DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT …

WOULD YOU BUY ANOTHER 80 SERIES?
Without hesitation; I sometimes think it may be time to upgrade, however, have a hard time finding a replacement away from the LandCruiser badge, simply because it does everything I’ve ever wanted and needed a four-wheel drive to do.

CONS:
Price: Nudging $60,000 when new depending on options. ($56,785 for bare-bones GXL).

Solid axle front: Didn’t behave as well on the blacktop as some IFS vehicles.

Factory Turbo: The 80 Series was the first real large production big capacity turbo-diesel – they had big-end-bearing issues in early models, and more than a few were blown up by owners holding them flat up big hills while towing vans. You needed to do that in the old 2H in the previous Cruisers, however, with the turbo bolted to the new 1HD-T engine, you needed to know how to drive it.

PROS:
Solid axle front: Much more capable off-road than others that had switched to IFS – Mitsubishi Pajero, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota 4Runner, Holden Jackaroo

Large capacity turbo diesel: Big powerful, simple straight-six turbo-diesel – some competitors were going for smaller engines without the torque or were going down the route of electronically controlled engines.

Much more refined interior and comfort: Many more creature comforts against their competitors – Nissan GQ Patrol, Land Rover Defender, Mitsubishi Pajero

Current Model: HDJ80R – 1992 80 Series Toyota LandCruiser GXL turbo-diesel

WOULD YOU BUY ANOTHER 100 SERIES?
Technically, my old 100 was a 105 Series – an HZJ105R to be precise, solid-axle front end with aftermarket turboed 1HZ and five-speed manual.

I’d hop into another 100 Series Cruiser in a heartbeat but would opt for the 1HD-FTE engine mated to a five-speed auto. IFS model would return better on-road handling combined with excellent off-road ability and be an (almost) perfect family touring wagon with plenty of creature comforts and cabin space.

CONS:
1HZ model is slow and underpowered: Can be turbocharged with care, although incorrect tuning with a turbo tends to ‘melt’ pistons and overheat the engine. Many opt for an engine swap to the venerable Toyota factory turbo 1HD-FTE engine.

Doesn't steer as well as the IFS models: This can be easily sorted with a simple two-inch lift and appropriate adjustments to caster settings.

Small front diff and average five-speed manual gearboxes: H150F is the weaker found in the 1HZ-engined model, while the H151F is the stronger version and found in factory turbo and petrol-engined models are used as replacements.

PROS:
Solid axle front end: Simply rules off-road compared to IFS.

On-road comfort and reliability: Great for a large 4X4. Plenty of aftermarket equipment to suit from mild to wild.

In-cabin space: Plenty of space for the whole family; in fact, more than a current 76 Series LandCruiser.

Model: 100 Series HZJ105R, five-speed manual, aftermarket turbo and top-mount intercooler.

WOULD YOU BUY ANOTHER 200 SERIES?
Yes, in a heartbeat. In saying that, we have no expectations to be buying another tow vehicle any time soon. We love this car so much that we intend to keep it for a very long time.

CONS:
Purchase price: It's very expensive.

Factory Fruit: Even in the VX trim, you don't get as much fruit as you would with, say, a Land Rover Discovery. The interior is a little dated, and some of the plastics are a bit cheap. The stereo system and GPS navigation are also a bit ordinary. Toyota's tyre pressure monitoring system was also a waste of money. With the sensors inside the wheel, if the batteries go flat, it’s off to a tyre shop to get the job done.

PROS:
The V8 (pre-DPF version): Driving the cruiser is a pleasure that never gets old. That engine is just superb. One minute it can be lazy and relaxed plodding through city traffic, and the next minute, you sink the boot in, and it springs to life with a satisfying and unrelenting wave of torque that shoves you back into the seat and all to a very pleasant soundtrack from the exhaust. It’s awesome.

Touring comfort and capability: It just goes everywhere.

Servicing availability: The Cruiser has done everything we've asked of it and more without so much as a flat tyre! It still drives like a brand-new car. Even if something was to go wrong in the future, we know there will be a Toyota service centre just about anywhere we go.

Current Model: 200 Series VX, turbo-diesel, auto. At just over four years old and with almost 100,000km on the clock including 40,000km towing the caravan, Marty and Kylie reckon the big Toyota has certainly lived up to its expectations.

WOULD YOU BUY ANOTHER 200 SERIES?
Absolutely; no question. Hands down the best car I’ve ever owned. It really was a reluctant sale, and the day I handed the keys over I was already plotting my next one.

CONS:
Value for money: This vehicle is overpriced. At $88,300 for a GXL with a relatively basic interior, Toyota is having a lend. When you consider most buyers put at least another 10k in on suspension, bullbars, etc. to set it up as a solid tourer.

Practicality: These are a gem of a touring vehicle. But if you live in the city and it’s your daily driver, it’s just not practical. Concerns when visiting the dreaded shopping centre about not only jamming it into a tight spot but also other cars damaging your panels because of the width.

Fuel/Running costs: They guzzle, with our heavily accessorised set-up we were running over 16L/100km around town, jumping up to 25 litres when towing. Insurance and servicing costs are also well above average.

PROS:
Safety: You never want to think about being in an accident, but with a five-star safety rating, these must be the safest on the road. I don’t think you could provide any better security for your family. Solid as a rock, and not once in 40,000km did I have caravan sway.

Reliability: The best places in Australia are often off the beaten track, so far off the track, you may not see another human for days. When you’re in these locations, you can’t leave things to chance. Having a well-maintained 200 means you about as prepared in vehicle terms as you could be.

That feeling: It’s a feeling you get when you put your foot on the brake and push the engine start button. I don’t know if it’s the sound of the twin-turbo V8 diesel, the vehicle’s presence on the road, what I do know is no other car gives you this feeling, it’s like having a third testicle.

Model: 200 Series GXL, auto, turbo-diesel

WOULD YOU OWN ANOTHER ONE?
A 100 Series, yes. I have owned a Toyota of some description since my early 20s, starting with a 40 Series, then a 60, followed by an 80 Series then two 100 Series. Two reasons for not buying a 200 Series are the overall body size and no manual model.

CONS:
Purchase cost (Toyota is arrogant): New, this Cruiser was around 70k plus options. Second-hand they can still pull over 40k with accessories, so a good re-sale value is the price of arrogance – maybe?

Weaker drivetrain as newer models emerged: With the introduction of IFS and a small front diff this created a weak point for the big Cruiser.

Servicing costs: Keeping the Cruiser on the road using quality budget parts can be done, however, genuine parts are very expensive to use. In many cases, I think the genuine parts are better to use and they fit!

PROS:
Strong body (older models to 100 Series): While Nissan always had a strong drivetrain, Toyota had a stronger body, which was great for handling modifications.

Drivetrain: The gutsy 4.2-litre double overhead camshaft 24-valve turbocharged six belts out 151kW (no mods) and has a very strong gearbox for towing.

Reliability: Toyota built a reputation on toughness and reliability around Australia and were found in every corner of the country. Pretty much every man and his dog had one and they could find parts if it did need fixing.

Current Model: HDJ100R - 2002 100 Series Toyota LandCruiser GXL turbo-diesel, five-speed manual