Current trade-in values and a bid farewell

[Altitude]

Sounds like it wasn’t the tool for the job. People form too much emotional attachment to their vehicles, so you’ll see people get hurt when someone doesn’t share their enthusiasm for the tool they love.

Or the OP might be explaining himself an awful lot, indicating that he feels accountable to us because he didn’t like his. He’s not accountable, but the 250 is also not “less than” a Land Cruiser.

Held to any objective rubric it’s nicer and better outfitted than all but the last 2 generations, which were the ones that didn’t sell.

 

[RideWithYanu]

Or the OP might be explaining himself an awful lot, indicating that he feels accountable to us because he didn’t like his. He’s not accountable, but the 250 is also not “less than” a Land Cruiser.

Held to any objective rubric it’s nicer and better outfitted than all but the last 2 generations, which were the ones that didn’t sell.

I think OP and you both seem to feel the need to defend your vehicle choices. It is freeing to not feel the need to explain yourself to others!

 

[Altitude]

I think OP and you both seem to feel the need to defend your vehicle choices. It is freeing to not feel the need to explain yourself to others!

Go back and circle above with a pencil where I defended my vehicle choice.

 

[cvx5832LC]

Summarizing:

Put a deposit on a '23 4Runner then cancelled
Put a deposit on a '24 Tacoma then cancelled
Purchased a '25 Land Cruiser then cancelled

An "unexpected turn of events" this is not, but just business as usual it seems, by your own account. The Land Cruiser is probably not to blame, but rather you still needing to lock down what you really want. The Raptor may be "it", or you could be posting a similar thread at the Raptor Forum in 2026.

 

[jbtaco2002]

So in an unexpected turn of events, my 2025 Land Cruiser LC Trim non-Premium in Underground is gone after a short 8 months of underwhelming ownership. My Toyota journey started in 2023 when I had a Solar Octane 4Runner TRD Pro on deposit and cancelled when it was at port when the new Tacoma and Land Cruiser news were hitting the internet. Then I had a 2024 Tacoma TRD Pro on deposit along with a good friend and we both cancelled that, he ended up with a 2025 Tundra and me with the above Land Cruiser. It was suppose to have been our "family road trip car" and space was getting tight in the back even with just our Bernedoodle for now. Plus with our growing family I just did not see it any longer as my long-term car and fell out of love with it day by day, mod by mod lol. Definitely minimal room in the back with a future car seat base for the infant, the dog, and all our stuff in the back. We are based in Chicago area and travel to Scottsdale AZ, Gaitlinburg, TN, and St Pete's Beach quite frequently and this Land Cruiser just was not it for us. I felt like the Land Cruiser marque was more hype on the LC250 and felt like I was in a premium bigger 4Runner than the all mighty Land Cruiser that we all know and love growing up. And I did a ton of research before getting this car, months and months chasing a good priced allocation, options, colors, etc.

Last week I traded a fellow LC250 owner his First Edition rack for my stock rails in hopes of jump starting my planned "build" for this car. And after the roof rack and added wind noise I pondered what I was really doing with this car and my money, I just did not see myself being fully happy after installing everything that I have sitting in the garage for it (Falken 35s, SCS f5 wheels, ARB OME MT-64 coilovers plus UCAs, SLEE sliders, OEM Skid Package, and a few other JDM only goodies like the FE mudflaps, rain guards, and other bits and pieces).

So Tuesday morning going to work I decided I will finally stop being cheap and stop settling and go after my dream truck, Ford F150 Raptor on 37s with the Recaro interior. Few local online listings that I found for 2023 and 2024 models were priced OK with relatively low miles but nothing really with the options I wanted. Another quick search of brand new Raptors led me to a dealer in central Illinois, population of 2700, with quite a bit of inventory with anything Raptor related. Fast forward a few phone calls, negotiations, and pictures back and forth, a deal was made with Heller Ford in El Paso, IL. 2 hours away from us, and literally 20 minutes away from the gentleman that I traded the roof rack with. Funny how life works sometimes.

TLDR; I purchased my Land Cruiser above for $61,400 in January 2025. Drove it for 10,000 miles (hit that on the way to Ford dealer) and absolutely did nothing to it besides one oil change myself at 2500 miles and never even bothered to properly wash it and polish the paint like I do with all my cars (Underground color was another regret of mine with this vehicle), the color was always dirty and dusty, and seeing it on Corollas and Camrys made the regret be real even more.

I agreed to a trade-in price of $57,000 over the phone and I was expecting ballpark of $52,000 to $54,000 (with how much I got hosed on my trade in for the Land Cruiser, I drove an Audi previously) and I was happy with the $57,000.

As for the Raptor, it's brand new, delivery miles only, Oxford White with the 37 Performance Package (including beadlock wheels, 37s of course, dual valve Fox Shox, Recaro seat package, and carbon fiber interior styling pack as well). I did not realize previously that getting 37s to work on a Raptor 35 is way more than just tires. Even the frame is reinforced and changed to fit a 37 spare, different shock valve tuning (dual vs single) and other pieces. And while the 37 Performance Package is super expensive at $11,470, I've learned from my mistakes, do it once, do it right. I was also able to get almost $6,000 of MSRP for the Raptor and hearing that sealed the deal for me.

We picked it up yesterday and it's one amazing truck. In awe, simply in awe of everything. And was able to get my trade-in up to $57,500 after discussing the roof rack that I installed with the manager. Transaction was smooth and honest, we left the dealership in under an hour.

What I did not like with the LC were three things: underwhelming power delivery (and overall sound of engine and exhaust), lack of interior space daily driving it for almost a year, and the rattles (fit and finish overall). The infamous C-pillar passenger side rattle would be a pain in the butt to fix at the dealership when the noise would return next summer for me with high temperatures. And I'd imagine they would not touch it after seeing all the mods on it that I was planning on doing.

I just did not feel like I was driving a $66,000 vehicle with the Toyota Land Cruiser heritage at the end of the day. I can only imagine my regret if I splurged for a First Edition or Land Cruiser Premium package and dealer mark ups initially.

I enjoyed my stay on this forum, lovely bunch of people, great knowledge and everyone was just so friendly. Now come for my garage sale of parts in the Classifieds lol.

GL! you bought a lot of damn stuff for the LC and never installed it, wow!

 

[eurospek]

Or the OP might be explaining himself an awful lot, indicating that he feels accountable to us because he didn’t like his. He’s not accountable, but the 250 is also not “less than” a Land Cruiser.

Held to any objective rubric it’s nicer and better outfitted than all but the last 2 generations, which were the ones that didn’t sell.

Oh they sold, just not to the demographic this one is targeting IMO. Look at 200 series used values currently, most good ones beat LC250 new pricing. And that says a lot about the platform. The LC250 is for the people, the 200 was for old-money folk when it was new and still is with relatively low mileage Heritage editions.

 

[eurospek]

Summarizing:

Put a deposit on a '23 4Runner then cancelled
Put a deposit on a '24 Tacoma then cancelled
Purchased a '25 Land Cruiser then cancelled

An "unexpected turn of events" this is not, but just business as usual it seems, by your own account. The Land Cruiser is probably not to blame, but rather you still needing to lock down what you really want. The Raptor may be "it", or you could be posting a similar thread at the Raptor Forum in 2026.

This post is pretty accurate.

In my circle of friends, we go through A LOT of vehicles. The only other vehicle on the radar that I have the itch to own and get out of my system is a 2021-23 MBZ E63 AMG wagon. So maybe that's coming sooner than later, although the wife hated any lowered European performance car Ive had before so doubtful. All these modifications purchased for quite a decent OEM+ build and it still did not excite me . Prefer a stock vehicle for a few years now (or months some might say) and get another rental property into the portfolio.

GL! you bought a lot of damn stuff for the LC and never installed it, wow!

Go to the Classifieds, I'll cut you a deal.

 

[teghogh]

Gen3 Raptor is an awesome truck. I’ve had both gen2 and gen3 and for sure gen 3 is a better all around truck than the lc250 but it is also 20k more expensive . If you don’t need an suv , have a need for truck, and don’t go off-roading in tight trails you can’t go wrong with the Raptor . With that said I’d probably go for 35 instead of 37 due to unnecessary hit on the gas mileage. And yes the passenger rear of f150 is significantly larger than the lc

 

[Altitude]

Oh they sold, just not to the demographic this one is targeting IMO. Look at 200 series used values currently, most good ones beat LC250 new pricing. And that says a lot about the platform. The LC250 is for the people, the 200 was for old-money folk when it was new and still is with relatively low mileage Heritage editions.

They didn’t sell. Average volume in the US from 2005-2021 was 3266 units.

They were indeed great vehicles that did hold value.

 

[TakaraLC]

Oh they sold, just not to the demographic this one is targeting IMO. Look at 200 series used values currently, most good ones beat LC250 new pricing. And that says a lot about the platform. The LC250 is for the people, the 200 was for old-money folk when it was new and still is with relatively low mileage Heritage editions.

They never sold meaningful numbers. From 2014 to 2023, Toyota sold ~26k LC 200s. In 2024 alone they sold ~29k LC250s.

Toyota Land Cruiser Sales Figures

Automotive Sales Data and Statistics

www.goodcarbadcar.net

This is partials because Toyota only brought the most expensive trim of LC200 to the US. But to some extent, LC200 also experienced the "Maserati effect", which basically means it is not competitive at the offered price point, so the sales are low, but these low sales also generate a sense of rarity and desirability.

 

[RideWithYanu]

Go back and circle above with a pencil where I defended my vehicle choice.

Go back and circle above with a pencil where I defended my vehicle choice.

It seems you’re seeking conflict and I’m all set on that front. I’d be far more interested in talking about cool stuff you’ve been doing with your LC lately if you’re interested in talking about that instead.

 

[COSmurf]

They never sold meaningful numbers. From 2014 to 2023, Toyota sold ~26k LC 200s. In 2024 alone they sold ~29k LC250s.

Toyota Land Cruiser Sales Figures

Automotive Sales Data and Statistics

www.goodcarbadcar.net

This is partials because Toyota only brought the most expensive trim of LC200 to the US. But to some extent, LC200 also experienced the "Maserati effect", which basically means it is not competitive at the offered price point, so the sales are low, but these low sales also generate a sense of rarity and desirability.

With the caveat being, the LC200s were priced the way they were because they are overbuilt in hardware and sheer materials and things that add price but aren’t overtly obvious to a non LC enthusiast. They hold value because they’re dead reliable as a result. Maseratis are indeed “rare” as they don’t sell in large numbers but have absolutely atrocious reliability and therefore resale value. It’s funny because non-car folks see them, the name and think they’re as expensive as a Ferrari because they’re basically as rare to spot on road. Meanwhile, one that is slightly used can be had for next to nothing… if you’re crazy enough.

 

[Altitude]

It seems you’re seeking conflict and I’m all set on that front. I’d be far more interested in talking about cool stuff you’ve been doing with your LC lately if you’re interested in talking about that instead.

Sounds like a walk back. Fine by me. Let’s move on.

 

[Guest8178]

These posts are so weird to me. Just sell it and move on. Why try to convince others their decision is a bad one. And whether you admit to it or not, that’s what you are doing.

 

[DubDub]

Sorry to see you go, glad to see you happy. Only you know what works for you and the fam, the latter’s opinion being the only one that matters in my family decisions.

On a funny parallel note: My brother had a Braptor which he traded for a badlands due to noise and the feeling that kids were destroying it just looking at the upholstery wrong. 8 months later and he’s running for the hills and into a 4R Trailhunter. He’s on quite the wait and is now considering LCs. Point only being that opinions are akin to rectums, and you gotta do what you gotta do. Keep in touch!

 

[RideWithYanu]

Sounds like a walk back. Fine by me. Let’s move on.

Come on dude, have some chill.

 

[Altitude]

Come on dude, have some chill.

I thought we agreed we were done?

Brother, you brought “People form too much emotional attachment to their vehicles, so you’ll see people get hurt when someone doesn’t share their enthusiasm for the tool they love” which was obviously a dig on me. So I’m returning fire. That’ll happen. Shall we move on?

 

[EOD Guy]

Don't worry about other folk's opinions, because they are just that............At the end of the day it's your money, buy what you want/desire/like.

 

[RideWithYanu]

Brother, you brought “People form too much emotional attachment to their vehicles, so you’ll see people get hurt when someone doesn’t share their enthusiasm for the tool they love” which was obviously a dig on me.

I…wasn’t even…talking about you…

I swear people can get so triggered

 

[shwazz714]

My guilty pleasure is an f150 raptor. My wife makes fun of me bc it’s off brand for me - flashy bro truck - but man they are sick. One day I hope to have an LC & a raptor, very impractical I know.