Interesting opinion on 200's etc.....

[gray rider]

As I am in the market for a 100 series I came across this by accident. What do you guys think and don't shoot the messenger.....(I apologize if this isnt tech......)

Why the Land Cruiser is the worst selling SUV in America

 

[Markuson]

Another article by another guy who seems incredibly distracted by the outer, smooth body panels of the 200. If he would just lean down and look under the surface to the MEAT of it? -The 200 is as solid as they come. I swear if someone just stuck a boxy, hard-cornered sheet-metal case on the 200...these same guys would fall all over themselves with praise. Style over substance... I think they have it backwards.

Also... This was discussed at length just last week.

-See SleeOffroad's response in this thread following a similar article:

article: It Might Be Time for the Toyota Land Cruiser to Go

 

[9780LC]

The guy that wrote that article is Scott Brady. He runs/founded the Expedition Portal.
Everyone has an opinion. Scott I believe is driving a G wagon these days when in
the USA.

 

[Markuson]

The guy that wrote that article is Scott Brady. He runs/founded the Expedition Portal.
Everyone has an opinion. Scott I believe is driving a G wagon these days when in
the USA.

I have no doubt he is a legitimate guy. Just think he, like others, would change his tune if someone slapped a custom, boxy body on the 200.

 

[NicaNorth]

I kind of agree with Scott, to a certain respect. I love the 100 Series, but when the 200 was unveiled, I was shocked by the route in which Toyota took on its redesign. I understand the market Toyota is trying to feed with the 200, but I feel people are beginning to receded from luxury and are more interested in simplicity and reliability. Yes, the 200 is reliable, but does not hold an ounce of naturalness.

I know I am just offering another opinion. I guess I'm just a roll-up window, manual transmission, rigid leaf spring kind of guy

 

[mark71]

Apples versus oranges. We are just pissed because we can't buy the orange here.

Would I buy a 70 series over the 200? Only if it were cheaper and came with the diesel motor, but then I would admittedly be driving a very different vehicle. I really like my utterly reliable and comfortable 4x4 rocket ship.

 

[Markuson]

I kind of agree with Scott, to a certain respect. I love the 100 Series, but when the 200 was unveiled, I was shocked by the route in which Toyota took on its redesign. I understand the market Toyota is trying to feed with the 200, but I feel people are beginning to receded from luxury and are more interested in simplicity and reliability. Yes, the 200 is reliable, but does not hold an ounce of naturalness.

I know I am just offering another opinion. I guess I'm just a roll-up window, manual transmission, rigid leaf spring kind of guy

When the 200 first came out, and I was in my fully-built 100, my reaction was mixed. I DID think it looked rather bulbous, but I marveled at the MASSIVE increase in power (+150 HP, etc.). I was skeptical of the roundness too. It wasn't until I saw Slee's early build of that gold 200 that I realized the 200 was still there beneath it's marshmallow exterior.

Surely looks do count for something...but I get the impression looks end up counting too much for some. On the other hand...I'm guilty too. -Jeep has hideously slapped their logo and slotted grill on vehicles that truly have no business wearing the Jeep moniker. Without the Jeep nameplate, some of them truly do look like they are straight out off the Saturn lot from 10 years ago. So I guess I have a similar reaction to many Jeeps.

 

[9780LC]

Bolt on naturalness? I like it! I'll be doing the same thing.

 

[T4Runner]

Scott Brady has said more positive things about the 200 since he published that opinion piece, but I wouldn't call him a 200 convert or anything. As I recall, there's a video of him on YouTube from when he borrowed one in Australia.

 

[T4Runner]

Here's the video I was thinking of. I stand corrected tho, as it predates the aforementioned article he authored. He likes the diesel better than the 5.7 -- shocker!

 

[9780LC]

You got to ask yourself, do you have the wallet for it? LOL!

 

[MSU LC200]

I really like a built 200 series. I think it has the undeniable Land Cruiser design.

My only wish is the option to buy a true base model. Leave the luxury piece to Lexus or let the customer add all of the bells and whistles. Take the Tundra... You can buy a 5.7 Crewmax 4x4 for $40k or loaded for $60k and everywhere in between.

 

[Markuson]

Here's the video I was thinking of. I stand corrected tho, as it predates the aforementioned article he authored. He likes the diesel better than the 5.7 -- shocker!

Interestingly, his friend who selected this truck clearly selected it for it's intended purpose...who practically LIVES in the outback on LOOOONG excursions...chose this truck as the fantastic over-lander it was designed to be. Not s rock crawler... Not a super-technical specialist vehicle...but as a highly capable, powerful, stable, reliable, high-capacity, comfortable over-lander.

Tadaaa! That...is the 200.

 

[mcgaskins]

I find it a little humorous that Scott Brady dings the 200 for being expensive yet drives a Mercedes G Wagon for his personal vehicle.

 

[M1911]

I find it a little humorous that Scott Brady dings the 200 for being expensive yet drives a Mercedes G Wagon for his personal vehicle.

Yup. Pot, kettle, comm check.