Land Cruiser 1958 Initial Drive/Ownership Plan Thoughts (1 Viewer)

[mike23]

New Member Here. I picked up a LC 1958 on Friday of last week and thought I’d post my initial impressions after driving it from Oregon to Arizona this past weekend. Reserved with deposit day after initial Toyota teaser. Paid MSRP.

I am pretty very familiar with Toyota. Previous vehicles were a 2023 Sequoia and a 2021 Tacoma TRD OR. Before Toyota trucks I was partial to the MBZ G Class (have owned 3 of the previous generation).

I was looking for a vehicle to replace both that my Tacoma and Sequoia with a spartan vehicle my kids and dogs wouldn’t mess up or that if they didn’t I wouldn’t care too much. Also wanted some light off road ability & efficiency.

The Sequoia was too big and the Tacoma (or any truck) weren’t ideal for the family.

I really like the 1958. ~1500 miles, almost all highway, driven. I used a mix of regular and premium (I didn’t realize it took premium until half way down). Real world driving 75-85 most of the way mpg was 22.3. Lots of climbing and the mpg really suffered there. I had it in eco mode a majority of the trip.

Plenty of power. No trouble overtaking at highway speeds. Seemed fine in city; much better acceleration than the previous generation Tacoma. Drives very well, steering is solid and firm enough.

I’m tall (2 meters/6’6) and I was comfortable in the front seat. Seat adjustment is typical Toyota, seems robust. Not a ton of room behind me, looks about the same as a current LX. Fabric looks great in person and seems thick. Has specs of gray in it. ABS plastic everywhere. Fit and finish are very good.


I always wanted the stripped G Class Professional that Australia and Europe have; this is a Toyota’s version and I really like it.

Be warned—the 1958 edition really doesn’t have any creature comforts beyond heated seats/steering wheel. I’m fine with that. Others may not be.

Feel free to ask any questions and I’ll do my best to answer.

 

[M1911]

How is the noise, vibration, and harshness of the drivetrain when pressed?

 

[mike23]

How is the noise, vibration, and harshness of the drivetrain when pressed?

It doesn’t sound amazing when I accelerated.

Acceleration was acceptable. Much better than a previous generation 4Runner, so if you are coming from that it would seem great. Objectively, it’s not earth shattering.

Sometimes the truck seemed a bit hesitant and then would jump abruptly when I really floored it. That’s operator error to some extent, but I would like it a bit less sensitive. I am used to the Tacoma and having no power.

I didn’t notice and vibration issues.

It was really windy at times and the vehicle felt solid even during gusts.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

New Member Here. I picked up a LC 1958 on Friday of last week and thought I’d post my initial impressions after driving it from Oregon to Arizona this past weekend. Reserved with deposit day after initial Toyota teaser. Paid MSRP.

I am pretty very familiar with Toyota. Previous vehicles were a 2023 Sequoia and a 2021 Tacoma TRD OR. Before Toyota trucks I was partial to the MBZ G Class (have owned 3 of the previous generation).

<snipped>

Be warned—the 1958 edition really doesn’t have any creature comforts beyond heated seats/steering wheel. I’m fine with that. Others may not be.

Feel free to ask any questions and I’ll do my best to answer.

Are you familiar with long term ownership of Toyotas over 10+ years? I'd be interested to compare the fit/finish and handling of the LC250 vs my 16 year old Tacoma.

I bought my 2008 Tacoma when it was 3 years old and have been driving it ever since.

A G-Klasse has always seemed interesting, but having worked on some Unimogs, and having personally owned 3 German made vehicles I am VERY gun shy as to ever owning one that isn't made in Stuttgart and has a badge that says "911 Turbo" on it when it left the factory....

What do you mean by 'creature comforts'? Does the 1958 edition not have AC or Heat? Is it loud inside? Can you carry a conversation with someone at normal convestational tones or do you need to kind of yell?

 

[mike23]

Are you familiar with long term ownership of Toyotas over 10+ years? I'd be interested to compare the fit/finish and handling of the LC250 vs my 16 year old Tacoma.

No. I tend to swap cars fairly frequently. Can’t speak to that aspect. That said, I’ve owned many Toyotas. This one seems in line with the quality I expected.

I bought my 2008 Tacoma when it was 3 years old and have been driving it ever since.

A G-Klasse has always seemed interesting, but having worked on some Unimogs, and having personally owned 3 German made vehicles I am VERY gun shy as to ever owning one that isn't made in Stuttgart and has a badge that says "911 Turbo" on it when it left the factory....

What do you mean by 'creature comforts'? Does the 1958 edition not have AC or Heat? Is it loud inside? Can you carry a conversation with someone at normal convestational tones or do you need to kind of yell?

It has things that every modern car has in the US; of course AC/heat. However, even compared to the Sequoia, it is def Spartan. Screen is small. Hard touch plastic everywhere. Radio isn’t great in terms of sound quality…. My wife and son (both fancy lol) immediately didn’t like it.

It seemed adequately dampened; could certainly have a conversation at highway speeds without issue.

One odd thing is that it has no USB port; only USB C. I had to stop and buy one on the road.

That said, I love it.

 

[jayp2]

any vehicle that requires premium is out for me

 

[Tigerstripe40]

No. I tend to swap cars fairly frequently. Can’t speak to that aspect. That said, I’ve owned many Toyotas. This one seems in line with the quality I expected.



It has things that every modern car has in the US; of course AC/heat. However, even compared to the Sequoia, it is def Spartan. Screen is small. Hard touch plastic everywhere. Radio isn’t great in terms of sound quality…. My wife and son (both fancy lol) immediately didn’t like it.

It seemed adequately dampened; could certainly have a conversation at highway speeds without issue.

One odd thing is that it has no USB port; only USB C. I had to stop and buy one on the road.

That said, I love it.

I don't need a bunch of fancy stuff. Heat, AC, and an audio system (I can upgrade speakers easy enough, I just did that on my Tacoma).
Massaging, heated and cooled seats just seem like more crap to break long term. (I buy new or CPO, and own for 15-20 years). I'd prefer more spartan and add aftermarket doo-dads and stuff like that that I can easily replace and don't affect the functionality of the vehicle.

 

[M1911]

I don't need a bunch of fancy stuff. Heat, AC, and an audio system (I can upgrade speakers easy enough, I just did that on my Tacoma).
Massaging, heated and cooled seats just seem like more crap to break long term. (I buy new or CPO, and own for 15-20 years). I'd prefer more spartan and add aftermarket doo-dads and stuff like that that I can easily replace and don't affect the functionality of the vehicle.

Living here in the Northeast, I just love heated seats and a heated steering wheel. YMMV.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Living here in the Northeast, I just love heated seats and a heated steering wheel. YMMV.

I spent a week in Boston in December years ago, so I can certainly empathize with that.

 

[Fort9378]

Vented seats are a god send and one of the things I'm most excited for as a naturally sweaty fella. Admittedly most of the stuff is completely unnecessary but that doesn't make me any less excited

 

[M1911]

Vented seats are a god send and one of the things I'm most excited for as a naturally sweaty fella. Admittedly most of the stuff is completely unnecessary but that doesn't make me any less excited

I thought the heated steering wheel and coolbox were useless frippery before I got my 200. My opinion of both changed quickly.

 

[APIOQM]

Is there a subwoofer in the tailgate?

Where does it say it was built on your window sticker?

 

[mike23]

Is there a subwoofer in the tailgate?

Where does it say it was built on your window sticker?

Hamuru, Tokyo, Japan.

Didn’t notice a sub, but will need to check. I was more focused on the battery (which isn’t too high off the base).

 

[rexington14]

pics or it didnt happen

 

[solidbrix]

I really like the 1958. ~1500 miles, almost all highway, driven. I used a mix of regular and premium (I didn’t realize it took premium until half way down). Real world driving 75-85 most of the way mpg was 22.3. Lots of climbing and the mpg really suffered there. I had it in eco mode a majority of the trip.

You mentioned using regular for 750 miles, and premium for the rest, could you tell any real difference in driving dynamics or will you return to just using regular?

 

[mike23]

You mentioned using regular for 750 miles, and premium for the rest, could you tell any real difference in driving dynamics or will you return to just using regular?

I couldn’t tell the difference. I’m going to use premium for the rest of 5000 miles then just use regular.

 

[mike23]

pics or it didnt happen

 

[mike23]

Slightly better pic

 

[W4632018]

Post more pics dawg,

And I share your love of the G. Still have mine

The white on 1958 is such a cool spec!!!!!

 

[MACFJ60]

Appreciate the post. I have an ice cap 1958 scheduled for delivery in late May or early June. What dealership did you purchase from?