r/Autos • u/tramul • 6d ago

3rd Row Seat Options?

We're expanding the family and looking into 3rd row seat options. Currently our list consists of the Toyota Grand Highlander, Land Cruiser, Buick Enclave, and Tesla Model Y. I'd love the new 4runner, but who knows when that's coming out. While creature comforts are nice, we really only care about reliability and getting us where we're going on road trips. Trying to avoid the larger gas guzzlers if we can. Any recommendations for or against these models?

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u/Successful_Neat3240 6d ago

If money is no object, the Land Cruiser will last you a lifetime.

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u/tramul 6d ago

I won't say it's no object 😂 but definitely want to get our money's worth. Comfortable with 75k and below.

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u/Successful_Neat3240 6d ago

Perfect. No need to max that out. You can get a 2025 Land Cruiser for around 62k.

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u/tramul 6d ago

My only concern with it is the mixed reviews I've seen on reliability. Looked at repair pals and it scored pretty low as well, though I question the methodology. Expensive to repair, maybe, but infrequent repairs are my primary focus.

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u/Successful_Neat3240 6d ago

Here’s another choice. If you recall, the Toyota Land Cruiser was always a full sized vehicle. The last year of that model was 2024. I’ve read that there are still some available. I actually prefer the 2024 over the 2025. But that’s just personal preference. I’m older, so the 2025 is too sporty for me.

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u/tramul 6d ago

That's what confused me with the newer model because I have always known it to be a full sized suv, but the new one didn't look big at all. Around us, the older body isn't much cheaper than the newer. But we'd end up with a higher interest rate so I'm not sure it would be worth it. I'm a jeep guy, but I'm trying to learn Toyota as it seems to be one of the more dependable brands. Loved my jeeps but every one of them had something I had to fix.

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u/BackwerdsMan SBC RX-7, HDJ81 Cruiser 6d ago

Americans just have never experienced the full Land Cruiser line. For a very long time there have been various sizes and styles of Land Cruiser sold side by side. The new LC we have here is known in the rest of the world as the Land Cruiser Prado, which is a lighter duty Land Cruiser variant. If you look at the Lexus GX line, those are historically rebadged Prado's that are sold here in the US. We no longer get the full size LC here, the 300 series. Which is why when you go look at the final years of the 200 series which ended production in 2021, they are still selling for $70k-$90k. It viewed as the last big, tough, ultra reliable LC we may ever get.

They will continue to hold value like no other vehicle.

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u/tramul 6d ago

But will it last is the question?

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u/BackwerdsMan SBC RX-7, HDJ81 Cruiser 6d ago

The 200 series will almost surely outlast the "new" Land Cruiser. Increasing mandated tech is reducing reliability and longevity across the board.

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u/tramul 6d ago

You're absolutely right. I'm okay with replacing a few sensors now and then though, as long as the power train holds up

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u/Successful_Neat3240 5d ago

It’s a girl car. Bring back the big bold Land Cruiser