Should You Buy a TOYOTA LANDCRUISER? (100 Series Test Drive & Review)

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A few months ago I did a video I did a video with a Toyota Lancruiser Prado. I was inundated with comments from people urging me to drive its bigger brother. So today I'm in a 2002 4.7 V8 to try and figure out what all the fuss is about.

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[randie]

The Landcruiser is legendary in Australia, we particularly love the diesel models, we love the reliability and longevity and the economy of these 4x4s.

[oliverdance]

My dad owned a 2006 100 series V8 (in Australia) for about 8 years, did 170, 000km and the only thing that went were a flat battery and a flat tyre. It was an absolute beast and was stopped by nothing.

[trizvanov]

That was an excellent Rugby vs. Football player analogy. :D One pretends he is hurt, while the other pretends he is okay.

[sividproductions]

I'm in Australia and have owned both the 4.7 Lt V8 and the 4.2 Lt straight 6 diesel 100 series landcruisers.
The first one being the top of the line GXV with the 4.7 Lt petrol V8. It did a total of 520, 000 km before I sold it for $15, 000 Aus.
The only thing that I repaired on it was a starter motor and a alternator. It never used any oil, even right up to the date of sale.
The 2nd landcruiser that I bought was a 2002 GXV with the 4.2 Lt diesel. That one had clocked up 645, 000 km before I sold it for $30, 000 aus , and without major repairs, only a timing sensor.
I now have another 100 series diesel GXL with the 4.2 Lt diesel turbo , 2005, that is up to 300, 000 km and no repairs. Not even a alternator or starter motor. Just tyres and one set of brake pads, and a battery.
These 100 series are bullet proof and are increasing in value. The last time I checked, they were bringing anywhere from $45, 000 to $65, 000, and rare as hens teeth.
They sold new for $75, 000 (GXL turbo diesel auto) and the aftermarket boys are achieving over 200 kW and 800 NM of torque, using bigger turbos and aftercoolers, without any detriment to drivetrain reliability.
These turbo diesel landcruisers, IMHO will be worth over $100, 000 in the near future.
By the way. You made a couple of mistakes in your review.
The petrol V8 you were driving was a 4 speed auto, and not a 5 speed. The 5 speed came out around 2002 -2003.
And the diesel you mentioned is a straight 6 and not a V8.
I enjoyed your review BTW

[terrysmith]

You have to own a diesel 100 series cruiser to really appreciate how awesome they are for quality and reliability. Not too many 4x4s out there would go 15 years and still be going strong and looking great even through the toughest treatment.

[mohnnadmercedes]

The most reliable and proven over 1 million miles LC and when toyota was very strict about QC and long Durability are LC 80 series and LC 100 !

[imprator]

Unfortunately, a number of inaccuracies in this review.

Nothing against the guy in the video, but prospective buyers might find the following information useful;
There is no air suspension. The AHC suspension comprises coil sprinngs, hydraulics and nitrogen spheres.
With AHC the Amazon handles extremely well. The test vehicle was clumsy because the AHC had been replaced by coils springs, without replacing the various items (anti-roll bars etc.) which are designed to work properly only with the AHC (which incorporates electronically controlled anti-roll, anti-dive, anti-squat springing and damping features).
The 100 series Amazon was replaced by the full-size 200 series, which was sold in the UK
(badged " Land Cruiser V8")until 2015.
The Amazon is smaller than the current Range Rover. It therefore be hard to consider it to be too big for the UK.
Timing belts on the Amazon are twice as wide as they are on european cars (including Range Rovers). The only reason for it jumping teeth would be that it wasn't replaced until way past the correct interval (all timing belts stretch eventually, Land Cruiser belts later than perhaps any other car).
The video is right, however, about the AHC going wrong eventually (all things do, with time) and it can be expensive to fix. Replacing it with steel-only suspension is a good economy measure, but the vehicle drives and handles significantly less well as a result.

[taylorlivingston]

I've owned multiple Land Rovers, I've always ended up rebuilding motors, Turbos and R380s after the main shafts go bang. Never had a single mechanical failure with my 80 series or 100 and both Toyota products have accumulated much higher mileage. The drive train of the LC is just simply tougher and more bush proof with heavy industrial use in mind.

[texlad]

In the US, a 200K mile version in decent condition still costs close to 20, 000 USD.

[dansimmons]

Absolutely love this car. I have the same 4.7l petrol in my 2006 Tundra 4wd (similar platform) and it's brilliant. In fact, there was another Tundra driver that did 1, 000, 000 miles and still going strong. Toyota actually swapped him a brand new Tundra so that they could take it apart and see what they did right. According to Toyota, these vehicles are built to last 750, 000 if properly maintained.
The only thing is that I wouldn't drive it in the UK because of petrol being about 3x the price. It is a highly-capable vehicle but very thirsty.
I think your description of its issues was a tad unfair. The timing belt needs to be replaced after 100, 000 miles and it says so in the owners' manual. If somebody didn't do it, it still took 30, 000 miles for it to cause an issue. I don't have air suspension on my Toyota and never have had it on any vehicle, but I hear it often can have issues, regardless of what vehicle it's on. Furthermore, if the timing belt wasn't done then it's unlikely that the suspension was serviced properly either.
Also, I'm not talking down Land Rover. I'd have a newer old-style diesel Defender in a heart-beat if I were in the UK but they're expensive here in the US and I don't think they ever imported the four-door one.

Love your videos man, keep 'em coming.

[paulparoma]

I knew I was sold when you said, "You could just get into this thing and drive to Africa." Driving to Africa is at the top of my to-do list, naturally.;)

[kyle_vr]

These have aged very well! The design is quite timeless (in my opinion). 😁

[ablietski]

Got this exact model, 1999. Haven't had a single problem in over 6 years of driving. The only thing that's dated is the interior, the exterior is fairly timeless I'd say

[IceMan-ildx]

I dislike any Toyota, but seeing Greta, well inspires me to preserve such an old chunk of steel!😁 Blimey the Land Cruiser is a tank - even in Australia, but they do live long lives. In fact 500kms+ from any Aussie city there are loads of them some older than me!!🤩

[gardenweld]

If a Range Rover or a Land Rover are not leaking oil then the oil needs topping up.

[miremadr]

Love your Honest Reviews about cars . keep the great work going 👍🏼👍🏼

[ghanshyamghyani]

I like how you concluded the review by saying, 'It is more at home in Bulgaria than Belgravia' :)

[vizi]

Lol " Japan takes an idea from the west and improves on it.." Have you look at the shit America makes???? The whole automotive industry needs innovation and improvements. I would never buy an American brand car...

[hassanm.hassan]

I drive a 94 LC here in East Africa. The thing is an absolute tank. Even though there were 3 previous owners the car is almost brand new. The 80 series are unbelievably reliable and most importantly easy to repair vehicles.

[johngunning]

I can't believe I haven't watched this one until now. The v8 petrol engines were not popular. The turbocharged 4.2 diesel was an amazing vehicle and still hold its price today although the kilometres on them now at usually in the 300, 000 klm range tends to scare people off. An honest review from a self-confessed Land Rover fan. Well done!