I've been lurking around here for a bit, and been active for a few weeks since I picked up my new 2025 "Land Cruiser 1958"...so I'm a bit late to make an "Introduction", but figured I'd go ahead and post here, and also chime in a bit on why I chose the 1958 base model, and what I like/don't like about it...
The way I see it, the less equipped 1958 is appealing, if for no other reason, it's less expensive price tag...but of course spending less also involves making some compromises compared to the standard "Land Cruiser" trim, or the previously offered "First Edition"...so, I considered each of these compromises...
- Cloth seats: Not a deal-breaker for me. I like the thick cloth used, it feels like high quality, not like the "plushier" type of cloth I've had on previous vehicle's seats, and I found them quite comfortable once I got a chance to sit in them and test drive it
- Manual-adjusted seats: I'm pretty much the only person who will be driving it, so this isn't something I'll really have to deal with
- Lack of soft-touch surfaces in the interior cabin: Another item where once I got a chance to drive it, realized it wasn't going to be a big deal to me, I find it quite comfortable regardless of the harder plastic surfaces
- No color matching on specific exterior pieces (e.g. below the headlights): I got a black one, so it's pretty much color matched anyway.
- No sway-bar disconnect: While I hope to take this vehicle on some great adventures, I don't really see myself doing the type of off-roading where I'll need anything beyond the center and rear lockers.
- Lack of front-facing and 360 degree cameras: this is probably the one feature of the higher trim levels that I'd like to have...even just for parking in my garage, haha, but I can definitely imagine scenarios where those additional views would be helpful.
** Other minor gripes:
- Gas tank size. I can deal with not getting great gas-mileage, it's not a Prius after all...but I feel like I'm filling up way too often, add the capacity to hold a few more gallons and I'd be happier
- Infotainment/radio. Having Android Auto is nice (first vehicle I've ever owned with it), but I find it tedious to navigate the radio controls. When in AA (and I assume also when using Apple CarPlay), the Toyota side menu isn't available, so to get back to the Toyota radio controls, I have to go the Android app menu, then select Toyota, then click on the Music icon...You could potentially use the steering wheel "mode" button to cycle between the phone interface and the radio, except you can't do that without getting nagged about getting an Apple Music or Amazon Music subscription, so it's no easier doing it that way. Really, I'd just want to quick way to switch between streaming on my phone and going back to the last radio station I was listening to without having to divert my attention from the road and hit a bunch of touch screen buttons to do so.
Having said all that though, I'm very happy with my LC, and have no regrets or buyer's remorse at all. Ultimately, I felt the 1958 was the best for what I wanted/needed, and couldn't justify paying nearly $10k more for the standard LC trim level (which is about what it would have been after dealer discounts I got on the 1958)...also, I like the round headlights
EDIT: Oh, I'm also not crazy about the choice for stock tires on the 1958...but will just have to deal with that, I find I'm rarely happy with stock tires
The way I see it, the less equipped 1958 is appealing, if for no other reason, it's less expensive price tag...but of course spending less also involves making some compromises compared to the standard "Land Cruiser" trim, or the previously offered "First Edition"...so, I considered each of these compromises...
- Cloth seats: Not a deal-breaker for me. I like the thick cloth used, it feels like high quality, not like the "plushier" type of cloth I've had on previous vehicle's seats, and I found them quite comfortable once I got a chance to sit in them and test drive it
- Manual-adjusted seats: I'm pretty much the only person who will be driving it, so this isn't something I'll really have to deal with
- Lack of soft-touch surfaces in the interior cabin: Another item where once I got a chance to drive it, realized it wasn't going to be a big deal to me, I find it quite comfortable regardless of the harder plastic surfaces
- No color matching on specific exterior pieces (e.g. below the headlights): I got a black one, so it's pretty much color matched anyway.
- No sway-bar disconnect: While I hope to take this vehicle on some great adventures, I don't really see myself doing the type of off-roading where I'll need anything beyond the center and rear lockers.
- Lack of front-facing and 360 degree cameras: this is probably the one feature of the higher trim levels that I'd like to have...even just for parking in my garage, haha, but I can definitely imagine scenarios where those additional views would be helpful.
** Other minor gripes:
- Gas tank size. I can deal with not getting great gas-mileage, it's not a Prius after all...but I feel like I'm filling up way too often, add the capacity to hold a few more gallons and I'd be happier
- Infotainment/radio. Having Android Auto is nice (first vehicle I've ever owned with it), but I find it tedious to navigate the radio controls. When in AA (and I assume also when using Apple CarPlay), the Toyota side menu isn't available, so to get back to the Toyota radio controls, I have to go the Android app menu, then select Toyota, then click on the Music icon...You could potentially use the steering wheel "mode" button to cycle between the phone interface and the radio, except you can't do that without getting nagged about getting an Apple Music or Amazon Music subscription, so it's no easier doing it that way. Really, I'd just want to quick way to switch between streaming on my phone and going back to the last radio station I was listening to without having to divert my attention from the road and hit a bunch of touch screen buttons to do so.
Having said all that though, I'm very happy with my LC, and have no regrets or buyer's remorse at all. Ultimately, I felt the 1958 was the best for what I wanted/needed, and couldn't justify paying nearly $10k more for the standard LC trim level (which is about what it would have been after dealer discounts I got on the 1958)...also, I like the round headlights
EDIT: Oh, I'm also not crazy about the choice for stock tires on the 1958...but will just have to deal with that, I find I'm rarely happy with stock tires
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