Overseas LC Options

[Harper34]

Hello All,

I'll be transitioning to a job overseas (Qatar) in the near term. Job duration will likely be 4-5 years. I get an annual stipend to handle vehicle/transport.

OF the two options in front of me (lease vs. buy) I'm leaning heavily towards buying - used vehicles (event Toyota LC's) are relatively cheap in Qatar. Some basic discounted cash flow analysis shows that owning a used car offers better value (even with added maintenance and registration/insurance costs) versus making monthly lease payments. Obviously, if I were to consider a brand new (more expensive) 4x4, that analysis would change. For right now, I'm focused on getting a used vehicle.

I am considering two vehicles for purchase:

• a 2013-2015 Toyota LC 200, likely to be gasoline (diesel is not that common in Qatar oddly enough).
• a 2015-2016 Toyota LC Prado, would either be a 4.0l v6 (which I'm well acquainted with) or perhaps a 2.8l diesel (nearby GCC countries offer that model).

Budget for either vehicle would be ~95k-100k Riyal at the most (anything more than that and the lease option offers better value based on my analysis).

So a question common to either vehicle choice:

• I've heard mention of the "GCC" spec or package - basically a hardware upgrade (radiators, cooling system) to ensure vehicles can survive the harsh temperatures of the middle east. Anyone know how to tell if a particular vehicle has the "GCC" upgrade?

For the LC200:

• Any obvious maintenance issues I should be aware of for LC 200's w/ ~80k-110k of mileage?
  • I'm a little less concerned about buying a used LC in Qatar since I know rust (the killer of all vehicles) is a negligible concern. I do know that sand dune bashing is a big hobby over there, so I'll probably want a 3rd party mechanic to check the vehicle over for damage.
• What are the big/milestone maintenance/repair items going into ~200k mileage?
  • I anticipate putting at least 100k miles on this vehicle over the next 5 years.
• Anyone have experience/feedback on the modern 4.6l v8?
  • I'd prefer to get the 5.7l, but the 4.6l v8 seems fairly common in the LC's sold over there. The 4.0l v6 is common as well, but I am not considering that engine for the LC.
• Anyone know which overseas LC trims come with the rear locker?

Leaning heavily towards to the LC 200 - a dream vehicle of mine. Given that the vehicle is in large supply and relatively cheap, I think I would get that over a used LC prado (even one with the diesel). I've put ~113k miles on a Toyota 4runner (US version of the Prado) - great vehicle and very reliable. But I am looking for the nth degree of reliability and comfort - I think the LC 200 will offer that.

I can find LC PRado's and LC 200's for about the same value, though the PRado's tend to have less mileage. Ultimately, I'd be fine with either SUV. Hopefully feedback on the LC 200 can help inform my decision.

Thanks in advance!

 

[stonepa]

Fuel prices are about 2/3 of US prices in Qatar. I'd go with the 200, either the 4.6 or 5.7. Both are great engines. I know the GX has a rear locker and maybe a front locker as well. the GXL I drove had a rear locker.