Why the Toyota Land Cruiser is so expensive

[justcuz]

As much as a niche vehicle as these are, especially in the U.S. How many do you think get used to their capabilities?
I think Toyota is missing a bet here, if they sold them in three different trim levels that were available everywhere else, they could eliminate the U.S. only Sequoia and save a ton of money. Convert Sequoia production to Land Cruiser production and increase your market share. Frankly I can't see why Toyota and Nissan even bother with a U.S. specific truck platform, together they barely crack 100,000 units a year. Toyota fans I know would rather buy a mid level Land Cruiser than a Sequoia if it was available.
I won't muddy up this thread with my opinion of the recently cancelled FJ, but we will leave it as 2 door SUVs are deader than the Greek economy!

 

[98WhiteT4R]

Interesting read, I've always wondered why they were so expensive.

 

[Willman]

Thanks for sharing. Love to get my hands on a good used one that will not break the bank....

 

[redthies]

I won't muddy up this thread with my opinion of the recently cancelled FJ.

If this is true, it's the smartest thing Toyota has done since announcing they were building a modern "FJ40". The concept was fantastic. The product they actually brought to market is a bad joke. Go ahead and extol the virtues of that thing, but I drove them stock, and modified, on and off road, and I found very few things to like and a really long list of things to dislike!

I agree 100% that Toyota wastes a massive amount of money developing USA only trucks and SUVs. Unfortunately we to the north of you have suffered as well since they stopped importing the 70 series here in 1987. If they offered basic utility rigs here still, I'd have more Toyotas in the driveway!

 

[justcuz]

I will not be extolling the virtues of the modern FJ.
Here in the U.S. 2 door SUV's are dead or dying. Every vehicle that has come out with a 4 door version of it previous body style, the 4 door has dominated in sales or killed off the 2 door. Blazer/Tahoe, Bronco/Expedition, Wrangler/Wrangler Unlimited to name a few.
The fact that Toyota makes so much money world wide allows them the luxury of building specific platforms here, but it is not economically sensible because they don't sell enough volume to make it worth the investment.
Like I stated previously, my friends would rather buy a mid level optioned Land Cruiser than a Sequoia. Some have actually turned away from purchasing a Toyota after the second generation Sequoia was built.

 

[peekay]

it's expensive because it is the flagship Toyota vehicle. It's the same reason, albeit to a different degree, that the Limited trim on all Toyota models cost so much more than the LE trim. Does anyone really think the Limited cost that much more to build than the LE? Because of the heated steering wheel, or the other gadgets that Limited and LCs come with? That is a very naive and frankly, simpleton, view on how the car industry works.

The other explanations he has are also not convincing. Japan tarif? Haha. Right. I just saw an ad for a new 2015 Prius, package two, for $19,500. I guess without this tariff, it would have been $15,000. Haha, right.

His other explanations, "offroad" ability, tow hooks, etc., don't even merit a response. The niche reason is kind of chicken or egg. Does the nicheness cause it to cost so much, or vice versa?

Landcruisers cost so much because they can command that price. The people who don't want that badge, can get the Sequoia. No need to overthink it and try to come up with a justification.

 

[Elk]

Peekay, I understand your reasoning, and there certainly is a lot of fanboy salivation in the comments following that article. I just want to point out that coming from a 2007 DCSB 2nd gen myself, there is a distinct difference in build quality, albeit the Tacoma was already well built (except for the rust). Everything on my 100 series feels like I'm sitting in a bank vault. The construction quality and the majority of the design are very well represented. Does it justify $20k more than a Sequoia? Not for the average person, but I will be happy to let someone else steward my inevitable 200 for me while it depreciates to a reasonable level. Perhaps in 10 years I will trade in my 100.

 

[haven]

"Don't think ANY other vehicle in existence has a better reliability reputation than Landcruiser."

People in Australia might put the Nissan Patrol in the same class. It's sad to see the Infiniti QX80 (basically a re-badged Patrol with fancy interior) gussied up to compete with the Escalade. It's like a linebacker wearing a party dress and heels.

 

[justcuz]

World wide may be, here in the U.S. I can think of several vehicles that are just as reliable if not more so.

 

[toylandcruiser]

World wide may be, here in the U.S. I can think of several vehicles that are just as reliable if not more so.

Uuuhhh like what?


"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

 

[justcuz]

Well how far back do you want to go?
Let's just stick with SUV's
Willys Wagons, International Tavelalls, Chevy Suburbans, Chevy Tahoes, Ford Expeditions.
All these vehicles maintained well have gone lots of miles. I know of 3 first generation Expeditions with between 200 and 300 thousand miles on them. Willys Wagons are still on the road if not rusted to death. Travelalls are hell for stout and it's hard to kill a square body Suburban unless you abuse it.
Not taking anything away from Land Cruisers but they are not THE most reliable vehicle extant.
Ask anyone with a 100 that has blown up the front axle.

 

[toylandcruiser]

Well how far back do you want to go?
Let's just stick with SUV's
Willys Wagons, International Tavelalls, Chevy Suburbans, Chevy Tahoes, Ford Expeditions.
All these vehicles maintained well have gone lots of miles. I know of 3 first generation Expeditions with between 200 and 300 thousand miles on them. Willys Wagons are still on the road if not rusted to death. Travelalls are hell for stout and it's hard to kill a square body Suburban unless you abuse it.
Not taking anything away from Land Cruisers but they are not THE most reliable vehicle extant.
Ask anyone with a 100 that has blown up the front axle.

Ok guy
You're not worthy of anymore response



"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I actually spent some time with the Toyota US market lead for the Land Cruiser this last week here in SLC planning some upcoming fun. We wandered around a handful of non-US Cruisers including a variety of old and late model 7x's and even a MegaCruiser. Interestingly enough he was very familiar with the various non-US platforms and knows very well the Land Cruiser community would jump at the opportunity to purchase one. That said he re-affirmed the hard fact... the market for them doesn't exist in the US. They can't just bring over 100 or 1000 VDJ79's, they have to bring sales support, parts support, technical training, etc. The market simply doesn't yield the needed numbers for a conservative Toyota. We talked a bit about the new 200 trim overhaul and am looking forward to seeing it in person soon. I'm loving my 200, it's everything the 100 was and more. Having spent a fair bit of time in the 200 both on and off road, I'm sold.

 

[Hound]

The 200 is a phenomenal rig in nearly every facet. I hope to own mine for the rest of my days.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tundraexplorer]

Well how far back do you want to go?
Let's just stick with SUV's
Willys Wagons, International Tavelalls, Chevy Suburbans, Chevy Tahoes, Ford Expeditions.
All these vehicles maintained well have gone lots of miles. I know of 3 first generation Expeditions with between 200 and 300 thousand miles on them. Willys Wagons are still on the road if not rusted to death. Travelalls are hell for stout and it's hard to kill a square body Suburban unless you abuse it.
Not taking anything away from Land Cruisers but they are not THE most reliable vehicle extant.
Ask anyone with a 100 that has blown up the front axle.

Except the expeditions you talk about are probably not on the original motor or transmission, and at the very least have had them rebuilt. Also just stepping into a land cruiser vs an expedition will show a huge difference in build quality. Here's a 100 series with over 400,000 miles on it with full armor
http://www.xoverland.com/xfan-rigs/attachment/99-land-cruiser/