OT: Land Cruiser appreciation thread and maybe Monteros and others

[robt57]

Ahh... Memories.

40 years ago I had a beast off road FJ45? with a small block Chevy 400.

I actually got it so my off road weekends would stop beating the paint on my K20 Burb, too big anyway, and the S10-4x4 that would high center if you went over a 8" log...

It was a pure woods rat, and I may have a pic someplace, lord know

[Ozz]

Originally Posted by mistermo

Hope this isn't a thread drift, but what's the view of the Lexus GXs? I'm halfway considering an older, used one as a highway hauler and vehicle to take to Lowes/Home Depot, etc. I won't be doing any off-roading of any serious nature.

Fancied up Toyota Forerunner....depending on the year, I think they had some "stability" issues, according to Consumer Reports.

Of course, they hate everything that doesn't handle like a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord.

[LegendRider]

Apparently the new generation Land Cruiser to be introduced in 2021 will look like this.

[texbike]

Originally Posted by mistermo

Hope this isn't a thread drift, but what's the view of the Lexus GXs? I'm halfway considering an older, used one as a highway hauler and vehicle to take to Lowes/Home Depot, etc. I won't be doing any off-roading of any serious nature.

After driving my previous LX470 around for a bit, my SO decided that she would prefer to have a SUV instead of the E55 that she was driving at the time. However, she wanted something just a bit smaller than the LX. So, we happened upon a nice 2009 GX470. We've had it for 5 years and it's been a great vehicle. To be honest, I don't like it as much as my LX (styling primarily), but she loves it. It has the same 4.7 motor as my LX (but with the VVTi) and a 5 sp transmission. It also weighs about 600 lbs less than the LX, so it's definitely quicker. Nice vehicles. We still get compliments on her's.

Texbike

[RFC]

I rue the day when the Land Cruiser morphed from expedition vehicles to luxary SUV's. BTW, I think that thing ways about 6,000 pounds.

[pasadena]

That's exactly what the GX was designed for. GX/Prado is for a urban mix
It is a great suv.

Originally Posted by texbike

After driving my previous LX470 around for a bit, my SO decided that she would prefer to have a SUV instead of the E55 that she was driving at the time. However, she wanted something just a bit smaller than the LX. So, we happened upon a nice 2009 GX470. We've had it for 5 years and it's been a great vehicle. To be honest, I don't like it as much as my LX (styling primarily), but she loves it. It has the same 4.7 motor as my LX (but with the VVTi) and a 5 sp transmission. It also weighs about 600 lbs less than the LX, so it's definitely quicker. Nice vehicles. We still get compliments on her's.

Texbike

[Ozz]

Originally Posted by LegendRider

Apparently the new generation Land Cruiser to be introduced in 2021 will look like this.

Looks like a bigger Highlander....

Not that I don''t like the way a Toyota Highlander looks (and they are a fine vehicle), but the Landcruiser should not resemble it in any way! Ugh....

[JasonF]

Picked this up a few months ago...AKA Land Cruiser Prado in areas other than North America.

We had an '06 GX470 we bought off lease back in 2009, put 100k miles on it, and had to do nothing over those 100k miles except a set of tires and a few oil changes. Most reliable vehicle we've ever owned. This 2020 has the same DNA as our old 2006. Down to the manual rear hatch and an interior that, while extremely comfortable and classy, hasn't changed much in 15 years.

For this iteration...

Pros: ancient tech, proven mechanicals and under stressed motor = reliability.
Cons: ancient tech, horrible fuel economy and a HIDEOUS front grill. Thank god I don't have to look at it while driving

Finally, because of the upright stance and greenhouse windows, visibility is amazing. It's every bit as good as my old Range Rovers, except this thing won't leave me stranded on the side of the road 4 times (ask me how I know)....

[LegendRider]

Originally Posted by JasonF

Picked this up a few months ago...AKA Land Cruiser Prado in areas other than North America.

We had an '06 GX470 we bought off lease back in 2009, put 100k miles on it, and had to do nothing over those 100k miles except a set of tires and a few oil changes. Most reliable vehicle we've ever owned. This 2020 has the same DNA as our old 2006. Down to the manual rear hatch and an interior that, while extremely comfortable and classy, hasn't changed much in 15 years.

For this iteration...

Pros: ancient tech, proven mechanicals and under stressed motor = reliability.
Cons: ancient tech, horrible fuel economy and a HIDEOUS front grill. Thank god I don't have to look at it while driving

Finally, because of the upright stance and greenhouse windows, visibility is amazing. It's every bit as good as my old Range Rovers, except this thing won't leave me stranded on the side of the road 4 times (ask my how I know)....

I love that vehicle aside from the grill. It's the auto equivalent of the Canyon gravel bike double-decker handlebars.

[Andy sti]

[pasadena]

300 series will be interesting. I heard hybrid and twin turbo v6 but both seem out of sync with the LC mission statement.

It may be possible the only 300 to come to the US is in LX570 guise, and they stop importing the LC here altogether. It would make sense, considering the slow LC sales here and the lack of interest in mechanical build quality and durability.
The durability and engineering is insane in comparison to literally anything else you can buy, but very few appreciate it. It's all about infotainment nowadays. "overengineered" doesn't sell here.

But whatever it is, Toyota has always maintained it will keep the core mission statement of LC. It is a halo truck, they know it and their customers.

Originally Posted by LegendRider

Apparently the new generation Land Cruiser to be introduced in 2021 will look like this.

[JasonF]

Originally Posted by LegendRider

I love that vehicle aside from the grill. It's the auto equivalent of the Canyon gravel bike double-decker handlebars.

Totally agree about the grill...side profile is a better view. I actually love the smaller wheels: no curb rash. This is the perfect LA Urban Assault Vehicle.

Front windows have now been tinted to match the sides.

[pasadena]

If you can find one with KDSS, it's well worth it.
V8 is bulletproof, will need a timing belt change around 100k, so take that into consideration on cost.
Lifetime vehicle for your use.

Originally Posted by mistermo

Hope this isn't a thread drift, but what's the view of the Lexus GXs? I'm halfway considering an older, used one as a highway hauler and vehicle to take to Lowes/Home Depot, etc. I won't be doing any off-roading of any serious nature.

[mistermo]

Originally Posted by JasonF

Separated at birth

[azrider]

Originally Posted by mistermo

Hope this isn't a thread drift, but what's the view of the Lexus GXs? I'm halfway considering an older, used one as a highway hauler and vehicle to take to Lowes/Home Depot, etc. I won't be doing any off-roading of any serious nature.

Sounds to me you're in the market for an LX and not GX.

But don't get me wrong, the GX's are great. They can be maintenance heavy but if you keep up with that they'll last forever. Because of the emblem you might pay premium in parts but 90% of time Toyo parts will get job done.

CV boots are known to always leak and cause issues, transfer case actuator o rings are known to leak, and their rear suspension with air bag shocks are pretty bad.

Also, get one without KDSS system. It's a hydraulic system that is supposed to help with handling up front but it's just one more system that can fail (and leak). Pretty sure they're most prevalent on 04-09 models.

Exhuast manifolds are another known issue.....and if you ever test drive one, make sure you have transmission shop give the drive train a once over. A lot of these 4x trucks are owned by folks who never take them off road........which is fine, but just because you don't use it doesn't mean you still shouldn't keep up with maintenance.

plus I think '05 and newer added VVTI.......which is niiiiiiice.