Hey Guys,
I don't post too much here on them forum, but do poke in on a regular basis. I apologize in advance for such a long post, but wanted not only wanted to share my new ride, but have some comments/feedback on it after some weeks of driving it. So here I go..
During the past few months we had been looking around at used/new Cruisers, could not find much used ones that I liked and new ones were even harder to find in the color that we wanted.
So this past December I finally found what I wanted and picked up a new 14 LC. My search did not find much stock here in Northern Cali and what I found here, they would not budge past $73.3K plus tax/license.
I ended finding the color and options that I wanted down south (West Covina, CA) and better pricing. We negotiate pricing over email, then once settled/agreed, I took a flight down to LA and had the dealer pick me up. Drove home that same night on my new Cruiser. With this being said, here's what I got:
2014 LC Magnetic Grey for $75.6K Out the door, (They come loaded as most of you guys know) plus with the following options:
Rubber liners
Remote Start
Glass breakage sensor.
Went on vacation mid December, so only had a couple weeks of driving before we left. Got back early January, so now just getting some miles on it and learning about it do das and gizmos..
My observations/comments on it:
1. My reaction to the test drive, "man this thing drives like a tank" Felt heavy, solid but powerful. Mind you my daily driver is no corolla or such. My dd is/was a 05 Toyota Tundra 4.7 V8 4WD doublecab with lift/MT, ARB and few other goodies.
2. Nice updates from 05 Tundra in regards to interior (Nav, Bluetooth, rear AC, heated/cooled seats (Kids love the rear heated seats). I do agree with others that have said a lack of storage space. Even the center console does not have much. I believe they could have moved the heated/ac seat turn switches, USB plug and the crawl control to the dash and made more room for your everyday stuff. This really means that I'll have to to stay more organized.
Anyone find any alternative storage solutions (Besides a full storage drawer system in the back)?
3. Cup holders, the front center console ones do not seem to fit my coffee mug right. To be exact, it feels like my mug is going tip over. Guess, I need to find a lower profile mug that will work with it. While on subject of cup holders, the second row seats, has cup holders in the center seat console area. This is an issue if you have (3) passengers in the back, can't use it. The Tundra/Sequoia (1st Gen) have rear cup holders in the rear center area. Anyone find an alternative solution to this?
4. The center fridge box appears to be cool feature, but haven't tried it out long enough to see if drinks do get cold. Doubles as storage space most of the time.
5. The "ECO" green light that comes on/off depending on your driving style can be kinda annoying. Was reading the manual the other day while waiting for the wife and found a way to turn this off. I suspect that turning it off will not help gas mileage, just don't know if really makes a difference to note it. Guess will have to experiment with a few gas tanks with it on and off and see.
6. Haven't look into how to synch both driver and passenger side heating/ac. Looking at the manual now, and it appears that is the "4-Zone" virtual button on the Climate screen.
7. Crawl control.. Haven't tried it yet.
8. Dynamic Radar is pretty cool. Got to use during my 350 + mile drive back home from the dealer.
9. Rear Entertainment system. Like the powered up/down screen from remote and larger screen than the 1st gen Tundra/Sequoia. Did some searching to see how to get video from iphone/ipod to rear screen and came up with this:
Apple lighting to HDMI cable
Standard HDMI cable
Isimplesolution cable.
In summary, takes your digital video/audio out to RCA to feed to the rear entertainment system. This will allow you play contents from your apple device to rear and front screen (if parked). The adapter cable can be found here:
http://www.isimplesolutions.com/medialinx.html
10. Rear 12VDC plug, I see one in the 2nd row seat, this is good as these days it seems like everyone needs a place to charge cell phone/tablet, game console etc.. What I don't see is one in the back. I see a 12VAC plug in the rear cargo area, but don't know if this is sufficient to run an ARB fridge? Has anyone tried it? Looks like an always "hot" 12VDC plug in the back would be convenient for this. Anyone installed one back there? Pics/ideas?
11. Got some Weather Tech liners installed all around, but see that we you lift the 2nd row seats to have passengers load/unload into the 3rd row seats, there is exposed carpet. Thinking of a custom plastic liner for this?
12. I believe this covers it for now.. As for mods, this will be somewhat of a daily driver by me and family hauler with some light trails to explore.
Mods
WeatherTech liners
HDMI to RCA cable (ok, not a mod..
Prestigious Society Nav/Video Enhancement system
Future mods
2" lift.. looking at the new ARB Coilover system, looks sweet.
tall/skinny tires
TRD Wheels
ARB front bumper
Slee Sliders
Warn Zeon winch (anyone tried the new line winches on the ARB?)
Yakima Warrior basket to carry the extra crap
and I'm sure I'll think of a few other things..
I don't post too much here on them forum, but do poke in on a regular basis. I apologize in advance for such a long post, but wanted not only wanted to share my new ride, but have some comments/feedback on it after some weeks of driving it. So here I go..
During the past few months we had been looking around at used/new Cruisers, could not find much used ones that I liked and new ones were even harder to find in the color that we wanted.
So this past December I finally found what I wanted and picked up a new 14 LC. My search did not find much stock here in Northern Cali and what I found here, they would not budge past $73.3K plus tax/license.
I ended finding the color and options that I wanted down south (West Covina, CA) and better pricing. We negotiate pricing over email, then once settled/agreed, I took a flight down to LA and had the dealer pick me up. Drove home that same night on my new Cruiser. With this being said, here's what I got:
2014 LC Magnetic Grey for $75.6K Out the door, (They come loaded as most of you guys know) plus with the following options:
Rubber liners
Remote Start
Glass breakage sensor.
Went on vacation mid December, so only had a couple weeks of driving before we left. Got back early January, so now just getting some miles on it and learning about it do das and gizmos..
My observations/comments on it:1. My reaction to the test drive, "man this thing drives like a tank" Felt heavy, solid but powerful. Mind you my daily driver is no corolla or such. My dd is/was a 05 Toyota Tundra 4.7 V8 4WD doublecab with lift/MT, ARB and few other goodies.
2. Nice updates from 05 Tundra in regards to interior (Nav, Bluetooth, rear AC, heated/cooled seats (Kids love the rear heated seats). I do agree with others that have said a lack of storage space. Even the center console does not have much. I believe they could have moved the heated/ac seat turn switches, USB plug and the crawl control to the dash and made more room for your everyday stuff. This really means that I'll have to to stay more organized.
Anyone find any alternative storage solutions (Besides a full storage drawer system in the back)?
3. Cup holders, the front center console ones do not seem to fit my coffee mug right. To be exact, it feels like my mug is going tip over. Guess, I need to find a lower profile mug that will work with it. While on subject of cup holders, the second row seats, has cup holders in the center seat console area. This is an issue if you have (3) passengers in the back, can't use it. The Tundra/Sequoia (1st Gen) have rear cup holders in the rear center area. Anyone find an alternative solution to this?
4. The center fridge box appears to be cool feature, but haven't tried it out long enough to see if drinks do get cold. Doubles as storage space most of the time.
5. The "ECO" green light that comes on/off depending on your driving style can be kinda annoying. Was reading the manual the other day while waiting for the wife and found a way to turn this off. I suspect that turning it off will not help gas mileage, just don't know if really makes a difference to note it. Guess will have to experiment with a few gas tanks with it on and off and see.
6. Haven't look into how to synch both driver and passenger side heating/ac. Looking at the manual now, and it appears that is the "4-Zone" virtual button on the Climate screen.
7. Crawl control.. Haven't tried it yet.
8. Dynamic Radar is pretty cool. Got to use during my 350 + mile drive back home from the dealer.
9. Rear Entertainment system. Like the powered up/down screen from remote and larger screen than the 1st gen Tundra/Sequoia. Did some searching to see how to get video from iphone/ipod to rear screen and came up with this:
Apple lighting to HDMI cable
Standard HDMI cable
Isimplesolution cable.
In summary, takes your digital video/audio out to RCA to feed to the rear entertainment system. This will allow you play contents from your apple device to rear and front screen (if parked). The adapter cable can be found here:
http://www.isimplesolutions.com/medialinx.html
10. Rear 12VDC plug, I see one in the 2nd row seat, this is good as these days it seems like everyone needs a place to charge cell phone/tablet, game console etc.. What I don't see is one in the back. I see a 12VAC plug in the rear cargo area, but don't know if this is sufficient to run an ARB fridge? Has anyone tried it? Looks like an always "hot" 12VDC plug in the back would be convenient for this. Anyone installed one back there? Pics/ideas?
11. Got some Weather Tech liners installed all around, but see that we you lift the 2nd row seats to have passengers load/unload into the 3rd row seats, there is exposed carpet. Thinking of a custom plastic liner for this?
12. I believe this covers it for now.. As for mods, this will be somewhat of a daily driver by me and family hauler with some light trails to explore.
Mods
WeatherTech liners
HDMI to RCA cable (ok, not a mod..
Prestigious Society Nav/Video Enhancement system
Future mods
2" lift.. looking at the new ARB Coilover system, looks sweet.
tall/skinny tires
TRD Wheels
ARB front bumper
Slee Sliders
Warn Zeon winch (anyone tried the new line winches on the ARB?)
Yakima Warrior basket to carry the extra crap
and I'm sure I'll think of a few other things..
