Initial GX 550 Reviews... looking good!

Had TMC wanted the 250 to be called a Landcruiser for 5.5 billion people in the vast majority of the civilized world, they would not have put the name Prado, a sub brand, on the back. Remember: what Toyota thinks about this matters a whole lot more than what any of us think in the peanut gallery. So take up the argument with Toyota. Building a vehicle worthy of the Landcruiser brand would have permitted Toyota to drop the sub brand "Prado" forever. Toyota chose not to do so.

 

Uhhh, OK.

Or, maybe if they didn't want to call it a Landcruiser, they wouldn't have stamped "Landcruiser" on the tailgate.

 

Are you okay?

 

Meh, I honestly don't like this push for EVs. The amount of mining and processes to manufacture them are still super harmful... even though some reports say "it's less damaging" I highly doubt it. With the resources to make 1 EV, you could probably make multiple PHEVs instead which are better for most people who commute. The feds are insane for thinking EVs are any better.

The only true things that will make an impact are:

1. More remote work for those white collar employees that can (like myself)
2. Ride more bicycles even e-bikes
3. Better public transportation
4. Eliminate waste and overproduction of perishable consumables (such as meats and veggies). Most of it goes to waste!!!
5. Eliminate plastic packages... those are so bad for the environment

There's a long list of things we could do, but EVs are absolutely NOT the answer. They're like putting a bandaid over a severed limb.

 

I think the immediate future is a combination of hybrids and EVs...for probably the next 60 years. It's about moving in the right direction. We can't just keep driving gas and diesel and be like "lol suck our balls EPA hahahaha gas for the next 500 years lol hahaha"

It sounds like a lot of people here just think "the earth heals itself, humans have no long term effects on climate, god is in control and will handle everything"

 

I owned an old MKI Audi TT... and it was pretty reliable. I did have to change a lot of old worn out parts because the first 2 owners didn't give a flying F about it and also let a lot of things rust out. But, once fixed, thing ran strong. I put about 60k miles on it in less than 2 years and sold it at about 190k miles.

I now own a MK7 GTI as well, it had first year parts (even though it was second year) so under warranty they replaced the updated turbo and water pump. I've put about 70k miles on it and it's running super strong with regular maintenance. Been nothing but reliable.

The whole notion that Audi/VW is unreliable does have some merit to it, but in current times seems like Ford and GM are more unreliable, I keep reading nothing but horror stories as of late.

 

I agree that hybrids are the best option for the next decade or two, but unless we can find some way to get "environmentally" friendly batteries, I don't see EVs being the best solution. It's a fantasy.

... welp, I hope god helps us soon cuz it ain't looking good at all right now

 

We absolutely will get environmentally friendly batteries. And if better solar/nuclear become viable in the next 50 years, we're sitting pretty.

 

I feel like we may be getting a bit off topic. And I'm probably to blame. Anyway, I don't care if Toyota uses aluminum, if it prevents this kind of thing from happening bring on the aluminum. Many cars use plastic panels now, so aluminum is no longer the worst option out there if you like traditional materials. My steel body gets dented anyway.

 

The future is hydrogen. Cummins is developing a 15.0L, and Toyota a 5.0L V8. BMW just announced they will be working on hydrogen vehicles.
I am really excited what Cummins is doing. I will be replacing my 2500 with hydrogen.

 

Aluminum is not as strong, you dum-dum!
Chill about the last word!
And this stupidity gets 3 likes Time to leave this planet

 

what is considered to be strong? a rust proof/corrosion proof material that is lightweight?

or a material that is heavy and able to be destroyed microscopically and catastrophically by salt/water/oxygen

 

So lets do stainless steel

 

That's the only thing I like about that "truck", steel body.

 

That is why it looks like a piece of shit.
Stainless steel is very hard to work with during pressing and moulding process. Not to mention it's substantial cost disadvantage.

Straight cut panels are literally joined together to make that 'shape' of that shit ass truck.

 

The other dude said it too. Steel still gets dented. It rusts. It's heavy. It hurts gas mileage. All i hear is old boomer talk about "Guns used to be made out of wood and steel. You could beat a man and his dog to death with one swing of your rusted out M1 Garand that was dropped in the mud. AR 15s are for gay little men that ugh....are...ugh...light in the loafers like...aluminum and ugh...plastic stocks made out of recycled dildos"

 

Dude, you are talking nonsense now. To achieve the same strength as steel, you would need a shit ton of aluminum. Ok Einstein, make us aluminum frames now! And aluminum brdiges

 

I realized that that's why I removed it. And plus, strength is not the criteria there.

 

These Einsteins are going to build us Aluminum bridges now

 

Strength is not the criteria why aluminum is used in space shuttle.

 

Strength isn't the criteria all the time with a vehicle either. Bridges don't move every day. Bridges don't get miles per gallon. Bridges also fall apart and need constant repairs, just like cars. Some bridges are made out of wood and rocks. It's a poor comparison. Bridges don't need crumple zones in the event of a collision.

The real question is, why are you simping so hard for steel? What did steel do to deserve this cult like adoration ?

 

Strength is the most important thing for a truck. Coat them and we will be fine against rust. I have seen two decade-old frames from Illinois that have zero rust.
If you think aluminum will make a solid frame, give me an example, let's build one, and see how it goes

 

I see we're back to name calling again. @Yotaholic really seems to need a vacation from this forum.

 

They in fact do. All of the deflection from the load from vehicles, wind, thermal expansion, etc. Bridges are nowhere near being static.

 

You're moving the goal post. No one here is saying "Make frames aluminum"

 

You're arguing semantics. Everything "moves" every day. I meant "bridges don't drive to mcdonalds"

 

I like the bodies to be steel too.