Sell Land Cruiser for Ranger Raptor?

[traildustLC250]

I know the audience of this forum and I currently own a 2024 Land Cruiser in Trail Dust (Non premium, no sunroof=my dream spec which I love). I recently got to drive a Ranger Raptor through an offroad course and was able to really push it. I was completely impressed with the abuse it is able to handle and the speeds offroad. The suspension is truly remarkable. It's got me recently thinking about switching to the Ranger Raptor. Am I crazy? The unknown reliability of the LC platform is a concern, but Ford has it's own issues. It's not a battle of SUV vs truck as most of the time, my vehicle is empty anyway.

 

[Stage7]

I know the audience of this forum and I currently own a 2024 Land Cruiser in Trail Dust (Non premium, no sunroof=my dream spec which I love). I recently got to drive a Ranger Raptor through an offroad course and was able to really push it. I was completely impressed with the abuse it is able to handle and the speeds offroad. The suspension is truly remarkable. It's got me recently thinking about switching to the Ranger Raptor. Am I crazy? The unknown reliability of the LC platform is a concern, but Ford has it's own issues. It's not a battle of SUV vs truck as most of the time, my vehicle is empty anyway.

If you want to drive fast in the desert over whoops than get the Raptor for sure. Two completely different animals. Or just get both. It's only money.

 

[Dark_Horse]

If you want to drive fast in the desert over whoops than get the Raptor for sure. Two completely different animals. Or just get both. It's only money.

Agree 100%

 

[CharlesC]

I don't want to dis the Bronco. It's a great vehicle. And I was seriously considering one before I went to the LC.

That being said, I would definitely recommend a long test drive before you decide. As above, the reviews all indicate it's great for high-speed stuff in the desert, but I didn't actually like it on the road with daily-style driving. It seemed like the throttle control was not very direct for a vehicle being marketed as a performance truck. Merging into traffic, for instance, it seemed like I would press the pedal, and the then the control system would think about it for a few seconds, and then it would take off and accelerate quickly. The non-Raptor certainly isn't as fast, but it seems to follow instructions better.

My LC LC seems to do what I want when I want it. I wouldn't mind another couple hundred horsepower, like a Rivian (which also really responds well), but I always feel like the LC is paying attention and obeys orders.

You mileage may vary, of course.

C

 

[74cruzah]

I test drove a Ranger Raptor and loved it. I would have bought one if any of the dealers around me weren't marking them up 10k. I think it would probably be a good truck for 5-7 years depending on usage. I expect to get 15 out of the cruiser. While it's a new vehicle, the engine isn't new and the platform is now a few years old. The 3.0 is a pretty new drivetrain for Ford and I believe they've had some issues.

At the end of the day I trust Toyota longevity more than Ford (I like Fords and have owned a few over the years, including a 67 Mustang that I've had for 28 years). The fit and finish on Toyota is also a step above Ford. I'll give the RR the edge when it comes to excitement and fun factor though.

 

[trek805]

Id dump my money into a Raptor R Bronco before a Ranger. It wont hold up long but hell, theres a lot of fun to be had in a stock crawler with great power and factory 37" tires. If the EcoBoost doesnt give up the ghost until the 5 year mark then all is good.

 

[PACruiser]

They are so different you will need to decide if you want a multi-tool or a ratchet screwdriver....

 

[MJE]

If you truly want to have fun off-road the Ranger Raptor seems like a great bargain for what you get. Also considering a Ranger, but don’t need the Raptor version. I haven’t gotten to check one out in person yet, but my worry isn’t reliability, even comparing it to the LC. It’s low quality cost cutting built into the vehicle overall.

My current Ford feels like a base model car I threw the option book at. Hoping the Ranger feels closer to an F150 (you can tell which vehicle makes Ford’s franchise). Whereas the LC feels like the premium car it is (some might disagree, but the one I checked out felt great).

I think the Ranger for me would be a nice upgrade & an affordable step up. One which I’d be happy with for 5 years until retirement. The LC I think I could pay for & would be ready for all the long highway trips and backroads exploration I plan for well into retirement.

So not a crazy thought. The nice thing with Toyota resale is you’d probably do just fine making the trade.