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Thanx
Steve
After explaining the problem I turned on the ignition and radio first with the engine not running and then with the engine running. The techician was of the opinion that there was a definite problem and design defect. He found it most curious that the low frequency "booming" had no adjustment other than fading toward the rear speakers.
After examining the system first hand and analyzing the audio schematic, he concluded that the problem cannot be addressed mechanically. The entire system is integrated and controlled through the vehicles ECU (primary on board computer).
There is no way to by-pass the problem or adjust it without reprogramming the computer. Which I was advised by Toyota. The mischief was actually programmed by the Toyota and JBL technicians and could only be reprogrammed by them.
My question is. Why not a more timely fix? I cannot imagine Toyota is unaware of the problem and therefore not have in the "wings" a procedure to repair or fix this obvious flaw.
I now intend to commence a four time dealer visit with the problem. The law in California is quite specific. If the problem cannot be fixed after four attempts, the vehicle qualifies as a "lemon" within the purview of the California "Lemon Law".
At this time I don't want a new vehicle or my money back. I really enjoy this vehicle but for the audio problems. However, if a fix isn't offered in a reasonable time frame, I will pursue a legal remedy.
Its taken me to Chicago twice now and was very comfortable in heavy expressway traffic. Performance on the snow was excellent. Only jack-rabbit starts activated the active trac and acceleration was strong and smooth even in 6-8 inches of snow. While pushing through turns the skid compensation activated twice. (with a furiously flashing red indicator and loud alarm beep!!) The truck fishtailed minimally each time then resumed the desired curve.
The final fun was a 60 foot run up my sloping driveway covered with 16-36" drifts. (up to the headlights!) Man what fun! It ground right through with out hesitation. It was so much fun I turned around and ran up and down a few more times.
Now the problems. Not many.
Stopping distance seemed long compared to other SUVs I've played with in the snow. The ABS prevented skids but the size of the TLC leads to much longer stopping distances that the smaller Jeep with out ABS.
The stereo sucks. Man does it suck. (JBL 6-disk, no Nav system). When I test drove it sounded a little boomy but we were concentrating on other things and had the volume way down. Even with the bass at -5 the low end distorts to a loud, one-note, thump. The problem almost disappears with the engine off.
Reading here I see I'm not alone in my dismay at the stereo. The pattern seems to be they tell potential buyers that a fix is on the way and tell paid customers that it is not a problem. I'm guessing that it is a very difficult fix or it would be done.
Lawyers are good attack dogs but they can buy lots of lawyers of their own. I think that the press might be a more effective influence. If we don't get a fix we should write auto reviewers for newspapers, magazines and webpages and ask them to comment on the TLC stereo issue. Most big companies survive the financial burden of lawsuits easily. They are less likely to shake off bad press.
The reason I am asking is because of a debate on the Sequoia topic related to these issues. The Sequoia 4WD system is identical to the post 2000 LC with the exception that the Sequoia can go into 2WD as well.
Thanks for the review.
Thank you for the insight. Compared to my 91 FJ80, the tailgate on the 100 feels very light. Is the laminate fiberglass?
If the LC can handle the Hatteras sands, I'm ready to buy it.
BUT... what's your position on the JBL Stereo problem? I'm not going to tolerate any Toyota BS for a $55,000+ vehicle. Is your dealership willing to agree in writing that the JBL defect will be repaired free of charge once a fix is found?
Incidentally, I looked at your dealership web page at Stock #NN31573. What's the FE Option?
Look forward to your response. I'm in Alexandria, so I'm thinking of getting the LC by end of year. Thanks.
Ah, the fun of closed architecture! Looks like Toyota and JBL shot themselves in the foot with this one. I have never liked any of the stereo products that TLC's have come with. I just see the provided stereo as a compromise made to get the best 4WD on the consumer's planet.
Then at the end of the weekend another guy needed to ride back with us, there 4 guys with gear, sleeping bags, luggage, tackle boxes, waders and the LC swallowed all that equipment ease.
I run a rear trailer hitch hauler from Cabela's and made some homemade pvc rod holders for the sides.
I hope the '01 works as well. Hatteras is great place to test a vehicle.
(Don't want to get stuck at the narrows near the point!)
Thanks.
The '01 should be able to determine the amount of slip at each wheel and compensate. The system should not even allow the wheels to spin which is perfect for sand and if you have to go to low range then the center diff is locked and you will crawl right out.
I would talk to the dealer or call Toyota help line and ask specifically about sand. I know you are laughing but that is a major concern and Toyota should be able to address it.
Grogman1, my TLC has the rear seat, the convenience package, wind deflectors for the hood sunroof and rear. Carpet mats and cargo net. Sticker was $59k, invoice estimate was ~$52k per Edmunds. They would not go lower that 54,500 but then went $2000 over bluebook on my trade.(That almost doubled the BB value of my beat up 94 Ford Probe with a cracked front fender.) Overall I probably paid a little over invoice and they likely pocketed a big holdback since it had not been on the lot long. It took about three hours of the usual, "You have to come down on the price", "I'll go check with my manager." song and dance. I bought at the end of the month during the "Sellathon" so the dealer was looking to build his sales numbers. I went in late and kept them afterhours with both my kids.
Overall it feels like a nice blend of cushy luxury car and capable 4wd truck. My only reservation is the stereo. God I hope Toyota or JBL find a fix!
A counter theory runs like this. The TRACS system monitors slip relative to the other wheels. If all wheels are slipping equally, the system will not slow your momentum.
This is why I asked about how it did uphill in snow. As much as I do know, I don't know how this system would deal with snow and sand. On the plus side, if you lock the center differential, the TRACS system is disconnected so you really don't have to worry about it. Sequoia owners on the other hand, have no such option.
I've stayed out of the stereo discussion. I have listened to them and they don't really bother me but I can understand why it bothers others. I hope a fix will be forthcoming.
Thanks for the info.......interesting. I had similar experience, that is the dealer here reached a point where they would go no lower on the LC price, and then hinted at giving me a little extra money for my trade. Maybe I was too quick to hit the door, when I should have given them more time to kick the tires again and give it that second test drive.
BTW - great idea to bring the kids for the after hours party. Maybe that's what I should have done and I could have closed the deal.
I cannot imagine what the Toyota delay is. Where's the fix? There is no other sport ute on the market with such a "scrappy" sound system. I hope this is fixed soon.
What happened to the board? Most of the prior posting are difficult to find if at all.
rebuild bill $3,200. This week the engine blew head gasket and need valve job and maybe more, water and oil levels
were normal, no leaks visible or drip spots on driveway. Very disappointed in LC. Has anyone had similar experience?
I live in Texas, so flat land, no towing to stress transmission or engine.
HiC
I am down to 3 LCs left thru the end of the year... a couple of 2000's and a couple of 2001's, none with NAV systems.
-Di
Hope you've recovered fully from the flu by now and are ready to enjoy a Merry Christmas.
Ron Wyllys
Today I was advised by my dealer that Harmon Kardon makes the electronics. Perhaps they would know how to disconnect the automatic loudness circuit.
In-between included a cancelled order with carOrder.com, who subsequently shut down their web site, and internet/phone negotiations with many dealers, through cars.com.
I bought a 00 TLC, river rock green mica exterior/oak interior with the third seat package, carpet mat set, C7 convenience package, wood dash, alloy wheel locks, black pearl emblems, hood protector, spare tire lock and moonroof wind deflector. The MSRP on this vehicle is 57,854, my out the door price was 55,150, including doc fee of 45, sales tax of 3,916 (7.75%), and first year license fee of 698.
Each negotiation is different, but the lesson for me was to decide on a price (I used carOrder's price), then find a dealer willing to sell for that price. It took a lot of work, some frayed nerves, frustration and even anger, but in the end I felt in control of the process, not manipulated and controlled by the dealer as I have in past car buying experiences.
I hope my experiences can help some of you out there who are hoping to buy a car soon.
BTW, silly question, does anyone know where or how I can get the black pearl finish on the 00 TLC wheels?
Thanks
Peter
Now, I don't know about the Rover but I can tell you that the Hummer uses the same basic system as the Cruiser. They switched to this system in the '99 model year from a torsen system. I have serious doubts that they would do this if there was a question as to its off road capabilities.
"speed-sensing torque transfer coupling to the Quadra-Trac II transfer case along with Vari-Lok progressively locking front and rear axles. Gerotor couplings in both axles and a gerotor pump in the transfer case provide instantaneous pressure to transfer power from side to side and from axle to axle as needed.
Jeep officials said the system is quick at sensing traction demands since it does not need to wait for electronics to gather data and then react. Rather, it is a mechanical system built to instantly respond on its own. Jeep said its system is designed to keep "the vehicle moving even if only one wheel has minimal traction," and it doesn't need any driver involvement"
Is this true?
I was told the same thing 2 weeks ago by a saleswoman who, interestingly enough, is no longer working at the dealership. Is it just "talk" to help Sequoia sales or is there some truth?
Toyota will ALWAYS manufacture the LC. It sells worldwide and the Sequoia is not exported to many places: it was designed specifically for North America. Australia would invade Japan if they stopped selling the LC down under. They take the Landcruiser quite seriously there.
HiC
That ridiculous stereo problem has to be fixed first though, because it would annoy me to no end if it was present in my truck and nothing could be done about it.....in regards to this issue, has anyone had any further progress made in getting the problem fixed.
My .02 anyway.
HiC
Happy Holidays all! I know a few Edmunds members here had new Landcruisers and Sequoias for their Holiday time... it's really been a very busy Holiday Season for me. Have I missed any questions? Answers? The winning Lotto numbers? LOL! Still fixated on the JBL bass boom bug. Still have one 2000 black/oak LC with CF C7 BG very cheap. Am awaitin' the arrival of a 2001 thundercloud with gray leather and BG CF C7. LC's scarce right now, especially with the NAV system. ::waving to my customers in River Island, NY and in Anchorage, Alaska for the last NAV system cars I had::!
Someone mentioned about LC being discontinued, I disagree. That Lexus salesman is doing his job the wrong way, with supposition and scare tactics vs. plain old selling quality. Shame. And, during the month of November, when Toyota had projected 2000 Sequoia sales, dealers actually sold 4700. December Sequoia sales are already off the charts in droves, and I have to say I don't find the same buyers at all. Nor do we need "help" selling Sequoia. It isn't a Landcruiser, but with the LC sticker being $15,000 higher, some salespeople prefer to switch prospective buyers to make more $ as Sequoia's so much more close to the MSRP for selling price. There's less resistance to the sales peocess with a lot lower payment, so the switch to the Sequoia is often the choice of the salesperson, and might not be in the customer's best interests for a lot of reasons: resale, agility, quality, and the plain fact that LC is the "ultimate". Anything that's made in limited numbers vs. mass produced like Tundra, Sequoia, etc (built here in USA) is going to hold value a lot better.
-Di
Best regards.
Also, my clock resets itself each time I start the car to 1:00. Has anybody seen this?
Electric door locks dont work with the key turned off. Isn't this dangerous?
We finally decided to buy an '01 LX470 with Nav AND the '01 LS430 w/ euro-tuned suspension (which btw, is THE mandatory option one should buy the LS430 with).
Therefore, our '00 LX470 is available. Has all options except phone. Black/Ivory with 7K miles. Taking all offers. Car is in the PacNW.
Can you still open the doors from the inside with the key turned off? That seems to be the safety issue.
Thanks.
The chrome version of the stock wheel I've seen doesn't look that great with this color either.
Thanks
Peter
What should I look for when I go check out this Landcruiser? Did the 1994 Landcruiser have any problems I should look out for?
They have come off of $22500 to $21,000 what should I offer?