Toyota 4x4's

[Cajun Transplant]

I have a dumb question for you guys. Yes, I know there are no dumb questions, only dumb people, but here it goes anyway.

You see built Toyota 4x4's lots of different models: FJ Cruiser, 4 runner, minitrucks, and all the permutations of Land Cruisers. Why hasn't the Sequoia ever caught on? It seems like a great platform. Also, it would be much cheaper to get into a late model Sequoia than a similar year Land Cruiser.

There really is no point to this thread other than my curiosity. I'm not looking to trade out of my FJ Cruiser or anything. Any ideas?

 

[BionicCruiser]

i suspect 2 reasons.
1. IFS
2. they are still relatively new, including the name. land cruiser has been around for decades, so anything that says Land Cruiser has a following of people that will buy it and modify it based on the name.

go back to #1 and look at how many IFS 4runners, 100 series and tacos are modified. tacos probably have the largest # (for reason 2 above), but it still isn't anywhere near the # of solid axle vehicles that are.

 

[cruiserdan]

How many lifted Suburbans and Expeditions do you see?

Not many. Same type of vehicle, same basic owner base.

 

[Cajun Transplant]

Now I understand. Sometimes it is hard to see the marketing angle of a car manufacturer when they have so many SUV's. I was sort of thinking to the future when I might want a slightly larger SUV that would still be able to tackle the rough stuff. I got to thinking about the Sequoia and I was a bit curious. I guess a Land Cruiser will be in my sites... but that is after I purchase my Icon

 

[marcfj60]

I would add that the Sequoia is the biggest of the Toyota SUV lineup and bigger is not always better. Granted, the 80 and 100 series aren't much smaller but I just have a hard time imagining a Sequoia easily navigating a small mountain road with tight turns and lots of bushes/trees. But I'd probably say the target market is the most likely culprit for not seeing them around in a modified state.

 

[alia176]

I also wonder about the build quality of the Sequoia that was/is being built in the U.S. Does it have a solid reputation as our beloved Landcruisers? I'm referring to the 80's of course

 

[Cajun Transplant]

I'm fairly certain with Mike and Ali around, we will never have a thread on this board that doesn't mention "the best offroad machine ever offered to the public".

 

[Beowulf]

I'm fairly certain with Mike and Ali around, we will never have a thread on this board that doesn't mention "the best offroad machine ever offered to the public".

Don't get me on my soapbox. We are Borg. You will be assimilated.

-Mike-

 

[SteveLCetc]

The Sequoia is the SUV version of the Tundra. I'm not sure it's as wide as a 100 - or maybe as an 80 with flares. My brother has one and likes it. Everything I've seen or heard is that American built Toyotas are as good as Japanese ones.

I'm thinking of a 70 (or so) myself...

 

[marcfj60]

Everything I've seen or heard is that American built Toyotas are as good as Japanese ones.

Considering that Toyota is on track to become the #1 car maker in the world in 2007, I'd say that the universal use of the Toyota Production System in all of its factories, including their 10 US factories, ensures a consistent product, regardles of the factory it was built in. That outdated opinion against US assembled Toyotas probably comes from unwarranted prejudices of long-time Toyota buyers (from the 70's and 80's) when Toyota first began assembling their most popular models in the US 20 years ago. I don't have any evidence to support that opinion but I'm still proud of the "Arakawa Body Company" sticker on the door of my 60. I made sure that it didn't get painted over when the truck got painted.

Marc

 

[Pyro-boy]

It's the parts. Toyota uses good parts.


Vince