be false or made up." I am a verified LC owner, but there are a gazillion LC owners that know more about the nuts and bolts of the vehicle than I will ever know. Are the paid focus groups very knowledgeable LC group members?

 

[93Chewbacca]

Hybrid Turbo Diesel please!!! Think 40MPG!!!

 

[93Chewbacca]

I highly doubt they come on this site. There is almost no valid info a a site like this because it can be easily made to be false or made up.

Using info you found on a forum.website is not the same as using verified owners/paid focus groups and paid research and field testing.

Paid focus groups have one thing in mind... their next paycheck. Real LC owners are unpaid extreme focus groups that focus on cruisers because they love them, not because they are paid to "check them out". I'd say we verify our ownership quite well, and field testing... well take a lookat any of the bigger forums, especially the 80 series stuff.

 

[woody]

FYI, I know for a fact 'they' do lurk...they don't reach out, but do read what's going on...

 

[uzj100]

Hybrid TD sounds like a plan.

 

[93Chewbacca]

FYI, I know for a fact 'they' do lurk...they don't reach out, but do read what's going on...

They would be running their company like Land Rover if they didn't... LOL

BTW... Excellent site Woody, hands-down the best automotive forum I have ever had the pleasure of reading.