200 Series questions-~Touareg tdi

[Vzfit]

I am considering buying a used 200 series LC for a "family vehicle." Although, I have a few questions that may be easy to answer:

What are the differences in the 2008-2011 model year LC's? I know they changed a bunch in 2013.

I am also considering a Touareg TDi. Which car is safer: the LC 200 or Touareg? For those who know they Touareg, which model year is the best in terms of wheeling and engine? I have heard that the V10 Tdi is the one to have.

How do unmodified LC's compare to unmodified Touareg's off-road? On road?

Any comments and insight is welcome. Thank you for your time.

-vzfit

 

[mhiscox]

I am also considering a Touareg TDi. Which car is safer: the LC 200 or Touareg? For those who know they Touareg, which model year is the best in terms of wheeling and engine? I have heard that the V10 Tdi is the one to have.

Those are two fine prospects to be considering. As you may know, though, the Touaregs have historically been one of the less reliable trucks while the Land Cruisers' reliability has been impressive. Beyond that, lots of other differences for you to consider. Good luck.

 

[4x4tripping]

That cars are so different...

For "stock" offroad comparison, the VW has no chance. Safer in case of an accident he is too i guess.

For Street cruising both are very nice cars.

To compare the different years for the land cruiser - that depends much - on the country you life in.

 

[Eric Edwards]

They are two completely different vehicles. I would compare a Tourag to a Acura MDX but not a Land Cruiser. The LC200 is a tank and extremely capable offroad, though it is generally panned for a very sorry suspension off the lot. This is something that is easily remedied with $1,000 USD Old Man Emu kit from ARB. Make sure to get the 2.0 lift in front with light springs, coupled with a zero inch lift in rear with medium springs if you have no other accessories and want a level ride. Cheers!

 

[Vzfit]

Thanks for the input so far.

I know the previous generation touareg has locking diffs. Those models have to have some kind of off road worthiness.

I am in the USA and believe as of now that there is no real difference between a 2008 LC and a 2011 LC. Am I wrong on this?

 

[TexasTouareg]

I have owned and wheeled a v8 touareg with air suspension and locking diffs. Awesome off road, felt like wheeling the four seasons. But it's just not reliable....at all. Had it 8mo and it cost me $2500 in 3 different repairs. At least with the TDI you know the drivetrain will last forever but the rest of it just won't.

I sold my touareg, got the 98 LC and never looked back.

 

[bjowett]

My wife drove a late build 04 Touareg for 7 years. It was a loaded V8, very nice ride, but it did have issues, most are well documented. A fairly capable off road machine with the locker engaged, it's largest issue there is lack of articulation due to VWs decision to not include the disconnectable sway bars in the USA... though the air suspension didn't help there, either. The interior is small, but very nice. The Touareg and Cayenne of the early generations are the best, if not only, TRUE crossover vehicle.... just as capable on road as off. Anyway, she drives a 200 Series Land Cruiser now.. much more heavily built vehicle, very reliable, with plenty of room.

 

[SOFME]

Get the v6 tdi land toureg. Stock for stock it's better off road and on then a 200... And comparing it to an Acura mix is plain ridiculous. Further more look at the crash rating of both... I would bet the vw is leaps ahead of the lc... As for the v10avoid it unless you want horrible gas mileage.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

If I get into a wreck I want to be in the Cruiser...no question about it. If I want to travel 4x4 roads I want to be in the Cruiser...and not just for capability but for reliability. These two vehicles do not compare to one another.

 

[p nut]

Further more look at the crash rating of both... I would bet the vw is leaps ahead of the lc...

There were no crash test ratings that has been conducted on the LC. But let's look at the little brother, the 4Runner, compared to the Toureg.

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=1421

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=217&seriesid=264

Not sure on the off-road capabilities, since I've not driven one off road (or even seen one off pavement). So instead of making assumptions and talking out the side of my neck, I'll not comment.

OP: Also consider the Sequoia, if you're not going to be doing anything too extreme off-road. I've been pretty impressed by the new ones.

 

[SOFME]

There were no crash test ratings that has been conducted on the LC. But let's look at the little brother, the 4Runner, compared to the Toureg.

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=1421

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=217&seriesid=264

Not sure on the off-road capabilities, since I've not driven one off road (or even seen one off pavement). So instead of making assumptions and talking out the side of my neck, I'll not comment.

OP: Also consider the Sequoia, if you're not going to be doing anything too extreme off-road. I've been pretty impressed by the new ones.

The tourage scored higher... Specifically roof strength... Look at the full test on the link you provided...
When it comes to safety generally speaking German cars have always been on top... I've never wheeled a 200 series, and the closest I've come to wheeling a tourage was at the vw autostadt on the proving grounds in 06'

But considering this http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.01/stanley.html it's not a slouch off road either... My conservative guess is to say they would be equal, in stock form, with same tires.

Quick video... Notice the touraeg has street tires as well


Look here for more info on off road and towing/camping stuff: http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f66/

As far as "photo proof" the Toyota is superior in crashes, ill see your Mazda 3, and raise you a tesla roadster and a Toyota Prius



Joking aside

To the op, consider this... You posted in a Toyota land cruiser specific thread asking which is better... Of course most everyone will tell you Toyota... Do more research on your own... Drive both cars... Pick one which suits you best.

 

[SOFME]

Head to head with the land rover on auto vision (German top gear)


Trans-Africa.

 

[Eric Edwards]

Get the v6 tdi land toureg. Stock for stock it's better off road and on then a 200... And comparing it to an Acura mix is plain ridiculous. Further more look at the crash rating of both... I would bet the vw is leaps ahead of the lc... As for the v10avoid it unless you want horrible gas mileage.

I'm sorry, but you are just wrong if you think the tdi is better off road than a 200 stock. I've owned two Jeep Wranglers and a Discovery II and trust me the 200 is excellent offroad. But enough speculation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMuBrtzaEwk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-ezNH1gkwM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUsbIrLS3sc


With that said, a very simple Old Man Emu 2 inch lift kit for 1K and some 33' inch tires for $1.5K and you will have a relatively bullet proof vehicle that can go anywhere in the world. Not trashing the tdi as I'm sure it is a very nice car, but they are not in the same class of vehicle.

 

[stonepa]

The biggest issue with the Toureg is still the reliability of its electronic accessories. A good friend is a VW/Audi nut. He has had many Toureg's, including the monster V10 TDI. Currently drives a new TDI. Almost all have had significant issues with electronics. His first one was replaced, essentially swapped for a new one, by Volkswagen after he had driven it for 27k miles. It spent more time in the shop than one the road. That being said, he still seems to love them so there must be something there.

BTW - my 98 LC has 275k miles with zero issue. I'll stick with the latest LC when it comes time to replace it.

 

[Viggen]

They are two completely different vehicles. I would compare a Tourag to a Acura MDX but not a Land Cruiser.

What? A designed to be capable SUV versus a lifted car? Do you even know what you are talking about?

I love TRegs but the cost of ownership is not the same with the advantage being for the 200. If I had the money, I would choose one over a 200 series for mostly road and occasional fire road duty. 200 series trucks are bulbous and ugly but are cheaper to own. Resale, however, is better with the TReg.