Along the lines of the "shovel vs. hammer" analogy, I would first say that while that analogy seems to make sense once one further analyzes it; it doesn't really reflect the situation.
I would simply counter that the analogy of the "pocketknife vs. leatherman" is a more apt comparison. Sure the 40's and ATV's and Heeps can go places the 100 simply cannot, just like a pocketknife is lighter, more compact, and simpler to use correctly than a leatherman. On the counterpoint the leatherman has greater utility in a wider range of situations at the cost of size. It will never be as effective as purpose built tools but a purpose built tool is only good at one thing and then other tools are required for other tasks. The 100 is similar in this sense. It can wheel pretty good, not as good as purpose built (in-comparison)vehicles such as 40's and ATV's. Those vehicle wheel easier but at an expense though. Do you want to be able to haul a large amount of gear with you? Then attach a trailer. Do you want to carry 4 or more people comfortably? Better have an additional vehicle. Do you want to tow something moderate without moderate strain? Better upgrade the engine. The 100 is not the first LC wagon and is not the most capable but in the right hands it won't be left too far behind carrying more people, more cargo, and more weight than any other wagon LC that Toyota has ever built for the US market.
As a side note Kanab, you'd really get a kick out of my use of the 100. I bought it as a work truck!!!! It was used for 2 years as a work vehicle running a 3-4 man survey crew and a cargo area FULL of equipment. I enjoyed it and it was a perfect fit for it's intended use. I now rely heavily on automated equipment so the 3-4 man crew is rarely needed, hence the reason my wife now has the 100 and I have a Tacoma DC. The LX held up beautifully to swetty, muddy dudes hopping in and out of it all day long, idling for hours at a time and still shined up well enough for a weekend vacation or a black tie event. That is truly the versatility of a leatherman. People look at the LX and don't think it's ever seen a hard days work but it has, and it has done it as effectively as anything else.
Also, along the lines of what Greg said, alot of folks didn't pay the new car price for their 100. I paid about 1/3 of it. Cheap for a vehicle of that quality and would I have made a work vehicle after dishing out 75 grand? Heck no.
