What to get? what to get?

[TT33]

Hello everyone. I am looking for a vehicle which will be overseas. (Tbilisi)
I will be driving it when I am there, around 2 months a year. Budget 20-30k$
(Disclaimer: --- can get quite nice 2020 4runner or 2017 lc200 for that much-- since most of them purchased wrecked from auction and repaired(repair is cheap there)

Vehicle will not be used for city driving much, but mainly highway, mountain passes and unpaved roads to my cabin in mountains. I dont really plan to do hardcore rockcrawling, but some of those trails are rather nasty (softroader like rav4 or forester wont cut it-- need low gear and ground clearance)

I already have 2021 sr5 4runner 4x4 (bone stock), which I got for my dad, and get to drive it quite a lot when in town. It is not fast by any means, but I honestly dont get why people complain about them being slow --- it wont win any races, but gets to highway speeds quite well, and handles 100 mph easily on hwy.

Now I am pretty much all but set on gen 5 4runner --- TRD off road vs. TRD pro.
So got few questions please if people who know these and lc200

Vehicle will remain stock/close to stock (max might consider 1-2" suspension lift +/- 32-33" tires.


1) how bad is KDSS say going 25 mph on unpaved road? Is it much worse than SR5 4runner?

2) I hear people say KDSS is great on highspeed hwy and cornering, which is huge + for me? But I dont have way to compare.
Does improved handling outweight the bumpy ride?

3) with peripheral vision I am eyeing LC200 (will be 5.7 --- cant imagine any other engine on that beast)
--? How are electrical gremlins etc on 200(dont want to spend vacations in repair shop)
--?And how capable is it off road vs 4runner TRD??? I am considering LC200 for its full time awd, for driving stability in rain and snow.

(Also looked at lC100, but those are just too old, with mileage in 200k+, and most have been converted to LPG -- so likely LC100 is out)

 

[CT3]

Excuse my ignorance, maybe I don’t understand what you’re asking…

You’re describing the exact environment Toyota built the 200 Series for. It will be dramatically better than a 4Runner on highways, mountain passes, rough roads, snow, and long-distance trave. It’s also worth noting that the Landcruiser has no meaningful reputation for electrical gremlins. Assuming you buy one that has been well maintained and not bogged in a swamp that is.

The only downside is that after driving the LC200, your dad’s 4Runner may start to feel like a rental car. This feeling will only solidly with time. The last 4R-driving family member I had who drove my 200 series switched to a Lexus GX.

If the Prado is available in the market you’re describing you might consider that too over a 4R if the 200 series isn’t readily available.

 

[TT33]

Excuse my ignorance, maybe I don’t understand what you’re asking…

You’re describing the exact environment Toyota built the 200 Series for. It will be dramatically better than a 4Runner on highways, mountain passes, rough roads, snow, and long-distance trave. It’s also worth noting that the Landcruiser has no meaningful reputation for electrical gremlins. Assuming you buy one that has been well maintained and not bogged in a swamp that is.

The only downside is that after driving the LC200, your dad’s 4Runner may start to feel like a rental car. This feeling will only solidly with time. The last 4R-driving family member I had who drove my 200 series switched to a Lexus GX.

If the Prado is available in the market you’re describing you might consider that too over a 4R if the 200 series isn’t readily available.

Both Prado and Lc200 are available, but Prado is for some reason increadibly expensive when compared to 4runner and LC200.

Why I am leaning towards 4runner is for rugged utilitarian approach.
(My 2 personal cars are tesla model 3 awd premium which is increadibly comfortable for daily and I love it, while my other car is K-swapped 2003 MR2--- that car you need kidney transplant after driving for an hour, but I love it even more --- hence I am not really looking for extreme plush comfort, but something that is reliable, wont give me trouble/need repairs for next 10 years, and will get me anywhere I want to go --- from highway to mountain overpasses, to unpaved trails through forests/mountains)

And that is why 4runner is highest on my list, considering its offroad capability on muddy unpaved roads and giant potholes. What is throwing me off is KDSS.

I guess main question is should I look for TRD offroad with KDSS or without, for my scenario of driving, and I do want stability on highway, but want it to be not to be bouncy on trails