Your Thoughts on the LC 250? (2 Viewers)

[uzj100]

This hit me yesterday. Just a guess. Toyota has built a vehicle just a bit better than the last gen 4runner, slapped the Land Cruiser name on it and now all their 4runner buyers get to upgrade to a Land Cruiser. The challenge is, this was not the point of the Land Cruiser from day 1. The point of the Land Cruiser was to be the absolute best, king daddy, of every 4x4 on the planet, and that is just no longer the case. These trucks will be great however they have watered down the "Land Cruiser" name. Probably 95% as good but once again, Toyota has taken their eye of building the absolute best no matter what and said hey we can make alot more money at being average like Jeep and Bronco. These US car buyers can't tell the difference as these count billions on this new home run.

 

[Corbet]

Yah, yah, its a Prado in all other world markets. But I stand by my statement. So much hate for a truck nearly all of your have not even seen in person yet. I'm excited. Went to the 1st Edition launch in SLC. Can't wait to get mine. If you all want the "real" LandCruiser to see your local Lexus dealer here in the states. Or buy a lightly used 200 when all the soccer mom's trade thiers in for a LC/GX/LX.

 

[Jstawgn]

Interesting definition about best. Everybody's need and want is different. No such thing as best. Everything is a compromise.

You want best, then buy from FJ company for all custom build. It would cost 300-500K. Which might not best from financial stand point. Unless your networth are above 10 million Millionaire means nothing nowadays.

 

[Phillyd2]

This hit me yesterday. Just a guess. Toyota has built a vehicle just a bit better than the last gen 4runner, slapped the Land Cruiser name on it and now all their 4runner buyers get to upgrade to a Land Cruiser. The challenge is, this was not the point of the Land Cruiser from day 1. The point of the Land Cruiser was to be the absolute best, king daddy, of every 4x4 on the planet, and that is just no longer the case. These trucks will be great however they have watered down the "Land Cruiser" name. Probably 95% as good but once again, Toyota has taken their eye of building the absolute best no matter what and said hey we can make alot more money at being average like Jeep and Bronco. These US car buyers can't tell the difference as these count billions on this new home run.

Not disagreeing but the jury is still out on the 4R comparison – if it really is better even by a bit.

 

[uzj100]

Not disagreeing but the jury is still out on the 4R comparison – if it really is better even by a bit.

When they built the 100 series, there was internal document at Toyota that the truck was to designed to operate for 25 years in harsh conditions. As you can see, 100s are built like that. They have weak front diffs, are slow, etc. however they are living up to that goal. I am not sure they did that with the 250 or any modern Toyota. Maybe the 200 and 70s however I do not know.

It looks like an incredible vehicle and I can not wait to see one in real life. I am not a new car buyer and never will be. I just grew up with overbuilt old diesel benzes and compare everything to that kind of reliability and durability. The 100s have shocked me for sure. I hope the same for the 250.

 

[OSS]

there was internal document at Toyota that the truck was to designed to operate for 25 years in harsh conditions

This is a myth. It simply isn’t true.
Yes the engineering mindset for Landcruiser’s has always been to create a rugged, long lasting, dependable vehicle, but the 25 year mark is something that web forums have been parroting forever.
(Like most of the information on the internet — 95% parroting something someone read on another website which was parroting another website which was parroting another …. etc.

 

[uzj100]

This is a myth. It simply isn’t true.
Yes the engineering mindset for Landcruiser’s has always been to create a rugged, long lasting, dependable vehicle, but the 25 year mark is something that web forums have been parroting forever.
(Like most of the information on the internet — 95% parroting something someone read on another website which was parroting another website which was parroting another …. etc.

Interesting. I have seen the document. I use to have a copy.

 

[Joshuak172]

Interesting. I have seen the document. I use to have a copy.

Would like to see this.

 

[Phillyd2]

And I seem to remember seeing a video of someone higher up at Toyota also talking about it so I don't think it's just an internet myth. But no, I don't remember the source. At the time I didn't think much of it other than that it confirmed what I've seen on the internet.

We do have some 'insiders' here that could answer with more insight.

 

[M1911]

Interesting. I have seen the document. I use to have a copy.

You can read Japanese?

 

[Cablebandit]

Your phone can.

Around here by 25 years most of the vehicle is on your garage floor in the form of rust.

 

[M1911]

Around here by 25 years most of the vehicle is on your garage floor in the form of rust.

Yup. My 2003 4Runner frame rusted to oblivion. My mechanic is telling me to get rid of my 2013 200, due to frame rust.

Life in New England.

 

[shane0mack]

Yup. My 2003 4Runner frame rusted to oblivion. My mechanic is telling me to get rid of my 2013 200, due to frame rust.

Life in New England.

I lost my 2004 LX to cancer thanks to New England salt.

 

[M1911]

I lost my 2004 LX to cancer thanks to New England salt.

My next vehicle I’m going to get coated with fluid film or the equivalent.

 

[shane0mack]

My next vehicle I’m going to get coated with fluid film or the equivalent.

Yes, weekly washes aren't enough unfortunately. I learned my lesson and did PB Blaster SurfaceShield on my 80 last fall. It helps but you really have to get all up in the frame rails and cover every inch. Part of the attraction of the 250 is starting from an absolutely rust-free underside.

 

[APIOQM]

I’ll be doing an annual oil spray on the LC. First new car, intend to keep it “forever”.

 

[GTV]

Toyota has built a vehicle just a bit better than the last gen 4runner, slapped the Land Cruiser name on it and now all their 4runner buyers get to upgrade to a Land Cruiser.

Exactly. And since the GX/LC/4R will all share a heap of parts that should mean that they can lower the price of entry on a 4Runner, which is the real money maker. It’s a smart move for Toyota but a bullsh!t deal for LC enthusiasts.

 

[M1911]

Yes, weekly washes aren't enough unfortunately. I learned my lesson and did PB Blaster SurfaceShield on my 80 last fall. It helps but you really have to get all up in the frame rails and cover every inch. Part of the attraction of the 250 is starting from an absolutely rust-free underside.

Yeah, I've been doing regular washes of my 200, but it hasn't been enough. I had hoped to keep it longer, but between the rust and some electrical gremlins after a blocked sunroof drain, I'm on the waiting list for a GX.

 

[OSS]

The rusting out of vehicle under-carriages is an intentional design of all car manufacturers (except Volvo). The metal gets the thinnest layer of paint that’s pretty much worthless in a corrosive environment. They spend no effort or money on applying a robust coating on the undersides. It’s all just waiting to rust.
The manufacturers are keenly aware of rusting out vehicles — and they don’t care. The faster it rusts, the sooner the vehicle will end up in a junk yard

 

[Hiluxforever]

Definitely going to get one of the 250 series when my GX gets promoted to Trail Rig from DD. I have no serious concerns and am kinda over the performative negativity, which is why I stay on the 150/460 side of things.

My choice will greatly depend on if I am able to get a remote engineer position, then GX, if I have a crazy commute, it will be the Land Cruiser 250 Hybrid.