LC 200. Pros and cons. Looking at buying for towing.

kezngaz · Senior Member

LC 200. Pros and cons. Looking at buying for towing.

CC Bear · Senior Member

I am not going to google but what in the hell is a LC 200 brand name would help. Ok directed at those who might own one but leaves a lot of us in the dark.

Hewy54 · Senior Member

Toyota 200 series Landcruiser

kezngaz · Senior Member

Sorry bear.
Hewey is correct.
Kezngaz.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

The early models had oil usage issues and injector problems . Toyota generally don't keep having the same faults in their vehicles !

kezngaz · Senior Member

When you say "early models" which models were they?
Is it something they have addressed, if so from what year?
TIA.
Kezngaz.

patrol03 · Senior Member

Look on the LCOOL.org site. You can read about all their problems and the fixes.

-- Edited by patrol03 on Saturday 24th of September 2016 09:27:36 AM

macka17 · Guru

Get a decent tug.

Patrol.

Even the new PETROL only, V8.

On several comparison tests and reviews,
was very close consumption wise when towing.
Smoother. and more power.

Definitely a better ride,
Those Toyota's so soggy in suspension, in most models.

And if anything like prev models.
WILL have a lot more problems than any Nissan

Compare them both from '89 GQ model onwards.
Specially the 80 series to the GU.
apart from first model with dodgy oil ways , hence cooked pistons..
The Patrol leaves them for dead.

patrol03 · Senior Member

My y62 patrol is absolutely brilliant.Also with the $15K I saved cp the LC200 I can Buy a truck load of petrol. 22l/100 towing 2.5t up the hills the same speed as you go down sitting on 100 and 110 in the appropriate zone.It is quiet,comfortable,heaps of room inside.A greatly underrated vehicle not as hard on fuel that has been reported.Had it going on 2 years now and would not part with it.

Crustie · Member

I purchased a 200 series diesel in 2008 and heading to work one morning all the lights flashed on and bells went off, it had about 9000kms on the clock so still new
She was low on oil and took close 4 litres of oil to bring it back to the correct level. I believe the issue was fixed about 2009 or 2010
I also noticed it seem to leak dust inside more than the earlier models I had owned. Someone told me it is a huge job to replace the starter motor on the 200,

I would buy another one, you won't find any other vehicle that holds there value like a land cruiser

-- Edited by Crustie on Saturday 24th of September 2016 06:52:12 PM

tempestv8 · Veteran Member

kezngaz wrote:
Anything bad to look for when purchasing a LC200?
Svc costs and intervals?
Diesel of course.
T I A.
Kezngaz.

Hi Kezngaz,

What sort of load will you be towing with? What model year Cruiser are you thinking of purchasing? New or used? Can you do your own oil changes or will you need a workshop to sort out the servicing?

The 200 Series is undoubtedly a magnificent tow vehicle for many Australians, but I personally think that if you get close to a 3.5 tonne load, a diesel American full size pick up truck like F250 / RAM / GMC truck might suit your requirements better.

Pros: Lots of 200 Series diesels everywhere, so the product knowledge and working experience of many service centers and internet forum enthusiasts is pretty good with the 200 Series. Lots of aftermarket gear available to customise the 200 Series. Good turning circle so driving around town and parking in tight spots isn't as difficult as one might imagine.

Cons: No other similar sized 4x4 with a diesel to compete with the Cruiser in the Australian market, so Toyota Australia can charge a premium.

If you want to find out more, join the LCOOL forum if you are not already a member.

http://www.lcool.org/forum

Service costs are quite reasonable, maybe even good value compared to other brands like Mercedes Benz, BMW, etc. Service intervals are every 10,000 kms.

-- Edited by tempestv8 on Saturday 24th of September 2016 10:27:24 PM

kezngaz · Senior Member

tempestv8 wrote:
kezngaz wrote:
Anything bad to look for when purchasing a LC200?
Svc costs and intervals?
Diesel of course.
T I A.
Kezngaz.
Hi Kezngaz,
What sort of load will you be towing with? What model year Cruiser are you thinking of purchasing? New or used? Can you do your own oil changes or will you need a workshop to sort out the servicing?
The 200 Series is undoubtedly a magnificent tow vehicle for many Australians, but I personally think that if you get close to a 3.5 tonne load, a diesel American full size pick up truck like F250 / RAM / GMC truck might suit your requirements better.
Pros: Lots of 200 Series diesels everywhere, so the product knowledge and working experience of many service centers and internet forum enthusiasts is pretty good with the 200 Series. Lots of aftermarket gear available to customise the 200 Series. Good turning circle so driving around town and parking in tight spots isn't as difficult as one might imagine.
Cons: No other similar sized 4x4 with a diesel to compete with the Cruiser in the Australian market, so Toyota Australia can charge a premium.
If you want to find out more, join the LCOOL forum if you are not already a member.
http://www.lcool.org/forum

Service costs are quite reasonable, maybe even good value compared to other brands like Mercedes Benz, BMW, etc. Service intervals are every 10,000 kms.

-- Edited by tempestv8 on Saturday 24th of September 2016 10:27:24 PM

Hi there.

Ill be towing 2.5t.

We have a 4 door ute atm and will be looking to upgrade next year so im doing my due diligence in advance.

I agree that Toyota Australia do charge a.premium but theres also a large crowd of us willing to pay, both new and second hand. Resale value does come in to it for me.

I will be looking at second hand for sure.

Ive also looked at the Pajero (not sport) and im certainly not ruling out the new Patrol.

I now all these 3 will tow with ease and.put less strain on the thing over the years.

I do do my.own oil changes/servicing to a.degree so i can keep costs down that way.

Thanks for advice.

Kezngaz.

kezngaz · Senior Member

PS
I know merc svc intervals are 25k as i found out when researching the ML350.

Hetho · Senior Member

Hi Kezngaz.

I have the 2013 GXL, 200 Series, Diesel and Tow a 2.5T, 22 foot van.

Fuel Consumption; average 18Lt/100, on cruise control @ 100 - 105 Kms/hr.

The only issue I have had is warped disk brake rotors; twice. Toyota warranty covered both occasions.

I have done the last 3 services myself, with the only real "niggle" being the removal/replacement of the Bash Plates to get to all the required service spots.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

Hetho.

hako · Guru

Re people doing their own services on newish vehicles, possibly this voids your warranty. I copied this info from the Canstar (Australia) website:

According to the ACCC law, a car warranty will remain valid if you follow the three main conditions:

Qualified staff: You can also have your car serviced by a non-dealer qualified mechanic during the warranty period. No need to service a car only with the dealer.
Manufacturers specifications: You do need to get the services done at the recommended times in the logbook.
Fit for the purpose: The parts used do not need to be genuine parts but must be the correct part for the job.
This means that doing your own servicing will invalidate your warranty if you are not a qualified mechanic yourself.

Extended car warranties are slightly different they do require you to service your car at the manufacturer or dealers service centre, and this does not breach the ACCC law. So doing your own servicing during an extended car warranty will invalidate your warranty even if you are a qualified mechanic.

Regards

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Only if you stuff up . I can't see them refusing ( for instance) brake issues if you changed the oil .. !! It's where most franchise make their profit these days ., Thebreason for the issue with starter motor ? It's under the inlet in valley . Ok it's out of water etc ., yes have to remove inlet etc for access . Btw the LS 400 Lexus engine are the same ..

-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Sunday 25th of September 2016 04:51:18 PM

kezngaz · Senior Member

Thanks Hetho, ill be towing very similar weights/length.
Im also a qualified heavy diesel mechanic and do do my own servicing.
Interesting fuel consumtion figures, would defo be a little less at say 90/95..
I get 14-16 atm with my Amarok which is good, and thats at 90/95kph.
Kezngaz.

Hetho · Senior Member

Hi Kenngaz.

I believe that there is a huge difference in consumption (lower) at 90/95. I`m yet to find out. I`m a fitter by trade.

I built my van, and have done 35000 Km`s in the last 11 months. All trips have been on tight time constraints; hense the 100/105 @ 700km`s + per day when travelling.

Perth - Port Hedland, Perth - Melbourne, Perth - Central Australia. Hopefully we will be able to smell the roses when we do the "Big Lap" at the end of 2017.

The point, and this may help with your decision is that you can do all of the above in comfort, with ease and feel quite fresh at the end of a long day in the saddle.

Regards.

Hetho.

tempestv8 · Veteran Member

Thanks for the additional information.

My neighbour was a Mitsubishi man, and had 2 new Pajero diesels in the time that I've known him. He tows a dual axle caravan but I don't know how heavy. He did a big lap around Australia and found that the rear tyres were worn down to the thread on the inside but the outside was deceptively fine looking. He had to replace the tyres mid-trip and it was expensive to do that where he was, at that time. He has since replaced the Pajero with a 200 Series. So I asked him how the 200 Series was like. The most striking comment (aside from the expected positive replies) is that the Cruiser is slightly better on fuel economy towing the same caravan than the Pajero, but has loads more reserves for overtaking. The Pajero was fitted with an aftermarket chip to improve power and economy. The Cruiser is stock standard except for an ARB bullbar. Being a solid rear axle, the issue of replacing the rear tyres due to inner thread premature wear is not an issue for the 200 Series.

I think pulling 2.5 tonnes is a sweet spot for the 200 Series. You can do extra servicing for yourself, e.g. oil changes every 5,000 km but the Cruiser really won't need it. As you are purchasing used, if there is no factory warranty remaining, servicing the vehicle by yourself is no longer an issue, plus you'll do the job right. From my dealer servicing whilst my vehicle was under warranty, I've lost 3 bash plate bolts over that period. If the Toyota dealership tech has forgotten to tighten up some bolts and overfilled the sump, what other things have they neglected or missed? Hence I am a big fan of working on my own vehicle. Not only does it save me money, but I get to know it pretty well.

The one thing that I would recommend you do is to service the transmission (fluid change) every 80,000 kms or more frequently, and towing with the gear shifter in S5 or S4 positions only, and not in D.

When buying used, if purchasing from a dealer, make sure that you get a report from the dealer on the injector feedback values. They will use their Intelligent Tester (OBD2 diagnostic tool) to check the injectors and the test must be done on a cold engine. If an injector is close to or exceeds + or - 3, the injector needs to be replaced.

The Cruiser is thirstier than a Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel and definitely more expensive. But the Cruiser holds its value well because the auto industry / used car market knows it's a relatively safe bet, even as a used purchase.

Hope you find the right one at the right price!

p.s. If you want a vehicle that is already fully setup for touring, and has just about every imaginable aftermarket item installed on it, and it is a very carefully maintained vehicle (read: very fastidious and fussy owner) contact this person:

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Landcruiser-2013/SSE-AD-4162111

He is open to offers.

-- Edited by tempestv8 on Sunday 25th of September 2016 08:54:25 PM

macka17 · Guru

Those Toyota's are way over rated and priced.
2 5 ton is a bit overkill for them.

At max limits for any Ute though.
But 3 ltr Patrol. perfect.
Mine did 6.2/6.5kmpl for over 13 yrs towing a 2.7/2,8ton full van. and 9+ kmpl without trlr.
AT road speeds
More with head wind, Hills, obviously
But AVERAGED those figures.

The latest PATROL Petrol is probably better economy with that weight and speeds
Smoother.Quieter engine with cheaper all round servicing.
They'd be better off road too. Not that either of those tanks would go often.

But standard Patrols would all go where any Standard Toyota would die at.
Standard. No Hubs. Lockers lifts etc.

SOME people rave about Toyota. But ever since the demise of the 60 ser.

The GQ ('88)/GU (80 ser on). and latest Nissan .
Have been better all round off roaders with much more reliability.
with non sagging rear suspension (in relation to), and no front suspensions falling out.
(100 ser renowned for that).
At 2.5 ton there are a couple that will do the job.

-- Edited by macka17 on Monday 26th of September 2016 06:19:39 PM

Bill B · Guru

macka17 wrote:

SOME people rave about Toyota.

Just like some dribble on about Nissan Patrols

Hewy54 · Senior Member

macka17 wrote:
Get a decent tug.

You actually had your say and pointed out how wonderful the Patrol is in a previous post on this topic and many other threads where you were able to say the same thing.

There are many on here with an open mind and wish to hear varied opinions, not the same one repeated.

On the original question, I can only afford the 80 series, but my daughter has had several 4WD, mainly as tow cars rather than offroading. She has tried BMW, Rangerover, Audi, Pajero and the LC Sahara.

Out of all of them she found the Landcruiser to be best for towing, but has opted for the Rangerover as it is more user friendly around the city.

Interesting figures for fuel consumption are quoted on Redbook - 9.5l/100 km for the 200 series Sahara and 14.4l/100 km for the V8 Patrol.

-- Edited by Hewy54 on Monday 26th of September 2016 07:58:01 PM

kezngaz · Senior Member

Calm down boys.
Just after a few pointers on what to look out for if/when purchasing a 200 series.
I understand theres other breeds of tug out there but this post was directed at pros and cons of the 200 series, and costs alike.
Thanks for the input, and look out for my next post "who would buy a Patrol?"
Kezngaz.