Anyone own or have really driven one?
Starting to think about the next DD. I went to the local Dealership to see the new Land Cruiser. I pull up and one of the Salesfolk greets me and immediately asks me to start the car I drove up in so he can hear the exhaust....uhh, OK. Maybe the fun car talk that followed, or my vibe (crappy mood from work....darn Luxembourg bureaucrats...), but the expected dealership dance never developed. Instead he plainly explained that none were in stock, I could sit in, start but not really drive a sold one and if I wanted one, I'd have to sign for one but could back out when it arrived. We did not talk $, but he then said "I'd wait 6 mos to a year, after the frenzy", then he handed me the fob and walked a few steps away, leaving me to the vehicle.
Funny, while I was in it, a customer pulled alongside us in an older Toyota sedan and asked about the Cruiser. The sales rep started to explain the current situation and I head the customer say "that's not how I buy a car", the rep then calmly tried to explain before Mr Big Stuff made some silly, snarky comment and sped off. As bad as some car salesmen are, some customers.....
Thoughts on the mid model that I saw:
-The LC is definitely down market vs. previous versions
-Understated 'simple' interior, despite differing designs, I found it very Defender like, almost utilitarian (for a current SUV)
-Very good ergonomics, except for Apple car play
-Seemed narrow, the interior appeared and felt narrower than my Range Rover which isn't wide by current SUV's
-Interior fit and finish seemed very good as you'd expect, but the only the seat center panels were leather, Vinyl shouldn't be anywhere you backside touches in a vehicle like this. It was good feeling vinyl at least, almost like the old Mercedes material. Good seats though.
-Instrument panel was OK, easy to read the important stuff and not too video gamey
-Doors shut solidly, but felt a bit light
-Rear cargo area floor is oddly high, w/ a ~4" 'step' above the threshold. Must cover the spare and tools.
-Sort of sterile feeling
I have never owned a Toyota, but I really liked it and will consider one vs. the Defender or ??
Starting to think about the next DD. I went to the local Dealership to see the new Land Cruiser. I pull up and one of the Salesfolk greets me and immediately asks me to start the car I drove up in so he can hear the exhaust....uhh, OK. Maybe the fun car talk that followed, or my vibe (crappy mood from work....darn Luxembourg bureaucrats...), but the expected dealership dance never developed. Instead he plainly explained that none were in stock, I could sit in, start but not really drive a sold one and if I wanted one, I'd have to sign for one but could back out when it arrived. We did not talk $, but he then said "I'd wait 6 mos to a year, after the frenzy", then he handed me the fob and walked a few steps away, leaving me to the vehicle.
Funny, while I was in it, a customer pulled alongside us in an older Toyota sedan and asked about the Cruiser. The sales rep started to explain the current situation and I head the customer say "that's not how I buy a car", the rep then calmly tried to explain before Mr Big Stuff made some silly, snarky comment and sped off. As bad as some car salesmen are, some customers.....
Thoughts on the mid model that I saw:
-The LC is definitely down market vs. previous versions
-Understated 'simple' interior, despite differing designs, I found it very Defender like, almost utilitarian (for a current SUV)
-Very good ergonomics, except for Apple car play
-Seemed narrow, the interior appeared and felt narrower than my Range Rover which isn't wide by current SUV's
-Interior fit and finish seemed very good as you'd expect, but the only the seat center panels were leather, Vinyl shouldn't be anywhere you backside touches in a vehicle like this. It was good feeling vinyl at least, almost like the old Mercedes material. Good seats though.
-Instrument panel was OK, easy to read the important stuff and not too video gamey
-Doors shut solidly, but felt a bit light
-Rear cargo area floor is oddly high, w/ a ~4" 'step' above the threshold. Must cover the spare and tools.
-Sort of sterile feeling
I have never owned a Toyota, but I really liked it and will consider one vs. the Defender or ??
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), so I will probably lean Defender but I did like this.
