I need some opinions from experienced owners please - Topic 2025 LC purchase

[MooseCruiser]

Hello,
I am looking at moving from a 2023 4Runner V6 to a used 2025 LC with 13K miles. The dealer is really moving on the sales price to move it, since most people order specific colors and features rather than buying someone else's choices (this is what he tells me). It is a fully loaded LC hybrid with 13K miles, the original owner over bought, and traded for a new camry. The color is a burnt yellow with white top and black interior. My question is 1) can I trust the dealer that this is not someones lemon 2) am I making a mistake moving from a 6 cylinder to a hybrid 4cy 3) Is the premium gas requirement a big deal to anyone 4) It comes with a toyota "gold" warranty, should I ask for additional coverage with the purchase.
Overall, the dealer has come off $8K from their asking price, and gave me a very attractive trade in offer for my 4runner. It just gives me pause why it is such a good deal. Appreciate any and all comments (negative or positive) I can take it. Thanks...

I have the exact vehicle you are contemplating with 18000 miles. I traded in a Ford Raptor to purchase mine. The four cylinder single turbo is fairly responsive and the vehicle is much more maneuverable than the pickup. If you test drive the LC you should be able to compare it well performance wise with your current 4Runner. I think you will find the interior room a bit more with the LC. It sounds like a 4 cylinder if that concerns you. If you put offroad tires on it prepare for the decrease in mpg. I have always purchased premium gas so that was no change, but in this market currently it may add up over time. Mine was an impulse buy as they backed it off the transport truck. My wife was in cancer treatment and no longer strong enough to get up in the Raptor with 37” tires. She has gotten better so I just had the LC lifted. Can you trust your dealer? Can you trust a dealer? I don’t know haw to answer that question. With offroad tires my mileage is about 14-16 city, and 17-19 highway(@ less than or =to 70MPH)

 

[DubDub]

The 5th Gen 4Runner is so much better than the new land cruiser. The 4 Runner is slow for a V6, but entirely more capable off road and will likely last you twice as long without issues than a new LC.
Could you be buying someone else's lemon....Maybe. Someone bought mine.

When did you bail on your LC? That’s a big 180 since we last spoke!

 

[GR8Santini]

With your 4R experience you know what you’re getting into - only w/LC it’s better. AWD is seamless & smooth. Premium has lots of extra features. Drive modes are great (personally use Sport quite a bit), & MTS selections set you up to handle most off-road conditions. No more wheezy, loud 4.0L V6. Hybrid is really strong in the LC platform, performing way past its 4cyl league.
Sure hope you find one that answers all your needs.

 

[Calokie]

thank you for your thoughts! After reading this, I did request the car fax and service history at the dealership. We do not have plans to tow, but we do drive highways with big grades several times a month. Additionally, this will be our "snow vehicle" when 4 wheel drive is required.

you will love the LC250 in the mountain pass steep grades, you can pass people with ease

 

[LRD]

When did you bail on your LC? That’s a big 180 since we last spoke!

I sold it back at the end of July. Worst car I've ever owned and that is saying a lot. Just did not do it for me on any level, which is my own fault, but here we are.

 

[DubDub]

I sold it back at the end of July. Worst car I've ever owned and that is saying a lot. Just did not do it for me on any level, which is my own fault, but here we are.

Sorry to hear man. I do appreciate you taking care of me before getting gone! We all probably have something similar, somewhere. I will never, ever, ever over my dead, rigor set body, own another GM product. Period, end of story.

 

[Corbet]

I've got both a 5th Gen 4R and a LC250 in my driveway. Both excellent vehicles IMHO. Different animals but I much prefer the LC250 personally.

I put premium in both.

The deal $$$ is what you make it.

 

[ultane]

This is based on my experience and opinion. I have lost count of how many times my transmission has overheated, the dealer has seen it, corporate has seen it and they refuse to do anything about it. Even with multiple limp mode logs evaluated, corporate believes the vehicle is operating as intended.

I would do more frequent tranny fluid changes if I were you.

 

[BMFS33]

you will love the LC250 in the mountain pass steep grades, you can pass people with ease

I do it all the time.

 

[Calokie]

I sold it back at the end of July. Worst car I've ever owned and that is saying a lot. Just did not do it for me on any level, which is my own fault, but here we are.

How much money did you loose after selling it?

 

[Esquire]

I have both in my garage as well. A '22 4Runner Limited and a '24 LC Premium.

The LC and its i-Force Max powertrain are 100 times greater than the old naturally aspirated V6 in the 5th gen 4Runner.

I don't care what anyone else says, but the new Land Cruiser i-Force Max is significantly better than the LC200's old underpowered and noisy V8.

I've turned my 4Runner into a quasi beater truck. It does my hauling and goes to another place we have where it sits and is always ready to go to work.

The Land Cruiser is a completely different vehicle. It is one that can be driven on the highway at speed, driven around town, and dressed up or down.

The 5th Gen 4Runner is perfect for what it is. Park it and forget it. The engine is absolutely bulletproof, but absolutely lethargic and underpowered. The handling is borderline scary at speeds over 65 MPH.

They are two different vehicles with two different purposes and functions. However, both fine choices.

 

[Matthew@LC250Mods]

Without knowing the numbers, I would move forward but do your due diligence. You'll still be getting a warranty and you should be able to see via the CarFax if the Land Cruiser has been in numerous times for repairs, etc. If everything checks out, I would go for it. Obviously if it indicates the owner was bailing due to issues, walk away.

The 4 cylinder hybrid will run circles around the 5th gen 4Runner's V6. 4 cylinders are not naturally the smoothest engines, but I think they did a good job of making it feel relatively refined for what it is. If the numbers check out, I would go for it!

 

[Calokie]

I have both in my garage as well. A '22 4Runner Limited and a '24 LC Premium.

The LC and its i-Force Max powertrain are 100 times greater than the old naturally aspirated V6 in the 5th gen 4Runner.

I don't care what anyone else says, but the new Land Cruiser i-Force Max is significantly better than the LC200's old underpowered and noisy V8.

I've turned my 4Runner into a quasi beater truck. It does my hauling and goes to another place we have where it sits and is always ready to go to work.

The Land Cruiser is a completely different vehicle. It is one that can be driven on the highway at speed, driven around town, and dressed up or down.

The 5th Gen 4Runner is perfect for what it is. Park it and forget it. The engine is absolutely bulletproof, but absolutely lethargic and underpowered. The handling is borderline scary at speeds over 65 MPH.

They are two different vehicles with two different purposes and functions. However, both fine choices.

From the 6-8 times I test drove a 5th gen 4runner (and almost bought one several times) I totally agree with this statent.
The 5th Gen Runner has legendary status in my book, but the 250 checks all the boxes