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[Evergreenist]

Hey all, long time lurker, hopefully soon-to-be first time Land Cruiser owner in the near future.

I registered my account on here after lurking a bit when I first was considering a LC. That didn't happen at that time as we decided the wife needed a new mommobile for our growing family. Now, I'm ready to make the plunge on a 2016-2020 LC, but have a few questions for you guys here:

1. Where's the best place to have this served? Are there any shops or dealerships in the area that particularly know these inside and out? I live in Mid MI/Bay County.

2. I plan to use this rig to be a family adventure rig, mostly northern lower peninsula and the UP, particularly all over the Keweenaw (where we have family and friends). Secondarily it will be my daily computer to work (which is just a few miles away for me). Other than 33" Open Country 3/WildPeakAT4W's, I was planning on keeping this mostly stock. Are there any mods that you guys would strongly recommend I do right off the bat that would be relevant to our mild-moderate offroading conditions in MI?

3. How much of a benefit is it to using sites like AutoTempest/Edmunds/Visor.vin to seek out exclusively a Toyota Certified Pre-owned one? One obvious downside is that it really restricts your pool of what you're looking for; I'm really hoping to find my preferred color combination in Blue Onyx Pearl over Terra, so I realize I may have to sacrifice my color preference if I really want to get a CPO. Has CPO ever saved you guys much on repairs?

4. I am ready willing and able to search 48 states for a clean, mostly rust-free example. Any tips on buying long distance and arranging shipping (whether it be private party or from a dealer)?

5. Speaking of rust, do you guys undercoat or otherwise protect your vehicle (ceramic clearcoat, etc)?

Thats all my questions for now, appreciate all the input and looking forward to engaging with you guys more during and after my hunt for a LC!

 

[TCEd]

Hey all, long time lurker, hopefully soon-to-be first time Land Cruiser owner in the near future.

I registered my account on here after lurking a bit when I first was considering a LC. That didn't happen at that time as we decided the wife needed a new mommobile for our growing family. Now, I'm ready to make the plunge on a 2016-2020 LC, but have a few questions for you guys here:

1. Where's the best place to have this served? Are there any shops or dealerships in the area that particularly know these inside and out? I live in Mid MI/Bay County.

2. I plan to use this rig to be a family adventure rig, mostly northern lower peninsula and the UP, particularly all over the Keweenaw (where we have family and friends). Secondarily it will be my daily computer to work (which is just a few miles away for me). Other than 33" Open Country 3/WildPeakAT4W's, I was planning on keeping this mostly stock. Are there any mods that you guys would strongly recommend I do right off the bat that would be relevant to our mild-moderate offroading conditions in MI?

3. How much of a benefit is it to using sites like AutoTempest/Edmunds/Visor.vin to seek out exclusively a Toyota Certified Pre-owned one? One obvious downside is that it really restricts your pool of what you're looking for; I'm really hoping to find my preferred color combination in Blue Onyx Pearl over Terra, so I realize I may have to sacrifice my color preference if I really want to get a CPO. Has CPO ever saved you guys much on repairs?

4. I am ready willing and able to search 48 states for a clean, mostly rust-free example. Any tips on buying long distance and arranging shipping (whether it be private party or from a dealer)?

5. Speaking of rust, do you guys undercoat or otherwise protect your vehicle (ceramic clearcoat, etc)?

Thats all my questions for now, appreciate all the input and looking forward to engaging with you guys more during and after my hunt for a LC!

The classifieds here on Mud are good, I've bought three vehicles from there and all were above the board sellers . Whatever search engine you use you can avoid the known rust belt states. If possibly fly out and drive the new purchase home versus shipping especially in the year range you're looking for. You'll need to do some form of corrosion protection and there's many threads and opinions on that subject, the search function will get you there. I was set on a certain color when I began looking for a L.C. but eliminated that quickly and went for documented maintenance. ed

 

[Crush 4]

Budget will dictate a lot.

 

[TCEd]

Budget will dictate a lot.

What I should have said.

 

[OutdoorColorado]

I have a questions as I am in the same boat as the OP. Was there a refresh between 2015 and ‘16? What changes were made if so? When did the 8 speed transmission get introduced?

 

[Evergreenist]

The classifieds here on Mud are good, I've bought three vehicles from there and all were above the board sellers . Whatever search engine you use you can avoid the known rust belt states. If possibly fly out and drive the new purchase home versus shipping especially in the year range you're looking for. You'll need to do some form of corrosion protection and there's many threads and opinions on that subject, the search function will get you there. I was set on a certain color when I began looking for a L.C. but eliminated that quickly and went for documented maintenance. ed

Great post, thanks. I do religiously check the classifieds to see if my color pops up; seldom does. I probably will have to make an ISO/WTB post to bring sellers out of the woodwork. Very open to flying out and driving back, Ive done that before on a different car and it was a great experience; getting a 'free' roadtrip out of buying a car is a plus! May not be feasible with work scheduling though if I have to drive all the way back from San Diego or something. You raise a good point about good service trumps color preference. In a perfect world you get both, but you'd have to be really lucky...

Budget will dictate a lot.

I think 65k-70k is appropriate for a 2018-2020 with 40-80k miles

I have a questions as I am in the same boat as the OP. Was there a refresh between 2015 and ‘16? What changes were made if so? When did the 8 speed transmission get introduced?

Yes. '16 was when they introduced the 8 speed as well as other creature comforts like ventilated seats.

 

[Sandroad]

1. Not that I know of. These are rare beasts in Michigan and few shops, or for that matter dealerships, have seen one. I’ve heard from some on this board the dealer in Holland is familiar with them, but I have no direct experience with them yet. Basic maintenance is straightforward and any quality shop can do it. For specialized work you can’t do yourself, maybe ask here when the time comes?

2. No mods are needed for what you’ve described for use (and way beyond that too). These vehicles are truly astounding fully stock. If you’re looking for fun and simple things to do, the FAQs in the 200 section of Mud has a great thread on inexpensive mods.

Best Upgrades for Under $100 (200-Series)

What are your favorite upgrades for under $100? Here are a few I just picked up for my 2018. 1) Salusy Car Center Console Armrest Box Glove Box Secondary Storage For Toyota Land Cruiser 2008-2019 - $15 Link 2) SCOSCHE MPVB MagicMount Pro Universal Magnetic Vent Mount - $20 Link 3) Car...

forum.ih8mud.com

3. IMHO buying a CPO is not worth the time and expense. Due diligence on a PPI for one with a good history is adequate.

4. I agree with @TCEd to fly and drive. Personal inspection is really a good idea.

5. Absolutely treat the chassis for rust. No hard undercoat but regular treatment with something like Fluid Film is critical.

And to the later question……also in the 200 section FAQs are threads on buying, including year to year differences. See post #3

FAQ - 200-series FAQ for Modifications, Repairs and Build Threads. Great place for new users to start

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for the 200/LX570 series tech section continues to be a work in progress. The goal is to have links in the below to other threads and tech articles. By having these linked, instead of pasting the text, the threads will remain live. The live threads can...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[VSPro9]

Hey all, long time lurker, hopefully soon-to-be first time Land Cruiser owner in the near future.

I registered my account on here after lurking a bit when I first was considering a LC. That didn't happen at that time as we decided the wife needed a new mommobile for our growing family. Now, I'm ready to make the plunge on a 2016-2020 LC, but have a few questions for you guys here:

1. Where's the best place to have this served? Are there any shops or dealerships in the area that particularly know these inside and out? I live in Mid MI/Bay County.

2. I plan to use this rig to be a family adventure rig, mostly northern lower peninsula and the UP, particularly all over the Keweenaw (where we have family and friends). Secondarily it will be my daily computer to work (which is just a few miles away for me). Other than 33" Open Country 3/WildPeakAT4W's, I was planning on keeping this mostly stock. Are there any mods that you guys would strongly recommend I do right off the bat that would be relevant to our mild-moderate offroading conditions in MI?

3. How much of a benefit is it to using sites like AutoTempest/Edmunds/Visor.vin to seek out exclusively a Toyota Certified Pre-owned one? One obvious downside is that it really restricts your pool of what you're looking for; I'm really hoping to find my preferred color combination in Blue Onyx Pearl over Terra, so I realize I may have to sacrifice my color preference if I really want to get a CPO. Has CPO ever saved you guys much on repairs?

4. I am ready willing and able to search 48 states for a clean, mostly rust-free example. Any tips on buying long distance and arranging shipping (whether it be private party or from a dealer)?

5. Speaking of rust, do you guys undercoat or otherwise protect your vehicle (ceramic clearcoat, etc)?

Thats all my questions for now, appreciate all the input and looking forward to engaging with you guys more during and after my hunt for a LC!

If you’re gonna spend a lot of time in the UP I’d recommend a couple things

-Upgraded skids plates, especially if you aren’t lifting.
-Hidden winch if you’re gonna be solo. A come along would be an alternate if you don’t want to add a winch, but you’ll need to carry a fair amount of rigging and be prepared for some hard labor.
-Paid version of Gaiagps or onX. Getting lost in UP woods sucks. the paid versions allow
You to download offline maps you can use without cell signal.

 

[OutdoorColorado]

How does everyone looking for a vehicle get past the fees many websites want to see the full carfax/auto report?
Also, what's the thoughts on accidents reported, how do you filter through those if they may be minor or major?

 

[dogfishlake]

The 200 is a beast of a truck. You will love everything but the gas mileage, so don't look at it and keep smiling.
The MUD classifieds is my favorite for buying Cruisers. You will get the most honest seller and best price in my opinion.

A bone stock 200 on 33" tires will get you most anywhere. Otherwise body/skid protection would be my first mod like @VSPro9 said.

Our 2013 has 204,000 miles on it and it still thinks it is a new truck. I bought mine out of Denver with mods already done. It was cheaper than doing it myself.

I would definitely recommend buying one from NOT HERE, lol. Western state our south. Then when you get it here, do a fluid film treatment every fall and it will be great.

Also, Welcome! We need more members in MI!

 

[TCEd]

How does everyone looking for a vehicle get past the fees many websites want to see the full carfax/auto report?
Also, what's the thoughts on accidents reported, how do you filter through those if they may be minor or major?

Used Cars for Sale | with Free CARFAX

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[Blue Phoenix]

Welcome to the board.

1. In regards to your first question, I live near Holland and as @Sandroad alluded to, there is a decent Toyota dealership there by the name of Crown Toyota. Cole Schneeberger is the guy you want to talk to if you go there for service. I wouldn't go out of my way to say they're amazing, but it seems they always have a healthy number of modded GX/ 4Runners, Tacos, I've even seen a couple of Cruisers there before getting serviced. So I guess if anything I'll at least trust that they have more than just run-of-the-mill basic maintenance experience.

2. I bought a pair of Maxxtrax and can honestly vouch for how useful they are for their price point. No replacement for a winch of course but there are a fair amount of sandy/ washed out trails with some offset articulation that sometimes you need just that little bit more of grip for. And you don't have to mod your truck for them.

3,4. I'm in a similar boat as you. I'm on the hunt for a 2016+ LX and although there are a decent number that go up for sale locally, all but 1 of the 6 I have looked at have the rust you would expect. I've decided it would be best to go wherever the rust is NOT and start with a clean slate. Risky move I know shopping for an LX with AHC in Michigan but what can I say I like what I like. Patience is key.

5> Rust prevention is a must - as other have mentioned, Fluid Film or the like annually. My '06 is nearly as rust-free as it was when I moved up here from GA and 4 years in it's looking really good underneath. I drive across the state frequently and it's my vehicle of choice for winter driving so it sees a lot of salt - the fluid film has held up well.

IIRC there's a Meet-Up happening next month? Maybe I'll actually show up this time since my truck is in good working order.
As @dogfishlake said, the Cruiser community in Michigan is not huge so it's really nice to see it growing (especially with all the new 250's I'm starting to see).

Good luck in your search

 

[Sandroad]

After looking at what others have suggested, I should add I carry a Vlair portable air compressor because of all the time I spend in sand. Airing down the tires is miraculous for getting through soft stuff and comfort on rough roads. That may not be needed in the Keweenaw, just good tough tires for all the rocks, but could be worth it in the eastern U.P.

 

[VSPro9]

After looking at what others have suggested, I should add I carry a Vlair portable air compressor because of all the time I spend in sand. Airing down the tires is miraculous for getting through soft stuff and comfort on rough roads. That may not be needed in the Keweenaw, just good tough tires for all the rocks, but could be worth it in the eastern U.P.

an excellent suggestion, don’t have to worry about sand at 15 psi

 

[Evergreenist]

Thanks for the responses so far guys. Definitely good call on bringing an air compressor for eastern U.P., I've been down some sketchy trails near Two Hearted campground area so that could come in handy. In addition to airing down, I've heard that removing your spare tire from the undercarriage on a 200 (including putting it on a swing out bumper) helps prevent getting stuck in sand as well. Useless idea once you're stuck though. Also, yes, onX is amazing. I have Hunt with subscription and would definitely get the Offroad subscription as well

As far as picking out a LC, I think the biggest thing I'm gathering is that it really pays to go out and inspect it yourself instead of just asking for lots of pictures. While I do have some mechanical knowledge of working on my first few cars, I definitely don't feel confident at pre purchase inspecting a 200 series my own with any sort of proficiency. So, here's hoping I find one in my color that is: 1) CPO, 2) Listed on classifieds here, or 3) Located in a city near a shop that knows Land cruisers well enough to give a good pre purchase inspection before I'd commit to buying and flying out.

 

[VSPro9]

Your spare will be fine where it’s at for the UP. We’ve gotten Subarus down every trail that wasn’t flooded from white fish point to grand marais.

Traction boards will work if you’re smart enough to not dig until you’re on the frame in sand also.

 

[Sandroad]

Thanks for the responses so far guys. Definitely good call on bringing an air compressor for eastern U.P., I've been down some sketchy trails near Two Hearted campground area so that could come in handy. In addition to airing down, I've heard that removing your spare tire from the undercarriage on a 200 (including putting it on a swing out bumper) helps prevent getting stuck in sand as well. Useless idea once you're stuck though. Also, yes, onX is amazing. I have Hunt with subscription and would definitely get the Offroad subscription as well

As far as picking out a LC, I think the biggest thing I'm gathering is that it really pays to go out and inspect it yourself instead of just asking for lots of pictures. While I do have some mechanical knowledge of working on my first few cars, I definitely don't feel confident at pre purchase inspecting a 200 series my own with any sort of proficiency. So, here's hoping I find one in my color that is: 1) CPO, 2) Listed on classifieds here, or 3) Located in a city near a shop that knows Land cruisers well enough to give a good pre purchase inspection before I'd commit to buying and flying out.

I know you’re not specifically looking for one in Michigan, but if you do find a possibility here and want a second set of eyes on it, post up here. There a few of us who know the 200.

 

[TCEd]

Thanks for the responses so far guys. Definitely good call on bringing an air compressor for eastern U.P., I've been down some sketchy trails near Two Hearted campground area so that could come in handy. In addition to airing down, I've heard that removing your spare tire from the undercarriage on a 200 (including putting it on a swing out bumper) helps prevent getting stuck in sand as well. Useless idea once you're stuck though. Also, yes, onX is amazing. I have Hunt with subscription and would definitely get the Offroad subscription as well

As far as picking out a LC, I think the biggest thing I'm gathering is that it really pays to go out and inspect it yourself instead of just asking for lots of pictures. While I do have some mechanical knowledge of working on my first few cars, I definitely don't feel confident at pre purchase inspecting a 200 series my own with any sort of proficiency. So, here's hoping I find one in my color that is: 1) CPO, 2) Listed on classifieds here, or 3) Located in a city near a shop that knows Land cruisers well enough to give a good pre purchase inspection before I'd commit to buying and flying out.

Those swing out tire racks and bumpers are crazy money.

 

[Evergreenist]

Those swing out tire racks and bumpers are crazy money.

I bet! Definitely not something I am currently considering for awhile.