Question to Land Cruiser owners

[kanonized]

Hi all,

New to this forum and the 'expedition' world and am currently weighing several new vehicle purchase options.

The question I'm posing to Land Cruiser owners is: what made you pick the Land Cruiser over the 4Runner or even an LX/GX?

Thanks in advance :ylsmoke:

 

[ChuckB]

I like the Land Cruisers legendary reliability and history. Also it was the size, needed more space. FYI - Land Cruisers and LXs are nearly identical.

I am also by no means implying the 4R/GXs are not reliable or good "expedition" vehicles.

 

[graynomad]

legendary reliability and history.

Yep.

Take a look at what all the Aussie farmers and mining companies use, 90% of the time you find them with an LC. Nuff said really.

Personally I would not get a new vehicle, especially for overlanding if that's what you have in mind. I know they are reliable but when they do break you will never find anyone to fix it. The stories I here just in Oz would make your hair curl, I can't imagine having problems in Bolivia or Mongolia.

That said if it's the daily drive, you're not planning to head around the world, and you can afford it, by all means get a new LC.

NOTE: To be fair Nissans are very good as well, but see my my comment about farmers and mining companies.

EDIT: The above 90% comment really refers to 70-series, but the other LCs are just as reliable.

_____
Rob

 

[Land Bruiser]

I had a 2011 4Runner Trail Edition. It was a great vehicle, nimble on trails, but it was under-powered while still guzzling gas and undersized for a family of 5. Now that I'm in a Land Cruiser I also understand the difference between light duty and heavy duty. For me, it was a no-brainer and I'm thrilled I made the switch.

 

[joneseyyy]

I had a 2011 4Runner Trail Edition. It was a great vehicle, nimble on trails, but it was under-powered while still guzzling gas and undersized for a family of 5. Now that I'm in a Land Cruiser I also understand the difference between medium duty and heavy duty. For me, it was a no-brainer and I'm thrilled I made the switch.

Serious question, if you didn't need to drive a family of 5 around, would you have made the switch? We are talking nearly twice as much money for a land cruiser vs. a TE 4runner. I would argue that there damn well better be a difference in quality/sturdiness for that extra 30K. Guess it is a no brainer if the difference between 40K and 70K doesn't matter to you.

To the OP, drive both, think about your usage, your propensity to keep vehicles for a long period of time, and your budget, and choose what you like best!

 

[ChuckB]

It is an easy decision for me because I can't afford to buy a new Cruiser. You could buy a TE4R and a very nice 100 series LC for the cost of a new 200-series LC. Then your only problem would be deciding which one to drive everyday.

 

[Land Bruiser]

Serious answer, I wouldn't have justified the cost to myself. Having said that, there's a big difference between the two vehicles. I considered switching to a Limited 4Runner with the third row but, after test driving the Land Cruiser it was a let down. Do I think $70K is reasonable for a LC? No, but neither is $40K for the Trail Edition, IMHO.

Serious question, if money was not an issue, would you not rather be driving a Land Cruiser?

The question posed was "what made you pick a Land Cruiser over..." and I honestly answered that question.

 

[joneseyyy]

If money was absolutely no object, I'd probably still have the 4runner, to be honest. However, I have no kids and like to do some faster trails/terrain where the smaller, lighter 4runner does well, especially with the bypass shock setup I'm running. I do understand the draw of the LC though, and maybe in the future my preferences will shift.

 

[Land Bruiser]

Joneseyyy: Fair enough - you have a sweet 4Runner! I loved mine and wouldn't have bothered looking at a Land Cruiser had it not been for family reasons. Once I took a bite of that apple though...

Kanonized: Here are a couple of threads that might be useful in making your decision. The second one is mine.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/146099-trail-edition-200-series-landcruiser.html

http://forum.ih8mud.com/200-series-cruisers/752262-cruiser-bruiser.html

 

[Ryanmb21]

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/95397-4Runner-vs-Land-Cruiser

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/91429-Moving-back-to-the-States-what-vehicle/page2 post #20

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/98414-2013-Toyota-4Runner-Equipt-Edition-Build

Both are awesome. You don't read about many problems with either

 

[REDrum]

Parts for mid 90s FZJ80 in Central America are slightly more available than same year 4RNR. Plus more cargo room in an 80

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Apart from the legendary off road history and the fact that parts are readily available anywhere in the world, there are many reasons why I chose my 97 TLC

1) Rock solid reliability
2) Live front Axle
3) 3-way factory locking diffs
4) Everything overbuilt to last
5) Bigger than a 4-Runner, smaller than a Full Size SUV
6) 3rd row seating
7) Luxurious interior without overwhelming electronic dash crap
8) Unlimited aftermarket accessories

She now has 334,xxx miles and I regularly make long distance trips with her at a drop of a hat without a care in the world

In fact, I'll be driving down from NYC to Orlando tomorrow morning

 

[1911]

"Land Cruiser" covers a lot of different models. My 30+ year-old Cruisers are as or more reliable than any vehicles I've ever owned, and I've owned a lot. Both still driven every day too.

 

[CSG]

I chose a used LX because they were far more available the the LC and lightly used.

I always wanted one and for the past, nearly three years, it's been my daily driver. I don't overland or do anything crazy but I do use it in Search and Rescue and as a day tripper for the family. It's gotten me through some big winters too.

The 4 Runner was never in the cards as it's too small and too light.

FWIW, I average 15.5 MPG day in and day out in my mixed rural driving.

Only mod has getting rid of those horrible running boards.

 

[Mountainhound]

The reasons already stated and the perverbial stray was I could get a fzj80 cheaper than I could get a 4runner and it's got solid axles.