Finally bought a LC200 Cruiser as I've been looking for a very long time now. It really is the only SUV I've ever wanted and the price point has been the barrier. This one was way over my budget but made it work since I'll be keeping it for at least 10-15 years. I knew I didn't want a LX570 since I'm planning on adding suspension goodies and don't want the AHC hydraulic system. I'm coming from a 2016 Ram 1500 4x4 5.7L that had King Coilovers and also a 2007 Yukon Denali which the LC200 is replacing. Some of my favorite places are Death Valley, Mojave, Ocotillo, Baja - South of Ensenada, and also Pismo.
Its a 2017 LC200 that was a former rental with 17k miles. Basic Silver on black leather with rear seat enterainment. My friend is a car broker up in Utah and I bought it sight-unseen with no test-drive. I am pretty sure I bought the cheapest '17 LC for $62k before taxes and for a good reason too since it feels like 17k hard miles were put on it as a rental. So when I picked it up, I am almost positive it came from Avis/Budget because I found some no-smoking stickers on it. When I found out these were in a rental fleet, I was absolutely puzzled.......my guess is that Toyota has a surplus of these in the USA and offloaded them cheap to Avis/Budget fleet sales. Avis then sells them at auction when they are still highest at resale value after a couple months. This would make the Land Cruiser the most expensive car in the Avis fleet but there is no way the "average" car renter would want a Land Cruiser when they reserved a Escalade or Navigator. I have at least a dozen car rental for work every year and I have never seen a LC200 anywhere.
First impressions getting it sight unseen..... 1- It was missing the 2 DVD headphones/remotes, floormats and the jack tools kit under the tailgate (I don't have anything under both tailgate covers, is there supposed to be 2 kits). 2 - my alignment was very off, the wheel was veering to the left by at least 10-15 degrees on roads without a crown. 3 - Suspension was very bouncy, it would get unsettled and the back would cycle 1 or 2 times, no leaks from shocks but I am pretty sure they are well worn out. Someone wheeled it as a rental.
-Wooohooo, first day I picked it up from Utah and now enroute to Burning Man at Black Rock City!
Driving Impressions
I LOVE THIS CAR. The driving position is sooooooo high and the seats are so upright and supportive. Definetly up there with some of the comfiest car seats I've sat in. It is SO EASY to know exactly where the car is positioned because the seat is so high up, you have an incredibly accurate view over the hood.
Drivetrain-wise, in the low gears/acceleration, I feel like its well geared especially starting out in first but up in the overdrive gears, the 3.31 axle ratio could be geared a little bit lower. The 8Spd is mehhh, I'm think the calibration is slightly off as there is a clunky feel to it. Best I can describe is that its not the smoothest transmission and around town theres a slight kick to it. I haven't tried the 6-speed trans yet but all I can say is compared to the GM 8l90e and the ZF 8 speed in the Rams, the Toyota 8 speed leaves some to be desired.
The 5.7L is silky smooth, it idles and I don't feel a single vibration at all....nada. Torque is mostly mid-range 2700-4.4k and beyond that it starts feeling like its running out of breath. I also cannot get over how quiet the 5.7L idles......it is like a mouse compared to my 5.7L Hemi and the 6.2L in my old Yukon. Also, a quick glance under the hood and it just oozes quality and overbuilt, the radiators are HUGE. Just size alone, I haven't measured anything but I am certain the radiator size is at least 1.5x bigger and almost twice the thickness of what is in my old Denali. Definetly the biggest radiators I have ever seen short of a 2500 series Diesel truck.
When idling, the oil pressure gauge is showing slightly below 1/4, is this normal?
Braking power is perfect. No pedal play and very strong stopping power. Very happy with them as I know it won't need a BBK if 35's were ever put on. I also love how weighted the steering wheel feel is. The steering feel is probably my favorite part of this car.
I wish the LC200 had a bigger tank than 24.6 gallons, especially for a car thats 6k lbs and is very thirsty. I get under 280 miles before fuel light goes on. Was hoping for 28-32 gallons.
-Wooohooo! Made it to Black Rock City, set up camp, and making some quesdillas! This was my 3rd Burning Man, such as magical place! Saw 4-5 overland built G-wagens but no Land Cruisers here.
Ergonomics/Interior/Audio/Gizmos
Wow...this is luxury SUV quiet. The seals and weatherstriping are incredible. When I go over bumps, there is not a single rattle I can hear from the interior. It just feel SO SOLID. Usually any other car I've owned, theres slight creaks and rattles but not the Cruiser....everything is just harmonious as one unit.
I don't think there is a better AC air system in a vehicle out there. Its definetly the coldest and strongest. I haven't been able to enjoy the back yet but from the front system, the temperature and the cabin filtration is bar none. I went to Burning Man which is just dust everywhere but the cabin filtration simply just kept the dust out. Incredible.
The center stack....I love it, buttons are big and easy to get to. The only issue I have is with climate control....there is no dedicated button for me to increase/decrease fan blower. I have to press "CLIMATE" then press the onscreen "increase/decrease fan speed". Just a slight annoyance I can't directly control fan speed.
I also noticed there were empty buttons on both the center stack console near the shifter and also on the mirror control panel. For a car that stickers $85k, I'm not digging blank buttons. I do understand some people put switches to them but I'd rather have an external AUX switch so I don't have to start prying trim pieces to wire stuff.
Wireless Qi Charger: I have a Samsung S8+....it takes FOREVER for the phone to charge up and it gets extremely hot. The phone is also too big and I can't close it. It only charges my phone 10% in an hour so I don't use it.
Radar Cruiser: also one of my favorite features. Driving is so relaxed now. Works extremely well.
JBL system: It is LOUD. No need for a external speaker if tailgating. Just open up the doors and blast it. Good system but I haven't heard the Mark Levinson on the LX yet.
-Not a real place. Was nice to put the wallet away for a week after I just spent $62k on a used car that is out of alignment.
Everything just fit so well in the LC200. It was clean once.
Now time to test some of the 4x4 goodies. Low Range and center locked diff! Somewhere off the US395. Great way to decompress!
Now its back in SoCal and at the detailer. I averaged 15 mpg the entire trip from SLC to NV then back to SoCal. All I can say is that this car is incredible and beyond everything I have hoped for it to be. The quality is just insane and no other car can even come close to it.
1st order of business is getting my suspension figured out. As I said, the shocks are very bouncy in the back and my alignment is very off. By Xmas, I definitely want a coilover suspension, will probably go with Bilstein 6112, Blizzaks on stock rims for my Mammoth and Tahoe trips, and also 33" Yokohama AT on 17" Methods.
Would love to know your thoughts! Also I want to add how awesome IH8Mud is compared to other forums, just look at a Range Rover forum and its all about problems people are having. I love the LC community because its actually about people wheelin' their rigs the ways they were built for.
Its a 2017 LC200 that was a former rental with 17k miles. Basic Silver on black leather with rear seat enterainment. My friend is a car broker up in Utah and I bought it sight-unseen with no test-drive. I am pretty sure I bought the cheapest '17 LC for $62k before taxes and for a good reason too since it feels like 17k hard miles were put on it as a rental. So when I picked it up, I am almost positive it came from Avis/Budget because I found some no-smoking stickers on it. When I found out these were in a rental fleet, I was absolutely puzzled.......my guess is that Toyota has a surplus of these in the USA and offloaded them cheap to Avis/Budget fleet sales. Avis then sells them at auction when they are still highest at resale value after a couple months. This would make the Land Cruiser the most expensive car in the Avis fleet but there is no way the "average" car renter would want a Land Cruiser when they reserved a Escalade or Navigator. I have at least a dozen car rental for work every year and I have never seen a LC200 anywhere.
First impressions getting it sight unseen..... 1- It was missing the 2 DVD headphones/remotes, floormats and the jack tools kit under the tailgate (I don't have anything under both tailgate covers, is there supposed to be 2 kits). 2 - my alignment was very off, the wheel was veering to the left by at least 10-15 degrees on roads without a crown. 3 - Suspension was very bouncy, it would get unsettled and the back would cycle 1 or 2 times, no leaks from shocks but I am pretty sure they are well worn out. Someone wheeled it as a rental.
-Wooohooo, first day I picked it up from Utah and now enroute to Burning Man at Black Rock City!
Driving Impressions
I LOVE THIS CAR. The driving position is sooooooo high and the seats are so upright and supportive. Definetly up there with some of the comfiest car seats I've sat in. It is SO EASY to know exactly where the car is positioned because the seat is so high up, you have an incredibly accurate view over the hood.
Drivetrain-wise, in the low gears/acceleration, I feel like its well geared especially starting out in first but up in the overdrive gears, the 3.31 axle ratio could be geared a little bit lower. The 8Spd is mehhh, I'm think the calibration is slightly off as there is a clunky feel to it. Best I can describe is that its not the smoothest transmission and around town theres a slight kick to it. I haven't tried the 6-speed trans yet but all I can say is compared to the GM 8l90e and the ZF 8 speed in the Rams, the Toyota 8 speed leaves some to be desired.
The 5.7L is silky smooth, it idles and I don't feel a single vibration at all....nada. Torque is mostly mid-range 2700-4.4k and beyond that it starts feeling like its running out of breath. I also cannot get over how quiet the 5.7L idles......it is like a mouse compared to my 5.7L Hemi and the 6.2L in my old Yukon. Also, a quick glance under the hood and it just oozes quality and overbuilt, the radiators are HUGE. Just size alone, I haven't measured anything but I am certain the radiator size is at least 1.5x bigger and almost twice the thickness of what is in my old Denali. Definetly the biggest radiators I have ever seen short of a 2500 series Diesel truck.
When idling, the oil pressure gauge is showing slightly below 1/4, is this normal?
Braking power is perfect. No pedal play and very strong stopping power. Very happy with them as I know it won't need a BBK if 35's were ever put on. I also love how weighted the steering wheel feel is. The steering feel is probably my favorite part of this car.
I wish the LC200 had a bigger tank than 24.6 gallons, especially for a car thats 6k lbs and is very thirsty. I get under 280 miles before fuel light goes on. Was hoping for 28-32 gallons.
-Wooohooo! Made it to Black Rock City, set up camp, and making some quesdillas! This was my 3rd Burning Man, such as magical place! Saw 4-5 overland built G-wagens but no Land Cruisers here.
Ergonomics/Interior/Audio/Gizmos
Wow...this is luxury SUV quiet. The seals and weatherstriping are incredible. When I go over bumps, there is not a single rattle I can hear from the interior. It just feel SO SOLID. Usually any other car I've owned, theres slight creaks and rattles but not the Cruiser....everything is just harmonious as one unit.
I don't think there is a better AC air system in a vehicle out there. Its definetly the coldest and strongest. I haven't been able to enjoy the back yet but from the front system, the temperature and the cabin filtration is bar none. I went to Burning Man which is just dust everywhere but the cabin filtration simply just kept the dust out. Incredible.
The center stack....I love it, buttons are big and easy to get to. The only issue I have is with climate control....there is no dedicated button for me to increase/decrease fan blower. I have to press "CLIMATE" then press the onscreen "increase/decrease fan speed". Just a slight annoyance I can't directly control fan speed.
I also noticed there were empty buttons on both the center stack console near the shifter and also on the mirror control panel. For a car that stickers $85k, I'm not digging blank buttons. I do understand some people put switches to them but I'd rather have an external AUX switch so I don't have to start prying trim pieces to wire stuff.
Wireless Qi Charger: I have a Samsung S8+....it takes FOREVER for the phone to charge up and it gets extremely hot. The phone is also too big and I can't close it. It only charges my phone 10% in an hour so I don't use it.
Radar Cruiser: also one of my favorite features. Driving is so relaxed now. Works extremely well.
JBL system: It is LOUD. No need for a external speaker if tailgating. Just open up the doors and blast it. Good system but I haven't heard the Mark Levinson on the LX yet.
-Not a real place. Was nice to put the wallet away for a week after I just spent $62k on a used car that is out of alignment.
Everything just fit so well in the LC200. It was clean once.
Now time to test some of the 4x4 goodies. Low Range and center locked diff! Somewhere off the US395. Great way to decompress!
Now its back in SoCal and at the detailer. I averaged 15 mpg the entire trip from SLC to NV then back to SoCal. All I can say is that this car is incredible and beyond everything I have hoped for it to be. The quality is just insane and no other car can even come close to it.
1st order of business is getting my suspension figured out. As I said, the shocks are very bouncy in the back and my alignment is very off. By Xmas, I definitely want a coilover suspension, will probably go with Bilstein 6112, Blizzaks on stock rims for my Mammoth and Tahoe trips, and also 33" Yokohama AT on 17" Methods.
Would love to know your thoughts! Also I want to add how awesome IH8Mud is compared to other forums, just look at a Range Rover forum and its all about problems people are having. I love the LC community because its actually about people wheelin' their rigs the ways they were built for.
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