Considering a used 2005 LR3

R_Lefebvre

Expedition Leader
Ratings? I can understand your feeling about "ratings". The reliability scores are not "ratings". They're based on real-world responses from vehicle owners. In other words they are factual.

Let's not trash the thread for this guy?

CR is crap because it relies on the responses from the owners. Owners are biased, and none moreso than Toyota owners. That is both because they feel they have the ultimate vehicle (they feel the need to justify their purchase) and because Toyota dealerships take better care of problems and so owners forget the problem existed when it's survey time. Yes, Toyotas are quality vehicles, and their dealers treat customers right. But the spread is not nearly what it's made out to be. Land Rovers may be of no worse quality than a Hyundai or a Chrysler, but because they are so expensive and they spend so much time marketing the "capability" of them, people get pissed off when they have problems. And then I believe the dealers are pretty bad too, making the problem worse.

And now Musky... don't go quoting JDP Appeal survey results when talking about quality. Appeal survey is exactly what it's named for, and does not measure quality.
 

4Rescue

Expedition Leader
...It just comes down to the fact that people making enough money to buy $50000+ cars and trucks dont have time to fill out surveys.

...
I gotta dissagree there, most folks who make a ton of money have MORE time than the rest of us who work for our money day after day after day, I just think they don't care as much.

CR is crap because it relies on the responses from the owners. Owners are biased, and none moreso than Toyota owners. That is both because they feel they have the ultimate vehicle (they feel the need to justify their purchase) and because Toyota dealerships take better care of problems and so owners forget the problem existed when it's survey time. Yes, Toyotas are quality vehicles, and their dealers treat customers right. But the spread is not nearly what it's made out to be. Land Rovers may be of no worse quality than a Hyundai or a Chrysler, but because they are so expensive and they spend so much time marketing the "capability" of them, people get pissed off when they have problems. And then I believe the dealers are pretty bad too, making the problem worse.

And now Musky... don't go quoting JDP Appeal survey results when talking about quality. Appeal survey is exactly what it's named for, and does not measure quality.
I do and I don't agree with you... You make a good point about dealer's but some of us have never had to use those things ;)

I think if both of our trucks were on the same road for 1000 miles mine would make it with ZERO faults and I'd probably be towing you...Maybe maybe not. Sorry mate, but there's no way to simply dismiss Toyotas superior built quality as "Owner bias" nor is it as easy to simply base Rovers under-built drivetrains and electrical issues as simple "internet rumor"...

I agree thought that CR is a bit of a crap shoot. but in reality TSB's and dealer service records wich companies like JD power (not their "appeal" survey obviously) and others use to rate vehucles still find that Rovers, and espescialy the LR3 are a far cry from the tightly QC'd standard of Toyota's build standards.

Another thing to consider, and I understand that in the last few years that Toyota has "lightened" their trucks, is that older Toyotas consistantly hold up to FAR MORE than they were originaly intended to. Rover portrays everythig they make as this ultimate off-road vehicle (OK not everything, but most of their trucks) but in reality in severe duty most of the NA Rovers just don't hold up. That said we don't get the Diesel/simple Rovers that the rest of the world gets and that kind of makes things a bit un-fair but we are talking about trucks we can get here in NA. It's no secret that Rover's axles simply aren't up to snuff run ning over a 32" tire, however IFS Toyotas consistantly run 33's and while CV's break in the roughest of conditions, the diffs etc stay alive becaue they're OVER ENGINEERED, something that I don't feel Rovers are for their portrayed image. Since the first inception of the Land Cruiser this has always been the case, and more to the point, the "mini-trucks" wich really aren't ment to compete with say a Disco (that's more Cruiser territory) are easily comparable, and I think that says something for the "over built" nature of Toyotas

Aw screw it guy's can't we all just go wheeling together and if someone has a break down we'll just stay out a little longer and have more fun and stories to tell??? Basicly from and Engineering/Fact stand point there's a clear winner, but we all still like to go out and get dirty so who cares??? I know that's alot coming from a guy like me who's SO pro Toyota, but I really think it's a valid point. Can't we all just get along???

Cheers

Dave
 
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Tanto

Adventurer
This largely comes down to personal preference. IMO, we split hairs over quality when it comes to the major auto makers.

My personal preference is toward Jeeps, Land Rovers, and GM products. I simply don't like Fords, find Toyotas way over priced, and have never really even looked at Nissans.

The closest comparable Land Cruisers were $10-15K more than the LR3, 4 runners size and features don't compare for what my use of this vehicle is.
 

ShottsCruisers

Explorer
The closest comparable Land Cruisers were $10-15K more than the LR3.

Yes, though there is a good reason for this...resale value between the two models is amazingly different. That's why I asked the question about "why the LR3 as a DD"? I didn't intend to start a war but rather find out more about why an LR3 for this guy.

He owns a Jeep and is now considering another brand. Had he owned a Rover already I'd a never posted up.

He then mentioned $23,000. You can get a very nice LC these days for $23K. One that will be a nicer DD, be far more reliable (and that's a fact, not speculation or some magazine thingy), and one that could out-wheel the LR3 as well. Now it would have more miles on it, but so what? A 100-series LC with even 100K on the ticker is basically brand new...no joke.
 

ShottsCruisers

Explorer
stock for stock I think you may be surprised. :)

I have read all the online cruiser vs disco threads for years, and like I posted earlier I wheel with a toyota and lexas all the time so I have my own opinions on that as well.


alot of this is simple opinion and to call it fact really just shows it as passionate opinion.

Thom

The last thing I want is a "which is best" war. I am very impressed with the LR3 on the trails. Amazing for an IFS/IRS design. Amazing. Rear locker available. Very impressive.

That said, it costs a measly $1000 to do a suspension swap on a LC that will lift it 2.75-3 inches, increase travel, and fit 35" tires and no other upgrades are needed because the axles and such are so overbuilt.
 

ShottsCruisers

Explorer
there are lots of people that want to touch a button and lift their truck for a saturday outing. Then touch that same button and hand the truck back off to the wife for soccer mom duty.

can the cruiser do that?


(nice build by the way)

choices...we all have them and we all make them. Tanto's choice was for a LR3. I would have bought a disco, you would have bought a cruiser, yet we all can have made the correct choice.

1. Yes (it's an option on some LC models and standard on the Lexus version)

2. Thanks

3. Absolutely...but it's him wanting a DD vehicle that threw me for a loop. DD and LR3 don't add up to me because of excessive reliability troubles. If he said he wanted a "wheeler" I'd not ever posted.
 

RonL

Adventurer
You can not compare resale without talking about the fact that a 1997 LEX was $56,000 vs. 1997 Discovery at $34,000. This still holds true, 2009 LR3 is $46,000 and a 2009 LC200 is $65,000.

LC/Lex cost more to buy new or used....
 

ShottsCruisers

Explorer
You can not compare resale without talking about the fact that a 1997 LEX was $56,000 vs. 1997 Discovery at $34,000. This still holds true, 2009 LR3 is $46,000 and a 2009 LC200 is $65,000.

LC/Lex cost more to buy new or used....

Those aren't accurate comparisions espeically to this thread. We're not talking about old 80-series or new 200-series.

For the LR3 mentioned at $23K, one could get a 2004-ish LC if they are patient.
 

ShottsCruisers

Explorer
I guess I dont follow that line of thought.

he compared the same model years and now you are comparing a older LC with a newer LR3?

this thread is starting to head down hill, we get it you like the land cruisers.

$23K
$23K
$23K is the key

I like both a lot. Awesome vehicles.
 

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