First off this is not a troll thread, because I personally own a LC 250 First Edition that I purchased in October.
Before buying my LC 250 First edition I did some/a lot of research via YouTube and written articles and I test drove 3 different LC 250’s, plus I test drove a GX 550, so in fairness I knew what I was getting myself into. I did a fairly in depth review on my LC 250 Likes and dislikes probably 1 month ago. And my stance has not changed. I pretty much really like/love the LC 250 but there are 2 things I really hate = fuel economy and 18 gallon tank. Everything else I really like. I know it’s better off road than the 200 series LC and I personally likes the looks better.
Here comes the unfortunate downfall of the LC 250 and unfortunately it really is not fair, but it’s the world we live in today and that undoing is YOUTUBE and SOCIAL MEDIA. Let’s be honest the social media automotive industry, and I call them social media automotive industry for a reason because they are not journalists like they think they are, has really hurt the LC 250, along with Toyota/lexus brand in general. If You where to take a full day and just do a lot of research via YouTube, written articles, and utilize other sources like article comments, the general consensus from reviewers and consumers is far more negative than positive. For Example lets look at the common summary they you will hear from most consumers and reviewers of the LC 250 =
1) not a real Landcruiser.
2) cheaply built compared to the LC 200 and other SUV’S.
3) The GX is far better and is the REAL Landcruiser.
4) terrible engine choice to put in a Landcruiser
5) This is a Prado = light duty cheap Landcruiser
6) The vehicle sounds “ Tinty” and cheaply made
7) Ground clearance is terrible and it is better on the LC 200, although after climbing underneath mine I found that my lowest ground clearance is 10 inches with no lift and BFG KO3’S 275 R 18’S. I guess I can not read a ruler or maybe I got lucky with the build on mine.
8) Fuel economy is terrible.
9) small fuel tank
10 ) Terrible acceleration
11) way to expensive for a cheaply made vehicle.
12) How could Toyota put a Rav 4 engine in a Landcruiser.
Do I agree with sentiments ? NO. The only points I agree with are the fuel economy and the small fuel tank. But unfortunately social media , especially YouTube, has really done damage to the LC 250 in terms of initial reputation and perception. It’s even to a point where LC 200 owners literally piss on LC 250 owners and GX 550 owners do the same. It’s really a shame because it is actually just dividing the brand even more and slowly eroding the existing values and potential resale values in the toilet. But unfortunately this social media hate isn’t just on the LC 250 , it’s on a lot of Toyota/lexus products today = LX 600, GX 550, TUNDRA, TACOMA, and the new 4 Runner . They are all getting trashed badly and although you would not think it could effect future values of vehicles, it most certainly can and it does today, and resale value has always been a strong point of Toyota/lexus. I will illustrate how perception and YouTube effected 1 particular Toyota model, in this case for the better. The LC 200. Prior to Covid you could walk into a Toyota dealership and if they had a new LC 200 on the with a MSRP of $ 86,000.00 you could walk out of the dealership purchasing that vehicle for around $ 77,000.00. Once covid hit and Toyota announced the end of the V-8 Landcruiser and rumors started to surface about a possible Hybrid Landcruiser a 2020/2021 Landcruiser with 40,000 miles was selling for $ 85,000.00 and guess what, people are actually bragging about paying that price for a “ REAL LANDCRUISER” . By the time these people purchase a warranty and put cool looking off road tires on their “ real Landcruiser “ they have $ 100,000.00 in a used 40,000 mile LC 200, but the LC 250 at $ 58,000 to $ 76,000 ( first edition ) is to expensive. Hence the power of social media.
If social media can effect a presidential election like it did in 2020, it can most certainly effect vehicle values. I’m kind of a nerd with stats, but what really boggles my mind is a company like Ford rolls out Recalls literally every other day and in a lot of cases there is better value in buying a Ford vehicle than a Toyota/lexus and just think 5-10 years ago you never would have seen this. And you very rarely see a negative review on a Ford vehicle, especially the Ford performance variants like Raptors and mustangs. Amazing.
I know that’s a long thread but after looking at some values and actual numbers in correspondence with timelines with the recent Toyota/Lexus hate, you know the old saying, NUMBERS DON’T LIE.
I actually think Toyota/lexus still builds a quality vehicle and in most cases builds a much better vehicle than the big 3, but resale and value and social media reviews are telling a different story. Personally I think Toyota should have named the LC 250 the new FJ cruiser, I think that would quieted a lot of the mass hysteria because unfortunately a lot of United States consumers do not have a clue how important the LC 250 prado is to the Landcruiser lineage and history.
Although I will have to honestly say if I was to reverse the timeframe to October and do it all over again , I probably would have opted for a Ford Raptor R just based on value for dollar because there is no comparison. Unfortunately Toyota/Lexus vehicles do not hold the same values or desirability as they did pre COVID and I really don’t think they ever will again.
Yes, YouTube and social media has become extremely powerful.
