X5 in the same price range did not interest her. She said it felt flimsy compared to the LR3. She refuses to ride in a Toyota says they are all death traps.

She loves the comfort, shear mass, and open site lines of the LR3. Still does not like land rovers though. Her first love will always be that hateful ML320.

 

You need to let her drive a Land Cruiser, that feeling towards Toyota would change. My current 100 series hits the scales around 7000 pounds and with the armor I would say it could take a hit from any full size vehicle and come out a lot better than the other.

I know what you're thinking, buy her a Land Cruiser but the fuel economy is terrible. She's been driving my 100 since she sold her Acura MDX and at 10 MPG in town, not the best commuter. I think she's decided on either a FJ Cruiser or a Lexus LX470. I appreciate your all's help and after letting my wife read the responses, she's come to the conclusion she needs to stick with a Toyota for a daily driver.

While I've got the thread going, I'll share a couple of the Cruisers I've built and owned.

I built this one from stock. I had to have it towed home from Chattanooga, TN because it had a bad wheel bearing. She had set in the garage of the PO for the last several years and was used to tow their ski boat to the lake. This one had the rare front and rear factory diff lockers. I also added the CDL switch and did a long list of baseline items, after that all the fun began. Except for the front ARB bar, all of the armor including the roof rack was custom fabricated by a local guy in Knoxville, TN. With front and rear diff lockers, she'll go about anywhere you want to go


This is another 98 I built last year from stock. This one had over 300,000 miles on it and ran like a new one with the original engine and transmission. All armor was custom fabricated. This one had the factory rear e-locker

 

You tell her, she is convinced Toyota's are all out to kill their owners.



I like the older 4 runners but never did like the looks of the land cruiser. The styling was to forgettable to me.

I am a big fan of getting what makes you happy, so whatever she chooses as long as she is happy it was the right answer.

 

Toyota doesn't think the 70 series would sell in the US, they say it doesn't have enough bells and whistles but I disagree 100%. For true off road guys, I don't think they could keep them on the lots, especially if they came with the turbo diesel like the do all over the world except for the US. Only other problem would be most people couldn't afford them if they're like other Land Cruisers. A new 200 series is close to $100,000 now but I would much rather have the 70 series with a rubber floor mat and roll up windows. This is my dream rig, just have to wait till their 25 years old to import them.

 

X5s are "flimsy" but she loves the ML320?

....serious logical disconnect there!

 

Alright guys, I really enjoyed the conversation and appreciate your opinions and insight on the LR3. I'll leave this with a positive picture post, I spotted this beauty off the Blue Ridge Pkwy this past summer around Blowing Rock, NC. The wife and I were looking for an overnight spot to park the Cruiser and we felt right at home with this rig in the lakeside campground.

See you on the trail.................John

 

I can only report what she says, not make sense of it.

 

Interestingly, the grand majority of people that originally bought LR3's didn't have any intention of driving them on dirt. The same happens for people that buy new Grand Cherokees or Renegades. It's usually the second gen owners that are willing to risk offroad damage as the price to play wasn't nearly as high.

 

10GA, I love the work your metal fab guy does... the lift bars that wrap around the rear quarters are genius.

 

Maybe that explains the funny looks I'd get when off-road in my LR3 circa 2006!!!

"What IS that?"
"Why are you here?"
"Are you sure you want to do that?"

Hahahaha.....