A question for HHFP or other Cruiser enthusiasts

"mkbruin, Atlas VP" (mkbruin)
03/30/2018 at 14:37 • Filed to: None

By most metrics, the 200-series is a dud. Sales are shit, cost is extremely high, and there is an unbelievable amount of competition ranging from the Armada to the Navigator/Expedition to the Denali/Escalade to a whole new fleet of Land Rovers and many, many more. The interior is atrocious. The electronic 4x4 tech is available in everything from a $15,000 Jeep Renegade on up the chain. By and large, the 200 series was a letdown from the 100 series which many argue that aside from the V8 was a letdown from the 80 which is the high water mark of land cruisers.

What does Toyota need to do in order

restore any form of relevance to the Land Cruiser?

DISCUSSION (12)

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > mkbruin, Atlas VP
03/30/2018 at 14:52

The 200-Series is probably the best example in existance of a car which I absoluetly love but would never ever buy with my own money. As much as I adore it, I’d take a Range Rover/Mercedes/Escalade/Navigator over it any day.

Milky > mkbruin, Atlas VP
03/30/2018 at 14:53

Shocking news: new car buyers don’t care if it lasts well past 200k miles.

For Sweden > mkbruin, Atlas VP
03/30/2018 at 14:55

Put a Lexus badge on it.

Chariotoflove > Milky
03/30/2018 at 15:02

This is true.

HammerheadFistpunch > mkbruin, Atlas VP
03/30/2018 at 15:24

I think you are coming at this from the wrong angle. Its not the wrong product, its the wrong market. The team who build the 200 said that it was unequivocally the strongest land cruiser they’ve ever built (including the 70 series). Its raced, its toured, and its proven as a Land Cruiser. The trouble isn’t with the Land Cruiseness of the vehicle its with the luxury goods aire.

Look at it like this, the engine is nearly 2x as powerful as mine, gets better mileage in a heavier truck and will still likely last as long. The 80 is a wonderful machine but people are getting into 200's now to use as intended and LOVING them, even more than 100 series and sometimes more than 80 series. Two two biggest, hardest core Land Cruiser people I can think of daily 200 series they also tour with.

It was always going to be a niche product in the US on that account but I don’t know anyone who buys one that regrets it.

Also get outta here with that atrocious interior business, I drove the newest one around and it was wonderful. best seats I’ve ever put my butt on and the layout is clean, easy to use and looked great.

If you do a features comparison to the competition sure it falls apart, but you and I both know you can stack a features game to give the edge to practically any car you want to win. its not hard, its marketing 101.

The trouble is you people who don’t want or need a vehicle like this...it may be irreconcilable, or maybe Toyota doesn’t care and is happy to keep building them because the world isn’t the US market.

HammerheadFistpunch > mkbruin, Atlas VP
03/30/2018 at 15:25

Now to the question I think you’re really asking:

What will the 300 series look like?

that’s a much harder question to answer. How do you improve on a vehicle thats primary qualities are proven technology? It will be interesting to see the result.

Nothing > mkbruin, Atlas VP
03/30/2018 at 15:34

I’ve been looking at them as they’ve depreciated. Older examples of the 200 have dropped into the mid 20s, which I think is a good deal on these. I had a coworker that recently bought one new and plans on it being the last vehicle he’ll purchase.

I can honestly say that my current plan is that when my son starts driving, he’ll get the Taco and I will replace it with a used 200.

razorbeamteam > mkbruin, Atlas VP
03/30/2018 at 15:42

Cruiser enthusiast, Cruisethusiast... It’s Friday, I’m done

victor > mkbruin, Atlas VP
03/30/2018 at 17:24

Good lease deals. That’s what the market wants.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > HammerheadFistpunch
03/30/2018 at 19:38

Not radically different. But it will have a hybrid diesel drivetrain based on a Hino 4 or 6 cylinder engine. And the petrol engine will be a twin turbo direct injection straight six...and neither guise will be available in the USA.

JDMatt > mkbruin, Atlas VP
03/30/2018 at 22:14

The Toyota Land Cruiser does not need to be competitive in the U.S. for it to be a global success. American trucks are great, but outside of the US where roads are smaller and not necessarily paved, I’d prefer riding in a 200 series Land Cruiser over a GMC Yukon/Range Rover.

If you are in San Jose, California or Manila, Philippines; the Toyota Land Cruiser is the best SUV for looking like a man-of-means and a man-of-the-people at the same time.

HammerheadFistpunch > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
03/31/2018 at 11:05

I looked into HINO’s offerings a while back, I think that ship sailed a long time ago. There is a possibility of hybrid but I kind of doubt it. as for a straight 6 from Toyota? Man that would be great, but no way. Also there is very little chance it wont be sold here.