Hi Zimm -
Please fill me in with a basic comparison between the two. I still like Landcruisers and am eying one on the West coast as we speak but havn't made an offer yet. This G came along unexpectedly and I see that it didn't sell for $8K so I was hoping to steal it for maybe $10-12K though I think that's probably naive. From your note it seems that the parts and the upkeep on the G-s is very expensive. Please educate. Also, it seems this one was imported directly from Germany - would I have problem sourcing parts on this side of the ocean?!
Thanks in advance -
James
OHHHH NOOOOOOO. thats not a 12k truck!
if it was, i'd buy it!
ive never driven a 200lc, and those are $$$ so ill leave that out.
without a specific question, in general, and keeping in mind each company continually comes out with electronic advances in traction and stability control...
1996G vs 2001 LexusLX
on a tight trail, the G is easier to place without a spotter. its reallllly square, but the turning radius is oddly suckie. the 100 is a bit of a pig sometimes. stock it will drag more and rides plain heavier.
approach and departure go to the G hands down, but that can be almost rectified with aftermarket bumpers, and the fact that the LC can fit 33's stock and 35's with a moderate cheap lift. not so simple OR cheap for the G.
i thought the solid front axle for the G would be a greater advantage. it isnt. the suspension doesnt really allow it to take advantage of the possibilities, so i cant say its better than the independent front on the LC. and it gives up NVH on road imperfections.
obviously the G is locked all around, and only a rear is available stock on a LC 100. my G's front hasnt been inoperable since it failed the fist day i had it... but i havent needed it. NO gripes on its offroad ability, at all. sticks like glue. i dont have a locker in the *** of my lexus, but the atrac or locking center have worked just fine. i dont suspect there would be a whole lot of difference there if i equaled the locker situation, but im sure the G would ultimately win.
both are tank like, but the G is more tank like.
maybe the later MBUSA G's have a nicer ride than my europa G, but the LC is hands down a better highway cruiser. the G has a sportier feel in the steering, but... who cares, its an offroad truck. the G is also more trucklike in the way it deals with road imperfections. while i dont mind trucklike at all, i know a better ride when i feel it.
cargo is better in the lexus, i suppose at the cost of having a bigger bum.
wind noise is no race. the g's flat front ruins that aspect.
PARTS? PARTS? **** dude, the hub socket for a G is 200 bucks. parts availability? Dan or Omar at Amercan Toyota will ship you OEM at a 10% markup, johnny on the spot. i believe MB is actively trying to quash the few aftermarket suppliers as we speak. hit the G forums for better detail on that than i can give. either way, i always advise people to keep in mind, an 80,000 dollar truck that sells for 15,000 dollars doesnt know it. it still wants 80,000 dollar maintenance, and allot more of it.
aftermarket goodies go to the landcruisers. no comparison in the US, at least. its improving for the G, but the market is just much more limited.
durability? my G has 280k miles. its runs good but is a work in progress. i certainly cant *****.
my Lc has 120k miles and runs and drives like brand new. tight as a drum. truly amazing.
the G is better compared to the Lc 80's, but those are getting scarce in low mileage units. hence the beater prices are dropping and the few clean ones are going up.
overall id say the Lc give up some off road ability for capacity, but the difference in moderate wheeling ist as bad as i thought it would be. i dont see a G doing anything a lightly modified Lc wont (you know, ditching the plastic bumpers, running boards etc) and even with the added cost, the modified LC is going to be chaper upfront and in maintenance.
all that having been said, i plan on selling my Lexus and keeping the G. i like truckie boxes. i woulda kept my Defender, but i couldnt justify beating on a 60,000 dollar truck, and i was out of useless car space. a mom on nantucket now drives it to the beach.
