Need advice! Second vehicle..land cruiser or sequoia..or someting else?

[nyvram]

I just can't get rid of my beloved 4Runner.

I can't.

But I just got remarried (most beautiful woman on the planet btw) and we now have 3 children and 2 dogs to take on trips.

My 4Runner ain't cutting it.

So I'm hoping y'all can help me find a second vehicle for us (mainly my wife) to drive when we're taking trips.

I'll even post a pic of her if that helps sweeten the pot. I just can't put my baby in a van.

 

[blizz86]

If you have the money, then go for the LC !!

 

[Jaystoy]

Sequoia will net you the most room and lower price. Make sure tbelt and exhaust manifolds are up to snuff. Land Cruiser same issues same motor. Watch the 4 speed autos they have been known for some issues on 98-03? I believe. I had an 01 LX470 great rig although the leveling suspensions repairs are $$$$$. Never had issues myself. Hit a stationary object at 55 head on and walked away. I would not hesitate to buy any of them over 100k with service records as they are a great bang for the buck and the ride is excellent. When I get one again it will be a Cruiser with a mild lift and tires etc. Good luck!

 

[MCObray]

FZJ80 or UZJ100. Pick your poison .

 

[zooroadbaja]

Coming from a LX450 you don't have much more room then a 3rd Gen, and gas was 10-11 mpg built. Factory is 12-14 mpg. Never owned a 100 series, but I was between the 100 series and the 3rd Gen 4Runner.

 

[Tucson Mike]

I was in a similar situation as you. When our third child was born, it was a little tight having 3 car seats in the back on our 2000 4runner. We ended up buying a 2005 sequoia with 3 row back seat. This has been a very nice vehicle to take on trips, lots of room can separate the kids etc. I still have the 4 runner and it's my daily driver and the wife has the sequioa. It has worked out well for us.

 

[chris360hawks]

Gx470

 

[nyvram]

Gx470

Is this really an upgrade over the Sequoia? I don't care about simulated wood grain and other luxury upgrades.. More of a keep-it-simple guy.

 

[ironhippy]

Coming from a LX450 you don't have much more room then a 3rd Gen, and gas was 10-11 mpg built. Factory is 12-14 mpg.

I disagree with this, my LX450 feels like it has WAY more interior room than my 4runners did.

Gas mileage is horrible though.

If you are considering a Land Cruiser, check out this forum: IH8MUD Forum

 

[farmerjon]

OP: If you're looking outside Toyota, but want to stay in SUVs, the Honda Pilot is excellent. Third row seats (factory) for some, seats 8, good MPGs (over 20 highway), and powerful. Look for an older one, like a 2005.

If you weren't looking for the space, I would suggest another 4Runner for your wife...

 

[Dan.3]

I had a 94 FZJ80. The extra space was not that significant over the 3rd gen. If the 4runner isnt cutting it, the 80 or older sequoia isnt going to be an improvement. I would suggest, a suburban, ford excretion, or the new sequoia. Or get a crew cab tundra and put a cap on the back. The space in the newer crew max tundras is ridiculous.

 

[Jaystoy]

^^^^Ummm have you been in a 1st gen Sequoia? you can easily put 3 car seats wide in the second row.

 

[arnott1t]

First Gen Sequoia's have an epic amount of interior space compared to the 4runner or an 80 series. My Sequoia has been great. It has tone of room and is very comfortable to drive and ride in. One thing I like about the 1st gen over the newer is the ability to completely remove the third row. With it out the room is fantastic. Mileage isn't great but it isn't terrible either. I can get 18mpg or so but really average closer to 15mpg. Be sure to get a later model 05+ one with the better motor and transmission.

 

[Dan.3]

Been in first gen seqouia. Almost bought one. I could put 3 car seats in my 3rd gen. Along with my 200lbs dog in the back. But if the 3rd gen isnt cutting it, the extra space in the first gen sequoia, 80, 100 is going to be marginal and will not see any significant improvement especially on long trips. For the MPGs you get with the sequoia, you can get the same mpgs out a suburban or late model tundra with alot more room for luggage and dogs. As much as I like the quality of toyota, if space is an issue and you dont want a van, then you need to consider jumping ship and going to a chevy or ford. If the OP said he just need something to drive around town, the sequoia, 80, or 100 series would be plenty. Im going off the point he made about making trips.

 

[Stick Figure]

Been in first gen seqouia. Almost bought one. I could put 3 car seats in my 3rd gen. Along with my 200lbs dog in the back. But if the 3rd gen isnt cutting it, the extra space in the first gen sequoia, 80, 100 is going to be marginal and will not see any significant improvement especially on long trips. For the MPGs you get with the sequoia, you can get the same mpgs out a suburban or late model tundra with alot more room for luggage and dogs. As much as I like the quality of toyota, if space is an issue and you dont want a van, then you need to consider jumping ship and going to a chevy or ford. If the OP said he just need something to drive around town, the sequoia, 80, or 100 series would be plenty. Im going off the point he made about making trips.

pffft Suburban ... just pick up an old School Bus from an auction and grab some ratchet straps for the car seats. NOW you have some room.

 

[shadow247]

I would consider a Suburban in all honestly. Epic amount of room, amazing long distance vehicle. I have loved every suburban that my dad has owned, they have always been great on roads trips. Fuel economy is on par with what you will get with V-8 Sequoia, so there is not much to compare against there. Get a 2000-2006 Suburban, there were tons of them made, can be had in a 2500 Series with 8 lug axles if you desire, and are pretty dang reliable. I have seen many in my shop go up to 200k miles on originial engines. While that's nothing like I have seen from Toyota's, it's pretty good from an American truck standpoint.

 

[nyvram]

you'd really recommend a ford or chevy with comparable specs over a toyota?? i mean i'm not a snob..but i grew up a ford & gm kid and from the time i had my first datsun pickup, i was sold on japanese vehicles. it would be a huge mental shift for me to consider going to a suburban now over a comparable honda or toyota.

are the early 2000 suburbans really that trouble-free? i want her to have something safe that won't ever strand her. my ex had a landrover and the damn thing literally stranded her about 6x in the year we owned it. (sold it with the quickness)

by comparison, i've batted 1000; datsun pickup, honda accord, nissan pathfinder, honda civic and toyota 4runner..none of these vehicles i've owned have ever had an emergency that left me on the side of the road.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Sequoia, first gen. It has an engine with a timing belt as well. Nice torque. They have their quirks but are low maintenance for the most part. My aunt got 271,000 miles out of hers before a UPS driver rear ended her.

Also look at the newest Highlander if you can afford it. Very roomy.

I'd go Tahoe if looking for American, but as it being American, be ready to wrench on it when the time calls for it.

Congrats on getting hitched.....again. Once was enough for me.

 

[Dan.3]

you'd really recommend a ford or chevy with comparable specs over a toyota?? i mean i'm not a snob..but i grew up a ford & gm kid and from the time i had my first datsun pickup, i was sold on japanese vehicles. it would be a huge mental shift for me to consider going to a suburban now over a comparable honda or toyota.

are the early 2000 suburbans really that trouble-free? i want her to have something safe that won't ever strand her. my ex had a landrover and the damn thing literally stranded her about 6x in the year we owned it. (sold it with the quickness)

by comparison, i've batted 1000; datsun pickup, honda accord, nissan pathfinder, honda civic and toyota 4runner..none of these vehicles i've owned have ever had an emergency that left me on the side of the road.

I think you might be confusing the Tahoe with a Suburban. GM has a very reliable drivetrain. Its the stuff they put around the drivetrain that is the problem. I have yet to see anything that produced by a Asian or Eruopean company that competes with a suburban or excursion with the exception of the new sequoia.

 

[Jaystoy]

Let's not forget the wife needs to navigate in it. Suburbans are a handful in any parking lot and same with the excursion, not to mention they are epic piles of crap. Drive one with over 150k on the clock and compare to the Toyota and there is no comparison. The Toyota will easy for her to drive and park.