Impressed with the new LC200 but...

[SSbaby Member Find all posts View Profile Close SSbaby]

At a porky +2500kg (that's just the base model) I reckon it's too much car for my family!

Love the extra r-o-o-om. Love the fit & finish and love the overall styling of the vehicle but why must every new generation 4WD vehicle gain at least 200kg of heft? I know the answer lies in creating a cell designed to pass tougher crash mandates but we all know what that does for fuel economy, performance, handling and braking. Not that these vehicles are going to be driven around a race track but from the reviews I've read on the LC200, the scribes tell of how you can feel it's considerable bulk upon approaching slow-ish corners. And I don't believe [Toyota's] spiel about improvements made to fuel economy - an engine's fuel consumption is directly proportional to the vehicle's mass.

Given the pattern with new releases, irrespective of the new generation Prado's specs, I'll cross it off my shopping list as I 'know' it's going to gain another +200kg. I'd rather stick to the tried and true current generation model as it's just the right sized vehicle, with the right engine and in many ways represents much better value than the LC200.

When are the manufacturers going to get back to basics and start shedding unnecessary weight from vehicles? 4WDs are fast becoming the dinosaurs of today.

Interested in your collective opinion.

[SSbaby Member Find all posts View Profile Close SSbaby]

Gee thanks for the overwhelming response, guys. 108 views not a single response. What's the go?

Blahhhh! Got some responses on Overlander, at least! :wink:

[Up The Creek Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Up The Creek]

Gee thanks for the overwhelming response, guys. 108 views not a single response. What's the go?

Blahhhh! Got some responses on Overlander, at least! :wink:

Unaniomous support? I certainly echo what you are saying.

[Handy Andy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Handy Andy]

Re: Impressed with the new LC200 but...

At a porky +2500kg (that's just the base model) I reckon it's too much car for my family!

+2500kg - are you sure mate?

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

Re: Impressed with the new LC200 but...

At a porky +2500kg (that's just the base model) I reckon it's too much car for my family!

+2500kg - are you sure mate?

2555-2720Kg depending on spec.

[Handy Andy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Handy Andy]

Ouch! That's getting up there! What's the towing capacity?

[HGMonaro Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close HGMonaro]

Re: Impressed with the new LC200 but...

When are the manufacturers going to get back to basics and start shedding unnecessary weight from vehicles?

When they introduce a new model at the bottom of the range to pick up some sales because all their other ranges have gotten too big!

4WDs are fast becoming the dinosaurs of today.

Nuh, they're still selling more than ever. They'll sell heaps of 200's as the majority of users don't care/know about the issues raised on internet forums with somewhat narrow and specific usage criteria. I wager that most people don't even know a vehicle has a GMV... they just stuff it until you can't get anything else in!


Nige.

[Handy Andy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Handy Andy]

The GXL V8 TD Auto:

Kerb: 2,630kg
GVM: 3,330kg
Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

Fuel capacity is 138 litres.

[speedcomm Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close speedcomm]

As HGMonaro says, most 200 series buyers are buying it " because" usually because they buy cruisers or their family buys cruisers, I have a friend here who bought the 200 as soon as it was on the floor, he has had 3 hungys since they were released back in 98 or so. He just had to have a cruiser, no ifs or buts. Doesnt care about any of the points raised above just had to have the cruiser . Good luck to them if they can do it, they are certainly a nice truck.

[Llamaboy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Llamaboy]

Starting to see more LC 200's round Darwin, they look nice. My preference if I did not have the Prado would be to have a LC 70 WAGON WORKMATE. SSbaby the LC 70 WAGON WORKMATE looks to be the best option of you just want a basic 4WD, just a bit of a shame the price does not reflect this.

[SSbaby Member Find all posts View Profile Close SSbaby]

Re: Impressed with the new LC200 but...

When are the manufacturers going to get back to basics and start shedding unnecessary weight from vehicles?

When they introduce a new model at the bottom of the range to pick up some sales because all their other ranges have gotten too big!

4WDs are fast becoming the dinosaurs of today.

Nuh, they're still selling more than ever. They'll sell heaps of 200's as the majority of users don't care/know about the issues raised on internet forums with somewhat narrow and specific usage criteria. I wager that most people don't even know a vehicle has a GMV... they just stuff it until you can't get anything else in!


Nige.

Agree and 'sort of' agree.

LC200 is a new arrival and one of the greatest Toyota nameplates in its Australian history. Therefore, whenever a new LC arrives, there will be a good uptake initially.

I did say initially as the laws of physics must one day force the weight issue into the owner's heads. How long will the sales success continue before owners finally realise that the weight penalty the LC200 now carries (some 500kg above a similar spec Prado) is really a burden on the ownership experience - things like tyres, brakes, sprung and unsprung weight, and the most obvious cost is fuel consumption.

My bet is that it will take a while before the LC is on the nose of potential shoppers. The reviews it gets here in Aus really is astonishing as its quite praiseworthy. The Brits reckon it's just a truck - but that's probably because they don't rate non-British vehicles as highly as they do their own!

[Pradosalesman Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Pradosalesman]

And I don't believe [Toyota's] spiel about improvements made to fuel economy - an engine's fuel consumption is directly proportional to the vehicle's mass.

I wonder what the ADR81/01 Test is for then???

Concerned about low GVM - GVM upgrade now available and ADR compliant.

Not a real 4wd - you should see some of my build ups for clients, and where they are taking them.

Client responses - from a guy that owns a fleet of Prados and LC100's
"Toyota has finally got it right - the new LC200 is fantastic".

I did say initially as the laws of physics must one day force the weight issue into the owner's heads. How long will the sales success continue before owners finally realise that the weight penalty the LC200 now carries (some 500kg above a similar spec Prado) is really a burden on the ownership experience - things like tyres, brakes, sprung and unsprung weight, and the most obvious cost is fuel consumption.

Guess you are a mechanical engineer have checked that the same components are on the Prado as the LC200 - this may mean that premature failure may occur - as far as I knew - the new LC200 was engineered from the ground up. Your assumptions on tyre wear would mean that Fully decked out LC70 series also prematurely wear out??? Haven't seen that happen.

What do I honestly think of the new LC200 - mine is due in on the 9/5 boat into Freo - GXL. Graphite, Accessories so far (not finalized)
Steel bullbar.
Cooper ATR tyres.
XGT lights
Charge Master Dual Batteries with AGM battery
TX3440 UHF
Kenwood DVD Sat Nav with rear headrest screen and bluetooth.
Airbag Man Air bag suspension on rear.
Aero Roof Bars
Street Legal Tint
Canvas seat covers (Front when MSA gets them passed not long now)

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

I've got to say that I like the 200's - a lot.

However, Toyota have overreached on price - but many seem not to care about that.

The other thing, if I decide to go for one in a few years time, I'll wait until they have sorted my main gripes with the current series:

1) sorting the GVM issue out to allow the bigger fuel tanks on the Sahara model,
2) Making roof rails standard like my Prado.
3) Making the rear seats removable like the Prado (without the aid of spanners etc)
4) Make the "crawl control" mode available in the Diesel

I'm not too worried about the kerb weight, as I don't think it is much more than a Disco 3 (in fact, it might even be less than the HSE Disco).

I would go for Diesel in a Crusier, so it would probably slurp no more than my current petrol Prado. Besides, I'd rather have size and gadgets galore...

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

Saw and sat in the 200 today at the Perth motor show.
I first saw one driving past and must have got a bad angle as they do look nice.
But for the bucks. its not me yet.
Did notice that they have 2 batteries in the sahara at least... is that a dual battery system? or using two in parrallel? I havnt read yet what it is...
The drop down/ up tailgate (electronic opening by the looks) would be nice on the prado, if you didnt use a tank space for the spare.

If they were cheaper and i didnt have so much life in my 120 etc etc...

[SSbaby Member Find all posts View Profile Close SSbaby]

I'm not too worried about the kerb weight, as I don't think it is much more than a Disco 3 (in fact, it might even be less than the HSE Disco).

I would go for Diesel in a Crusier, so it would probably slurp no more than my current petrol Prado. Besides, I'd rather have size and gadgets galore...

How could you not be worried? Just because the Disco is at least as heavy as the LC200 does not make it acceptable, IMO. I can only assume someone else is paying your fuel bills - perhaps the tax man? Weight is the BIGGEST enemy of fuel economy. Every journalist has indicated the increased weight can be felt at tight corners in the LC.

It's totally unacceptable for a vehicle to weigh that much particularly as we see oil hit the 'target' $2.50 mark that everyone seems to be speculating about.

Just as the V8 is relatively redundant in this day and age, ditto LC200.