LC200 f/Hawaii Family Vehicle Questions (1 Viewer)

[Devils Paw 80]

Haha. Isn’t everything on island like that?

I needed a dishwasher last year, between all the costcos, Home Depot’s, Lowe’s, Best Buy, fergusons, and the local shops there were 2 dishwashers on the island at that time. An island of almost 1million people. One was $8k the other was a basic white one at Best Buy for $1500. Everything else was 2-3 months out. We weren’t going to be back for a little while so I waited three months to get a dishwasher that matched our appliances.

My primary residence the last 16 years is in rural Alaska. Which is way harder to access and way more isolated than Hawaii. Also, the entire state of Alaska has roughly 2/3 the people as the island of Oahu in an area the size of the entire lower 48. It is exponentially easier to get things in Alaska and everything is 20 to 30% cheaper in Alaska than in Hawaii.

In terms of traffic. Most people that live on the island are oblivious to how bad their traffic is. Every road almost all the time I also live on the North Shore and avoid Honolulu like the plague. It’s been great that there are more things available in Pearl city and Kapolei so I don’t have to go into Honolulu often.

Difficult to believe rural Alaska is cheaper than Hawaii when Juneau is hardly any less. Gas is definitely more on the big island than Alaska. It's $4.60 plus here, you won't find it any less. Well, maybe if you wait in line forever at Kona Costco. Not sure.

I can relate to what you've said about traffic. For a neighbor recently from California, traffic here is nothing. For me it can be annoying and is certainly much, much more than Juneau. 30 years ago Hilo/Puna had minimal traffic, now it can be crawl speed at times.

Regarding vehicle size the 200 is wide, notably more than an older cruiser, and that would be an inconvenience for me with parking in the places I go around here. Dunno about Oahu.

I recently visited Crete, an island about the size of Hawaii island, and it was interesting to note that basically no one had a full sized vehicle there except for cabs. They were predominately Mercedes sedans. Tiny cars, very few pickups of any kind. The few to be seen were the kind I like- 80s and 90s mini Nissans and Toyotas. Land Cruisers? I might have seen one-a 200 series!

 

[coleAK]

Difficult to believe rural Alaska is cheaper than Hawaii when Juneau is hardly any less. Gas is definitely more on the big island than Alaska. It's $4.60 plus here, you won't find it any less. Well, maybe if you wait in line forever at Kona Costco. Not sure.

I can relate to what you've said about traffic. For a neighbor recently from California, traffic here is nothing. For me it can be annoying and is certainly much, much more than Juneau. 30 years ago Hilo/Puna had minimal traffic, now it can be crawl speed at times.

Regarding vehicle size the 200 is wide, notably more than an older cruiser, and that would be an inconvenience for me with parking in the places I go around here. Dunno about Oahu.

I recently visited Crete, an island about the size of Hawaii island, and it was interesting to note that basically no one had a full sized vehicle there except for cabs. They were predominately Mercedes sedans. Tiny cars, very few pickups of any kind. The few to be seen were the kind I like- 80s and 90s mini Nissans and Toyotas. Land Cruisers? I might have seen one-a 200 series!

I’m in rural Alaska not remote Alaska. I’m on the road system.

 

[coleAK]

Long time Kauaian here, Tacos, 4Runners, and Rav4s dominate.

My advice, skip the sentimental and buy something once you're here. You'll save 3k+ in cross county/cross ocean shipping.

Military move, they pay for the vehicle to be shipped.

 

[TheComedian]

Just talking ablut the size. My 200 series fit also here in the central heart of Europe kinda every parking lot (even if it is sometimes a bit tight) so it will definitely do it on Hawaii as well even if the lots are compared to mainland US maybe a bit smaller but they are still extremely big compared to other parts in the world. The 200 is - compared to other vehicles of its class - not that big at all even if he looks chonker. You have a shorter wheel base than a 4door Wrangler or X3 wich makes him (if you use normal sized tires) very maneuverable.
Only challenging thing can be parking decks with limited height

Ps. - Off topic:
and you guys talking about 4$/gal as if it would be expensive…. *sad European noises*
I have to treat my 200 as a hobby because if not something like atm 6.3$/Gal (diesel, it is cheaper…) would be hard to justify with 17.5mpg
;_;

 

[Adrenaline6]

Just talking ablut the size. My 200 series fit also here in the central heart of Europe kinda every parking lot (even if it is sometimes a bit tight) so it will definitely do it on Hawaii as well even if the lots are compared to mainland US maybe a bit smaller but they are still extremely big compared to other parts in the world. The 200 is - compared to other vehicles of its class - not that big at all even if he looks chonker. You have a shorter wheel base than a 4door Wrangler or X3 wich makes him (if you use normal sized tires) very maneuverable.
Only challenging thing can be parking decks with limited height

Ps. - Off topic:
and you guys talking about 4$/gal as if it would be expensive…. *sad European noises*
I have to treat my 200 as a hobby because if not something like atm 6.3$/Gal (diesel, it is cheaper…) would be hard to justify with 17.5mpg
;_;

Not to mention it's only wider than a 4runner by a little more than 2".

 

[TimCFJ40]

Given the fairly short distance and low miles you'll drive this seems like the perfect application of a 200k mile well cared for 2008-2011. I'm seeing a good number of those in the $20k range, and I'd bet in 2 years you might sell it for more than that before you leave.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Not to mention it's only wider than a 4runner by a little more than 2".

7 inches wider than my Hawaii 4Runner. (1990)

Yeah, a 200 will fit just about anywhere. OP, be sure to show us the one you eventually buy.

 

[dudemancool1904]

Do it man. YOLO.
Only mod I would do is a big ass set of rock sliders. Not that you’ll be crawling much but a good angled set with a kick out will protect your truck in parking lots.

 

[coleAK]

Given the fairly short distance and low miles you'll drive this seems like the perfect application of a 200k mile well cared for 2008-2011. I'm seeing a good number of those in the $20k range, and I'd bet in 2 years you might sell it for more than that before you leave.

This may be the best option if OP is set on a 200.

If you go down this road I’d make sure you get one with it done or get the list of common replacements done before you get to Hawaii: the radiator, idler, possibly starter,….

 

[Adrenaline6]

This may be the best option if OP is set on a 200.

If you go down this road I’d make sure you get one with it done or get the list of common replacements done before you get to Hawaii: the radiator, idler, possibly starter,….

Yup...shipping costs are a bitch.

 

[coleAK]

Yup...shipping costs are a bitch.

And can take 3 months.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Yup...shipping costs are a bitch.

Really depends on the size of what you are shipping. Small to medium sized parts are cheap/easy because USPS flat rates for the mainland apply here in Hawaii and most of the Land Cruiser support companies (Cruiser Outfitters/CruiserTeq, City Racer, VintageTeq) utilize that USPS flat rate option. There is no overnight option, but flat rate shipments usually take 4-7 days from the mainland.

For larger OEM parts (like radiators and windshield/windows), you can get from the Toyota dealer if needed. Paying inflated dealer prices of course, but typically no extra shipping charges.

 

[slipkid13]

I lived in Hawaii and I would not want my LX there. Loads of traffic, tight parking and expensive gas (even on base) if you are only gonna be there 2 years why not wait until your next assignment to buy a 200? Sounds like what you need is a Sienna, much easier to get around with and park.

Whatever vehicle you do ship over plan on the windows getting smashed and whatever is inside getting taken.

 

[jpeterferrell]

I lived in Hawaii and I would not want my LX there. Loads of traffic, tight parking and expensive gas (even on base) if you are only gonna be there 2 years why not wait until your next assignment to buy a 200? Sounds like what you need is a Sienna, much easier to get around with and park.

Whatever vehicle you do ship over plan on the windows getting smashed and whatever is inside getting taken.

These are good points. This will be one of two cars - we know we are taking my wife's Volkswagen ID.4 with us also, and we know it'll do most of the distance driving. Part of it is obviously emotional, I'm the car guy in the family and I have no desire to have a minivan be my daily driver. If I'm the one who has to drive the 7 passenger vehicle, I at least want it to be something I can have a connection to, engage with, make my own, etc. I get that it's all tradeoffs...I just don't want to necessarily get left totally holding the bag if I make an idiotic mistake (although the worst case scenario is I just bring it back to the states in summer 2027).

This is all great advice - I'm going to slowly start looking at what's available here in the DC area and see if something I can get reasonably readily comes up!

 

[Adrenaline6]

Whatever vehicle you do ship over plan on the windows getting smashed and whatever is inside getting taken.

That depends on where you live and where you park it. You are using a blanket statement that doesn't apply to the whole island. I will guarantee that I lived there a whole lot longer than you and never had my windows smashed in.

 

[Adrenaline6]

Really depends on the size of what you are shipping. Small to medium sized parts are cheap/easy because USPS flat rates for the mainland apply here in Hawaii and most of the Land Cruiser support companies (Cruiser Outfitters/CruiserTeq, City Racer, VintageTeq) utilize that USPS flat rate option. There is no overnight option, but flat rate shipments usually take 4-7 days from the mainland.

For larger OEM parts (like radiators and windshield/windows), you can get from the Toyota dealer if needed. Paying inflated dealer prices of course, but typically no extra shipping charges.

Although true, there isn't much difference in paying internet sale prices + crazy shipping costs over no shipping costs + SERVCO dealer cost.

Large items like sliders or racks is a whole other story.

 

[coleAK]

These are good points. This will be one of two cars - we know we are taking my wife's Volkswagen ID.4 with us also, and we know it'll do most of the distance driving. Part of it is obviously emotional, I'm the car guy in the family and I have no desire to have a minivan be my daily driver. If I'm the one who has to drive the 7 passenger vehicle, I at least want it to be something I can have a connection to, engage with, make my own, etc. I get that it's all tradeoffs...I just don't want to necessarily get left totally holding the bag if I make an idiotic mistake (although the worst case scenario is I just bring it back to the states in summer 2027).

This is all great advice - I'm going to slowly start looking at what's available here in the DC area and see if something I can get reasonably readily comes up!

It’s a different culture over there, a blend of native pacific island, Japan, and very far left leaning American. Vans are cooler then large SUVs, early 2000’s pop top VW eurovan?

 

[coleAK]

Whatever vehicle you do ship over plan on the windows getting smashed and whatever is inside getting taken.

unfortunately this happens a lot…. More and more. Many of the places I park to access the outdoors I leave nothing visible inside, the glove box open and center console up. So hopefully someone sees there is nothing of value in my car.

 

[slipkid13]

That depends on where you live and where you park it. You are using a blanket statement that doesn't apply to the whole island. I will guarantee that I lived there a whole lot longer than you and never had my windows smashed in.

"I will guarantee that I lived there a whole lot longer than you and never had my windows smashed in."

Congratulations...

 

[Heckraiser]

I really have no relevant experience to comment on this thread, but I just wanted to say cool story about the armored 200 and meeting your wife in Afghanistan. Thanks to both of you! *high five*

Then my totally worthless two cents on the topic of the thread:

1) since you're getting it shipped for free
2) you've got a big soft spot for the 200 (in my experience this means you will get one some day no matter when)
3) Wife wants a people hauler

My suggestion would be to buy one here in the 48, with an eye towards condition and value. When your time is up in Hawaii, check out the market and see if selling it there might be a better deal for you than selling it in the 48. If so, sell it. If not, ship it back and either sell it or keep on trucking.