New Toyota Land Cruiser commercial
Discussion
I've been "detailing" the truck, which I believe is modern parlance for giving it a good clean. There is method in my madness: the underseal was applied in the workshop by spray gun and compressor, and left a very slight film of sticky residue on the paintwork. A wipe down with a product called Tardis soon cleared it up, followed by a good waxing with some Meguires Carnuba wax that I'd bought years ago and was so old the bottle cracked down the middle when I squeezed it. Still the product seemed fine so on it went. I've a keen eye for good paintwork having sprayed for years, and the paint finish is impressively good: nice and flat and very little orange peel. Miles better than most BMW's and the like I've seen.
I forgot to take a picture before Sunday when it was filthy and covered in cow s
t. Still only on 600 miles.
I forgot to take a picture before Sunday when it was filthy and covered in cow s
t. Still only on 600 miles.cabbagekitten said:
How about a 2021MY defender 90 for £25k + vat?
Go on, I’ll bite.I quite like the look of the new Defender. I do have a feeling the Commercial variant will appeal more to architects and artisan bakeries looking for a tax deductible promotion tool rather than highland farmers and vets (and indeed cabinet makers). A bit like the modern Mini Clubvan compared to the original van and pickup.
25k is fantasy of course, but I still wouldn’t buy one if they were. The key word here is “buy”. Maybe a Defender on a two year lease would be fun, and let someone else pick up the pieces when it’s out of warranty. But for long term ownership a simple, strong and well proven design, complete with reassuring 5 year warranty, has to make more sense as a working tool even if they were identically priced, which of course they or not: I believe I’d have to look under the sofa for another 17 grand to have the Defender.
olly755 said:
Toyota were very late to the party with a van version, only launched last year on the back of the bare bones, but non-VAT qualifying four seat Utility. The demise of the Defender and, more recently, the commercial Shogun left the market wide open for a commercial 4x4 to suit farmers and business owners, and uptake is strong.
I'm late to the party on this one.I think you mean Toyota UK were late to the party. Commercial versions of many cars/SUVs etc have been available ir Ireland for years due to less VAT/less Car Tax. Young people also discovered it was a hell of a lot cheaper to insure hence commercial Fiestas were extremely common. Dates back to the late 80's at least. I've seen Commercial Sierras in the shape of 5 door estates
Sir Bagalot said:
I'm late to the party on this one.
I think you mean Toyota UK were late to the party. Commercial versions of many cars/SUVs etc have been available ir Ireland for years due to less VAT/less Car Tax.
Yep, absolutely. I’d have owned one far sooner if the UK had followed their example, along with many others I suspect.I think you mean Toyota UK were late to the party. Commercial versions of many cars/SUVs etc have been available ir Ireland for years due to less VAT/less Car Tax.
Problem is with a lot of these commercial versions of cars/suvs is that most won't tow 3.5t. It's OK if your a builder and only even tow your 2.5t trailer, but I work for a boat dealer and anything less than 3.5t is useless for the bigger boats we do. The shogun commercial was only 3.5t capable of you specd the full leather posh one, not really something that you would want as a proper work vehicle for day to day stuff as well as deliveries. On top of that, I don't know why manufactures don't do a oem solution for tachographs. The one in our defender is just screwed to the center console, and god knows where you'd put one in something like a discovery.
olly755 said:
I’ve followed Matt’s column with interest. According to Instagram his has now been returned, so am awaiting the end of term report to see what he thinks. He’s piled the miles on, unsurprisingly it’s been issue free, and the overall impression is that he’s been delighted with it.
Bit behind down here, but I picked up a copy of What Car magazine from October 2019 (not sure if they are related to Auto-car). Inside they have a 4WD test of 10 different SUVs. Car in there looks identical to yours! Guessing it is the same car as Autocar.
Turns out I was wrong about the SWB landcruiser Prado, it was available in Australia for a little while.
motomk said:
olly755 said:
I’ve followed Matt’s column with interest. According to Instagram his has now been returned, so am awaiting the end of term report to see what he thinks. He’s piled the miles on, unsurprisingly it’s been issue free, and the overall impression is that he’s been delighted with it.
Bit behind down here, but I picked up a copy of What Car magazine from October 2019 (not sure if they are related to Auto-car). Inside they have a 4WD test of 10 different SUVs. Car in there looks identical to yours! Guessing it is the same car as Autocar.
Turns out I was wrong about the SWB landcruiser Prado, it was available in Australia for a little while.
Also worthy of note is that the Autocar long term test car went back with 38k miles piled on in under a year, no problems reported, still all on its original comsumables and 5mm left on the tyres. A good sign...
A few impressions at 1000 miles and almost 3 months old. (Told you I don’t go far).
Familiarity has certainly bred attraction, and I have fell for it’s minimalist charms. It’s simply brilliant. Easy to drive and operate, comfortable, painless, quiet. Refreshingly devoid of gadgets, stupid electronic handbrakes and screens, yet the few luxuries offered are welcome. The bluetooth pairs instantly with my phone and one large button switches seamlessly between Radio 2 and Spotify. Keyless entry is a genuine bonus for someone who loses keys as readily as me: the key lives permanently in my wallet. Even the lack of climate (an initial worry) is a non event: the temperature is always set to dead centre and the car comes up to temperature quickly and stays there.
It’s loosening up very nicely. It felt extremely tight and strained initially, and I confess to being a little disappointed with the performance at first, which seemed to be noticeably lacking compared to my father’s Shogun with similar output. But it now feels much, much better. Economy is improving as a result. The ride is settling down too.
As the odo was about to click onto four figures I thumped into a deep pothole concealed by standing water. No visible damage at all, but a free go on Kwik Fit’s Hunter alignment machine has been booked. I was initially convinced the alignment had been knocked out but have since decided it’s all in my mind. We’ll see.
It’s a cracking dual purpose tool. With the torrential rain of a couple of weeks ago, it switched from working tow vehicle to posh-night-out transport within the pull of a seat cover. The OH and I, suited and booted, splashed through the muddy puddles and floods like kids in wellies and hitched 2 wheels on the kerb in Prestbury village, where we discovered it sits taller than the FFRR we parked next to.
And initial efforts to keep it spotlessly clean have (of course) been in vain. I’ve decided it looks better with a layer of crap anyway.
Familiarity has certainly bred attraction, and I have fell for it’s minimalist charms. It’s simply brilliant. Easy to drive and operate, comfortable, painless, quiet. Refreshingly devoid of gadgets, stupid electronic handbrakes and screens, yet the few luxuries offered are welcome. The bluetooth pairs instantly with my phone and one large button switches seamlessly between Radio 2 and Spotify. Keyless entry is a genuine bonus for someone who loses keys as readily as me: the key lives permanently in my wallet. Even the lack of climate (an initial worry) is a non event: the temperature is always set to dead centre and the car comes up to temperature quickly and stays there.
It’s loosening up very nicely. It felt extremely tight and strained initially, and I confess to being a little disappointed with the performance at first, which seemed to be noticeably lacking compared to my father’s Shogun with similar output. But it now feels much, much better. Economy is improving as a result. The ride is settling down too.
As the odo was about to click onto four figures I thumped into a deep pothole concealed by standing water. No visible damage at all, but a free go on Kwik Fit’s Hunter alignment machine has been booked. I was initially convinced the alignment had been knocked out but have since decided it’s all in my mind. We’ll see.
It’s a cracking dual purpose tool. With the torrential rain of a couple of weeks ago, it switched from working tow vehicle to posh-night-out transport within the pull of a seat cover. The OH and I, suited and booted, splashed through the muddy puddles and floods like kids in wellies and hitched 2 wheels on the kerb in Prestbury village, where we discovered it sits taller than the FFRR we parked next to.
And initial efforts to keep it spotlessly clean have (of course) been in vain. I’ve decided it looks better with a layer of crap anyway.
olly755 said:
I didn't read it, but I think they used the Autocar example for the What Car test (and I believe it came out on top).
Also worthy of note is that the Autocar long term test car went back with 38k miles piled on in under a year, no problems reported, still all on its original comsumables and 5mm left on the tyres. A good sign...
Yes, compelling combination of 38,000 comfy, trouble free miles and off road king in the What Car test against some mighty competition - link belowAlso worthy of note is that the Autocar long term test car went back with 38k miles piled on in under a year, no problems reported, still all on its original comsumables and 5mm left on the tyres. A good sign...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7_0iLLbrbnQ
Kudos to my local Kwik Fit who checked the alignment on their Hunter machine for free and pronounced that all was well.
I was intrigued to find a large LCD screen in the waiting room that mirrors the screen used by the tech so that you can follow the whole process. My cynical mind wondered if they might knock a wedge or packer in the clamp and proclaim a discrepancy, but no. Full marks, Kwik Fit.
In other news, I’ve bought another grey Toyota. They make a nice pairing parked on myMOT type 2 granular sub base gravel drive.
I was intrigued to find a large LCD screen in the waiting room that mirrors the screen used by the tech so that you can follow the whole process. My cynical mind wondered if they might knock a wedge or packer in the clamp and proclaim a discrepancy, but no. Full marks, Kwik Fit.
In other news, I’ve bought another grey Toyota. They make a nice pairing parked on my
2750 miles (in seven months). Very little to report. It's still brill.
I've bought a spare wheel for it. They come as standard with the obligatory get you home kit. I'd prefer the spare wheel on the rear for both looks and practicality, but it would mean a different tailgate and lots of faff, so its staying in the shed. I don't go far enough to be let down, and haven't had a puncture for around 20 years, but it was something to buy. The steel wheel/tyre is from the Hilux and identical in appearance to the ones on the car, but the rims are an inch wider, and the tyres are fatter. They would look much better if fitted.
It's a sod to clean. It takes me 2 hours to simply wash it properly. So many nooks, crannies, edges, gaps and shuts. I do keep it clean, it spends a fair bit of its time parked outside other people's nice houses and first impressions and all that. Keeping the new car gloss is appealing, but I'm losing interest and time is better spent elsewhere on a Sunday now the days are longer. Better to let the Poles wash it from now on and spend a Sunday polishing it back up once a year.
It's averaging 27.5mpg. Mostly short journeys. Perhaps not the best for a modern diesel, but there is a manual DPF regeneration switch that I'm dying to press. But it will only let you when the warning light comes on. I believe you should keep your distance when it's doing it's thing.
And I've started to cut up my lining kit for the back, but true to form have not gone much further. I'll post some pics when done.
I've bought a spare wheel for it. They come as standard with the obligatory get you home kit. I'd prefer the spare wheel on the rear for both looks and practicality, but it would mean a different tailgate and lots of faff, so its staying in the shed. I don't go far enough to be let down, and haven't had a puncture for around 20 years, but it was something to buy. The steel wheel/tyre is from the Hilux and identical in appearance to the ones on the car, but the rims are an inch wider, and the tyres are fatter. They would look much better if fitted.
It's a sod to clean. It takes me 2 hours to simply wash it properly. So many nooks, crannies, edges, gaps and shuts. I do keep it clean, it spends a fair bit of its time parked outside other people's nice houses and first impressions and all that. Keeping the new car gloss is appealing, but I'm losing interest and time is better spent elsewhere on a Sunday now the days are longer. Better to let the Poles wash it from now on and spend a Sunday polishing it back up once a year.
It's averaging 27.5mpg. Mostly short journeys. Perhaps not the best for a modern diesel, but there is a manual DPF regeneration switch that I'm dying to press. But it will only let you when the warning light comes on. I believe you should keep your distance when it's doing it's thing.
And I've started to cut up my lining kit for the back, but true to form have not gone much further. I'll post some pics when done.
I've put my first dent on it at just over 3000 miles. Backed it a bit too far whilst attempting to hitch up to the trailer and left a little dent/mark. I'm almost pleased, it means I can stop worrying about it happening now.
The trailer was needed to move my LS460 barge: it has thrown a gearbox related EML and is currently sorned due to you-know-what. Easier to just pop it onto the trailer and transport it to the trans shop. The LC tows incredibly well. Much better than a previous Hilux I owned (I don't like towing with an auto) and on a par with the Shogun I've previously been used to, which is also an excellent tower. The LC is preferable thanks to Spanish gears and low range that can be engaged without also locking the diff, ideal for slow speed manoeuvring of a fully loaded trailer without cooking the clutch or winding up the diffs. Averaged 20MPG on the trip, mostly winding A road, some big climbs and descents.
For trailer pervs, I've just refurbed my 16'0 Ifor Williams with new Knott brake shoes, cables, tyres, and new Buffalo board base. Even the wheels were treated to a paint. Now tows better than ever and the Toyota's brakes were barely tested downhill, the trailer taking all of the weight and more.
And I had to drive to collect something for work, close to one of the landmarks that Fred used to run up and down using ladders, lumps of nailed together 3x2 and bits of string.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R3-YwDZrzg
The trailer was needed to move my LS460 barge: it has thrown a gearbox related EML and is currently sorned due to you-know-what. Easier to just pop it onto the trailer and transport it to the trans shop. The LC tows incredibly well. Much better than a previous Hilux I owned (I don't like towing with an auto) and on a par with the Shogun I've previously been used to, which is also an excellent tower. The LC is preferable thanks to Spanish gears and low range that can be engaged without also locking the diff, ideal for slow speed manoeuvring of a fully loaded trailer without cooking the clutch or winding up the diffs. Averaged 20MPG on the trip, mostly winding A road, some big climbs and descents.
For trailer pervs, I've just refurbed my 16'0 Ifor Williams with new Knott brake shoes, cables, tyres, and new Buffalo board base. Even the wheels were treated to a paint. Now tows better than ever and the Toyota's brakes were barely tested downhill, the trailer taking all of the weight and more.
And I had to drive to collect something for work, close to one of the landmarks that Fred used to run up and down using ladders, lumps of nailed together 3x2 and bits of string.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R3-YwDZrzg
Good to see you're still enjoying it.
I was ready to order one but needed something sooner than expected so bought a 2016 Hilux Mk8 Active. Similar spec to the utility/commercial Land Cruiser but obviously only the 2.4TD. Really impressed, amazingly competent for what it is. It's averaged 34.5 mpg since I bought it but does mostly do 20+ mile drives in very rural Northern Scotland which obviously helps.
I was ready to order one but needed something sooner than expected so bought a 2016 Hilux Mk8 Active. Similar spec to the utility/commercial Land Cruiser but obviously only the 2.4TD. Really impressed, amazingly competent for what it is. It's averaged 34.5 mpg since I bought it but does mostly do 20+ mile drives in very rural Northern Scotland which obviously helps.
Edited by snowandrocks on Tuesday 12th May 23:14
The “new” part of the thread title is now a misnomer: I’ve had the Land Cruiser for a year. Time flies.
5343 miles have been travelled, 10% of which were done in one day recently. One of my collection (don’t ask) of squishy Lexuses would have been the more obvious choice for a long day at the wheel, but the Land Cruiser needed a run, I had some podcasts to catch up on, and the weather was foul. The perceived ruggedness and high seating position (it’s taller than a new FFRR) gives a certain feeling of invincibility on a soaking motorway, and the LC is a surprisingly comfortable companion, happy to sit quietly at 80 on cruise control, tall tyres soaking up the cracks and ridges, excellent and slightly firm seats providing support. It performed this task equally as well as towing a laden trailer down a country lane.
This won’t be the most exciting RR threads. Unsurprisingly, it’s needed nothing, and nothing has gone wrong. A 30cm bit of glazing tape to stop the armrest rattling doesn’t constitute a multi post repair journey. I’ve topped up the air in the tyres once: they had all dropped a bar over the course of the year. It needed a can of AdBlue at around 4500 miles. It’s booked in for its first visit to the garage: annual servicing sits well with me. It’ll cost £295, and is the same no matter which dealer I choose. It’s very nice to own a car that does not provide a regular bout of anxiety as the next rattle or leak arises or MOT looms. I embarrassingly reduced an IKEA table to matchwood after accidentally driving into it on a customer’s driveway (the LC was unmarked). And I’ve added a period 70’s Smurf sticker to the back window, because I’m still the excitable child I always was.
I still love it’s simplicity and ease of operation. It has everything a car should have and nothing more. And it’s rarity: I’m still yet to see another SWB Commercial on the road. The new Defender is already positively ubiquitous in our manor.
Any dislikes? You have to ram the clutch hard down to start the engine, which is tiresome. The locking system baffles me most of the time: why can’t all doors just unlock with one press of the key fob, and remain unlocked with the engine running?
And thats it. I can’t see much point of carrying on the thread unless something happens or breaks. Which (hopefully) may be a long time off.
5343 miles have been travelled, 10% of which were done in one day recently. One of my collection (don’t ask) of squishy Lexuses would have been the more obvious choice for a long day at the wheel, but the Land Cruiser needed a run, I had some podcasts to catch up on, and the weather was foul. The perceived ruggedness and high seating position (it’s taller than a new FFRR) gives a certain feeling of invincibility on a soaking motorway, and the LC is a surprisingly comfortable companion, happy to sit quietly at 80 on cruise control, tall tyres soaking up the cracks and ridges, excellent and slightly firm seats providing support. It performed this task equally as well as towing a laden trailer down a country lane.
This won’t be the most exciting RR threads. Unsurprisingly, it’s needed nothing, and nothing has gone wrong. A 30cm bit of glazing tape to stop the armrest rattling doesn’t constitute a multi post repair journey. I’ve topped up the air in the tyres once: they had all dropped a bar over the course of the year. It needed a can of AdBlue at around 4500 miles. It’s booked in for its first visit to the garage: annual servicing sits well with me. It’ll cost £295, and is the same no matter which dealer I choose. It’s very nice to own a car that does not provide a regular bout of anxiety as the next rattle or leak arises or MOT looms. I embarrassingly reduced an IKEA table to matchwood after accidentally driving into it on a customer’s driveway (the LC was unmarked). And I’ve added a period 70’s Smurf sticker to the back window, because I’m still the excitable child I always was.
I still love it’s simplicity and ease of operation. It has everything a car should have and nothing more. And it’s rarity: I’m still yet to see another SWB Commercial on the road. The new Defender is already positively ubiquitous in our manor.
Any dislikes? You have to ram the clutch hard down to start the engine, which is tiresome. The locking system baffles me most of the time: why can’t all doors just unlock with one press of the key fob, and remain unlocked with the engine running?
And thats it. I can’t see much point of carrying on the thread unless something happens or breaks. Which (hopefully) may be a long time off.
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