LC versus Sequoia rust protection

[Inniswhe]

I am looking to buy an 2006 LC or a 2007 Sequoia. I prefer the landcruiser but they are more $ than the Sequoia. I will not be using for much offroad only winter road conditions in PEI really.

I think that these vehicles like most toyotas will rust out before they wear out in our salty winter road environments.

I am wondering if the Japanese made Land Cruisers have any better corrosion protection than the US made Sequoia's ?

I plan on rust checking the vehicle but thought it would be nice to know if the LC has anything to offer in that department as it might help me justify the more $ and worse mileage.

Thanks for any comments

[Makelo]

Dude, people that buy Land Cruisers are not because they have better rust protection than other SUVs. They are simply put, legends around the world as the best and most reliable 4X4 rig ever. Thats why they cost more, not because of rust protection.

[Inniswhe]

Makelo,

I am aware of the land cruiser reputation and that is one of the reasons I want one but as they say a chain is only a strong as the weakest link and Toyotas in general are typically no better than the domestic vehicles in terms of corrosion in this part of the country. Normally a toyota car or truck is mechanically sound when the body fails due to rust.

I am wondering if there is any point in buying the best 4x4 on the market if it will just rust out while the drive train and rest of the mechanicals are fine. I saw a 100 series LC yesterday that was rusting badly along the bottom of the doors so I am concerned they are no better than the other Toyotas. Many upscale european vehicles are using fully galvanized bodies now so I wondered if Toyota did anything like that on the LC.

I have a 9yr old made in Japan 4runner that has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned, just a great truck but it is rusting out now so I am replacing it and want a bigger 4x4 truck. I have always wanted a LC and I have heard that the Japanese toyotas are better built than the US built toyotas so the LC gets another point for that but at the end of the day if the Sequoia was better for rust protection I would probably buy one just due to our environment.

[Makelo]

True, we are coming from two different enviorments. Usually here, rust is not a concern on any vehicle. I think the problem with Toyota, specially the LC is that these are vehicles that see abuse in 3rd world countries around the globe where hot tropical and desert heat are kings. Because of this enviorments, most toyotas don't have very good rust protection like say, swidish vehicles. In all honesty, I don't think the Sequioa is any better, as they are built in Texas and are mostly marketed to the south west of the country were there's little rust.

The good thing is that you are in Canada, so you have a wide open gray market (compared to us) to choose from. Probably your best bet will be to either purchase a JDM vehicle that suits your needs and galvinized the under body. If not, look into a diesel MB G-Wagon which is the closest 4x4 to an LC and I'm pretty sure it can survive more Canadian winters than any JDM or USDM Toyota vehicle