LC250 to FJ60 comparison (1 Viewer)

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I have all kinds of problems with radar cruise control. I can write a wall of text about it. If anyone actually cares, maybe I will. But since you mentioned the one point, I'll address it. "Let's me not have to worry about the driving on a long trip". And that's the problem, IMO. It discourages active driving.
I think I didn't make my point clearly enough.

With radar cruise control, I set the speed and that is the maximum speed the car will go. It will slow down if there is a car in front of me, but it won't exceed that speed. As a result, I can keep my eyes up and outside of the vehicle, instead of looking down at the speedometer continually to check my speed. So this allows me to MORE aware of the traffic, not LESS. And, yes, I do make the decision whether or not to change lanes to get around the slower vehicle.

In the 200, you can switch from radar cruise control back to regular cruise control simply by pressing forward on the cruise control stalk and holding it for a few seconds. So if you don't like radar cruise control, you can go back to regular cruise control. And if you don't like cruise control at all, like my wife, you can simply not turn it on.

As for the lane trace assist, again, you can turn that off. See page 278 of the 2022 Camry manual here: https://www.toyota.com/content/dam/...pt_for_Driving_Support_Systems_D2_ML_0208.pdf

Backup cameras are a convenience and thus, have no impact in how a car thinks i should drive. I don't really have a problem with them. But, not being able to see the hood of the car behind you is easily solved without a backup camera. You just become familiar with your vehicle.
I owned my 2003 4Runner for 13 years and that did not have a backup camera. The 1970 Ford station wagon that I drove also had a tailgate and it was very long, so it also had a significant blindspot, and it had much worse mirrors. So I have done it with and without a backup camera for many years. And you know what? It's easier with a backup camera. There is just no argument to this -- it is easier with a backup camera.

More importantly, no matter how familiar you are with your vehicle or how good you are with your mirrors, you can't see a toddler standing at your bumper unless you've got a backup camera. You just can't see them. You've got a major blindspot below the level of your rear window.

As you posted previously, the market for bare bones vehicle is limited. The fullsize pickup truck market is large enough that you can buy worktruck trims, but most people who buy fullsize pickups buy 4-door fancy ones, and not 2-door, long-bed, strippers. It appears that Toyota's view is that there isn't a large enough market for a bare bones, off-road SUV in the US market.
 
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I think I didn't make my point clearly enough.

With radar cruise control, I set the speed and that is the maximum speed the car will go. It will slow down if there is a car in front of me, but it won't exceed that speed.

What you just described in the first sentence is the exact operation of standard cruise control. It maintains a consistent speed, which allows a driver and other motorists around you to be able to use relative motion to gauge when this guy is going to pass that guy, how long I have until I can move over, etc. To me, as a person who is extremely active while driving and holds road rules very dear (like GTFO the left lane if not passing), your second sentence above is my issue.

When smart cruise slows the car down, all of the fringe benefits I just mentioned above about using standard cruise go out the window. If I'm watching a car and counting on their consistent speed to time myself and my own moves, and then his speed changes before he maybe changes lanes, it completely screws up the whole flow. Additionally, yes you are allowed to set the distance between your car and the one ahead, but if you need/want to get closer than the car allows you in order to execute a smooth lane change, that can no longer happen. Again, my position is that this feature actively discourages active driving. Anyone reading this and thinking I'm talking about some foreign concept- you're possibly in the way on the highways.

After hating that Hyundai rental for a weekend, I learned why I've recently noticed people flying up behind cars in a travel lane, and then simply slowing down instead of passing that car in front and getting back over to the right. What I learned is that those folks are likely using the smart cruise, and then just aren't present enough in their driving to make the lane change and continue on at their preset, consistent speed. Since I actively use relative motion so diligently in my driving, I can't stand it.

If the system can be turned off, and stay off, without having to turn it off again at every key cycle, then fine, great. But if it cannot be turned completely off or if it has to be a dance of button pushes every time I start the car- I simply cannot get behind that.
 
What you just described in the first sentence is the exact operation of standard cruise control. It maintains a consistent speed, which allows a driver and other motorists around you to be able to use relative motion to gauge when this guy is going to pass that guy, how long I have until I can move over, etc. To me, as a person who is extremely active while driving and holds road rules very dear (like GTFO the left lane if not passing), your second sentence above is my issue.

When smart cruise slows the car down, all of the fringe benefits I just mentioned above about using standard cruise go out the window. If I'm watching a car and counting on their consistent speed to time myself and my own moves, and then his speed changes before he maybe changes lanes, it completely screws up the whole flow.
Gosh, I disagree.

You just have to pay attention and then decide whether to stay in your lane at a slower speed to change lanes. With regular cruise control, then you have to disengage the cruise control, or tap it down to slow its speed, or decide to change lanes. I use radar cruise control all the time, even on 2-lane suburban roads where there is no opportunity to change lanes. On roads like that, radar cruise works better than regular cruise control. Yes, it can't see road conditions ahead like I can, but since my eyes are outside the vehicle on the road, instead of glancing at my speedometer, I'm paying closer attention to the road and simply hit the brake or cancel cruise when I see slowing traffic ahead.

But, like said, if you don't like radar cruise control then simply don't use it. You've still got regular cruise control 🤷‍♂️

Additionally, yes you are allowed to set the distance between your car and the one ahead, but if you need/want to get closer than the car allows you in order to execute a smooth lane change, that can no longer happen.
That's not how it works in my 200. In my 200, when the radar starts to slow you down, you can just press on the gas and you close up the distance. When you let off the gas, the cruise speed is still set.

If the system can be turned off, and stay off, without having to turn it off again at every key cycle, then fine, great. But if it cannot be turned completely off or if it has to be a dance of button pushes every time I start the car- I simply cannot get behind that.
In the 200, if you disable radar cruise control it acts as regular cruise control and it stays that way unless you change it back.
 
I’m super stoked to have purchased my First Edition on April 26th. I’ve been obsessed with 60 Series rigs since I was in high school. I’ve driven a couple of Brian Corsetti’s builds but I could never pull the trigger bc I need a vehicle that can tow my boat.
I plan to tow with her next week so I can report back on towing/trailering capabilities.
I’m excited to get her dirty!
Her name is Sugar… short Brown Sugar ✨
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Congratulations! Great color choice.
 

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