Went to drive the 4R, now prefer the LC

[Ike582]

I went to a local dealer to drive a new 4Runner, as I've been set on buying either a Limited or a TRD Sport Premium. Drove the Sport Premium, which was nice, but felt a little small inside. The 4 cylinder turbo engine was fine but sounded a bit buzzy. As I was parking the 4R, I spotted a gorgeous LC Premium. The salesman grabbed the keys and we took it for a drive. It was a completely different experience. First, the hybrid engine was much more enjoyable to drive. And the premium interior was WAY nicer than the 4R and felt much less cramped. Rear seat room seems much better as well. Overall I now much prefer the LC over the 4R.

That said, the LC is a big step up in price over the 4R, to no surprise. I have zero interest in the 1958 model, which seems to be significantly discounted. What kind of a discount, if any, can I expect to negotiate on the LC? Once you get close to $70k, we're now into LR Defender, Lexus GX territory, and I've recently been offered an Audi Q8 for $70k. Any advice from the Forum? Thanks

 

[AlexGates]

$2k-5k off depending on market. Sales seem to have picked up on the LC LC around here, they aren't sitting as long. Nobody wants the 1958 it seems. I think I got $3500 off mine w/o any sort of fight, they had me though since it had 20's and no sunroof.

The Premium seems to go the quickest. But, IMHO, the LC mid is the one to get. I had to travel to get a LC Mid, they are vapor around here.

 

[Ike582]

$2k-5k off depending on market. Sales seem to have picked up on the LC LC around here, they aren't sitting as long. Nobody wants the 1958 it seems. I think I got $3500 off mine w/o any sort of fight, they had me though since it had 20's and no sunroof.

The Premium seems to go the quickest. But, IMHO, the LC mid is the one to get. I had to travel to get a LC Mid, they are vapor around here.

Thanks for the quick reply, but I'm not familiar with the terminology of the LC LC and the Mid. The only two LC's I was able to distinguish were the 1958 and the "better" model with the rectangular headlights.

 

[Matsayz]

There’s the Land Cruiser 1958, then going up is the “base”, then you can get Premium added to the base which is all the fancy stuff like bigger screen etc etc

 

[TimHerald]

I went to a local dealer to drive a new 4Runner, as I've been set on buying either a Limited or a TRD Sport Premium. Drove the Sport Premium, which was nice, but felt a little small inside. The 4 cylinder turbo engine was fine but sounded a bit buzzy. As I was parking the 4R, I spotted a gorgeous LC Premium. The salesman grabbed the keys and we took it for a drive. It was a completely different experience. First, the hybrid engine was much more enjoyable to drive. And the premium interior was WAY nicer than the 4R and felt much less cramped. Rear seat room seems much better as well. Overall I now much prefer the LC over the 4R.

That said, the LC is a big step up in price over the 4R, to no surprise. I have zero interest in the 1958 model, which seems to be significantly discounted. What kind of a discount, if any, can I expect to negotiate on the LC? Once you get close to $70k, we're now into LR Defender, Lexus GX territory, and I've recently been offered an Audi Q8 for $70k. Any advice from the Forum? Thanks

Around here you can get premiums and big discounts of $4-6k. LC-LC (mid) are not getting discounts. 1958’s on sale all over.

 

[Ike582]

Great info, thanks. I think I'm going to grab it if I can get a good price on my trade and a $4k discount.

 

[bkral]

I'm picking up a Premium LC in Heritage Blue for $67,039 OTD with a $30,000 trade-in reducing taxes.

 

[AlexGates]

There’s the Land Cruiser 1958, then going up is the “base”, then you can get Premium added to the base which is all the fancy stuff like bigger screen etc etc

The screen on the Base is the same as the Premium.

 

[mrock]

IMHO, if you buy a Defender, be prepared for huge depreciation and reliability issues. The Audi Q8 is a good road car, but will not compare to the LC250 off road. German cars are nice but expensive to maintain. The LC mid can be had all day in the $60's. If you are going to do any off- roading, don't pay the premium for the 20" wheels.

 

[Ike582]

My off roading is relatively mild. Think Last Dollar Road in Telluride, which I've done for 35 years in everything from an Audi Q5, Ford Equinox, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and a Range Rover. I really like the exterior visibility, comfort, practicality and looks of an SUV, but my use case will not strain the off-road capabilities of the LC.

 

[mrock]

I live 20 minutes away from Last Dollar Road. Easy and beautiful. You should buy what makes you happy.

 

[Ike582]

I live 20 minutes away from Last Dollar Road. Easy and beautiful. You should buy what makes you happy

Thanks! I spend about 1/3 of the year in Telluride, so we might be neighbors!

 

[PDPete]

The lowest Land Cruiser trim, the "1958" is pretty comparable in price to the lowest hybrid 4Runner trim (TRD Offroad iForceMax). Probably the biggest deal-breaker for most with the 1958, at least in terms of a daily-driver, is the cloth seats instead of Softex or leather.

But anyway, the LC essentially only comes in 3 trim levels or configurations, with not many options to have to pick and choose either, but the names aren't incredibly intuitive...

• "1958" is the scaled down "back to basics" trim level, as mentioned with cloth seats, smaller infotainment screen and gauge cluster, no MTS, and lack of front cameras, just to name a few...oh, and the round headlights
• "Land Cruiser" trim (aka "base" or "mid-level" trim) has the softex seats, MTS, front-facing cameras, larger screens and upgraded stereo
• "Land Cruiser with 'Premium Package'" has all of the features of the base trim level, but is upgraded to leather seats, moon roof, cool box, JBL premium sound system, and probably a few things I'm forgetting about. I think this may be the options package that includes the 20" wheels as well.

Personally, I think the 1958 is at least worth looking at, it's the easiest to find at dealerships and will fetch the largest discounts under MSRP.

 

[Ike582]

Thanks Pete. I drove the LC + Premium package and really liked that model.

 

[Northeast44]

The lowest Land Cruiser trim, the "1958" is pretty comparable in price to the lowest hybrid 4Runner trim (TRD Offroad iForceMax). Probably the biggest deal-breaker for most with the 1958, at least in terms of a daily-driver, is the cloth seats instead of Softex or leather.

But anyway, the LC essentially only comes in 3 trim levels or configurations, with not many options to have to pick and choose either, but the names aren't incredibly intuitive...

• "1958" is the scaled down "back to basics" trim level, as mentioned with cloth seats, smaller infotainment screen and gauge cluster, no MTS, and lack of front cameras, just to name a few...oh, and the round headlights
• "Land Cruiser" trim (aka "base" or "mid-level" trim) has the softex seats, MTS, front-facing cameras, larger screens and upgraded stereo
• "Land Cruiser with 'Premium Package'" has all of the features of the base trim level, but is upgraded to leather seats, moon roof, cool box, JBL premium sound system, and probably a few things I'm forgetting about. I think this may be the options package that includes the 20" wheels as well.

Personally, I think the 1958 is at least worth looking at, it's the easiest to find at dealerships and will fetch the largest discounts under MSRP.

I love the cloth seats. They are like an old-school LazyBoy. There is a uniquely retro wholesomeness to the 1958 that I would not trade for leather or a HUD. The whole thing immediately reminded me of a family friend's 80 series land cruiser with cloth seats I rode in back in the day.

I do wish the 1958 had a front camera, but I think I will get better at placing it in spots over time. Skill issue as the kids say.

 

[PDPete]

I love the cloth seats. They are like an old-school LazyBoy. There is a uniquely retro JDM wholesomeness to the 1958 that I would not trade for leather or a HUD. The whole thing immediately reminded me of a family friend's 80 series land cruiser with cloth seats I rode in back in the day.

Yeah, having owned vehicles with cloth, leather, and softex, I never understood why leather seats in particular were so popular... they get too hot in the summer, and require a decent amount of upkeep to keep them looking good and not falling apart.

I was first a bit bummed the 1958 didn't have an option for Softex (because it is closer in comfort to leather but easier to take care of), but the 1958 seats are the easily the highest quality cloth seats I've owned, and they feel nice and durable...doesn't even really compare to other cloth vehicle seats I've owned that had a cheaper, plushier feel to them. As soon as I took the test drive, I was like, "Oh yeah, these will work just fine".

Having had my 1958 for a few months now, if I was given the choice of keeping the cloth seats or replacing with Softex, (and assuming cost is no issue nor part of the equation), I'm honestly not sure which I'd choose...I may very well opt to keep the cloth.

 

[Northeast44]

I was first a bit bummed the 1958 didn't have an option for Softex (because it is closer in comfort to leather but easier to take care of), but the 1958 seats are the easily the highest quality cloth seats I've owned, and they feel nice and durable...doesn't even really compare to other cloth vehicle seats I've owned that had a cheaper, plushier feel to them. As soon as I took the test drive, I was like, "Oh yeah, these will work just fine".

Obviously people should purchase whatever they like best, but I am inclined to agree. These are absurdly nice cloth seats. You would need to go to a John Deere or Caterpillar dealer to find a better cloth seat.

 

[uraniumrich]

Yeah, having owned vehicles with cloth, leather, and softex, I never understood why leather seats in particular were so popular... they get too hot in the summer, and require a decent amount of upkeep to keep them looking good and not falling apart.

I was first a bit bummed the 1958 didn't have an option for Softex (because it is closer in comfort to leather but easier to take care of), but the 1958 seats are the easily the highest quality cloth seats I've owned, and they feel nice and durable...doesn't even really compare to other cloth vehicle seats I've owned that had a cheaper, plushier feel to them. As soon as I took the test drive, I was like, "Oh yeah, these will work just fine".

Having had my 1958 for a few months now, if I was given the choice of keeping the cloth seats or replacing with Softex, (and assuming cost is no issue nor part of the equation), I'm honestly not sure which I'd choose...I may very well opt to keep the cloth.

I had Softex in my 2023 Venza and was generally unimpressed with the durability, look, and feel compared to leather. Having said that, it's really tough to tell the difference between Softex and leather, especially since the quality of the leather Toyota is using is not particularly high. I've seen the Katzkin leather and thought it felt much nicer than the Toyota OEM leather. I don't see the cloth seats in the 1958 as a disadvantage, just a different choice. For me, the disconnect mechanism, the cameras, the larger screen, etc. were bigger reasons to move up to the LC or LC Premium.

 

[thoswhitesq]

I was debating 1958 or LC (w/out premium). Went 1958 because I love the seats and figured that was the feature I would notice the most. I wish there was an option to upgrade the 1958 to get the tech features of the LC though. That would be perfect.

 

[APIOQM]

I love the cloth seats. They are like an old-school LazyBoy. There is a uniquely retro wholesomeness to the 1958 that I would not trade for leather or a HUD. The whole thing immediately reminded me of a family friend's 80 series land cruiser with cloth seats I rode in back in the day.

I do wish the 1958 had a front camera, but I think I will get better at placing it in spots over time. Skill issue as the kids say.

I would have been a lot less likely to go with the 1958 if it didn’t have these lovely cloth seats. Other things I prefer on the 1958: roof rail delete, black trim on tailgate, round headlights, rim style and road tires.

I have a skill issue too when it comes to precise parking. My solution is to reverse in!