LC vs. Sequoia

[Tony]

I have been lurking for a while, and and looking for some advise. I am considering getting a larger SUV. Due to budget constraints, it would be several years old and higher mileage.

I understand that the LC is built like a tank and is really about the best built SUV out there, but of course the drawback is that at my budget it would probably be a 150K mileage plus vehicle. Is high mileage that much of a concern?

On the other hand, I could get a newer, lower mileage Sequoia for the same $$. My father in law has one, I have driven it, and I really like it.

FWIW, I do not do Expeditions out west, Stock ground clearance is OK, but I do go back into the sticks quite a bit, so reliability and capability are important.

Thanks guys!

 

[Deleted member 9101]

I would get the Sequoia if it was me.

 

[Klierslc]

What is your budget, and what years are you looking at? There is enough variation between years of both vehicles that it will be significant factor. How many people/kids are you needing room for?

 

[Martinjmpr]

Many times I have thought that if I had to do it again, instead of getting a 3rd gen 4runner, I'd get a 1st gen Sequoia. In fact, if you look at the 1st gen Seqouia from a distance, it actually has a profile that is very similar to the 3rd gen 4runner. It's like a 5/4 size 4runner!

It has the same 4.7 V8 and auto tranny as the LC (AFAIK), I think it also has a multi-mode 4wd system like the 3rd/4th gen 4runners did. With the LC you get full time 4wd whether you need it or not.

Sequoia is bigger and has a usable 3rd row seat. 100 series LC has "jump seats" in the back suitable for children but not adults. Sequoia also has a roll-down rear window which is nice (although the LC has a by-God tailgate, which is nice, so maybe this is a wash?)

I don't know what the aftermarket is like for the Sequoia but it has the same front suspension as a 1st gen Tundra. I've heard aftermarket support for the 100 series LC is limited, but maybe it's just limited compared to what's available for the 80 series LC.

For your use the Sequoia would be larger, equally capable, and probably less expensive.

As for the new, 2nd gen Sequoia, they're huge. I'm not a fan of either the 2nd gen Tundra or the Sequoia. I hope the next generation is a little bit smaller.

 

[Klierslc]

Aftermarket support for the Sequoia is ok. Armor is hard to come by, but lifts are pretty easy. All sequoias have the VSC, but you have to get a 2000 or newer on an LC....

 

[waterweber]

I have had both.

I currently have a 2002 Sequoia 4X4 Limited. I primarily got this vehicle rather than a Cruiser because I wanted to haul my 21' boat with it. The Sequoia has a higher tow rating so I went that way.
Let me start off by saying I love how the Sequoia drives. The thing is super big inside and rides very comfortably. I have taken 6 adults in it at one time with all our ski gear (rocket box on roof) on a 4 hour drive to go skiing and everyone was happy. It pulls like a champ and will pull the boat up hills at 70mph, no problem.

Would I ever buy one again? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Maybe it is just my truck but the build quality on this rigs is not up to Toyota standards. Here is a quick list of what I have had to fix so far. The truck currently has 105,000 miles on it.
1. Trans went out at 95,000 and left me stranded in Van Horn Texas (BFE) for 4 days. Turns out that the early Sequoias have week planetary gears in the OD and towing causes them to fail prematurely. No warranty though. $6000 all said and done.
2. Paint is pealing on every plastic piece. Fenders, bumpers, spoiler.
3. Stitching on the leather seats is coming apart.
4. Heater will not redirect output. There is something stuck in the mechanism and I only have defrost.
5. Some of the indicator lights in the dash have stopped working. Like the Drive indicator.
6. Rear gate latch handle broke at 75,000
7. The stereo was shot at 85,000. CD player stopped working and 2 blown speakers. I mostly listen to NPR so its not like I am rocking out!
8. It will randomly burn oil. Every now and then it will turn up a quart low. No rhyme or reason. Mechanics have no idea.
9. O2 sensors go out all the time.

That is all I can think of right now. Bottom line is that this rig is not Toyota quality. I have had Toyota rigs all my life and never had problems like this. Pickups, 4-Runners, Cruisers never had these types of problems.
I never thought I would say this but I should have bought a FORD!

Hopefully this helps. A bunch of this stuff is documented at Tundraforums if you are interested.
Bottom line is if you dont need to tow or need a ton of interior space get the Cruiser.

 

[Ash]

The Sequoia is a North American car only. Hence the quality issues.

 

[AlexJet]

Between Sequoia and Land Cruiser - no doubt, it's Land Cruiser 200%. My 2c.

 

[rusty_tlc]

The year of LC you are looking at makes a huge difference. In general most LC's are just getting broken in at 150K miles.

Readers digest summary of the different series;
I'll skip the 200 series since you mentioned you are on a budget.

1998 - 200? UZJ100 series; V8, IFS, plush interior. The biggest wart is the 2 pinion front diff that can break even on street driven vehicles. The jury is still out on how long the engines last in these trucks but mine has 150K on it and is going strong.

1991 - 1997 FJ80 & FZJ80; The last of the solid front axle Cruisers. Great ride quality, proven reliability and performance, world wide parts availability. The biggest complaint is that they are somewhat under powered, although the 94 and later models with the FZ engines seem to be a lot better. These are getting hard to find since a lot of offroaders have been buying them up to use as the platform for expedition type rigs.

1981 - 1990 FJ60 and FJ62; These are trucks, they ride like a truck and perform like a truck, pretty much a bigger version of the FJ40 with the same tractor engine. Slow on the highway and way under powered on hills. (I love mine, don't know why but it's just a fun truck to drive.) These trucks can be had for <$2000 to >$5000 depending on condition, it's tough to find one that doesn't have at least some rust. Pre 1987 the drive train is almost identical to the FJ40, I have 250K on my FJ40 and no signs of it giving up the ghost any time soon.

Hope this helps.
Dan

 

[Pskhaat]

For your use the Sequoia would be larger, equally capable, and probably less expensive.

Equally capable?

 

[rionorte]

If you're thinking about saving money, don't buy a Land Cruiser. Regardless of what year.

 

[mph]

I bought my 99 from a gentleman who just bought an 08 sequoia. I love my LC and have no experience with the Sequoia. However, the guy wanted to buy the LC back from me. Hates his Sequoia. Way too big and a different kind of quality.

I could get some more details if you are interested...

 

[Martinjmpr]

Originally Posted by Martinjmpr
For your use the Sequoia would be larger, equally capable, and probably less expensive.

Equally capable?

Read the red text.

 

[Pskhaat]

Space-wise, hands towards the Tree

 

[Klierslc]

I have had both.

I currently have a 2002 Sequoia 4X4 Limited. I primarily got this vehicle rather than a Cruiser because I wanted to haul my 21' boat with it. The Sequoia has a higher tow rating so I went that way.
Let me start off by saying I love how the Sequoia drives. The thing is super big inside and rides very comfortably. I have taken 6 adults in it at one time with all our ski gear (rocket box on roof) on a 4 hour drive to go skiing and everyone was happy. It pulls like a champ and will pull the boat up hills at 70mph, no problem.

Would I ever buy one again? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Maybe it is just my truck but the build quality on this rigs is not up to Toyota standards. Here is a quick list of what I have had to fix so far. The truck currently has 105,000 miles on it.
1. Trans went out at 95,000 and left me stranded in Van Horn Texas (BFE) for 4 days. Turns out that the early Sequoias have week planetary gears in the OD and towing causes them to fail prematurely. No warranty though. $6000 all said and done.
2. Paint is pealing on every plastic piece. Fenders, bumpers, spoiler.
3. Stitching on the leather seats is coming apart.
4. Heater will not redirect output. There is something stuck in the mechanism and I only have defrost.
5. Some of the indicator lights in the dash have stopped working. Like the Drive indicator.
6. Rear gate latch handle broke at 75,000
7. The stereo was shot at 85,000. CD player stopped working and 2 blown speakers. I mostly listen to NPR so its not like I am rocking out!
8. It will randomly burn oil. Every now and then it will turn up a quart low. No rhyme or reason. Mechanics have no idea.
9. O2 sensors go out all the time.

I have an 01 Limited 4wd with 135k and agree that it drives nice.

I will also agree that the build quality is not as high as it could be, BUT....

1. You are supposed to turn off the overdrive when towing. Says so in the Manual IIRC....

2. My paint is just fine.
3.My seats are just fine
4. My heater works just fine.
5 My indicator lights work fine.
6. Rear gate works fine.
7. My stereo works very well. I have the JBL in-dash disc changer and the DVD player for the back seats. I do wish there were speakers for the third row as I have five kids and they sometimes can't hear real well in the back....
8. Doesn't burn oil
9. I do have an O2 sensor that needs replacing. Light came on about 1k ago. Also need to check on a seat belt prestensioner, but these two minor things in 9 years and 135k? I am satisfied.