Considering selling the LC for a Grenadier

[uraniumrich]

After coming from an FJ Cruiser for the last 15 years and now driving an LCLC, I think that it is too refined for my tastes. I am considering getting a Grenadier. Anyone else thinking the same or have food for thought?

A buddy of mine has the Grenadier and really likes it. I've driven his Grenadier and consider to be a cool, highly capable off-roader with some quirks that would absolutely drive me bonkers (it's a long list for me!) I love the BMW B58 on the Grenadier- so much better in terms of performance and sound than our hybrid. The recirculating ball steering isn't great...actually, it's pretty awful. I can't imagine the driver fatigue I'd experience on a twelve hour drive.

Keeping in mind all of the cons already mentioned about buying a Grenadier, it also has some checkmarks in the pro column, too. If those are a better fit for you and you can afford the monetary risks associated with the Grenadier, then I think you'd be happy. I know my friend is really enjoying his Grenadier.

 

[flyingtrotter]

I had a Grenadier on order before I got the LCFE

I followed the INEOS story and test drove a prototype off road etc etc

When I drove a production variant on road it made me physically sick and boy oh boy in the UK that steering, foot hump (right hand drive has a very pronounced hump) and enormous turning circle not great for on road driving - then you add the software issues - the leaks and the water in the door seals - well it’s a challenging vehicle

It’s a really charismatic project and many of the folk on the IG forum clearly love it despite its “quirks” but it wasn’t for me and I am so much happier with my LCFE

If your use case is lots of hard core off road driving the balance of the strengths set against the many weaknesses may work for you

 

[MtnLC]

The look of the Grenadier is pretty awesome, but I went with the LC LC and have loved it so far!

Don't know if you saw this, but I posted this earlier: Top Gear UK did a pretty detailed review of the Land Cruiser, Land Rover Defender, Mercedes G-Class, and the Grenadier.

LC came first, Grenadier came third

Land Cruiser vs Land Rover Defender, Mercedes G-Class, and the Grenadier

Top Gear UK does an in depth review of the Land Cruiser, Land Rover Defender, Mercedes G-Class, and the Grenadier TLRD - they like the Land Cruiser the most!

www.landcruiserforum.com

 

[flyingtrotter]

I did see that - I’m in the UK and we have had relative little LC coverage aside from TG and Harry’s Garage

Anyone serious about the Grenadier should jump on the Grenadier forum - it’s like this in terms of the level of detail shared and the enthusiasm of the owners

 

[Esquire]

When I drove a production variant on road it made me physically sick - the leaks and the water in the door seals - well it’s a challenging vehicle

Around 15 years ago, I was in-house legal counsel for one of the largest commercial trucking companies in the country. They had purchased 1,500 new Freightliner tractors to add and replace units to their fleet.

Freightliner was owned by Daimler AG at the time. The new trucks were suffering from water leaks around the A pillars and front cowlings while still brand new and sitting in our terminals waiting to be put into service.

These water leaks caused electrical shorts in the control panels of the trucks and caused them to catch on fire in massive numbers. The losses were obviously significant and Daimler eventually settled and took care of the issue....after millions of dollars spent in legal and experts.
Ultimately, the culprit was a small A pillar seal that did not seat properly. The problems this caused were beyond fathomable.

So hearing and seeing the water issues prevalent in the Grenadier are one of the many issues that frighten me. One innocuous rubber seal can and will be the precursor to many forthcoming issues.

 

[flyingtrotter]

Indeed

There is video of folk opening doors and water pouring out - the user developed solution seems to be cutting the seals

I don’t go on that site much these days so there may be a factory solution

The safari windows in the roof are a clever idea but also seem to have had leak issues - may now be sorted of course

 

[Stage7]

someone else mentioned this, but a perfect blend is keeping the LC. Go buy a SXS (New CanAm Maverick) and beat the hell out of it. I've owned 6 SXS's since 2008 and they are the best outlet to go rip in the mountains and desert. And when you break them, which you will, then the repairs are generally cheap and you can trailer it home. Food for thought.

My next off road machine will be a TomCar.

Home - TOMCAR

Conceptualized on the battlefield with military DNA, TOMCAR all-terrain vehicles are uniquely engineered to be extremely durable, exceptionally dependable, highly functional, providing best-in-class commercial/fleet performance. Over the last three decades, TOMCAR has combined all of the best...

tomcar.com

 

[No15]

My next off road machine will be a TomCar.

Home - TOMCAR

Conceptualized on the battlefield with military DNA, TOMCAR all-terrain vehicles are uniquely engineered to be extremely durable, exceptionally dependable, highly functional, providing best-in-class commercial/fleet performance. Over the last three decades, TOMCAR has combined all of the best...

tomcar.com

TomCar looks like a much better version of the growler. I like mine but it comes with it's own set of issues

 

[NedakJ]

Talking to my friend last night. He has the Grenadier and said I am selling it. Too hard to get service, its too much car for his use case, plus it is quirky. just relaying his feedback.

 

[Rocket]

My next off road machine will be a TomCar.

Home - TOMCAR

Conceptualized on the battlefield with military DNA, TOMCAR all-terrain vehicles are uniquely engineered to be extremely durable, exceptionally dependable, highly functional, providing best-in-class commercial/fleet performance. Over the last three decades, TOMCAR has combined all of the best...

tomcar.com

Interesting. No prices listed though. $$$$

 

[FNP90]

DD your LC and get an old Defender for when you want to get back to old school driving!

This is exactly what I do.

I’ve got a 96 Defender 110 for summer fun.

 

[RUN-8]

Interesting. No prices listed though. $$$$

Figure about $45K starting price.

 

[DLOne]

This is exactly what I do.

I’ve got a 96 Defender 110 for summer fun.

Awesome, I am right up the road from you in Rochester....

 

[Esquire]

I'm from the same school. Buy a nice main driver that checks 99% of the boxes. And then have a second vehicle which has absolutely no purpose other than to have fun, enjoy, polish, and look awesome.....

 

[ultane]

After coming from an FJ Cruiser for the last 15 years and now driving an LCLC, I think that it is too refined for my tastes. I am considering getting a Grenadier. Anyone else thinking the same or have food for thought?

Do it. Report back.

 

[DoMoCruiser24]

Love the look of the grenadier but not willing to drive to California for maintenance, or issues etc

 

[LC250CO14]

Over the last 4 years I had two 5th Gen 4Runner TRD Pro's and I thought that was it for awhile, but then I saw the LC and Grenadier. I seriously considered the Grenadier, but like many have said, potential issues and the ability to have them fixed was a big concern for me so I went with the LC. Neither were considered for their "luxury" but I did like their styling, and AWD in a more powerful and better looking package (I understand this is arguable). I'm also the type of person who buys a new daily driver every two years or so and with that said I would still probably pass on the Grenadier and instead focus on getting my ultimate dream SUV, a Mercedes G63.

 

[PACruiser]

If you use a non-mainstream vehicle to do a long road trip across the country and it fails you will be looking at the following choices:

1. A big hotel bill while you wait days for parts to be air shipped to you
2. If the parts will take weeks, then you will have a bill for storage or trailoring to the place that has the parts
3. Once it is fixed, unless the repair facility is near your home, you will have the air fare to go retrieve the vehicle and drive it back or face a 2nd trailoring bill.

All told, it is not uncommon to be out of pocket several additional thousands of dollars just for logistics and be without the vehicle for multiple weeks. So there is something to be said for service and parts network even for recreational vehicles.

 

[Stage7]

Interesting. No prices listed though. $$$$

The one I'm thinking of ordering is 45k. Pure TOY.

 

[Roonie]

This is exactly what I do.

I’ve got a 96 Defender 110 for summer fun.

Me too except its a 94 Defender 110 diesel.