LC Mid-Tier Trim - Premium or No Premium Package?

[Bluey]

I decided on a LCLC nonprem. Still waiting for it to arrive so I can’t speak to the quality of the stereo. I read that the non premium package LC stereo is made by Pioneer. A lifetime ago, I used to buy Pioneer head units, speakers and amps from crutchfield.com and install them in my cars. Multiple systems in multiple vehicles. Always really happy with them back then(late 90s).

Pioneer Sound System Factory-Installed in Toyota Land Cruiser 250 | News Releases | News and Events | About Us | Pioneer

May 27, 2024 Pioneer Corporation Pioneer Sound System Factory-Installed in Toyota Land Cruiser 250 Information contained in the news release is current as of the date of announcement. It is subject to change without prior notice.

global.pioneer

 

[bluebullet]

Crutchfield is still going strong. I get their newsletter every week.

 

[cvx5832LC]

I decided on a LCLC nonprem. Still waiting for it to arrive so I can’t speak to the quality of the stereo. I read that the non premium package LC stereo is made by Pioneer. A lifetime ago, I used to buy Pioneer head units, speakers and amps from crutchfield.com and install them in my cars. Multiple systems in multiple vehicles. Always really happy with them back then(late 90s).

Pioneer Sound System Factory-Installed in Toyota Land Cruiser 250 | News Releases | News and Events | About Us | Pioneer

May 27, 2024 Pioneer Corporation Pioneer Sound System Factory-Installed in Toyota Land Cruiser 250 Information contained in the news release is current as of the date of announcement. It is subject to change without prior notice.

global.pioneer

Thanks for the link. I learned something today.

Everyone's standards are different, but I find the 10-speaker setup in the LCLC non-premium more than enough. It's clear, has enough punch, low distortion and no rattles from any of the panels even at moderate to high volume.

 

[basedMDcruiser]

For me it would come down to the deal i could get on either one. I was originally looking LCLC but got an amazing deal on a 1958 so i’m really happy wit that. I think if i had paid even close to MSRP for it i wouldn't be happy - but just knowing i got a deal makes me feel good about mu decision and i am growing to love the basic-ness of it. So if i were you i’d try and negotiate some sort of amazing deal on the non-premium but if that doesn’t work then you got a backup.

For me it also depends on how the dealership treats me, in a big way. If the dealer treats me like a serious customer, i want to reward them with the sale. If they jerk me around, i jerk them around and then don't buy from them.

 

[Colorado]

I'm still discovering features of my non-premium LCLC that really please me.

Just yesterday I learned that my LCLC does have folding mirrors, which work in either automatic or manual mode. I had no idea. A neighbor was checking out my car, discovered the switch (above the mirror adjustor) and figured out what it did. A quick look at pp 179 - 180 of the manual confirmed it.

Who knew?

 

[Altitude]

Crutchfield is still going strong. I get their newsletter every week.

I’ve used them to outfit both of my kids’ cars with better stereos in the last few years. Cool company, though I have wondered how they do in a world where most car audio is bespoke to the car and Sonos has become a legitimate home theater alternative to component systems. I guess they do sell Sonos.

 

[DJW]

I got an LC non-premium and it came with a sunroof. I prefer the extra space in the center console without the coolbox and the 18" wheels. I didn't care about HUD. The sound system is fine. The brown interior looks really nice, but the black looks good too. The paddle shifters would be cool to have and the passenger side power seat, but I'm glad I got the LC base trim.

 

[TrailWhale]

I decided on a LCLC nonprem. Still waiting for it to arrive so I can’t speak to the quality of the stereo. I read that the non premium package LC stereo is made by Pioneer. A lifetime ago, I used to buy Pioneer head units, speakers and amps from crutchfield.com and install them in my cars. Multiple systems in multiple vehicles. Always really happy with them back then(late 90s).

Pioneer Sound System Factory-Installed in Toyota Land Cruiser 250 | News Releases | News and Events | About Us | Pioneer

May 27, 2024 Pioneer Corporation Pioneer Sound System Factory-Installed in Toyota Land Cruiser 250 Information contained in the news release is current as of the date of announcement. It is subject to change without prior notice.

global.pioneer

I'm pretty happy with the stock sound system in the LCLC No-premium. It also depends on what you usually listen to. The system as is is great for rock/indie-rock and podcasts. I do find that quieter folksy kind of stuff can lose a little bit of mids, making you turn it up just to hear the whole band. I don't listen to bass thumping hip-hop or EDM, so if you do, YMMV.

The low end is great for my purposes (rock music) and you can feel the door speakers doing most of the work there. The door speakers seem pretty great to me.

The higher mids and highs get a little muddy, nothing terrible and your ears will adjust to it quickly (psychoacoustics is a really fun topic to dive into). But if i was going to do anything, upgrading the dash speakers wouldn't be a bad idea. A few folks have done that on here, and there is an entire thread dedicated to it.

 

[bluebullet]

I’ve used them to outfit both of my kids’ cars with better stereos in the last few years. Cool company, though I have wondered how they do in a world where most car audio is bespoke to the car and Sonos has become a legitimate home theater alternative to component systems. I guess they do sell Sonos.

I think they got started as hobbyists back in the old 8 track days. I used to do the aftermarket upgrades like you with their products and advice.

I am done with Sonos. They screwed the pooch when they forced customers to upgrade their Sonos hardware with new units. I had about $5K invested in them beforehand. They will never get another dime from me after their bad business decision. They can just continue to sue Google to rebuild their company trying to keep up with their competition. All patent thieves...

 

[Altitude]

I think they got started as hobbyists back in the old 8 track days. I used to do the aftermarket upgrades like you with their products and advice.

I am done with Sonos. They screwed the pooch when they forced customers to upgrade their Sonos hardware with new units. I had about $5K invested in them beforehand. They will never get another dime from me after their bad business decision. They can just continue to sue Google to rebuild their company trying to keep up with their competition. All patent thieves...

The hardware upgrades I’m sure pissed off anyone who had invested in a system. I’m not sure what the technical driver was.

The new app intro was an enormous goof. Sounds like they aren’t trying to run from it though. We’ll see.

 

[Dogbreath]

I'm quite happy with the sound system as well. No complaints at all.

 

[NJ2VT]

I agree many of the tech in the premium package is not worth it…however, sunroof, wireless charging, JBL system, HUD, and leather seats are definitely worth the price.

 

[AK-LC]

I have almost exactly the set up described in your first option. I also did not want 20 inch wheels, but I got ‘em anyway.

All of the Premium Pkg. features are welcome: leather, JBL, HUD, illum. Entry, wireless charging, SR, and even the much-maligned cool box. ( It’s a hot day, you’re tired, and you arrive with chilled drinks. Note: The CB also keeps cigars fresh.)

For this kind of money, wouldn’t you want leather?

 

[AK-LC]

We struggled with the same decision and spent a lot of time thinking through each option. Many of the other extras with the “premium package” we have on other cars and i like them a lot. But the deal breaker for me was the cooler. I did not want to sacrifice critical storage for something that only cools four drinks. If i need a cooler i bring a cooler. In the winter it would have no value. I have seen others on this forum exploring how to remove it. Our sales guy said that is not something they can do. So we are happily picking up our LC we ordered w/o premium this week. Meteor shower…

Note: You don’t have to turn the cool box on; it serves as storage much of the time. Cool storage.

 

[Area 51]

More importantly, are you deserving of a premium package or maybe not. Financed or cash, hard earned money or easy come easy go. A whim or have you thought the entire program out carefully.
Thrash it and trash it like so many these days. Only you can decide.

 

[bluebullet]

Considering it’s an audio upgrade, leather, sunroof, illuminated running boards, digital key, digital rear view mirror, HUD… I’d pretty happily pay an extra 3 or 4 grand for that. Probably more. You’ll get 2-3 grand of it back someday when you sell

Digital rear view mirror makes me cross-eyed. Others too. No depth perception. I leave it off.

 

[Ike582]

Digital rear view mirror makes me cross-eyed. Others too. No depth perception. I leave it off.

It's definitely different, but I find it very useful on a multiple lane highway where there's vehicles frequently coming in and out of blind spots.

 

[EOD Guy]

Digital rear view mirror makes me cross-eyed. Others too. No depth perception. I leave it off.

Yepper, off....... right up until I fill the cargo area up and you can't see out the back glass anymore..............

 

[alkioth]

Digital rear view mirror makes me cross-eyed. Others too. No depth perception. I leave it off.

I had one with my last truck — at first it was a real love/hate thing. Same complaints (motion sick, no depth perception) but I also found my eyes wandering up to watch it (another screen to stare at).

I got used to it and now I love them. The digital mirror was the main reason I opted for the premium package.

 

[JSFoster75]

I had one with my last truck — at first it was a real love/hate thing. Same complaints (motion sick, no depth perception) but I also found my eyes wandering up to watch it (another screen to stare at).

I got used to it and now I love them. The digital mirror was the main reason I opted for the premium package.

Same here, I was more than a little disappointed when my new Grand Highlander Limited didn't come with it and no one seems to make a viable aftermarket one that includes HomeLink features...