Is the GX550 the spiritual successor to the Land Cruiser?

[RideWithYanu]

I'm also saying it is the spiritual successor not the actual successor. In the US we don't get the 300 and in your example we don't have Land Cruisers at all. There is a lot of issues I have with Toyota and Lexus here. If one looks at the Overtrail there is no camera rear view mirror. There is no electric gas cover. There are more mechanical things on the Overtrail than the 250. All I'm saying is that if Toyota has made a spiritual successor to the Land Cruiser in the US it is the GX and not the 250. I am also saying that if you want a 300 Land Cruiser in the US you can't have it you have to buy an LX which is the very over luxurious 300 that many including me did not want.

I hear ya. And while I mostly disagree, I want to try to be clear that from my end this is just a friendly discussion about a relatively unimportant subject. I’m autistic and sometimes my communication comes across as very rigid/stern when I don’t mean it that way.

How I see it differently: Toyota made a strategy to give American buyers the core Land Cruiser (the Prado), a vehicle that they betted on was the Land Cruiser Americans actually wanted. The numbers that the public has access indicate their bet was a good one.

So how I see it differently is that Toyota continues to offer the actual successor to the J200-series, the J300-series, but they push the alternative Land Cruiser, the J250-series, as the primary offering because it’s what more people want (and it’s closer to commercial strategy that Toyota designed the Land Cruiser to fill from its inception in ‘51). BTW I also agree with you that the VJA310 and VJH310 are the lesser options of the j300 variants; I’m not interested in the J300 series generally but I’d be bummed by the US options if I was.

I also think I the J250 series is a poor tow vehicle for all but the lightest applications (lightweight small travel trailers); the J252 is certainly a worthy upgrade for anyone needing more gross towing capacity, though I agree with the considerations DubDub shared.

I’m a massive Land Cruiser “theory” and history nerd, so I very much enjoy these conversations.

 

[DubDub]

I hear ya. And while I mostly disagree, I want to try to be clear that from my end this is just a friendly discussion about a relatively unimportant subject. I’m autistic and sometimes my communication comes across as very rigid/stern when I don’t mean it that way.

How I see it differently: Toyota made a strategy to give American buyers the core Land Cruiser (the Prado), a vehicle that they betted on was the Land Cruiser Americans actually wanted. The numbers that the public has access indicate their bet was a good one.

So how I see it differently is that Toyota continues to offer the actual successor to the J200-series, the J300-series, but they push the alternative Land Cruiser, the J250-series, as the primary offering because it’s what more people want (and it’s closer to commercial strategy that Toyota designed the Land Cruiser to fill from its inception in ‘51). BTW I also agree with you that the VJA310 and VJH310 are the lesser options of the j300 variants; I’m not interested in the J300 series generally but I’d be bummed by the US options if I was.

I also think I the J250 series is a poor tow vehicle for all but the lightest applications (lightweight small travel trailers); the J252 is certainly a worthy upgrade for anyone needing more gross towing capacity, though I agree with the considerations DubDub shared.

I’m a massive Land Cruiser “theory” and history nerd, so I very much enjoy these conversations.

Couldn’t say it better myself! And I tried haha

 

[1375mlm]

Really love and prefer the GX IF they are priced at the difference of MSRPs. But now I’m seeing LC deals under MSRP if you take time to look, and GX deals are hard to find AT MSRP.

So in the real world the price difference makes the LC not a bad deal, but in theory the GX is worth the upgrade. Just my view

 

[Mookie242]

GX is for soccer Moms. Land Cruiser is for the fellas.

 

[DubDub]

GX is for soccer Moms. Land Cruiser is for the fellas.

While I don’t agree with your (obvious) satire as a general rule… there have definitely been a couple of outright princesses very vocally exit this forum for a GX.

 

[Area 51]

The GX is simply a better vehicle.
Higher price point, better b etter in all ways.
If the Toyota dealer was not so good and close, i would have the GX.
However now the Toyota dealer will maintain the GX which was really good news. So in 2 years when i don't need this Soccer Mom Work Mobile any longer there is a very good chance ill make it a weekend warrior or just get rid of it, get the GX then.
The GX is simply a better and nicer vehicle.

 

[DubDub]

The GX is simply a better vehicle.
Higher price point, better b etter in all ways.
If the Toyota dealer was not so good and close, i would have the GX.
However now the Toyota dealer will maintain the GX which was really good news. So in 2 years when i don't need this Soccer Mom Work Mobile any longer there is a very good chance ill make it a weekend warrior or just get rid of it, get the GX then.
The GX is simply a better and nicer vehicle.

I’ll have your digital tiara ready for you when you do. You just have to return your soccer balls, as they’re property of the forum. Until then, I wish you nothing but the best as you go from one suburban errand to another your majesty in training.

 

[jay3253]

Not sure if any one has looked at an Overtrail plus but they have auxiliary switches, on board air they truly have everything one could hope for from the factory for off road goodness. Just as an FYI why I started this thread. I told my wife I think the GX (all Lexus really) is ugly. So, I was thinking out loud I could just find a wrecked TLC 250 and put the front clip and tail lights on the GX and have the best looking more robust Land Cruiser Toyota should have built.

 

[RideWithYanu]

Not sure if any one has looked at an Overtrail plus but they have auxiliary switches, on board air they truly have everything ine could hope for from the factory for off road goodness. Just as an FYI why I started this thread. I told my wife I think the GX (all Lexus really) is ugly. So, I was thinking out loud I could just find a wrecked TLC 250 and put the front clip and tail lights on the GX and have the best looking more robust Land Cruiser Toyota should have built.

Considering off-roading, the 250 has better clearance angles than the 252, and the T24 is much more suited for low speed off-roading than the V35, IMHO. Definitely pros and cons of each. Personally I find better outcomes with aftermarket solution for things like air compressor and aux switches, but definitely see the appeal in OEM solutions. The J252 is a great truck!

 

[jay3253]

Considering off-roading, the 250 has better clearance angles than the 252, and the T24 is much more suited for low speed off-roading than the V35, IMHO. Definitely pros and cons of each. Personally I find better outcomes with aftermarket solution for things like air compressor and aux switches, but definitely see the appeal in OEM solutions. The J252 is a great truck!

Completely agree about the T24 Hybrid. T24 by itself is terrible for off roading. Almost all the low end torque comes from the hybrid system. After driving both to me the 35 is better for most things by itself. I have a Viair system in my truck and it is almost certainly better than the GX on board air. I think any factory switches that I don't have to run wires into the cab from outside would be better. The thing I absolutely hate about both is the trailer brake control. Australia gets RedArc and we get the same thing as in every Ford, Chevy, or Dodge?

 

[RideWithYanu]

Completely agree about the T24 Hybrid. T24 by itself is terrible for off roading. Almost all the low end torque comes from the hybrid system. After driving both to me the 35 is better for most things by itself. I have a Viair system in my truck and it is almost certainly better than the GX on board air. I think any factory switches that I don't have to run wires into the cab from outside would be better. The thing I absolutely hate about both is the trailer brake control. Australia gets RedArc and we get the same thing as in every Ford, Chevy, or Dodge?

Yeah I would not want the TJA250 with the non-hybrid T24. All of the cons of the I4 with none of the pros the electric motor adds in.

 

[DubDub]

Yeah I would not want the TJA250 with the non-hybrid T24. All of the cons of the I4 with none of the pros the electric motor adds in.

But, and hear me out here… floor space! I’ve been on the beach in my buddy’s T24 non-hybrid Taco, and we’ve taken that things to many yak launch points only accessible via trail. It does just fine for 99.9% of users.

 

[RideWithYanu]

But, and hear me out here… floor space! I’ve been on the beach in my buddy’s T24 non-hybrid Taco, and we’ve taken that things to many yak launch points only accessible via trail. It does just fine for 99.9% of users.

Valid! That battery takes up so much cargo capacity.