Nope. Joined in late 2020 and own a 21 LC200. Just disappointed we did not get a replacement for the 200 as capable and the disgraceful marketing in the US.
Thoughts From the 200 Crew On the LC250 Reveal (7 Viewers)
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Idaho Savage
GOLD Star
Final thoughts: Imagine yourself when the LC was introduced here in the States (some of you were probably alive and shopping!):
Japanese built
Not much in the way of bells or whistles
Spartan interior
Not overly expensive
Seemingly under powered
Came off-road capable out of the box
Questionable style relative to other autos of its era
Round headlights!
...what's closer to this, the 200 or the 250?
Ehhhhh? Ehhhhhhhhhhh?
Just food for thought.
Japanese built
Not much in the way of bells or whistles
Spartan interior
Not overly expensive
Seemingly under powered
Came off-road capable out of the box
Questionable style relative to other autos of its era
Round headlights!
...what's closer to this, the 200 or the 250?
Ehhhhh? Ehhhhhhhhhhh?
Just food for thought.
Idaho Savage
GOLD Star
I'm talking about the podcast host.
Perfect! I agree with everything except that we were clamoring for the Prado in the States!
I and several others are saying;
- The 250 series is a Land Cruiser Prado
- And it is not a replacement and improvement of the 200, which is the 300 series
I know whether I like it or not, many people will buy it because they can now affort it. You will never convince me thought it is not a Land Cruiser Prado or Prado in short, as it is known globally.
There is no reason Toyota could have brought the 300 to the US and in more basic trims as well to get the pricing to be more reasonable. Just twisted minds of Toyota US staff who can dream up what they have just done.
xeuxaz
SILVER Star
Nailed it.
Yeah - neither of these trucks are ‘closer’. Honestly, the 200 is a bloated beast and, given the choice, I would rather buy a new FJ60. I did in 1987. But it is 2023 and I can’t. And never will be able to because the competitive market in the US in 2023 would direct me to buy a stripper crew cab Big 3 pickup instead.
So if someone can get Toyota to stick the Prado badge next to it will that help you sleep better at night?
When the time comes to let my 2009 LC200 go (if ever) plan on handing it down to my middle school daughter. I will upgrade to a 2017+ LC200.
Yes. Just like I said 4 years ago when they slapped the Supra badge on the new "A90" BMW.
Land Cruiser light.
This wasn’t some industry first. Lots of other examples out there with brands doing this and the two vehicles ending up being VERY similar to each other underneath the body panels. Objectively, the new Supra is a great car. Some even say it’s the better drivers car compared to the Z4. Now back to the topic at hand…
I don’t think Toyota’s intent was to hide the fact that this is a Prado. It’s clearly been categorized on their chart in the light duty segment right next to the 150. The reason they dropped Prado from the US
(and some other markets as well, UK and Canada I believe, not sure of any others if someone wants to clarify)
is that little to no people in those markets outside of us enthusiasts here on Mud know what a Prado is. It’s also going to be the only vehicle in the Land Cruiser family for sale in those markets. So it makes no sense from a marketing approach to add the Prado (light duty) suffix.
The bummer of it all is that they dropped the wagon series from the US altogether ($$$ LX600 notwithstanding) and used deceptive "Land Cruiser returns" marketing to give us a 4Runner+. Meanwhile in Qatar, one can purchase a stripped down 300 series with cloth interior, no sunroof, triple locked for the equivalent of $55-60k. It's even left hand drive!
THAT is what most of us were hoping that "Land Cruiser returns" meant.
Americans: <purchasing full size BOV SUVs like mad>
Toyota: "Let's give them the Prado and call it the 'return' of what we just discontinued, lol"
I don't like the name, but Toyota is measured and strategic in what they've done.
Stripped bare bones models don't work for US consumers. Nor do low power full size trucks with our high speed freeways. We've been trained to buy on headlines, features, and... branding.
Exactly, I think a lot are feeling like ZR2 Blazer owners when Chevy did this with the Jimmy
IMO, it makes sense from a heritage perspective, particularly for halo products. The new products might be made of gold and run circles around the best on track or offroad, but there's a fine line between calling something that its not disregarding enthusiasts who effectively gave the vehicle halo status. If we did not care and support prior generations, there would not be a new LC or Supra.
That’s fair. I agree and get where you’re coming from. I’m just not all that bothered by this example. To me it’s not as sacrilege as a Bronco Sport or Mustang Mach E.
As a company I think it’s a matter of compromise in offering a product that will appeal to everyone and do well in a given market. We all like the 200 but there are shortcomings with it that we choose to accept in owning one. The majority of customers here did not like the 200 in it’s best form so I struggle to think it would do better we’re it stripped down. Maybe a few more units sell but I truly just think the enthusiasts would scoop those up and save some coin.
As for the 250 we know what it is and what it is not. We know what it’s origins and purpose are. If this thing stumbles out of the gate and starts blowing engines, snapping tie rods, having electrical issues, etc I will call a spade a spade. I guess I’m hoping this thing lives up to the name and if it doesn’t that will kind of suck but life goes on and there are plenty of other choices out there for something to drive.
Yes, that would make sense to label it a LC Prado.
I do not like them labelling a car here deferent then rest of the world and pretending "the legendary Land Cruiser is back".
As I stated somewhere else, this would be similar to labelling the next global RAV4 as the 4 Runner here in the US while claiming "the new generation legendary 4R is here".
Or label the next Yaris as a Corolla.
It is just a joke how they are manipulating things which is unheard of in the car industry. At least with the brands I follow. It would be like BMW bringing out the new X7 and in fact it is a X5 in every other country. Or put an E-class label on a C-class. 7 series on a 5 series. 5 on a 3. etc. etc. etc.
Madness. Almost smells like false marketing.
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Your example is more akin to turning the LC into a crossover or some entirely different vehicle all together in form and function which is not what they are doing here. Also Mercedes names their models in classes such a A, C, E, G, etc. No X though, that’s BMW.
Land Cruiser is a family of vehicles. It’s not just the 200 Series. There are plenty of enthusiasts around who don’t like the 200 and believe the 100 or 80 is better. Then there are those who think it’s FJ40 or bust. You don’t have to buy a 250 if the marketing doesn’t speak to you. (That’s kind of how marketing works) You can keep driving your 200 for the next 15-20 years and have plenty of peace of mind that you’re in a great vehicle. Just keep lots of money set aside for gas.
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