LC250 vs GX550 vs other?

Thought long a hard about the GX550 and decided on the LC. The approach angle difference is pretty substantial in real-world usage. Plus, I liked the features of the LC Premium vs the non-+ Overtrail.
 
Nobody ever mentions the Defender around here, which is odd because I do think the design of the current LC and GX derives from the current Defender. I have to believe some cross-shopping is going on.

I figured the Defender would be my next vehicle for a long time and came close to ordering one a couple years ago. I do have a lot of friends warning off Land Rovers on reliability issues but I have other friends who have driven theirs forever.

What turned me off ultimately was repair times and parts availability. Even with a warranty it sucks if you’re out of a car for weeks waiting for a part. I started hearing enough anecdotal about that to make the idea stick. Then, just last week, a friend of ours did some water damage to the electrical system in her Evoque (not sure how you do that in Denver unless you drive it into a pond). Land Rover came back with an eight month turn time for the repairs. Not what I’m looking for.
 
I think you might have answered your own question.
 
A few years ago I was looking at Land Rover, but three owners stated they couldn't wait to get rid of theirs, said it was in the shop at least once a month for something, so I went for the BMW X5. The X5 was very nice but definitely not an off roader.
 
I looked long and hard at Defender 110, liked a lot about it, including air suspension. Ultimately the lack of a dealer in Vermont and reliability concerns convinced me to get a GX550, even though no Lexus dealer here either (and a Land Cruiser FE for my wife, we do have Toyota dealers up here!).
 
We shopped GX OT and Cayenne initially. Cayenne S was required for offroad package and prices were well over 100k for one with packages we wanted. Didnt want any GX trim except the overtrail (or OT +) and we could not get one. Tried out of state and no one would sell us one. In fact only the 2 closest dealers would let us order it with no ETA possible. We passed. Strongly considered the Defender but were worried about reliability. Decided to give the Land Cruiser (always wanted one) a look and ordered an LC LC after 1 visit - we drove a 1958 for the test drive.
 
Also anguished over the decision between the GX and LC. A question, is the V6 in the GX the same as in the Tundra? I am sure you have read regarding the issues with the Tundra engine? However, allegedly all resolved...
Yes, it’s the exact same engine in the Tundra and the LX that has been recalled. I am not buying the metal debris theory. I know people who own both who are now in need of a new engine. One of the main reasons I went with the LC. Plus the LC interior is much nicer.
 
While I understand why Toyota limits options to trim levels, I wish they would allow, for a fee of course, something like Chevy did back in the day "COPO". There are a few things I'd opt out on.... ie.. the sunroof, the roof rack and can't see where the cool box will be used much after the novelty wears off, for anything other than a storage box.
+1. I would opt out on the sunroof, rack and cooler as well. My wife likes the sunroof so I guess there's that but for me I would rather have the headroom and less weight. Not that the headroom is bad but I don't need a sunroof.
 
A few years ago I was looking at Land Rover, but three owners stated they couldn't wait to get rid of theirs, said it was in the shop at least once a month for something, so I went for the BMW X5. The X5 was very nice but definitely not an off roader.
How would you compare the interior noise between LC and X5? When I test drove LC and GX, I did not notice anything noticeably different. I wonder how it compares to a SUV design to be silent.
 
How would you compare the interior noise between LC and X5? When I test drove LC and GX, I did not notice anything noticeably different. I wonder how it compares to a SUV design to be silent.
It's been a minute since I've owned the (2 different) X5s, but I don't remember any substantial road noise (other than the tires, I opted for harder compounds). 1st one was "T" boned and the second was sold due to they could never get the AC working for more than a few months at a time. Complete system was replaced twice under warranty, On the 3rd "fix" I sold it at a loss (full disclosure to the buyer, but it was a deal he couldn't pass up and it was still under warranty).
 
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