Gringo

I bought my 3rd gen new in 2000 and plan on keeping her for ever. With that said I would like to purchase another Toyota/Lexus/Acura/Honda before my 4Runner is 10 years old. I really like the Land Cruiser and the 06 Tundra looks interesting with the electric option. I need something that is big and heavy living in Mexico(I would get a Suburban if Toyota made it!). Anyway just wondering what some of you guys dream of for the future. I find that I look at the new fj80's from Ecuador and the megacruiser.......

chuckd

An old school land cruiser. Or a Chevelle.

BT17R

Buenos Dias, Gringo. Why big and heavy for Mexico, defense? Some members here crawl all over Mexico in their Tacomas.

If I were living full-time in Mexico, I'd be looking at something the newly appointed dealer network carries and services. For now, that means Corolla, Camry or Tacoma. I'd think an '05 Tacoma would work well there. It'll be almost the length of the current Tundra, but narrower for getting through tight spots.

Hybrids are overrated, IMO. I've been driving an '04 Prius going on five months. Cold weather cuts fuel economy by up to 50%, hot weather affects battery life negatively, and the systems complexity are beyond what anyone there would be able to service. Also, the break-even compared to a straight IC engined truck can be upwards of five years when replacement battery cost is amortized. The hybrid premium is roughly $2K compared to an IC vehicle. I don't care, mine's selling in a few months, dealers around here are sold out for this model year.

Of those you're considering, none are built to the high standard of JDM Tahara assembled Land Cruisers and 4Runners, IMO. For your application, I'd be looking for a diesel or petro Land Cruiser used, or a new '05 Tacoma, my next truck based vehicle.

How do you like the expat life? I've friends living in Todo Santos, Baja, and they love it. They lease a house on the ocean, have a cook, maid and gardener, all for well under $1,500 a month. They drive a Suburban that's only been stolen once (by a policeman), but recovered later. They say they just need to stay healthy because the medical system there isn't up to U.S. standards. Hope you're enjoying it, too.

FirstToy

Well I have no desire for anything except to mod my 4R a bit but if I wanted a second car, this would fit the bill




It has as much tractable power as Michael Schumacher's Ferrari, but is still capable of crossing the Sahara desert with ease and is more than a match for the fastest road-going exotica over a standing quarter mile. This is one of 12-times FIA Middle East Rally Champion Mohammed bin Sulayem's road-going toys and its performance is absolutely awesome.

The creation of Mohammed's former full-time Australian engineer Ivan Ingrilli, this beast develops a monstrous 740hp at 6500 rpm and offers a staggering 1114Nm of torque, despite losing around 70hp with a minor transmission niggle when we tested it out! And even so, 0-100 comes up in around 5 seconds...

edit for vatoloco:
Based upon a brand new white road car, it's visually different from the outside only by the installation of a single hoop roll bar and a bonnet featuring a Pajero scoop and Ford Escort Cosworth vents. And this Landcruiser even utilises the base 4.5-litre petrol engine from the standard car.

The highly-tuned unit is mated to a pair of roller-bearing Garrett turbochargers working with twin intercoolers (each fed air by carbon fibre ducting), water injection, and MoTeC direct-fire management. The head has been ported and features enlarged inlet and exhaust valves, while below that there is a full steel balanced bottom end.

Its sister car, a slower example which still sits proudly outside the workshop, just wasn't quick enough. It ran with a single turbo, manual gearbox and was only good for 640hp!

Vato Loco

What does it have under the hood?

Gringo

BT17 I'm sure your right about the hybrids--they would be a nightmare to get service on down here. I'm thinking the way to go is a Landcruiser(point well taken they are still built in Japan). The Sequoia is nice but it is built in the states. The question about the Land Cruiser is wich one, and where to buy it. The US has nice ones like here in Mexico but they don't seem that tough.(The Mexico version sells for $70k U.S.) I like the FJ80 series they still make in South America as you can still obtain a diesel. What are your thoughts? I want the weight if somebody hits me---I own a hardware store on the main highway and the locals make lane changes with out mirrors..... I also want something ultra reliable. I like the fact you can get the LC in a stick still---they even make the 100 series in a stick I think(not sure about left hand drive though). For me the LC offers great reliability and safety.

http://www.toyota.com.ec/colorPicker...ruiser_VX.html

Mexico is nice to live in---I live two blocks from the beach--right now there is nothing built in front of us but I'm sure that will change. We drive about an hour south and they have sweet beaches with nobody around. You can buy land on the beach 1,000 mtrs sq for $4000 U.S. I pay a maid $50 a week U.S. I like it down here although your friends are right you wouldn't want to bang yourself up too bad down here. The police are corrupt but other than that Mexico is a pretty friendly place to live.

Vato Loco that LC is nuts.......

4x4Lamm

You can get Megacruiser Gringo?! Go for it, I have seen only a little about these but they seem awsome, simply amazing. Price is probably pretty high though. Personaly, i want to pick up either a dune buggy, Landrover or a 93 or so Landcruiser, maybe even a Hummer, in the meen time I will keep dreaming.

BT17R

Gringo, thanks for your impressions about Mexico.

I've always been partial to FJ-80's for their solid axles and optional lockers everywhere. If you can get a new diesel for a reasonable price there, it would make sense. However, there are dozens of them for sale all over the place here, with an average price of around $16K loaded for a '95-'97 version. I think those are the best combination for the DOHC 24-valve engine that still runs on low octane regular with it's ~8.5:1 CR, OBD II diagnostics, R-134a a/c, and uprated tranny. Some of the best, rust-free examples are also the closest to the border, so it would be easy for you to fly into Dallas and drive home. Here are some examples:

All eBay Land Cruisers

All AutoTrader '94-'97 Land Cruisers

ranma21

Well, currently I am driving a 96 4Runner and I am very happy about it. But my next vehicle I would like to have a Toyota LandCruiser Prado, in North America they call it Lexus GX470. they have a lot back home in Malaysia, looks and drive very nice, much better than 3rd Gen 4Runner. And they comes with a powerful turbo diesel too.Guess Toyota USA will never import any Prado here

Scofco

ChuckD, I see we have the same plans
I have two shelves on my bookcase loaded with Chevelle models. Helps fuel my dream of finally owning one.

02Runner

Gringo, I'm thinking a Landcruiser 75 (Larga), the wagon will leave you with plenty of room and if you get the turbo it shouldn't be too slow.
75 Wagon

In fact that is at Toyota of Ecuador.

Doug

SLC Punk

Well it will be a long time before I get a new car. The two cars that we have right now, and actually both mine. The 4Runner was mine before I got married, and we bought the Celica for me. So my wife says that she is just borrowing one of my cars.

So I promised her the next vehicle once I graduate from college. She wants either a D-Cab Tundra or a Titan.

Who knows what will be out when I am in the market!

CTB

My dream...

to fully restore my FJ! It won't see much trail duty though...just gonna restore it and drive it for pure enjoyment!

I hope to one day get an older solid axle pickup that I can turn into a trail rig fairly cheaply. But man, it stinks being a college kid with no real income and have all these ideas!

Gringo

The 75 wagon looks pretty sweet it would be reliable as hell, on the other hand an FJ80 solid axle would offer more creature comfort. I have two labs and a doberman so both would work well for that. The price of the 75 is much nicer than a new FJ80. A used one from the US would work if it had low miles...... My main requirement is reliability down here so I think what every I end up buying it needs to new. One concern about the FJ80 is they really go trough brakes fast. The FJ80 probably has a ton more in the after market sector..... Well I have a few years to figure it out.

The following is pretty interesting I read it on www.brian894x4.com I'm not sure if it is a available in South America though. I would say this or the 75/78/79. " This version of the 100 series used a solid front axle and the 4.2
diesel engine or 4.5 petrol engine and is available with a 5 speed manual transmission. The front axle is the
same axle (including 5 lugs and manual hubs) found in the 1999 and later Landcruiser 78 series. The engine
and transmission also from the 78 series. These lower cost models are available all over the world, but not in
the United States and Canada. In North America, only the higher end IFS models are sold, with a petrol
engine and automatic transmisson being the only options"

lee

id really like one of these...


too expensive right now... waiting also for the next iteration.

Gringo

That cruiser does look nice but I wonder if it would be tough enough down here---I would entertain the version with a stick although it is the straight 6, and it comes with a solid front axle. I like this one

AznSky

That's all I need.

Picture Courtesy of Ryan Woon @ wotm.com