I think it's crazy that I ended up buying this model and trim. At some point, I didn't even care for the new Land Cruiser. I originally fell in love with it (the "NEW" Land Cruiser), but then found the GX550 - at which point I stopped seeing value in the LC overall.
As I have stated in several posts, I had an allocation 1 month away from getting a GX550 Overtrail in Sand with the black roof. This one came with rock sliders and the roof rack - it was perfect.
However, the price was $76,000 and the dealer added $5,000 of protection/mark-up BS, for a total of $81,000 OTD.
It wasn't that I couldn't afford the $81K, it was that at that point I wouldn't feel like I couldn't use the vehicle as I wanted. Coming from a Mercedes SUV I wanted to get back to basics, I envied the people on the road with their 10-15 year old 4Runner, LC, or even Highlander - utilitarian, smart. Driving a luxury SUV just wasn't fun for me anymore.
I have also been into mechanical watches for a long time (before everyone started wearing a sub or a SMP300), acoustic guitars, motorcycles, etc. The whole consumerism prism. I understand it, and I don't like it. I've been able to escape it, selling all of my Martin guitars except for 1, and all of my watches except for 1.
What I learned, is that you always build a relationship with the item/object/etc. that you use the most carelessly and purposefully. The value you get from something comes from how you use it. Will it weight on you if it's dirty and scuffed?
Like that pair of old Red Wing Iron Rangers leather boots you've had for over a decade. Originally around $300, at first, these never saw foul weather. Now, these have become your work boots. But you can wear them out to dinner too. They provide value, utility, and now, sentimental value.
I ended up cancelling the GX550 Overtrail reservation, I was convinced this was my dream SUV, it still might be. V6 Twin Turbo is hard to beat, and the styling is perfect in my opinion. But it wasn't what I needed, and realizing that made me happy, I don't live in a dream.
I even had Carmax ship a 2022 GX460 down from Washington for me to look at. I was also looking at used 4Runners. I was torn because I wanted to make the right choice.
But then the Land Cruiser popped back into my mind. With PTSD from the Rolex AD with allocations and what not, I hesitated to even entertain looking at these again (I had gotten very lucky with the Lexus GX allocation). I originally wanted a Land Cruiser mid-level trim without the premium package but I this was too close to a GX550 to justify. So I took a good look at the 1958.
When I first looked at the 1958, before the GX entered the equation, I didn't even want to learn about this trim level - I didn't like the look, but I loved the cloth seats. But the look wasn't there for me. I was also infatuated with the LC trim and its looks.
With Swiss watches, there is a common cycle people experience. When you first start getting into watches, Rolex is "king" - you don't know any better. Then you start learning about Omega's accomplishments, and higher end watches like Patek, AP, ALS, etc. and think you know watches. You start to discount Rolex because "its what posers wear", or "its what people who want to show off wear", etc., etc..
But then years later you start to understand why Rolex is so popular.
Rolex watches started out as tool watches, just like your old Land Cruisers. Back then, these were tools to fulfill a purpose. The Rolex watch was used by explorers in harsh environments, divers, pilots, and race car drivers. Land Cruisers were used by farmers, and in my personal experience, by families in Colombia to reach our "fincas" (weekend home / country house) out in the muddy mountains.
This is what I have learned works for me. Simple and useful. I will simply get a lot more value from something that I will actually use as intended.
After my short "trip" from originally wanting the mid-level LC, to a GX550 Overtrail, to some used alternatives, and back to the Land Cruiser, I was ready to learn and understand the 1958 model.
I hesitate to write about what I like about the 1958 to avoid sounding like a justification to myself in this here fine forum, but it's true.
Today I came back from a 5 hour trip around Mt. Hood, from highway driving (75MPH), to winding mountain roads (55MPH), to ice/snow covered roads up to the Timberline Lodge, to muddy and rocky forest roads with my dog and GF in the truck. I didn't miss a thing. I never once wished I had more. As a matter of fact I wondered what it would've been like to be in the GX550 when the semi-truck sprayed road particles all over the hood and windshield of my 1958. I had HVAC for my dog in the back. I had heated seats and a heated steering wheel. I had adaptive cruise control. I got 21 MPG on a round trip with lots of stop/go, and off road driving. My cloth seats are excellent and I never wished for extra lumbar support, or thigh support like I had in my Mercedes.
Sure I had wind noise. But never did I miss a disconnecting sway bar, sunroof, Cool Box, or MTS. I actually don't like the squared headlights on the mid-level trim now (if I'm being 100% honest). I love the black plastic and can only imagine how it will look with all the miles and rock chips I will run this 1958 through. Not once did I wish I had more information on my dashboard, nor did I notice the size of my screen. The speakers did a great job. And I will say it again, those cloth seats are so comfortable and SO cool. I also didn't adjust my seat at all, and haven't since I bought it.
I feel lucky to have ended up with the 1958 model. It feels like I belong to a secret club of those who have experienced it and daily drive it. I have always been one to get the top trim level, with every option I "need". But the only vehicles I really regret selling are those that never had any of those features: 2009 Tacoma TRD and 2014 Jeep Sport.
This 1958
I saved thousands of dollars by going with this trim, $20,000 from the GX550 OT, and I can honestly say that I would pick this trim level again if I had to.
To me, this is the closest interpretation of a "modern" 80s series Land Cruiser. The 2025 Toyota Wagon.
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