That's a sweet Tacoma. I've actually never heard of the Baja. I'm a bit of a sucker for special editions even though, yes, I could just get a TRD Off-Road and kit it out myself but if I'm getting a more-than-just-a-commuter vehicle that will be owned for the long-haul, and sort of a lifestyle vehicle, I think there's value in having the special editions when one's a big fan of the model assuming that the add-ons provide capability that would sufficiently stand-in for early mods/changes I'd be looking to do anyway (mild lift/OEM wheel upgrade).
Congrats on the short waitlist, there's not many of those up here in the cities.
I'm about 15th at Maplewood - looks like most of the waitlists I heard about were around the same total, ranging f/ 10-25 as of October '23. No problem though, I probably won't be ready to take delivery anything sooner than a year and I would be perfectly fine getting moved to 2025. Maplewood said that moving to '25 likely would happen to me anyway due to the trickle of LCs they plan on seeing. I'm also watching for the '25 4Runner. If the mid-trim Land Cruiser MSRP blows me out of the water, and the 1958 doesn't have a sway-bar disconnect option, I may seriously consider 4Runner (Assuming the '25 4Runner will have similar available equipment as the new '24 Tacoma (Hybrid, Locker, Sway bar disco)). I confirmed w/ Maplewood they could slide me into that waitlist if I end up crossing that bridge. I'm hoping information for both the Land Cruiser and 4Runner clear up by 1st quarter 2024.
I agree with everything you said. This summer after 10 years the Baja suspension finally failed on me (rear, the factory 1.5" lift is still fine) and I ended up getting to know the 4x4 shop near me. Put in medium Old Man Emu springs and Bilstein shocks. Much to my surprise it handles and rides better then it did when new.
Last week my blower fan died with the exception of only working on high. Found a TSB and it is common so ordered the OEM resister for $28 and will put it in this weekend. And clean the Taco up for private sale not sure I need another thing to run the snow blower around in the driveway for the next 5 months. A $28 part was enough to push me over the cliff LOL so when I seen that Roch Toyota had a 22 4Runner TRD Pro at a decent price went and drove it last week. Have some concerns over the new i-Force Max drivetrain although knowing Toyota it will be great, but... I have a friend that just bought a new 4Runner because his was 10 years old and he has the same concern. Turns out the new drivetrain will not be in the 4Runner until mid next year now.
The 4Runner was nice, power wise the same as the Taco of course. I am done with pickups but they are nice in the event the dogs get hit by a skunk, you can throw them in the back. In a SUV the smell can be so bad that it can make you puke when driving down the road, don't ask me how I know
I could certainly live with the 4Runner and being much newer was nice but it was lacking something even though I couldn't my finger on it. While I was waiting I looked at a 76 FJ55 they had on the showroom floor which was not for sale. I had a 77 FJ55 I bought when I was stationed in Wa. State. Looking at it brought back a lot of memories. Didn't recall it being so primitive though it certainly was. Still have a newspaper add for the Land Cruiser from Abu Dhabi when I was in the Gulf in 91.
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Even had a fridge in it, we used to call them Sand Cadillac's. Far cry from my FJ55. Over the years they kept getting more and more creature comforts. And expensive. The new 2024 LC is going to be stripped down in comparison. Yeah I couldn't go with the 1958 even though that was the year I was born
Anyhow the salesman said they had a 2019 GX460 I should test drive. 40K on it was an end of lease, Carfax showed service done in Texas in the winter and Wayzata in the summer so likely an older retired couple owned it. Well it is a Landcruiser 150 after all so what the heck I took it for a spin.
Signed the paperwork last night and pick it up tomorrow. I was blown away in large part by the creature comforts. And the V8. And handling and everything else. Will keep it as is over the winter until know more about the new LC. The salesman verified that I was #2 on the list for a LC and put his name as my salesman. But have a feeling I will be keeping the GX for at least 4-5 years and not trading it in. Once I know for sure I will need to take a P grinder to all that low hanging plastic on the bumpers and doing a side step delete. Not sure about a lift and suspension yet, but good chance it will happen. And aux fuel tank given the gas mileage but it isn't too far off from the Taco.
I grouse hunt with the dogs in Northwest Ontario where what little pavement there is runs out during the end of September. Then the month of October at a cabin on the Gunflint Trail in Cook County driving the side trails getting to hunting spots. I need ground clearance, lots of it and off road capability. Getting older I also like a nicer ride off road than what I once did.
The new Landcruiser and 4Runner were at the top of my list. Never considered the Lexus GX although have read before that buying a used one is a good bargain because they don't have the "Toyota tax" that used Toyota's have. I now understand. I can't even start to wrap my head around the cost of the new GX550 especially the Overtrail starting at $75K. In 4 or 5 years first year models should be reasonable though I may stick with the GX460. Or trade it in on the new LC mid level trim. Or see what the next gen 4R turns out to be. Options are good IMO and we soon will have more options then ever before at least in what I am looking for. Good luck in your search and decision!
