So walking up to the LC G, you know there's something different about this one, the bumpers are black plastic, it's got a higher standard reight height, and the spare tire is mounted on the tailgate as opposed to under the body (as is the case with MOST LCs). The particular one I drove was typical of Qatari Gs and had dark gray, knock-off OZ wheels with huge off-road tires. Other than that though, it's just like any other LC available today.
Step into the car, and you notice there's no fancy wood trim, or aluminum look dash. It's all black/gray plastic as far as the eye can see. The seat fabric is also noticably cheaper...but that's not the point is it. The center console is straight-up missing and a manual gear-lever just sprouts out of the floor. Despite the lack of creature comforts, it's still solidly constructed. My friend had actually specified the optional power windows, and added an after-market remote locking system, and a Pioneer MP3-player. I've also been told that much of the sound-deadening material that goes into higher-spec LCs has also been removed. All the plastic is a bit monotonous, but it's hardly a bad place to spend time.
The driving position...well, let's just say this is completely different from the soccer mom bread of SUVs I've driven (Lexus RX, Infiniti FX, Nissan Murano). So you sit miles from the ground, and for someone accustomed to low-slung sports cars, and sedans...it's a somewhat strange experience. It honestly felt like I could've driven over just about any car in the parking lot. It's a lot longer, wider, and higher than what I'm used to, so fitting through narrow gaps, and parking (whether you're just slotting it in, or reversing it out) takes some getting used to. However, once you've got it down it's a breeze, thanks to huge rear-view mirrors, and excellent visibility all around. I also appreciate that front of the car is clearly visible from the driver's seat; this makes it easy to judge how much space you have in front of you, and explains how the locals manage to get so close when tailgaiting.
So on to driving it then...how much fun is a vehicle such a heavy off-road bias on the road? Plenty fun.
I attacked roundabouts in it despite the lofty suspension, and the car only wanted for grip when truly pressed. You could hear the tyres squealing...but only when you pushed it...the cornering was no worse than my car. The body-roll can be unsettling at first, but soon enough you get used to it, and that's when it becomes really fun. The steering was decent, but the truly impressive part was the feedback. The steering was honestly more communicative than many regular sedans. It obviously wouldn't let me corner with as much confidence as the 3, but it was good. Which is something that was entirely unexpected. In fact...it was fun to throw around.
The G felt completely different from the GX-R in this respect...the steering completely isolated the driver from the vehicle in the higher spec model.Then there was the ride comfort. Despite it's off-road tires, the car rode more smoothly than my Mazda 3, though it wasn't quite up to the level the Honda Accord's...but still...that's besides the point as well. The fact that it rides well at all with it's ladder-frame construction is itself, something of a miracle.
Shifting? Yes, this is a manual Cruiser. The shift-action is a bit on the notchy side, and it's also a bit heavy...as is the clutch. Once you get used to it, it's just fine. This isn't supposed to be a sports car, so ripping through the gears won't get you anywhere...slow deliberate shifts are the best way to go. All-in-all there's something deeply satisfying about driving a manual SUV...
The engine...well there was torque...LOTS of it. Not surprising for something that's designed to scale dunes, and pull itself out of sticky situations. Second gear starts? No problem. It'll pull as cleanly from second as my car will from first...no jerky motions or anything. The power stays with you all the way until 5000rpm, which is where the red line begins anyway. Something that honestly surprised me was the engine note...it sounded...fucking' great. It was the type of note I epected from something like a Pontiac GTO or something, not a Toyota straight six (I think).
So after writing a lot about an off-roader that I didn't bother taking off-road, I'm going to conclude that I want one more than any other car that's within my reach. Despite being the "stripped-out" model, it's still extremely practical and comfortable. It's fun to drive on the road, and simply unstoppable off it. I suspect fuel consumption is heavy given it's large displacement (4.6L) and dual tanks, but in the land of cheap gas, no one's complaining. So it's a no-nonsense off-roader where form always follows function, yet somehow manages to be fun on the road. Overall, 9/10.
Pros: Surpsingly communicative steering, stable at speed, stable through the corners despite excessive body-roll, very comfortable ride, torquey engine, extremely practical, it's a legend.
Con: Notchy gearbox, drab interior, pricey, excessive body-roll, and you look like a bedouin driving it.
