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.
