MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Watty2975 on May 12, 2013, 07:54:35 PM
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Hi all
Well I have finally convinced the wife it is time to upgrade the trusty Patrol. It has been a great truck for the last 10 years.
With our third child on the way (due in 7 weeks) I have been using the argument of more room needed with 2 car seats etc.
We have discussed getting a 200 and there seems to be good deals on them at the moment.
It doesn't make it any better seeing the new ones on here and reading about the 200's on order!!
Help convince me of the benefits of the mighty 200. The wife has suggested a Prado as well. This might be the only chance to get the 200.
Also where have people been finding the best prices?
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Hey,
Definitely seize the opportunity if it presents itself!
For me, the 200 stood out as the car to get. I was wanting a car that was good to do highway kilometres, capable of towing and capable as a 4WD.
The Twin Turbo Diesel is amazing, and fun to drive (my previous car was a VE SS ute).
The automatic gearbox, is fantastic and really great to use both around town and out in the bush. The gearbox was probably my biggest concern when I bought it - I had never driven a 200 until I owned one. I had previously spent a month in a automatic 100 series cruiser, and the transmission in it was horrible swapping up and down gears without any reason. The 200 picks the right gear straight away and works really really well.
I am very very pleased with my cruiser so far, and can recommend it easily.
BTW - as far as best deals, I have always found carsales.com.au to be my friend. There is always a car dealership somewhere in Australia who's looking to unload a car for some reason. I have just used this price on my own dealer and generally had success. I have found Toyota dealerships difficult to deal with though in comparison with most other brands.
Happy shopping.
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G'day Watty,
I moved from a GU IV to an '09 VX Cruiser, TTD (that's Twin Turbo Diesel) - 195 Kw & 650 nm torque.
Fuel consumption in the Cruiser is about the same as the 'Trol, but MUCH more power. It's the most comfortable vehicle I've ever owned.
A mate bought a 120 Prado (second hand) about the same time. From what I saw, the Prado wasn't as rugged as the Cruiser, nor doesn't have the towing capacity.
I was never going to own a Cruiser because one pays too much. But then Nissan gave me the sh!ts and pushed me in Toyota's direction. I can't thank Nissan enough.
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A mate bought a 120 Prado (second hand) about the same time. From what I saw, the Prado wasn't as rugged as the Cruiser, nor doesn't have the towing capacity.
Define rugged? I think that belongs with Patrol and Defender.
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Why wouldn't you get one, if you can afford it and it fits in your garage? It's really that simple. My wife % I were always anti cruiser as we thought they were too big and popular. But 1 test drive was all it took. Was never a diesel fan either, but now could NEVER go back to petrol power. Tow like there is nothing on the back, super relaxed for long distance driving, and despite the economy concerns of some still way less usage than a petrol V8 when towing.
And Dazzler, does rugged = solid axles?
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Hi Watty,
We have had our 2nd hand 2008 200 series since the start of the year. Without a doubt my favourite 4x4 I have ever owned.
It felt massive when we first purchased it, but have gotten used to its bulk, any other vehicle now almost feels to small.
SWMBO only said yesterday how much she loved the 200.
You will not regret a 200
:cheers:
Glenn
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I have owned my 200 series TTD for the past 3 years, most comfortable and capable vehicle, they are great power wise as standard, however I have a stienbauer chip and 3" exhaust fitted which now gives 255kw and 890 nm of torque,
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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The Prado is a good vehicle, but you'll appreciate the additional room in a Land Cruiser. Trouble is. once you've had all that space no other vehicle is big enough 8).
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(http://www.emineomedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Emineo-Media-nike-just-do-it2.jpg)
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Thanks for the great replies guys. It is reinforcing my "need" for one.
Have been deliberating for the last 18months.
I have a couple of quotes coming in tomorrow. We will be looking at a GXL TTD. Hoping the price and finance rate come in at the right level. However bread and water may be a fair sacrifice!
Keep the replies coming!! :laugh:
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Thanks for the great replies guys. It is reinforcing my "need" for one.
Have been deliberating for the last 18months.
I have a couple of quotes coming in tomorrow. We will be looking at a GXL TTD. Hoping the price and finance rate come in at the right level. However bread and water may be a fair sacrifice!
Keep the replies coming!! :laugh:
We just signed up for the same yesterday,after the first drive we where both hooked. If your still unsure.just book a test drive.
They are doing great deals now too.
cheers, matt
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Define rugged? I think that belongs with Patrol and Defender.
My friend was having troubles with his Prado, a very squeaking front left shocker. As weight was put on the guard, with the bonnet up, to compress the shock, the guard could be seen to warp & flex.
I'm not being critical of the Prado, but see the cruiser as more solidly built. This goes part way to explaining the price differential, I'm sure.
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My friend was having troubles with his Prado, a very squeaking front left shocker. As weight was put on the guard, with the bonnet up, to compress the shock, the guard could be seen to warp & flex.
I'm not being critical of the Prado, but see the cruiser as more solidly built. This goes part way to explaining the price differential, I'm sure.
You are right. There were issues with installing a second battery, winch bar and winch and then adding HD shocks that caused cracking in that area.
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Howdy Watty
The Prado's are a great and capable 4WD with out doubt. I know as I own one and flog it. The thing is it's never going to be a 200 series. For me its my first 4WD and I love it. I have 2 young kids and there wasn't really much room between the car seats for another person unless they were very little so the 200 series would win there for you.
The power of the D4D struggles abit when towing as the setup I have is a little on the heavy side, so no pulling out to overtake without alot of space. Hmm would love that 200 series power. So depending if your towing and have a lot of weight the 200 series would win there also.
Price well the Prado will win there as well obviously their cheaper and for me I brought what was within my budget. Unfortunately I didn't plan on what it was gunna cost to kit it out for the touring I do and that was expensive.
For me the next car I get will be a brand spanker 200 series, bugger the expense!
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Thanks ondaboat
All relevant points for us. There will be 3 kids (2 car seats) and associated crap. We currently tow a campomatic with tinnie on top and the 3lt patrol does struggle a bit even with exhaust and DP chip.
It may just mean a bit of the kit on the new one will take a bit longer after the bank balance recovers.
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There will be 3 kids (2 car seats) and associated crap. We currently tow a campomatic with tinnie on top and the 3lt patrol does struggle a bit even with exhaust and DP chip.
I'd HIGHLY recommend a GVM upgrade at the time of purchase. ARB go from 3300 to 3580 & Lovells go to 3800.
The Cruiser weighs in circa 2700 kg, with a factory GVM of 3300. I can tell you from experience, that once you add a bull bar, drawers, fridge, tinnie, and those 3 kids grow up, you'll reach the factory GVM really quickly.
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I to love the 200 the only thing that holds me back that in the budget i can afford either gets me a second hand 200 or a brand new prado and i like new car smell
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As everyone else has said, mate once you have one, there is no going back.
The engine is great, gearbox takes a bit of getting used to but is also now great
I stepped up from a 2002 ZD30 patrol also swearing that I would never go down the Toyota path....now I find myself wondering why I did not sooner. By far the best all round vehicle I have ever owned.
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I am in the same dilemma, but I also really like the Discovery 4 too. Be interested to know what your quotes come back at Watty.
What are people's opinions on KDSS - get it or don't?
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What are people's opinions on KDSS - get it or don't?
I have KDSS as standard on a VX, and haven't driven a non-KDSS Cruiser. That said, I'm mightily impressed with how well the vehicle corners on the bitumen with no where near as much body roll as the old 'trol.
If and when this Cruiser gets updated, the replacement will certainly have it.
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I am in the same dilemma, but I also really like the Discovery 4 too. Be interested to know what your quotes come back at Watty.
What are people's opinions on KDSS - get it or don't?
My opinion would be to get the KDSS, probably the best option available, maybe factory lockers as well ;D
If you go for the D4, get the E-diff and rear air if you can, mine has these, the rear air is brilliant.
Baz.
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I am in the same dilemma, but I also really like the Discovery 4 too. Be interested to know what your quotes come back at Watty.
What are people's opinions on KDSS - get it or don't?
Mine does not have KDSS and I am very happy with it and I have not driven one with so I can not compare.
From everything I hear though. Those of us that do not have it, do not know what we are missing, so we are very happy with what we have got.......if that came out right.
Two things turned us away from the D4 when we were looking. The Landrover dealer would not take me seriously....and I likw the option of 17" tyres as opposed to the 19"'s
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Mine does not have KDSS and I am very happy with it and I have not driven one with so I can not compare.
From everything I hear though. Those of us that do not have it, do not know what we are missing, so we are very happy with what we have got.......if that came out right.
Two things turned us away from the D4 when we were looking. The Landrover dealer would not take me seriously....and I likw the option of 17" tyres as opposed to the 19"'s
Yep totally agree on both counts, the 19" rims are a joke, there are 18" rims available now, but only aftermarket, still they are a pain to get AT or mud tyre for, thankfully mine is the early 2.7ltr, so 17" rims will fit mine.
Baz.
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My $2 worth. You lose too much money on a brand new car, a good second hand may suit.
I would consider what tracks you want to take the car on, I would be nervous as hell to take it on the OTL at the Cape where as my 100 series with what extras I added only amounted to $20,000 (paid $17,000) and only 136,000 k's on the clock. If I get a scratch on it I dont care.
I suppose each to their own as they are a great car.
Mark
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Thanks guys. Some great feedback there.
I have considered KDSS. A mate of mine has it and one I drove one that didn't. I honestly didn't notice the difference, although I'm sure there is a big one.
I have looked at second hand, under 60 000 klm and have found that for around another $6000 I can get a new one with full warranty. Although they loose a few dollars initially they seem to retain Their value like nothing I have experienced as a Nissan owner!!
I have read a bit about the GVM upgrade. What sort of dollars is the upgrade worth?
Chester, I was in the same boat second hand 200 or new Prado, but we have decided cruiser is the way to go for what we want so are going to go the extra with the current deals.
JKohn, I will let you know how the quotes go. Didn't come through today.
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My opinion would be to get the KDSS, probably the best option available, maybe factory lockers as well ;D
If you go for the D4, get the E-diff and rear air if you can, mine has these, the rear air is brilliant.
Baz.
Baz Their aint no factory lockers in Oz ???
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I am in the same dilemma, but I also really like the Discovery 4 too. Be interested to know what your quotes come back at Watty.
What are people's opinions on KDSS - get it or don't?
John cruiser went up $1500 across the range in March. Pretty much below is what i think is achievable based on my research and what i see/saw on lcool, all TTD.
GX $71k
GXl $81k (non KDSS)
VX $91k
Sahara $107k
Biggest selling models seem to be GXL and Sahara. i went with VX because i needed folding mirrors (seriously) and i thought seeing you got F&R sensors, KDSS and leather that it was better value over GXl. That was my justification not casting!
Having had the KDSS and belted it around the outside of an Audi going up Lapstone Hill faster than i ever have I am impressed, but that could be the Lovells as well?
The D4 again without bagging them out comments by you and other re compressor failures turned me off a little, then at the dealership two things happened. First we rock up and he tells me as Saturday is 1st of the month all the specials we discussed yesterday finished and the spec I looked at had gone up $10k WTF! Then the model he had aside to show me wouldn’t work! Windows wouldn’t go up and something else failed. Walked next door and sat in a Cruiser (Altitude) and all the family including two boys who adored the Disco agree rear leg room murdered the D4.
Initial 1000kms This thing is simply the best vehicle I have ever owned (not just fourbies) it is magnificent to drive. The room, the power, oh the Power, you just decide to pass and its done.
I have done the Lovells GVM upgrade and changed tyres to D697 from new. Re GVM, my thoughts are if you are considering fitting it out and towing haevy things go Lovells you will need the 3800kg. if all you are going to do is fit drawers, bulbar and Driving lights and have a light towball download the ARB upgrade will surfice.
ARB GVM upgrade $2300
Lovell’s GVM upgrade $3800
Really needs to happen before first rego.
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None of you bastards is helping talk myself into the new Prado......................at $70K odd for an altitude a 200 is.........
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None of you bastards is helping talk myself into the new Prado......................at $70K odd for an altitude a 200 is.........
Glad to not be of help.... ;D
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Hi Watty,
Go for the 200!
We have a 2011 VX TTD with KDSS.
As every one says power power power!!
We tow an Aussie Swag, with 3 boys and all the gear to go with it.
Performed faultlessly over summer in the high country. It is my daily drive and I would not swap it for anything!! any extra dollars you spend now you should get back when you sell.
Good luck choosing the colour of your new 200! (The only decision for you that is left to make)!
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None of you bastards is helping talk myself into the new Prado......................at $70K odd for an altitude a 200 is.........
that's why I reckon they keep the GX price. If the 200GX was $60k I reckon Prado sales would tank but not as fast as 3lt Patrols.
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I went to look at a 200, got the 100 out of the shed, drove down the road and realised I couldn't part with it. They are a nice car and drive well, particularly in the TTD. Good luck with the purchase.
:cheers: Cracka
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John cruiser went up $1500 across the range in March. Pretty much below is what i think is achievable based on my research and what i see/saw on lcool, all TTD.
GX $71k
GXl $81k (non KDSS)
VX $91k
Sahara $107k
Biggest selling models seem to be GXL and Sahara. i went with VX because i needed folding mirrors (seriously) and i thought seeing you got F&R sensors, KDSS and leather that it was better value over GXl. That was my justification not casting!
Having had the KDSS and belted it around the outside of an Audi going up Lapstone Hill faster than i ever have I am impressed, but that could be the Lovells as well?
The D4 again without bagging them out comments by you and other re compressor failures turned me off a little, then at the dealership two things happened. First we rock up and he tells me as Saturday is 1st of the month all the specials we discussed yesterday finished and the spec I looked at had gone up $10k WTF! Then the model he had aside to show me wouldn’t work! Windows wouldn’t go up and something else failed. Walked next door and sat in a Cruiser (Altitude) and all the family including two boys who adored the Disco agree rear leg room murdered the D4.
Initial 1000kms This thing is simply the best vehicle I have ever owned (not just fourbies) it is magnificent to drive. The room, the power, oh the Power, you just decide to pass and its done.
I have done the Lovells GVM upgrade and changed tyres to D697 from new. Re GVM, my thoughts are if you are considering fitting it out and towing haevy things go Lovells you will need the 3800kg. if all you are going to do is fit drawers, bulbar and Driving lights and have a light towball download the ARB upgrade will surfice.
ARB GVM upgrade $2300
Lovell’s GVM upgrade $3800
Really needs to happen before first rego.
I'm 5' 11" and I'm supprised you and the family reckoned the rear seat leg room was that bad, seemed pretty good to me, how tall are your wife kids ??? this was one of the reasons we chose the D4, the room inside, yes the Cruiser was bigger in the 1st and 2nd row seats, but not by much, but the cargo section and carry load was larger(no need for a GVM upgrade)
I do agree about the poor customer service from LR Dealers, they just don't care and are only interested in customers looking at the top of the range vehicles and people that will just agree with anything they say I know this from talking to them, phone manners are poor at best, also doesn't supprise me about there test vehicle, having spoken to their tech section and seen some of they handy work, they have no clue about the vehicle, could not answer one question I asked about the car, they just don't like people questioning their diagnoses, you just get blank stares and the computer reckons there's nothing wrong WTF >:D
We love the car, just a beautiful car too drive, amazing offroad, but no way would we buy another one, not after the treatment we have been subjected too, I think our next vehicle will probably be a 200 series as well, but that's a far way away yet.
Anyway enough about the D4, back to the topic at hand, I think Watty has made the right choice, I know a couple of people with the 200 series and I have driven one, they are very nice and that V8 is lovely.
Baz.
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Baz there teenagers and fitted in the D4 but they just had more room in the cruiser. And remembering that they will grow over the next 4 years we intend to have the car for. We have been caught before as the kids grow.
If I could have taken one thing from the D4 it's the seats. I think the leather Altitude/VX seats are better in the Crusier than the GX/GXL fabric (support wise ignoring any fabric/leather debate) but still away short of those D4 seats.
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A good place to talk about cruisers is lcool (land cruiser owners on line, they have a specific 200 series section in there.
I'm a forum member over there. Tonnes of very knowledgeable people, just like this forum it is very good.
Linkage:
http://www.lcool.org/forum/index.php (http://www.lcool.org/forum/index.php)
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Thanks again guys for all the feedback and discussion it has really helped cement our decision. Sorry to the Perspective Prado buyers, I feel your pain!!
The dealer quote seems to be the best it will get and they are coming to the party with the finance rate. Just waiting for the email confirmation to come through.
Now there is the colour choice: silver, shimmer, graphite, white. Leaning towards the silver or shimmer. The dealer is also getting an ARB quote on bullbar, suspension and snorkel.
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Really happy with our 200. Regardless of offroad ability, it just feels so nice to drive.
Just had a conversation yesterday with my husband about when people change their minds about stuff? For example, when the 200 first came out, for the first few years, it seemed nobody wanted to go anywhere near one, and they seemed to be rubbished everywhere you looked/read etc. And we got our fair share of "you'll be sorry" when we ordered ours. Always by people that didn't actually have one mind you! And all of a sudden it seems in the last 12 months or so, numbers of them on the road have exploded, and they are getting nothing but praise! Our car has many many identical twins out there!
If the car suits your needs, you like the car, and can justify the dollars spent, (for me this is completely different to the financial ability to purchase) you will enjoy it for sure.
There was a thread a while back about the 10 steps to buying one...it was pretty much spot on for us! :laugh:
Dee.
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MarDon, perhaps one of the reasons numbers have exploded in the last 12 months is that the buyers of the very early models have started trading up to brand new ones? 5-6 years seems to be what a lot of people do, especially those that lease which I believe would apply to a fair number of 200's. Or this statement could be plain BS.
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Could be nbd73. Could also be that once we got ours 18 months ago, we just notice them a whole lot more now! Like anything, don't pay much attention to others until you get/do something, then all of a sudden it seems everyone has one/is doing the same! Kids/campers/cars etc...
Dee.
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I think it's a combination and some of what NBD says is right. The secondhand ones have to go somewhere. But I think it is an acceptance that they ain't an oil guzzling white elephant that's worst than a 100 series, But the opposite.
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Hi, I had 3 Patrols over 21 years. They were used & abused 4 wheeling around this great country of ours and they performed well. I am a member of a 4WD club.
The new petrol Patrol was a disappointment & I couldn't bring myself to buy the 3 litre so bought a new LC200 diesel in March & couldn't be happier The power, gearbox, space & fitment are excellent.
Just had an ARB fitout & am off to the Canning Stock Route in July.
Good luck with your deliberations.
The Eagle
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Thanks Eagle
Just returned from another test drive. Toyota are going to arrange an overnight test drive next week. SWMBO drove it today and the further we went the less she noticed the size and felt it drove like a car. Just highlighted again how truck like my GU Patrol is.
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Thanks Eagle
Just returned from another test drive. Toyota are going to arrange an overnight test drive next week. SWMBO drove it today and the further we went the less she noticed the size and felt it drove like a car. Just highlighted again how truck like my GU Patrol is.
Watty my wife has only driven the 200 for a 100-150ks so far (yeah Iam not a sharing kinda guy) Imediatly she is more confident and comfortable in it than the Pajero. She was never cool with the Pajero's "top heavy" feel or the poor vision at the back due to headrests, spare wheels etc.
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Watty my wife has only driven the 200 for a 100-150ks so far (yeah Iam not a sharing kinda guy) Imediatly she is more confident and comfortable in it than the Pajero. She was never cool with the Pajero's "top heavy" feel or the poor vision at the back due to headrests, spare wheels etc.
mine would not drive the trol unless backed into the corner. Despite tha additional size, she is more than happy to drive the Cruiser. The auto gearbox also means that she will be able to do a driving stint when the camper is on the back as well.
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I'm in the same boat currently. I'd narrowed my choices down to the LC200 or the D4. I REALLY like the D4 and if it wasn't for one small factor that is what I'd aim for. But we are a family of four and I currently own a Nissan R51 Pathfinder (don't laugh!) which has the same GVM (670kg) as the D4. I have struggled from day one to stay under the GVM and my kids are still only little. I believe this is the single biggest factor for a family towing tourer.
I've done the numbers on the Pathy over and over. Once I hitch up the Swan, I can't have a longer fuel range tank, can't get a winch. I even had to ditch the roof rack and pull out the 3rd row seats to stay under the GVM. 670kg is not enough by a long shot.
So, the LC200 has just a bad a payload BUT it has one thing over the D4, it's GVM can be upgraded. In my book, WIN, game over. The D4's adjustable suspension, whilst it would be wonderful for the wife, can't be touched aftermarket and you are stuck with only 670kg.
I do have concerns regarding the LC200 that would be good to add here for anyone else researching.
1) Is the oil consumption really that bad?
2) I've read alot about a vibration through the steering wheel?
3) I'm guessing it's not the greatest for parking around town?
Oh, and we sat in one yesterday and my wife felt very small and expressed her concerns for being able to handle such a beast. She's 5' 4" and is worried once the thing gets lifted she won't be able to get the kids into their car seats, let alone get herself in!
Cheers
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I'm in the same boat currently. I'd narrowed my choices down to the LC200 or the D4. I REALLY like the D4 and if it wasn't for one small factor that is what I'd aim for. But we are a family of four and I currently own a Nissan R51 Pathfinder (don't laugh!) which has the same GVM (670kg) as the D4. I have struggled from day one to stay under the GVM and my kids are still only little. I believe this is the single biggest factor for a family towing tourer.
I've done the numbers on the Pathy over and over. Once I hitch up the Swan, I can't have a longer fuel range tank, can't get a winch. I even had to ditch the roof rack and pull out the 3rd row seats to stay under the GVM. 670kg is not enough by a long shot.
So, the LC200 has just a bad a payload BUT it has one thing over the D4, it's GVM can be upgraded. In my book, WIN, game over. The D4's adjustable suspension, whilst it would be wonderful for the wife, can't be touched aftermarket and you are stuck with only 670kg.
I do have concerns regarding the LC200 that would be good to add here for anyone else researching.
1) Is the oil consumption really that bad?
2) I've read alot about a vibration through the steering wheel?
3) I'm guessing it's not the greatest for parking around town?
Oh, and we sat in one yesterday and my wife felt very small and expressed her concerns for being able to handle such a beast. She's 5' 4" and is worried once the thing gets lifted she won't be able to get the kids into their car seats, let alone get herself in!
Cheers
Pathfinding, I will try and answer some of your questions, please bear in mind these are MY experiences only.
1) Mine has used no oil since I got it. When looking at second hand cars we always check that the log books had been done on time. When looking for the 200, I also looked to see if any of the services were late. With the one we got, it had once gone 15,000k's between services, if it was using oil, then this would not be possible, so for once a late service was actually a selling point. If you are buying new, from what I have read on LCOOL, they all seam to use a bit of oil for the first 20,000k's or so, then it mostly vanishes.
2) I have never really felt any vibration through the wheel. It definitely has less vibration than the old trol did so for me this is a non-issue. Perhaps if you were coming from a Rolls you may notice something, but I think the vibration thing is relative.
3) Parking around town is easier than the old trol was due to the fact it has a better turning circle. It is big, but never really been an issue for the boss or me. She does not like revers parallel parking it though............. lol
4) The boss for me is 5'6" and she has no issues with getting in or out of it now it is lifetd, but again the old trol had a 5" lift in it so, again she likes the cruiser better.
Hope that helps mate, and anything else, fire away :)
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SNIP
I do have concerns regarding the LC200 that would be good to add here for anyone else researching.
1) Is the oil consumption really that bad?\
2) I've read alot about a vibration through the steering wheel?
3) I'm guessing it's not the greatest for parking around town?
Oh, and we sat in one yesterday and my wife felt very small and expressed her concerns for being able to handle such a beast. She's 5' 4" and is worried once the thing gets lifted she won't be able to get the kids into their car seats, let alone get herself in!
Cheers
1)The oil consumption thing was overplayed, mostly by people who have 'friends of friends' and not owners. Pre mid 2009 there were a few using oil, like mine, ( about 1L/4000km, but Toyota fixed it and like 99 % of them on the forum with a new scavenger pump, it now uses 1l /10,000km approx. I am ok with that. There are 2 - 3 owners on LCOOL whop have experienced big oil use and Toyota replaced the rings but this was very limited. I believe all post June 2009 are ok.
2)Yep most diesels seem to vibrate the wheel at around 1800 RPM. It's not too bad and it either goes away or you don't notice it after a while, not sure which though. It isn't a big issue or vibration. It's easy to forget you are in a diesel.
3)It's a big 4wd though with the camera it is a lot easier than any of my other 4wds to park.
The biggest issue is that fuel use is great to start and goes up with all the crap you put on it ( tyres, roof rack, bull bar, etc etc etc). You gotta feed them horses when under load.
Get it! It is the best car I have ever had, and by miles the best 4wd. It is quieter than a BMW on the road and goes great on it's own or towing. KDSS is great off road and it has a better RTI out of the factory than a 2" lifted GU. The TC works well and the diesel V8 provides fantastic engine braking down steep hills.
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1)The oil consumption thing was overplayed, mostly by people who have 'friends of friends' and not owners. Pre mid 2009 there were a few using oil, like mine, ( about 1L/4000km, but Toyota fixed it and like 99 % of them on the forum with a new scavenger pump, it now uses 1l /10,000km approx. I am ok with that. There are 2 - 3 owners on LCOOL whop have experienced big oil use and Toyota replaced the rings but this was very limited. I believe all post June 2009 are ok.
2)Yep most diesels seem to vibrate the wheel at around 1800 RPM. It's not too bad and it either goes away or you don't notice it after a while, not sure which though. It isn't a big issue or vibration. It's easy to forget you are in a diesel.
3)It's a big 4wd though with the camera it is a lot easier than any of my other 4wds to park.
The biggest issue is that fuel use is great to start and goes up with all the crap you put on it ( tyres, roof rack, bull bar, etc etc etc). You gotta feed them horses when under load.
Get it! It is the best car I have ever had, and by miles the best 4wd. It is quieter than a BMW on the road and goes great on it's own or towing. KDSS is great off road and it has a better RTI out of the factory than a 2" lifted GU. The TC works well and the diesel V8 provides fantastic engine braking down steep hills.
x 2. In particular the vibration was something I noticed, but as stated its not bad, just annoying for a modern vehicle but I barely notice it now so you do get used to it. No oil consumption in 2 services and 1 year of ownership. Reverse camera brilliant. My wife drives ours no problem. Fuel use: hey its a 2.7tonne V8 4wd which tows anything without slowing down, you're not going to get 3.0l V6 economy out of it, but it tows better than those style of vehicle. Don't be confused by numbers relating to engine performance, many of those smaller diesels claim big numbers but they don't tell the whole story. The graph of the outputs, matching of gearbox and performance under load are more relevant factors than simply comparing magazine style stats. Disclaimer: have not personally driven the land rover 3.0 but others that have still say the Toyota tows better overall.
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FYI.
Just made a phone call to WA Suspensions and you can get the Lovells LC200 GVM upgrade to 3800kg on the used models aswell. The "new car" clause is for federal approval. On used models you can get State approval instead. What they don't say is that a state approval is recognised in all other states aswell... it's also cheaper.
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I do have concerns regarding the LC200 that would be good to add here for anyone else researching.
1) Is the oil consumption really that bad?
2) I've read alot about a vibration through the steering wheel?
3) I'm guessing it's not the greatest for parking around town?
!
Cheers
1. No, I'm on my way to a 120,000 km service. I'd guess that I've put no more that three or four litres (HTF does spell check change litres to "lite press"?) in the engine (apart from normal servicing) in 3.5 years.
2. I have a very slight buzz but usually I'm only aware of it when I think of posts on LCOOL and concentrate on it.
3. It's got power steering, my wife's shorter than yours and she has no issues. I have no problem reverse parking into a standard road-side parking bay, with a vehicle already parked front and rear.
Get the Lovells upgrade - 3800kg GVM
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Hi pathfinding
Iam pretty new to the cruiser so can't answer all your questions. I haven't noticed any wheel vibration yet (800ks) but remember many issues are subjective, and what annoys some is nothing to others. Ie snorkel and wind noise, you put a 100mm tube in the airflow next to your window, it's reasonable to expect it to increase wind noise IMO, does it annoy me, not yet but others have taken issue. But I want a snorkel so it has to be.
Be careful with the GVM upgrade, NSW no longer allow the after Rego upgrade and so may not accept other states? The Lovells upgrade gives it a great lift and ride, very happy.
ATM my biggest beef is I have had it 3 weeks and only done 800ks!
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I'm picking up my 200 series GXL in two weeks when I fly back to Queensland, it's taken me years to get my wife out of her XR8 falcon and into a cruiser, she has always reckoned they were too big blah blah blah
In recent times she has been driving my Hilux more, so thought now was the right time, she took the 200 for a drive a couple of weeks ago, and. Couldn't wipe the grin off her face.
We do a lot of touring around with the CT behind the Hilux, but with two small kids it was getting to me, lack of power, no room in the back seat with two kiddies seats etc...
So for us it's the 200. We have got a new one that's plated 2012, GXL, silver and on road for $79 990. I'm happy with that, I opted against the kdss, have driven both with and without, and personally I didn't see it offering me too much for what I need. I'm happy with the decision. It's first drive will be when I pick it up in Brisbane in two weeks and point it north to Townsville, then straight in for first service I suppose.
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Congatulations KieranR. What colour did you order?
I am placing my order tomorrow. Silver GXL TTD. non-KDSS for the same reasons you list.
Did the deal to sell our Patrol to mate yesterday.
Now going through the, "it's been a great car, lots of accessories. Are we doing the right thing."
Another test drive should straighten me out!
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We got a call from our dealer on Thursday, saying Toyota had a white GXL in stock and they where securing that for us.
We where expecting it too take longer, we need to hurry up and sell our SS as quick as we can now.
While at the ARB sale yesterday we also got a quote on a winch bar, snorkel and GVM upgrade, also picked up a 12000lb warn at the sale.
Watty, we also went through the stage of doubting if we had done the correct thing, but once it's ready to go and you have that first drive you will be glad you did.
Cheers Matt
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We got a call from our dealer on Thursday, saying Toyota had a white GXL in stock and they where securing that for us.
We where expecting it too take longer, we need to hurry up and sell our SS as quick as we can now.
While at the ARB sale yesterday we also got a quote on a winch bar, snorkel and GVM upgrade, also picked up a 12000lb warn at the sale.
Watty, we also went through the stage of doubting if we had done the correct thing, but once it's ready to go and you have that first drive you will be glad you did.
Cheers Matt
Matt you have the winch now so it maybe too late, the M12000 is a great winch and the warns mount on the ARB bars so nicely, BUT the M12000 needs the bar to come off to remove and service the winch! And removing bars on modern cars is a lot more involved.
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Congatulations KieranR. What colour did you order?
I am placing my order tomorrow. Silver GXL TTD. non-KDSS for the same reasons you list.
Did the deal to sell our Patrol to mate yesterday.
Now going through the, "it's been a great car, lots of accessories. Are we doing the right thing."
Another test drive should straighten me out!
Ours will look like twins mate, we've got a TTD in silver pearl as well mate, until I get my hands on some gear and start the mods. I transformed my Hilux over a 12 month period when I bought it standard into a capable touring vehicle, I'm keeping the Hilux so I'm going to have to buy all the gear again - it's only money I suppose
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That's the spirit! You can't take it with you.
Our Patrol was highly modded with winches, drawers ect etc. this one will probably get and ARB bar, suspension and snorkel. With a new baby (3rd) on the way our driving focus will change for a while.
Look forward to your pics when you get it. I expect we will pick ours up late June after we move south.
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Deal done. 200 ordered today!!
Silver Pearl TTD GXL. Will pick up in late June.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and feedback. Pics to come!
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Deal done. 200 ordered today!!
Silver Pearl TTD GXL. Will pick up in late June.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts and feedback. Pics to come!
Congrats mate, welcome to the "wait" think you have picked an awesome colour :cheers:
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Thanks for this thread. I finally got it out of my head that we need a 200 and that keepin the nt pajero is the best thing to do. And now I realize I might just need one.
It does t help that the wife wants one too... Might just have to get one for my Chrissy present, and send the wife back to work to pay for it!
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You are already ahead. It has taken me 2 years to convince the wife. Convincing her eating bread and water to pay for it might take a bit longer!
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Good job mate, mine arrives in Brisbane on Friday, but. I don't get back until the 1st June, so I'm picking up that morning, then a quick scoot to the goldie for lunch with a friend before pointing it towards Townsville, should be a Nice drive by myself, listening to John Williamson all the way without having the wife and kids whinge about my choice of music. I got silver pearl as well.
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Congrats. What a great way to get to know the car with a long drive home.
Not too long to wait and the best colour!!