Toyota owners seem to be a fickle group

[jhguth]

I'm waiting to see how reliable the Broncos, if it's not shit I'll probably leave Toyota eventually unless the 6th gen is better than expected (or they do something crazy like release a non-luxury land cruiser)

 

[Jetboy]

I'm waiting to see how reliable the Broncos, if it's not shit I'll probably leave Toyota eventually unless the 6th gen is better than expected (or they do something crazy like release a non-luxury land cruiser)

Somewhere in another thread there was a little discussion. But the cliff's notes is that Toyota said dealers want the Land Cruiser name, not the Land Cruiser product and Toyota's cheaper model is probably looking like it's not the LC300, but something else with a landcruiser badge on it. Maybe the next gen Prado?

 

[Louisiana Overland]

Dumb down? You think the electronic computerized gizmos of ATRAC and Crawl Control are dumbed down? Why does the shift lever matter? Either way they are electronically actuated transfer cases.
Sounds like you want a 1970's vintage 4X4.

They only offer the full 4wd features on the top trim level. I guess if you could read between the lines im wishing lexus built an offroad oriented model. Equipped like the trd off road 4 runner but with the v8. Id go for that.

And yes...dumb it down some...the electronics features on lexus are over the top. Its a bit much.

 

[Space King]

Well I like my 4runner. It's got a lever sticking out of the console and knobs on the ceiling. Plus you can bolt all sorts of metal bits to it.

 

[750ml]

Yes, it's true that when Akio Toyoda took over he issued a companywide decree for "no more boring cars." And since that time, he's given designers more power in the production process. Several major Toyota designers have verified this in media interviews as they've discussed changes in the process of creating those cars and others like the 7th Gen Camry.

Toyota's current vehicle-development strategy elevates a new "product chief designer" to work alongside the chief engineer as equal partners in creating vehicles. This was previously unheard of at Toyota.

Some on the forum have expressed frustration at Toyota's seeming lack of change as they've put their house in order. But vehicle development is a many year process and only recently are we beginning to see the fruits of Toyoda's directives. Like you, I too hope this bodes well for tomorrow's 4Runner. What's especially interesting is that Toyota and Mazda jointly run a plant in Alabama and Toyota had previously announced they would build Corollas there. But Toyota just announced a couple of weeks ago they will be building a "new, yet-to-be-announced SUV" at the location instead. Could this be the FT-4X? If so, Toyota may be responding to the Bronco sooner than later.

I don't think the FT-4X would hurt the jeep or the Bronco, but it would destroy Subaru.

 

[750ml]

Heck, I just want an inside rear hatch handle and rear window switch in the cargo area to make camping easier.

 

[Jetboy]

I don't think the FT-4X would hurt the jeep or the Bronco, but it would destroy Subaru.

That might be true. It'll really compete well with the Honda Element too!

But seriously it's a little bit of an odd choice given that Subaru just became an official subsidiary of Toyota. Could sell under both brands?

 

[itr1275]

Heck, I just want an inside rear hatch handle and rear window switch in the cargo area to make camping easier.

I remember seeing a button to open the hatch in an aftermarket kit. I "think" it was for the powered hatch.

 

[ElectroBoy]

Heck, I just want an inside rear hatch handle and rear window switch in the cargo area to make camping easier.

Check out the Ultimate Camping Mod for rear window pop and up/down control. I’ve done it and it works great. I located it on the rear hatch window sill area. Here’s the link. See the later posts in the thread.
Ultimate camping mod- rear window up / down and hatch pop with ignition off!

 

[750ml]

Check out the Ultimate Camping Mod for rear window pop and up/down control. I’ve done it and it works great. I located it on the rear hatch window sill area. Here’s the link. See the later posts in the thread.
Ultimate camping mod- rear window up / down and hatch pop with ignition off!

Beautiful!

 

[Jetboy]

Something worth noting. Toyota does still makes some stunning low volume stuff. There are very few cars I'd buy over this at any price if I had the $ and storage for another weekend cruiser convertible or sports car. One of these would be in my garage. I'd probably even put a gray hair toupe in the glove box and some golf clubs in the trunk so I could fit the part of a typical owner. For me - the LC500 will never go out of style.

 

[thennen]

Something worth noting. Toyota does still makes some stunning low volume stuff. There are very few cars I'd buy over this at any price if I had the $ and storage for another weekend cruiser convertible or sports car. One of these would be in my garage. I'd probably even put a gray hair toupe in the glove box and some golf clubs in the trunk so I could fit the part of a typical owner. For me - the LC500 will never go out of style.

I'm with you on the LC500. I watched a 20-minute video once of a guy taking it through the twisties, and it sounds great, too.

 

[CO-Cygnus]

Something worth noting. Toyota does still makes some stunning low volume stuff. There are very few cars I'd buy over this at any price if I had the $ and storage for another weekend cruiser convertible or sports car. One of these would be in my garage. I'd probably even put a gray hair toupe in the glove box and some golf clubs in the trunk so I could fit the part of a typical owner. For me - the LC500 will never go out of style.

Nice Car, but I'd have to get a Boxster/Cayman GTS for that kind of money.

 

[cb1111]

Something worth noting. Toyota does still makes some stunning low volume stuff. There are very few cars I'd buy over this at any price if I had the $ and storage for another weekend cruiser convertible or sports car. One of these would be in my garage. I'd probably even put a gray hair toupe in the glove box and some golf clubs in the trunk so I could fit the part of a typical owner. For me - the LC500 will never go out of style.

And it is the one in the lineup where that "thing" in the front works(where normal cars have a grille).

 

[Jetboy]

And it is the one in the lineup where that "thing" in the front works(where normal cars have a grille).

I think it just fits that style of body. IMO it actually looked great on the SC430 when someone did a modified front clip.

On a SUV... not so much. I'm not sure it gets worse than the LX570 version.

I think the need to use the same design language across an entire brand of vehicles makes no sense. What works on a 4Runner doesn't have to also work on a Camry.


I really hope the 6th gen 4Runner gives us a very obvious cut-line and/or separation point for the lower bumper cover like they do on the newer Prado. Looks a little funny - but functional for aftermarket bumpers.

 

[AZ Craig]

Nice Car, but I'd have to get a Boxster/Cayman GTS for that kind of money.

Radically different class of vehicle though. LC500 is a grand tourer (available as a convertible).

Boxster/Cayman (especially in GTS trim) is a full on mid-engine sports car.

They're both great vehicles for the price, but this is like comparing a Jeep Wrangler to a Ford Expedition .