Sequoia & Land Crusier

[Falls]

Just throwing this out there to stir the Toyota pot a little. All though they are both full size SUVs , but really have different purposes and appeal to different crowds.

Why are these never advertised or promoted ? I know the LC has had a loyal following with off roaders , but does the Sequoia have that , can you mod them , lift's tire's ect.... they seem like a pretty nice vehicle you just never hear anything about them for off road use or on road use for that matter .

I have people ask me if the still even make the LC . Does it have ind. front suspension or solid axle.

Do you guys see these being dropped form the Toy line up soon ? I honestly would'nt mind either one if they were'nt so damn expensive. Especially the LC .....jesus 60-65 k . Does the new LC still have the off road abilities it used to ? It was quite a legendary off road vehicle at one time .

 

[Bill42]

Sheesh, they are both so large now. My wife has an Expedition, roughly the same size, and I can't imagine wanting to go off road in it.

I also thought that there was no reason to continue to have both but I have changed my mind. The Sequoia is a family SUV not intended for off-road.

The LC on the hand can do it all - in style and comfort. Of course, I can't imagine taking a 65k vehicle off-road (maybe have to ask Thai about this). Nonetheless, it would continue to make a great expedition type of vehicle - can handle all sorts of conditions.

I am hoping my wife's 98 Expedition holds out a bit longer. I would like to get her a new LC when/if they change the body style.

 

[Uneek]

Toyota does run commercials on the Sequoia here and the rebates offered on it. I've never seen any type of advertising on the LC, be it commercials about the truck or discounts.

IMO, the Sequoia is more of a people hauler than off-roader due to its large size--it's a vehicle for those who refuse a minivan or want to tow and carry 6+ passengers. It's very close to the Expedition and Tahoe dimensions. The Sequoia should be able to off-road, but it may be tough getting it through narrow trails.

Land Cruiser has IFS in the US, solid axle overseas from what I recall in a review when the current gen was first released in '98. The previous gen had a solid front axle, according to the same review. Most SUVs sold state side don't go off-road, so Toyota made it more plush. In another thread Thai mentioned RTIs, 4R being the lowest, FJ in the middle and the LC was higher than 4R and FJ.

IMO, I don't know if Toyota will drop the LC or not. I hope not, even though I wouldn't be able to afford one anytime soon. The LC is a lengendary off-roader and many foreign countries use it a lot. My guess is Toyota will release another LC after the Tundra, hopefully it'll retain it's off-road prowness and have the new 5.6 V8. Besides, Lexus needs an expensive LC cousin for the bling bling factor and something people can slap 24's and/or spinners on.

 

[dwulffusa]

I agree. The 2 serve different segments. The Sequoia is just a big moms taxi, the LandCruiser is serious offroader or boulevard cruiser, as you please, it does both well. Dare I say it, there is no american equivalent.
To further clarify the LandCruiser spec, in the US you get only one variant in 4.7 V8 full spec form. This is what is sold as the VX model in Europe/Africa/UK, albeit under slightly different names - in UK its LandCruiser Amazon, in Africa and Australia - LandCruiser 100.
In other countries the lower spec is a GX version which includes a solid front axle, cloth seats, steel wheels, manual transmission etc, and is offered in a 4.5 I-6 petrol or 4.2 I-6 diesel, these would be considered anemic by US stds, but they go anywear and last forever, and used high mileage ones still sell for ridiculous prices (just check out www.autotrader.co.za). Co-incidentally the VX is also offered in a 4.2 I-6 turbo diesel which is pretty much the one of choice.

I too cannot afford one yet in the US, but when I can, I hope there is a new model (come on this one has been almost unchanged since '99), that offers a V8 turbo diesel, which we eagerly await the new Tundra to be fitted with, but still sails down the highway like a Lexus, and climbs over obsticles like a Wrangler!

 

[mtnracer]

Land Cruisers are definitely the way to go if you can afford it. I almost bought a used 2000 model before I bought my 4R but the seller told me he gets only about 11mpg in the city. No thanks to that with todays gas prices.

In many 3rd world countries the older LC are still most popular. From what I understand, Toyota still makes new (factory fresh) FJ-60s and FJ-80s for some markets.

 

[OUTRNNR]

When I lived in Australia I took a vacation to a place called Fraser Island. Basically its a huge sand bar that's about 120 km long and 10 km wide with a very wide beach on the ocean facing side and rainforest in the middle. The wide beach serves as a type of "highway" for all of the 4x4 traffic going up and down the beach. Many different trails spawn from different parts of the main beach and take you to pristine inland freshwater lakes. Many of these trails are single track with 6-12" of sand in each rut, so needless to say you need something pretty capable to get around.

When I went I signed up with this 4x4 outfitter which basically put 10 people in an older diesel land cruiser. I'd say it was a late 80's early 90's model with the 5 speed manual and low range with dual fuel tanks. This thing was amazing. It went everywhere and anywhere we wanted it to go and that was loaded down with 10 peoples crap and all of our supplies (which went on top of course). It had two front bucket seats and rear benches which were oriented back to front with space in the middle. A tight fit for 10 people, but we were young and drunk so it didn't really matter. Also, lucky for us, it had A/C. We only got stuck once and that was when I was dumb enough to let one of the girls drive. She wasn't being sensitive enough with the clutch and nearly dug us 4 deep holes, but with a little rocking and some clutch magic from yours truly we got it out and kept moving.

This expedition is what really turned me on to Toyota. The only vehicles on the island were Toyotas, Jeep Wranglers, and a couple of other random makes (Land Rover, Isuzu, etc.) and these huge tourist buses that were lifted like two feet and had 42" tires and a massive suspension system. They just floated through the jungle, it was amazing. Alot of people get stuck, but we managed not to need help once. If you ever vacation in Australia and feel the need to 4x4 you should definitely check out Fraser Island, one of the coolest places I've ever been.

Also, when I was in for service a couple weeks ago I was checking out a Land Cruiser they had on the showroom floor. Man those things are NICE!! Full appointment of leather and wood with all the hi tech switchgear for the 4x4/climate control/suspension system. Looked like the inside of a Range Rover. Very very nice. But yeah, it was like $65k so why not buy a Range Rover? Anyways I still liked it a lot. Maybe they'll put the engine from the new Tundra in eventually?

 

[boston_kevin]

LandCruisers won't go anywhere for a while... This is also Lexus LX470 top-of-the-line SUV. While these two vehicles are at the top for polluters, they are also some of the best riding SUV's around.

Sequoia on the other hand is a direct competitor for the full sized SUV's from GM & Ford, and it based on the Tundra platform. No Lexus equivalent for this model, but from what I hear, still a capable off-road family hauler (just don't do any rock climbing with it).

 

[blue2006]

when i leased my 2003 4runner the dealer told me that the LC was going to be discontinued and only sold as the lexus 470...obvioulsy that never happened, however, most dealers don't typically stock many LC's, you usually need to get one transported or do some trecking to other dealers...i've been thinking about the bigger trucks myslef, although i love my 06 4-runner. I run large scale gas powered model boats and when transporting more than 1 in the 4-runner i use all the available space...i cruiesd to the toyota website and the sequoia is definatley NOT a bigger LC, its just big, period. the LTD models are nicely equipped, but its not a 4x4 powerhouse like the LC. its for people that want a suburban but dont like the american trucks...its nice, but fairly basic. I think with the gas prices the way they are now, a good deal could be found on a LC...as far as changes...the only change i noticed was the standardization of the rear seat DVD system...other than that they havent been changed in a Looong time...i really like the black garnet pearl color, a nice deep red with pearl effect...sweetness
anyone want to buy my 4-R?? LOL