Who is upgrading in 2025 and to what?

[Bundutrailer]

Love my 4th Gen, best car ever owned with more joy than European cars I owned, but after 15 years looking to upgrade.

Looking at The Landcruiser 250, GX550 and 6th Gen I mostly overland.

Whose else has switched lately? What are people looking at?

 

[andynj]

i have considered upgrading but everytime I look the thought of spending the amount of money required for a new vehicle compared to the function, reliability and ease of maintenance of my 07 T4R the numbers just don't add up.

Sure I would love ventilated, massaging seats, a digital dash, adaptive cruise and a panoramic sunroof but I really don't need them plus I don't want to have to have to go to a dealership when they break even if its covered by warranty.

At this point unless I am forced to buy or current prices drop by 30% I am standing on the sideline for the next few years. If I was forced to buy something now it would be a 5th gen T4R or a previous gen Lexus GX. Not any of the new turbo hybrid crap

 

[Syr4RinNC]

Thinking strongly about the 6th gen
- My 4r is one big problem away from being done for. I had this persistent coolant leak, that took me forever to get sorted, but seems good for now.

I had a hole patched in the frame, but reportedly the rest looks solid

I have this maintenance shop that believes my parking brake cable needs to be replaced and would have to drop the gas tank to do that and may be challenging given the rust/ etc

Additionally, would like something with a little more safety features as ive started doing more long drives (toyota safety sense) though I also like the simplicity of my 08

Also would like more off road tech, as without a locker, I really struggle climbing hills anytime I off road

 

[Inv4drZm]

Kept my 4R but bought a 19' Tundra with 18k miles. Proven drivetrain, enough tech for me, and slightly better fuel mileage on newer drivetrains doesn't pay for the vehicle cost difference especially with the low mileage I drive per year.

 

[Bundutrailer]

Kept my 4R but bought a 19' Tundra with 18k miles. Proven drivetrain, enough tech for me, and slightly better fuel mileage on newer drivetrains doesn't pay for the vehicle cost difference especially with the low mileage I drive per year.

What’s surprising all these new Toyota models including hybrid the fuel consumption difference is small.

i have considered upgrading but everytime I look the thought of spending the amount of money required for a new vehicle compared to the function, reliability and ease of maintenance of my 07 T4R the numbers just don't add up.

Sure I would love ventilated, massaging seats, a digital dash, adaptive cruise and a panoramic sunroof but I really don't need them plus I don't want to have to have to go to a dealership when they break even if its covered by warranty.

At this point unless I am forced to buy or current prices drop by 30% I am standing on the sideline for the next few years. If I was forced to buy something now it would be a 5th gen T4R or a previous gen Lexus GX. Not any of the new turbo hybrid crap

Am considering also used eg a 1 year old car. The new car 4X4 prices vs value is not that great.

 

[SocalSam]

When it is time, I will get the newest and best condition 5th gen. I'm sold on the 1GR-FE.

 

[CAFunRunner]

I ended up going with a 2024 Land Cruiser 250. I’m loving it so far. I'm getting used to all the tech; the digital gauge cluster is nice, but I find that I want to know all the info from the truck and can never decide, especially compared to my 2005 4Runner, which has fuel level and engine temperature. Off-road performance is fantastic. I’m very happy with the switch.

 

[Berty_K]

Went with a late model GX460. Has enough tech to make it feel modern, without going overboard (IMO) like some of the newer models.

And V8 baby.

 

[Bahnstoermer]

I'm going through this exact dilemma right now...

Can't go new Tundra: the engines blow up.
Don't want to go new Tacoma: 4cyl, hybrid, the transmissions blow up.
Outgoing GX460: has the V8 and wonderful interior, but no on KDSS, barn door, and overly Asian styling...
Won't go new "Land Cruiser": 4cyl, hybrid.
Love the look of the GX550: ain't paying $85k...

Really only leaves previous gen Tundras / Tacomas for me...

Hello BTC to solve politicians' destruction of the USD, and shame on them for doing it, but that's a different worm hole and the dollar destruction isn't getting undone; here we are.

Thinking 2020-2023 4x4 Limited Tacoma? I don't know, it's weird times to not really have anything to get excited about...

 

[OLD BOB]

An old guy here. I have had 3 FJ Cruisers, 5 4runners and a lot of other stuff.
I still have my 04 for a hunting vehicle but a year ago I upgraded from my 2020 TRD PRO to a 22 Lexus GX 460. I really like it , a lot. It is a Black Line Edition. More power, smoother, quieter than the 4 Runners.
I still do warranty inspections for most of the vehicle manufactures daily. I personally will never own a vehicle of any brand with a turbo engine. The failure rate is about 4 times higher than a non turbo engine. A customer pay replacement of a turbo on a new Tundra is over $4000 and a lot more on any European vehicle.
Everyone has to decide what is important to them and decide but the reason that most of us buy Toyotas is reliability

 

[Bundutrailer]

When it is time, I will get the newest and best condition 5th gen. I'm sold on the 1GR-FE.

Interestingly The landcruiser 300 in Dubai also comes with that engine, that would be an easy choice for me the 1GR-FE is one of the most reliable engine ever.

I'm going through this exact dilemma right now...

Won't go new "Land Cruiser": 4cyl, hybrid.
Love the look of the GX550: ain't paying $85k......

Love the GX, curious to see what they do with the hybrid version. I would prefer non turbo engine wth hybrid than turbo non hybrid, one can only dream.

 

[4R005]

Picked up a preowned '21 Tacoma TRD Off Road w/DC SB 3 weeks ago. Not into off roading but love the looks of this truck. Still very attached to the '05 T4R AWD w/V8 Limited. Not planning to sell it unless wifey puts her foot down.

 

[dfontes]

With Toyota/Lexus switching to turbos engines, new transmissions, and all the problems coming from that, I think it is best to avoid these new generations and wait until the next new generation. By then, Toyota will have (hopefully) learned and worked out all the kinks of their turbo engines, and be back to the Toyota reliability we've come to know and love.

If I was in a pinch, I'd just get another V8 06-09 4Runner or maybe a 5th Gen 4runner if the the V8 was really hard to find. These things really are made to last as long as you keep the frame clean.

 

[Bundutrailer]

With Toyota/Lexus switching to turbos engines, new transmissions, and all the problems coming from that, I think it is best to avoid these new generations and wait until the next new generation. By then, Toyota will have (hopefully) learned and worked out all the kinks of their turbo engines, and be back to the Toyota reliability we've come to know and love.

If I was in a pinch, I'd just get another V8 06-09 4Runner or maybe a 5th Gen 4runner if the the V8 was really hard to find. These things really are made to last as long as you keep the frame clean.

Good point my 09 is at 105k miles barely broken in could wait and upgrade the head unit to CarPlay and maybe lights to modernize.

 

[alia176]

This is a cool thread as I'm learning about new models and such. By no means I'm upgrading anything but it's always good to learn from reading. My 2UZ is still cranking away at 425xxx miles and is finally smoking on startup (thinking valve stem seals). I'll keep driving her like I stole her, but I do admire all the cool rigs that are around.

Oh, just for clarification, I got no wife

 

[dfontes]

Good point my 09 is at 105k miles barely broken in could wait and upgrade the head unit to CarPlay and maybe lights to modernize.

I did exactly that with mine and added a backup camera. Can't really think of any other bell or whistle I would need.

 

[Ventil8]

I’m planing to get a 2028 6th Gen. I bought my 2005 Sport V6 4R new in March 2005. Blown engines, failed transmissions, 4 cylinder turbo, blah blah won’t deter me from making the purchase. I love the new look of the 6th Gen and really love the TRD PRO which I’m budgeting $65-70K paying in cash. It’s a lot of money but I keep 4R for a long time.

 

[TGTINT]

I've done the opposite, sold a newer 3rd gen Tacoma and decided to go back to something simpler and more fun. A 2006 V8 4WD Sport with 80k Miles.

Installed car play and a backup cam, going to spend the saved money on a 911

 

[Bundutrailer]

I've done the opposite, sold a newer 3rd gen Tacoma and decided to go back to something simpler and more fun. A 2006 V8 4WD Sport with 80k Miles.

Installed car play and a backup cam, going to spend the saved money on a 911

After watching this new video from Tinkerer, wow Toyota has really cut corners on the new cars.

I am also considering a LC200 due to this but they are pricey!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VDIEP0pydE

 

[AngryHumanoid]

Well it was less of an intentional upgrade and more of an "Oops I guess I won that auction"... but I got a surplus police car for my kids to drive, but now I'm having issues with my 4Runner so I think I'll be driving it in 2025. I don't mind tho cause it's a lot of fun to drive so... yay?