Hi, everyone. I have been reading so many posts and I am really impressed with the members here. I'm in need of a new vehicle soon. I have a 2005 Honda Pilot that is quickly aging. I find the Land Cruiser to be a beautiful vehicle. I'm not going to be an off-roader, but I just love looking at these. I want a next vehicle that is reliable and durable, easy to maintain and use, and is a long lasting good investment. Maybe it is the Land Cruiser. I'm here to learn from you. I appreciate all of your help so far!
Trying to Figure Out the Land Cruiser World to see if I would Fit Into it!
- Thread starter Tazbom
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Welcome to the forum Tazbom! Nothing wrong with using a LC as a street machine, but wow, at least venture off-road occasionally! Have you also investigated the Lexus GX550, the sibling to the LC? More of a street machine, and if comparing apples to apples, not priced much different than the LC. Admittedly, a bit of a gas guzzer, and in CA, yes, fuel is especially pricy. Just a thought...
Good luck in your search for a new vehicle! There are a lot of choices out there! Me? I've owned 3 4Runners and an FJ Cruiser. I looked at the Ineos Grenedier and relooked at a Jeep Wrangler and Ford's big Bronco. I didn't trust the Ineos yet and both Jeep and Ford reliability and build quality worries me. I appreciate Toyota's proven reliability and durability. Like Honda, their vehicles aren't very trendy.
I do a moderate amount of off-roading but nothing extreme. I also pull a high clearance camp trailer at least once per month. I've had my Land Cruiser grade vehicle for 5 months and 4000 miles. It seems like I enjoy and trust it more and more. It was a leap to go from the bulletproof V6 to the iForceMax engine but, as many will say, if anyone can do it right, it'd be Toyota.
I have added skid plates, 40mm offset wheels and all-terrain tires. Still plan to install rock rails and am considering a full-length roof rack.
I do a moderate amount of off-roading but nothing extreme. I also pull a high clearance camp trailer at least once per month. I've had my Land Cruiser grade vehicle for 5 months and 4000 miles. It seems like I enjoy and trust it more and more. It was a leap to go from the bulletproof V6 to the iForceMax engine but, as many will say, if anyone can do it right, it'd be Toyota.
I have added skid plates, 40mm offset wheels and all-terrain tires. Still plan to install rock rails and am considering a full-length roof rack.
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I have a question MudNGuts, what is the factory wheel offset? BTW, we are transplants from your neck of the woods, Lincoln County, NV, where off-roading is the best, except a few areas we used to frequent the BLM has designated as Wilderness. Sure miss it!
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Thank you! Yes, I've looked at the Lexus, but I really like the way the LC looks. The LC is also closer at the top of my price range.
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Thanks for responding. I really want a vehicle with a reliable and durable engine and transmission. My Pilot was such a consistent vehicle that I greatly value that characteristic. Though greatly different vehicles, I'm really hoping that the Land Cruiser is similar in that way.
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You are gong to be spending 10k more for a LC because of the off road equipment. Why not look at a non off road vehicle?
I was on ICON checking out their 18" rims for LC. Their video stated that the LC has a +65mm offset stock rims and their rims were 40mm offset. Hope this helps
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That is definitely under consideration. I am pretty disciplined with numbers and money. It needs to make sense for me to gain comfort. I'm 64 years old and have had my current vehicle for almost 20 years and I haven't had a vehicle of beauty since the mid 90s (a red '87 4runner with chrome rock rail step ups that was just great looking. After that it has been completelyabout practicality. I am looking at a cost benefit ratio with consideration to it being my last vehicle of beauty. I am willing to give a little bit on practicality, but I still need it to be reliable, durable, and long lasting.
It looks like this already got answered...60mm offset on stock LC/LC if my info is correct. I went with 40mm offset Icon Recon SLX wheels after reading, studying and worrying about it WAY too much. 'couldn't be happier. The additional "poke" and wider wheel really emphasizes the LC's stance and should prove excellent off-road. I went with Nitto Terra Grappler G3 in 275/70x18. Interestingly, my fuel mileage has dropped more than expected (from 22 down to 19.5 overall) but I also removed all of the front bumper lower aid dams at the same time. It's hard to say what part each change played in lower MPG. Oh well...I didn't buy it to be an economy vehicle anyway!
Well that’s why we bought one. First Toyota. The video that sold us what the detailed review by the care care nut on YouTube. As a new model the reliable and durable is being bought on faith. The review helped us understand that better and gave us confidence.
I would drive one first as the truck ride will be different from the Pilot. I would expect more sway and likely a busier drivetrain. However if you drive with ahem the patience that befits your (our) age you will find it very comfortable. It’s not a vehicle that likes to be hustled. We are 3 month and 5000 miles into ours and it has been flawless and pleasant.
We bought a 1958 as it gets dogs and skis and grandchildren and other unruly and sharp things thrown in it and it handles them just fine.
The LC is a totally different class of vehicle and well worth it if that is what you are looking for. However, if you want some adventure but optimized for on road situations then why not check out the 2026 Honda Passport? Honda/Acura have one of the best all wheel drive systems available and the the Trailsport trims have some nice outdoor oriented features.
If I was looking for a strictly on-road vehicle, this would not be my first choice. I love my LC - it's the perfect blend of on-road driving performance and off-road capability. But, you can find much better handling and quieter rides at a lower cost with more luxury than the LC. Body-on-frame is not the way to go for a mall crawler. A slightly used Porsche Cayenne would probably be my first choice for an on-road specific vehicle (buying used lets someone else take the big depreciation hit in the first 3-5 years). If you're looking for something new, the Acura RDX is a fantastic vehicle in terms or price/performance/luxury and will cost way less than the LC.
Get whatever vehicle you like. A landcruiser doesn’t HAVE to be used off road. When I go into the city I see all kinds of lifted Jeeps with big aggressive tires. When I’m in the woods I don’t see any.
Welcome to the asylum Tazbom.
“Easy to maintain”..
It may be that the iForceMax drive train is not a good choice for you, as the complexity of it may involve the dealership to fix when it develops problems. You may consider looking a the 2025 4Runner, which gives you more options on the drive train. Having said that.. I would never choose a 2025 4Runner over Miss Daisy, my ‘24 LC FE.
I honestly don’t think any motor vehicle is a “lasting good investment”. But for me, it was love at first sight, and joining a somewhat exclusive “LC club”, if that makes any sense. I will probably never take Miss Daisy anywhere that her off road prowess can shine. But I love her anyway..
Interesting question you pose - is any mild hybrid based around current battery tech going to be long lasting ? Maybe it will be fine for 8-10: years and then need battery replacement - not sure what the thinking is about them really long term
In UK we have a straight diesel and that brings its own challenges when looking long term as current Govt isn’t keen and is already ramping up carbon fuel taxes and I suspect that will accelerate over the coming years
Hard to look at long horizons in the vehicle space
In UK we have a straight diesel and that brings its own challenges when looking long term as current Govt isn’t keen and is already ramping up carbon fuel taxes and I suspect that will accelerate over the coming years
Hard to look at long horizons in the vehicle space
LC's don't have to be used off road, but as many have stated, you are paying a premium for the off road capability. If you find one with the stock Michelin tires, they're great on road tires and provide a nice ride. I'm 5,000 miles in and have really enjoyed it so far.
I was waiting for the question focused on “fit” - are you very tall or in some other way concerned by physical “fit” or is fit being used more loosely as in whether it fits your use case ?
Sorry we Brits perhaps use “our” language a little differently
Sorry we Brits perhaps use “our” language a little differently
