Wannabe - LC/LX right for me?

[Wannabe77]

Currently, I'm a wannabe! I'm a married 38 years old father of three boys (11, 8, 5). We are on the go, all of the time. I was born and raised in a big city with virtually zero exposure to "the outdoors", although I have "glamped" once.

I have always loved toyota trucks, but never owned one. Our family vehicle (driven by my wife) is currently a Honda Pilot (that we really like and does a great job shuffling kids to practices, getting groceries, etc).

I found this forum because I love the 200 series LC/LX as well as the 80 series. My vehicle is a Honda accord but I've come to really like the SUV so that got me thinking....LC/LX?

Your posts with your LCs are awesome. I see you taking them to awesome locations and really getting the most of the vehicle. In many ways, I want that! I love being a father and spend a tremendous amount of time with my sons. I envision taking the boys off roading, camping for the night, drinking hot cocoa by the fire, etc! But I literally have never done any of those things and the reality is that we don't have a ton of time to actually do that stuff! I'm afraid my experience would be like one of those internet memes (this is what I want the experience to be like vs this is what the experience is actually like).

Here is how I would use the vehicle:

1). It would be a daily driver commuting to a big city and parking in a garage. Approximately 250 miles a week.

2). My sons have some sort of practice year round just about every night and I take them to 90% of them (my wife tends to work late). So this vehicle would do that.

3). I envision taking them on some sort of off-roading. I've thought about taking "weekends off" to decompress from the grind and would really like to do more outdoorsy type stuff (again, zero experience in actually doing it). I don't actually know how often we'd actually be doing this.

I have always read about the dependably of the LC, so the romantic in me says "buy one and keep it forever and give it to your sons through college". I can actually see that happening.

I would most likely be looking at an '08 200 series LC/LX with higher mileage.

What are your thoughts? Is the Landcruiser/LX right for me?

Thanks,

Wannabe

 

[ybing]

My 16' LX with 8 speed is doing around 11 MPG now, 100% city driving about 10 miles a day for work, with some slope. So you will need to stop for gas once a week to fill up a 25 gallon tank, it won't be as economic as the pilot

Interior space there might not much difference than the pilot, just base on numbers the pilot may even he more cargo space

Of course LC & LX will be miles better off road, and you can tow more if you need to

 

[Wannabe77]

Thanks for the reply. I should also add that my commute is just about all highway except for the last one mile.

 

[Corbet]

Find an old 80/100 Series that is in good shape to use as a toy and keep commuting in your Accord.

Or a 200. What ever fits you budget. But I'd keep the Honda for work.

 

[jkilcullen]

I'm averaging about 15mpg good mix of country,highway and suburban stop and go. Kudos for a whole heartedly honest post. Which vehicle would you be replacing with the Land Cruiser? If its the Pilot than yea easy choice. Its a little bigger, way nicer and will last much longer. If its the Accord I would hesitate. Might be nice to have a little car to run around town in and get better than 15mpg. As far as the intended use... If you haven't taken the initiative to get outdoors more by now I doubt the car you drive will tip the scale. That said, prove me wrong and enjoy one of the greatest things this life has to offer.

*Edit I average about 15mg in my 200 series and 14mpg in my built 80 series

 

[chilibit]

Rationally, make a list of the last five times your available vehicle has limited you or prevented a trip. Is there even one? The vehicle is not the key piece. It may be the least important piece. I am not knocking on you personally, it is true for virtually everyone. I have been with LC since 1975. Precious few times when I REALLY needed it though. In my opinion the key piece is attitude and it is free. Having said that, your trust in a Land Cruiser will likely serve you well no matter how you use it.

 

[buellfire]

Wannabe, Keep this in mind also, do you have a place to go in the Philly area? Kids will run you to death and their activities can put a damper on adventures. I'm a off road guy but not in a Cruiser, the trails in the east are very tight and muddy clay. I off road a Honda pioneer with my wife and and dualsport a Suzuki Dr650 with my buddies. The closest trail system I would take a cruiser on close to Philly would be the Hatfield Macoy System in West Virgina. How close is that to you. Tennessee has some nice places also, however out west is where it's at for the Cruiser scene. Check out the Ouray Thread, I have ridden my Suzuki all over that area and its amazing but there is nothing close to that east of the Mississippi river. How about just loading up the pilot on a weekend and see if the kids like the outdoors first. There are many gravel roads and hiking to explore if just starting out. Good luck on whatever you decide. BTW for commuting I would keep the Honda

 

[Tripledave]

LC will be the best vehicle you will ever own. If you buy one, I can foresee looking for excuses to go out and camp/off-road with your family. I bought mine, clearly didn't NEED it, love driving it, and have been all over the country in it on family vacations.. I'd also keep the accord for commuting, LC gets s*** gas mileage

 

[Wannabe77]

As far as the intended use... If you haven't taken the initiative to get outdoors more by now I doubt the car you drive will tip the scale. That said, prove me wrong and enjoy one of the greatest things this life has to offer.

I think this is probably about right. I tend to really get into things but then the passion fades (with the exception of photography). I guess worst case scenario I get a Land Cruiser/LX, off road a few times and get stuck with an awesome vehicle?

 

[Wannabe77]

Rationally, make a list of the last five times your available vehicle has limited you or prevented a trip. Is there even one? The vehicle is not the key piece. It may be the least important piece. I am not knocking on you personally, it is true for virtually everyone. I have been with LC since 1975. Precious few times when I REALLY needed it though. In my opinion the key piece is attitude and it is free. Having said that, your trust in a Land Cruiser will likely serve you well no matter how you use it.

Really good advice here. I belong to a photography forum and see people buy some serious gear when they don't really need it. But in the end, if owning more gear than they need makes them happy, who cares, right?

 

[Wannabe77]

Wannabe, Keep this in mind also, do you have a place to go in the Philly area? Kids will run you to death and their activities can put a damper on adventures. I'm a off road guy but not in a Cruiser, the trails in the east are very tight and muddy clay. I off road a Honda pioneer with my wife and and dualsport a Suzuki Dr650 with my buddies. The closest trail system I would take a cruiser on close to Philly would be the Hatfield Macoy System in West Virgina. How close is that to you. Tennessee has some nice places also, however out west is where it's at for the Cruiser scene. Check out the Ouray Thread, I have ridden my Suzuki all over that area and its amazing but there is nothing close to that east of the Mississippi river. How about just loading up the pilot on a weekend and see if the kids like the outdoors first. There are many gravel roads and hiking to explore if just starting out. Good luck on whatever you decide. BTW for commuting I would keep the Honda

Again, great advice.

There are a few places locally, Pine Barrens and Rausch Creek Off Road. I have heard of the Hatfield and McCoy trail as well…I think that would be about 4-6 hours away. But yes, I should see what we can do with the ol Pilot first!

 

[Wannabe77]

LC will be the best vehicle you will ever own. If you buy one, I can foresee looking for excuses to go out and camp/off-road with your family. I bought mine, clearly didn't NEED it, love driving it, and have been all over the country in it on family vacations.. I'd also keep the accord for commuting, LC gets s*** gas mileage

So that plays to the romantic in me. My youngest is five. I can see all three of my sons taking off for college with the 2008 LandCruiser packed up. 400,000 miles and countless stories told by each ding and crumpled bumper. Three difference college stickers in the rear window.

Were you 'outdoorsy' before you bought the LC?

 

[JOFS]

I grew up in Jenkintown PA. Moved north at a young age. Live in Maine in the woods down a dirt road. I am a bit older than you with boys aged 10 and 12.

I suggest you buy an 80 or 100 series and work on it. Use it as a third vehicle. Use your accord for work as you don't need a cruiser day to day. Life with the kids will keep you from doing many of the adventures you dream of. Use the accord for all the running around for practices etc.

I have had multiple cruisers and currently have 2 100 (actually one is an lx470) series and an 80 series. In Philly you don't need an everyday driver cruiser. Buy something as a spare and work on it with the kids teaching them how to wrench while learning yourself. Buy the factory service manuals and read here on Mud. Take trips in the summer where you can use the vehicle. Folks here on Mud will give direction and support. If you want to come to Maine let me know and I can show you around.

I have been looking at 200 series for my wife but honestly she prefers the 100 series. I love the 80 more than any so take that bias into account.

If you need any help everyone on mud is a tremendous help.
Just my opinion.

John

 

[Tripledave]

So that plays to the romantic in me. My youngest is five. I can see all three of my sons taking off for college with the 2008 LandCruiser packed up. 400,000 miles and countless stories told by each ding and crumpled bumper. Three difference college stickers in the rear window.

Were you 'outdoorsy' before you bought the LC?

I always rode dirt bikes and liked to go out "camping" with my buddies but that was exclusionary to my wife and daughter, who is 8 now.... The fact that I own the most capable, and arguably one of the safest vehicles on the road has given rise to some of the best family times I can imagine. Best road trip vehicle I've ever owned. I assure you, my daughter will drive my LC when she gets her license as well

 

[LCHardriver_02]

When we purchased our first LC, our 2002 LC, we were replacing our 1995 Honda Odyssey, since it was no longer meeting our needs with 4 kids. My wife wanted the Sequoia, but we happened onto a lot which had a less than 1 year old 100 series at a price less than the comparable Sequoia and I HAD to have it. I still own that truck. My daughter now drives that truck. I have since purchased an 80 series, which I sold to my #2 son, who drives it everyday, even though it has almost 300K miles. I now own a 2010 LX, which I purchased this year because of the deal and the towing capacity.

I say all of this because I LOVE my Cruisers of each vintage! I love the feel of the drive. I love the KNOWING I will make it home, with my family EVERY SINGLE TIME! I probably should have purchased the Sequoia for the room, but I still love my LCs.

If the vehicle puts a smile on your face each time you sit in it and it meets your needs, then it is the right vehicle for you. You need no further reasoning.

Good luck.

 

[kreiten]

I always buy more camera than I think I need and more vehicle than I think I'll use... Both of which I have ended up pushing to their limits... I'm not saying buying a bad ass camera or a Cruiser we'll make you go out and explore the world, but it's sure worth a try!

 

[carboncycles]

I love threads like this...genuine and warms the heart. To this day, I remember the first time I saw a LandCruiser as a kid. That was well over 35 years ago. LandCruisers are a cult but in a good way. I went to school with a buddy, which I've lost contact with, and he drove an old 60s that was handed down to him when his father was an undergrad. I'm sure that 60 will be passed down to his kids! There is something very genuine about LCs that could possibly be matched by an old Defender.

I wish you luck on finding what your heart and mind are suggesting. The world is a huge place and the best we can do it pass on our passion and love to the next generation.

 

[mgoblue]

As a 100 LX and 200 LC owner, I think the 100 is where you want to be. You can easily find a very nice 06-07 LX/LC for $10k-15k less than the 08' LC, which leaves a lot of cash left in your wallet to put the truck together the way you want. I'll also note that my 100 gets about 5-6MPG more than my wife's 200...caveats apply of course, but if mileage is important, you may save a little with the 100 series. I love the 200, the engine/tranny are great, but unless you're mashing the throttle with regularity, you're not going to see much difference between the two drivetrains in every day driving. I'm noticing too lately that my wife snags the LX over her LC, the ride's a little nicer, and it's quite a bit quieter.

 

[mcgaskins]

I recommend renting a Jeep or something similar and try offroading with some camping and the stuff you imagine you would like to see if it's worth the expense and hassle of replacing a vehicle with one that is much more expensive. Also consider flying out west once or twice a year, renting a Jeep and doing all the adventure stuff while still keeping it simple and more efficient at home. If I didn't live in a place where some of the best mountains in the world were literally 20 minutes from my house, I probably wouldn't own a LC, dirtbikes, Jeeps, etc.

 

[M1911]

1). It would be a daily driver commuting to a big city and parking in a garage. Approximately 250 miles a week.

I drive into Cambridge every day and park in a parking garage. I was a bit worried about it, but the surround view cameras on my 2013 make that pretty easy. The Landcruiser is pretty big, but the turning radius is good. It does take up a lot of room in the parking space, though, so I look for larger spaces when available. I don't think the '08 has same surround view cameras, however.

My commute has very bad traffic, so I'm getting around 13.5 mpg. That isn't a problem with gas at $2/gal, but I'm sure gas prices will eventually go up. I drive about 15,000 miles per year, and I can still afford it if gas goes to $4/gal. I suggest you run the numbers at $4/gal and see if that is doable.