2011 Chrysler Town & Country Review: Bad Year For The Cheap Unreliable Van

Alex Showalter
Mar 15, 2022

The 2011 Town & Country lasts only 150,000 miles with major computer and sensor issues. At $7,957 – 9,311, it’s not worth the money since ownership costs are so high.

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likeFilled The Good
Luxurious interior materials on the high-end models, outstanding cargo space and a very smooth suspension.
dislikeFilled The Bad
Safety ratings are lower than rivals, the transmission is jerky and it loses value very fast.

Is the 2011 Chrysler Town & Country a Good Used Van?

  • No, 2011 is a bad year. We have received a lot of negative owner reviews mentioning electrical problems, engine issues, and air conditioning failures.
  • Reliability ratings are poor with more mechanical problems than any other year. Serious improvements show up for 2013, but prices are about $2,500 more.
  • One V6 engine is available offering good power for a van.
  • Fuel economy is good at up to 20 MPG combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Shelley S
Chrysler . Fantastic family vehicle has gets mileage and gives fabulous comfort.
Never thought I'd be a 'minivan' mom but was one of the best investments I have ever made. Love my van! Love the room for my children. One of my favorite features is the back up mirror. Although it only lasted about 3 yrs I enjoyed it while I had it. The kids thought it was cool too!
accountCircle Erin K
Great gas mileage in and out of town. Great on road trips
Roomy, Seats 7, great for long trips. Plays two movies at once. Nice Captain seats in front and middle.
accountCircle Carmela H
Chrysler Town & Country Van modified for wheelchair disability use.
My vehicle is used as a wheelchair van. It has a ramp that comes down and the back end of the van "kneels" to get the ramp lower when it meets the street. I bought this vehicle used in 2016. It was five years old and drove like it was new. I have had no problems other than with the adaptations that were made to make it accessible. I'd purchase another one without hesitation.
accountCircle Judith B
It provides a very comfortable ride, smooth driving.
I have no complaints. I love all the features, especially power doors. Garage door opener, power outlets and plush seats are among the features I most enjoy.
accountCircle Amanda P
6 years of almost wonderful.
I have had my town and country for 6 years now and we have loved it! We are a family of 5 and when we travel we are all very comfortable. The kids have plenty of space to sprawl out without getting in each others space. With anything though it does have its share of shortfalls. Ours has the DVD system in the ceiling and though not always, it will sound loose or squeaky as we are traveling. The clear coat has begun to peel on the front of the car.
accountCircle Janice O
I recommend a town and country for a family that has children it comes with built in dvd player
I love my town and country it's fits my whole family comfortable. It has taken my family in wonderful road trips. It's very economic for a big family like ours.
accountCircle Kelly B
Comfort & convenience of this vehicle is hard to beat!
Fuel pump relay went out $500 dollar fix at the dealer? Smooth ride everything works for each passenger in the vehicle. The most comfortable vehicle ever. The controls are easily accessible to control temperature for front and back of van. Seating is great holds 7, 6 adults comfortable or store the seats for flat cargo surface.
accountCircle Heather B
It's a dependable vehicle, great for families with young kids
I love the space of a minivan. It is dependable and roomy. It does have a LOT of sensors. We've had to replace several for nothing but something small like tire pressure

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Barbie C
Great amount of space inside
We've had to replace the alternator (2x), television console, the fans, the battery (5x already), and the radio. The automatic doors have made it easy for school drop off and pick up. The legroom is awesome but that's the only things I've enjoyed. We have had bad luck with it being a reliable car as the battery light comes on within 5 minutes of driving and no one can figure out the reason.
accountCircle Jiri V
The worst van ever. Do not buy
The absolute worst purchase i've ever made. The vehicle constantly breaks. Ac broke in the rear, the doors are always off track, sensors constantly breaking.
accountCircle Samantha N
Computer/electrical problems. Even the mechanic had told us these vans often have these problems.
We purchased our vehicle in 2015 from a certified dealership when it was only 4 years old. The entire time we have owned it it has given us constant problems such as: tire pressure light always coming on, check engine light always coming on, A/C controls automatically going to max blast over and over again, windows automatically rolling down, etc. We even purchased the warranty through the dealership, which lasted 3 years. A week after the warranty ended, our transmission went out with no warning beforehand therefore we had to pay the full price to fix it on top of the amount we still owe on the loan. In addition to all the above, this van does not have a lot of space when all m whole family is inside. (4 car seats, 2 adults).
accountCircle Jerry V
Always broken down. Terrible van.
I've had nothing but problems since I bought it. Rear ac stopped working, sensors constantly breaking. Doors coming off track. Nothing but issues.
accountCircle Beth C
Worst van ever everyone agrees
We bought our 2011 in 2012 and spent no less that 1200-3000 each year until it finally dies this year. Every time something happened the mechanic would say “yes this model year transmission has problems for everyone” - worst customer service at Chrysler - they broke my door handle the. Charged me to fix it. Just the absolute worst experience
accountCircle Jennifer P
Entertainment system is good and love the heated seats
Has issues trying to start and leather is ripping. Gas mage is horrible. Other then that it is a pretty good car.
accountCircle Esther S
Mileage is great 36 mpg we can go on lots of trips /.
Love the physical car. Can 'turns off while on roads. I have to disconnect batteries to be able to restart. It has to be a computer error. Chrysler does not care if I get killed in the middle of the interstate highway.
accountCircle Dj N
Family friendly minivan seats seven or four and their luggage.
Like the sliding doors and tailgate, like that they are remote activated. Dislike difficulty of folding seats.

What Do Critics Say About the Town & Country?

  • Consumer Reports finds the Town & Country to be dated and past its prime with low owner satisfaction scores.
  • Edmunds gives the Town & Country a 3.7/5 and likes the interior, but finds the engine and transmission outdated.
  • Kelley Blue Book users give the Town & Country a 3.9/5 with good luxury features, but poor long-term dependability.

What Problems Does the 2011 Chrysler Town & Country Have?

Problems with the Town & Country include computer system issues, blind spot sensor failures, and excessive brake wear.

Computer problems with the totally integrated power module (TIPM) are the most common complaint at around 80,000 miles. The TIPM controls every aspect of the van, and suffers from frequent failures. Replacing the computer costs about $1,000.

Blind spot monitoring sensors wear out regularly at around 50,000 miles. The only solution is to replace the sensors for nearly $2,000.

Premature brake wear is another complaint every 15,000 miles. The pads and rotors included from the factory don’t last long, and replacing them with higher-quality components costs about $400.

There are 2 recalls including the steering column and vent window switch. Both recalls are serious since the steering column can cause injury in an accident, and the switch may result in a fire.

How Long Will the 2011 Chrysler Town & Country Last?

A properly maintained 2011 Town & Country will last about 150,000 miles, which is over 150,000 miles shorter than long-lasting rivals including the Odyssey. Regular annual maintenance costs are very expensive according to Repair Pal, at $763 per year.

As a Town & Country reaches 100,000 miles owners should prepare to replace the rack and pinion for $1,200, the power steering pump which costs $675, and intake manifold gasket costing $475.

accountCircle K H

Aside from routine wear and year (brake pads, oil and transmission fluid changes, etc.), it has been a very reliable vehicle.

accountCircle Jeff W

Yes it is very reliable. It has the normal wear and tear problems any car gets. They can be a little more costly to repair.

accountCircle Jasmine A

No. Transmission, caliper, and brakes all in 1 year. It has been very costly and time consuming getting it all fixed

accountCircle Cynthia B

Yes it is reliable. The only problem we have encountered is the lug nuts on the tires don't come off without a special key.

How Much Is the 2011 Chrysler Town & Country Worth?

Blue book values range from $7,957 – 9,311, making the Town & Country more affordable than a Sienna or Odyssey. When new, the price range was $30,260 to $39,160. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 20% of the current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Town & Country?

There are three different models are available. Technology is okay, but it is missing a lot of advanced features. The van was updated in 2011, and discontinued in 2016.

Touring is the entry-level model with:

  • 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
  • Cloth Seating
  • Power Driver’s Seat
  • Cruise Control
  • 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System With 6.5-Inch Touchscreen

Touring-L offers upgrades including:

  • 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
  • Leather Seating
  • Remote Ignition
  • Heated Seats

Limited is the flagship model adding:

  • Premium Leather Seating
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Xenon Headlights
  • Bluetooth Connectivity
  • 9-Speaker Premium Stereo With Bluetooth And Navigation
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car
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Is the Chrysler Town & Country a Safe Van?

Safety ratings are okay, only earning a 4-star rating in government crash tests with few advanced features available.

  • Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, and a rearview camera.
  • Blind spot monitoring is the only optional feature.
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What Engines Come In the Town & Country?

There is one decently powerful 3.6L V6 that is found in the Town & Country making 283 horsepower. The sprint from 0 to 60 takes 8.3 seconds, which is similar to other vans.

What Colors Does the Town & Country Come In?

How Big Is the Town & Country?

The Chrysler Town & Country is a minivan similar in size to the Grand Caravan and Sedona. Passenger room is excellent throughout the cabin with plenty of room for adults in all three rows.

Cargo space is great with 33 cubic feet of room behind the third row, expanding to 143.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The Town & Country also has the unique “stow n go” seating allowing the second row to fold flat into the floor.

Centered wide dash shot

How Does the Town & Country Compare to the Competition?

The highest rated minivan is the Honda Odyssey, which is $2,000 more Where the Odyssey stands out is with better technology, but the Town & Country has a roomier interior. Overall, the Odyssey will last much longer and is a better choice.

Another rival is the Toyota Sienna at $4,000 more. The Sienna has significantly better reliability ratings, but the Town & Country offers more luxury on the higher-end models. Between the two vans we recommend the Sienna, which is more affordable to own long-term.

Ranks #6 Minivans by Owners

1
car
4.51
2
car
4.45
6
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4.09

Do Owners Recommend the Town & Country?

accountCircle K H

Yes. We feel it is a quality vehicle. It is reliable and gas efficient. It allows us to carry seven passengers comfortably. The stow n go is our favorite feature.

accountCircle Alex J

Yes it is a very good car. It certainly gets me where I need to go. It has amazing features as well.

accountCircle Kimberly S

Yes and no. Been having some issues these days, love how much space there is but the internal issues is a pain

accountCircle Kati A

Yes. It has great stow and go bucket seats. It gets great miles per gallon. It has so many great features likes automatic start, heated seats, navigation, and the ability to store music and photos.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Wade B on April 2, 2021
The one most important thing is it is safe and comfortable to drive
I love how it handles and the amount of cup holders. I do not like paying for maintenance
accountCircle Hallie B on April 1, 2021
It is worth getting over the "I don't want to drive a mom van" stance. It has so much room for people and stuff that I can't imagine having gone with another type of vehicle for our family car.
I love the roominess of our van, especially that the second row seats fold down into the floor. It leaves room for more storage and makes it easy to get into the backseat to buckle little ones. It seems to get decent gas mileage for a van.
accountCircle Carmella H on March 19, 2021
It has a 5 star rating for safety
I like the way it drives and It's comfort I never have any problems with it and I like that all 5 grandchildren can fit comfortable.
accountCircle Trevor M on March 11, 2021
It's very reliable and lots of room. Very easy to stow the seats in the back to add more room for transporting stuff.
Like all the room and easy fold down chairs. Dislike the low ceiling.
accountCircle Vunsin D on February 27, 2021
Great family car especially if you have a lot of stuff
Like it because it is spacious inside but dislike how it is not fuel efficient.
accountCircle Amy G on February 21, 2021
Love the heated seats. They keep me warm.
Great vehicle. Some issues with cylinder head, but was covered under warranty. Love all the room. Like that it sits up high. Love the features. Stow and go seats. Lighting, leather heated seats. Love having seat heaters. Great family vehicle for road trips. Lots of room and comfy to drive and ride in.
accountCircle Dan N on February 19, 2021
Good reliable family vehicle.
Fuse that controls the seats keeps going out. Other than that the car drives well. I haven't had any issues with the vehicle. It seems to be pretty dependable. I wife and I have already taken it on several trips. I would recommend this vehicle for anybody that is looking for a good, reliable, family vehicle.
accountCircle Sherry B on February 17, 2021
Chrysler vans are a very reliable van to own and relatively free of problems.
I really like the van. I have had several vans over the years, just small problems. Nothing major over the years. I just prefer pickup trucks.
accountCircle Virginia P on February 16, 2021
Love my minivan, it's the best.
I love my Chrysler town & country. It is so versatile. The sto and go seats are great. I can fit so much in my van. It's the go to vehicle all the time. It seats 7 easily. It holds all the stuff moving kids into and out of college. When you need a sheet of plywood or drywall it easily fits putting all the seats down. Even if you need a hot water tank or other large appliance it easily fits.
accountCircle Kelly B on February 8, 2021
Comfort & convenience of this vehicle is hard to beat!
Fuel pump relay went out $500 dollar fix at the dealer? Smooth ride everything works for each passenger in the vehicle. The most comfortable vehicle ever. The controls are easily accessible to control temperature for front and back of van. Seating is great holds 7, 6 adults comfortable or store the seats for flat cargo surface.
accountCircle Paula T on February 6, 2021
Very comfortable & loads of room!
We purchased it used and it was perfect for us in our retirement! Very roomy & comfortable! Perfect for traveling! Great for a large load like the swing set we got for our first great grandson!! Perfect to help in moving our family or friends. We maintain as often as needed and it treats us well!!
accountCircle Amy M on February 6, 2021
Its black and big and I already mentioned everything.
It gets me where I need to go drives really well in the winter months. Rain or show. Good on gas big bed in the truck. A lot of space. Good for long distances and over all a really good truck. We love it we use it most days for big shopping trips or small.
accountCircle Krys N on February 3, 2021
Our vehicle seats 7 with lots of storage with the stow and go feature.
I love the space, the stow and go feature and reliability of the vehicle. We purchased the extended warranty which we used shortly before it was expired so that was helpful.
accountCircle Jiri V on February 2, 2021
The worst van ever. Do not buy
The absolute worst purchase i've ever made. The vehicle constantly breaks. Ac broke in the rear, the doors are always off track, sensors constantly breaking.
accountCircle Juli S on January 29, 2021
Quality vehicle- safety features are perfect for a family
Love heated seats and navigation size and space Dislike a few features have stopped working early on in ownership
accountCircle vun d on January 23, 2021
It's a great family car for most
I like that we can fit many people on it, but it's not very fuel efficient
accountCircle david l on January 22, 2021
It drives well and gets real good gas mileage for a minivan...I can carry 6 passengers comfortably.
Adjustable steering column,power sliding doors, traction control.No complaints so far...
accountCircle Vun H on January 18, 2021
I like that is family friendly
I like how easy it is to get my kid in and out but it's not fuel efficient
accountCircle Jennifer W on January 16, 2021
This vehicle is packed with storage and passenger space.
The stow and go is perfect for families, and is easy to use. The sliding doors male out way for entering, exciting and loading. It feels open and large even when the van is full of passengers. There is a slight blind spot at the way back. Huge storage space at the back of the vehicle.
accountCircle Renee V on January 14, 2021
Town and country cons and pros.
Uconnect stopped working after first year, tire pressure sensor does not work. Sound system is good. Smooth ride in front but back is bumpy. Stow n go seats not always functioning. Overall good vehicle. Just minor issues. Would buy another if needed in future.
accountCircle heather o on January 12, 2021
It's great if you have small children and a big family.
I love how spacious my van is. Everything is automatic. I also love the rear view camera.
accountCircle Jessica H on January 6, 2021
Spacious and luxurious. Room for everything and everyone.
It has lots of room for passengers and cargo. The stow and go seating is great. I love the entertainment system.
accountCircle Debbie M on December 27, 2020
You can seat 7 people comfortably and you can get heated seat in 4 seats.
I love how many people can fit in the car. I also like all the extra options such as heated seats, navigation system, etc. I dislike how quickly things break on the car.
accountCircle Jonah N on December 24, 2020
The interior of the car is amazing and the exterior is also great
My vehicle has many positive and negative traits about it. Some positive things about it are the seats, radio, and comfort of the car. Some negative things about it are the breaks having lots of problems as well as the seat heaters having problems too. I enjoy my vehicle very much and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a vehicle.
accountCircle April l on December 23, 2020
My vehicle has stow and go seating! You do not need to remove any seats to create more room for hauling. Everything stows away easily.
I love the automatic doors, that you push a button on the key fob and the doors will slide open. I also love the dual DVD player for the kids. I do not like that it doesn't have the bluetooth capabilities to hook up my phone. I wish it did. I like the heated seats in the winter time.
accountCircle Julie R on December 22, 2020
Hide away storage and ease of moving seats up and down to make room.
Love the room and seating. Great DVD for entertaining kids. Easy to move seats around since you don't have to remove to make space.
accountCircle Maria v on December 21, 2020
It is a great car for families, pets and traveling.
I like that the seats fold down, that the doors and trunk open and close with a button, the power outlet in the middle seat section, the amount of space, the color, etc... I don't like that it's a minivan that has an uncool reputation, that it dings forever if the passenger doesn't wear a seatbelt, and dings forever if the key is in the ignition and the door is open. I also think the auto headlight function could be improved.
accountCircle Karen H on December 15, 2020
Great car for young adult.
I like the minivan style, easy to transport pets and haul large items. I dislike the buttons for doors on the key fob.
accountCircle Meggie V on December 14, 2020
The Chrysler Town and Country - Perfect Family Car
The Chrysler Town and Country minivan is perfect for a young family. I especially love the power doors with the little ones!
accountCircle Danielle C on December 13, 2020
The stow and go is awesome! Great for more room inside the van and also great to store things in when the seat is up!
I love the room and stow and go of the van. There is a lot of room inside for everything we need. I also like the DVD player in it, it's not something I was originally looking for in a vehicle. I do not like the gas mileage that the van gets.
accountCircle Linda S on December 10, 2020
Fully equipped and wrap around airbags.
Love the comfort and ease of loading and unloading wheelchair. Dislike - not having the ability to download saved music from the car radio hard drive to preserve the library.
accountCircle Marissa M on December 8, 2020
Great family vehicle! Lots of storage, fun features, and plenty of room to grow.
We love the space and storage of our t&c van. We are a family of 4, with both our children in car seats, so we really like the captain seats and the space we still get with the very back seats left up or put down. We have not used the stow away storage yet, but it is nice having the option. We've been able to get very large items in our van with the option to put some, or all seats down. The built-in DVD player is a must with kids. The only consistent problem we experience is a leaky a/c, which is no fun in the hot Minnesota summers. We've paid to have it fixed, and have done temporary fixes ourselves, but it keeps happening. Overall, we would definitely get a town & country van again.
accountCircle Amanda B on November 29, 2020
It's perfect for families that are always on the go or that travel a lot.
I love the touch screen, underglow interior, the additional storage under the floor, and how sleek it looks. I wish it had the built-in dvd player or tv that can be plugged in because the spaces for dvd players is so small, it doesn't fit a store-bought one. I wish the fuel economy was better, but I love it otherwise.
accountCircle Dj N on November 14, 2020
Family friendly minivan seats seven or four and their luggage.
Like the sliding doors and tailgate, like that they are remote activated. Dislike difficulty of folding seats.
accountCircle Melissa J on November 12, 2020
Reliable, dependable and good on gas. Good family vehicle
We really like the town and country. Has everything we need for our family. We really love the DVD player and you can also plug in a video game system
accountCircle Christine B on November 1, 2020
It may not last as long as you want it to without being replaced.
I dislike that it rusts so easily. I like that I can fit my entire family in the vehicle. I dislike that it doesn't have a ball for towing.
accountCircle Jan B on October 30, 2020
An awesome vehicle that I definitely recommend!
We absolutely love our minivan. We bought it used with 45,000 miles on it and it now has 109,000 miles on it. The only problem is that we had to replace a computer module that controlled the ignition. We love everything about our Town & Country and would like to purchase another one. It is so comfortable to travel in, lots of storage, lots of cup holders! We are really hoping that we can find a 2016 (last year they were made) when we're ready to trade this one in.
accountCircle Sarah C on October 27, 2020
Great vehicle for large families.
I have five children, four of which are in car seats. We love the split second row for easy access to the back seat. We got the stow and go version, so it is great for hauling things or huge grocery trips. The electrIc doors are a huge plus too since the kids can use them themselves. We do have one side door that does not like to close; it acts like there's something in the way, so it opens back up. That is a safety feature that we love so little fingers do not get smashed, but it seems a little too sensitive.
accountCircle Crystal H on October 9, 2020
I love my Town and Country!
Performance is wonderful - I never worry about it not being reliable. The leather seats are easy to maintain and the warming feature is perfect for any cold mornings. The middle and back seats are so easy to manage when I need to use all of the available space for bringing home bags of mulch or pieces of furniture. I would absolutely purchase this minivan again!
accountCircle Rachel G on October 9, 2020
Chrysler Town and Country Money Pit
Van is not what I was hoping for. We are always having electrical issues or something is breaking on it. Check engine light always comes on, so I cannot always use the automatic start. It is very roomy and has many great amenities like three TVs and seat warmers in the 4 captain seats. But for me the bad are outweighing the good.
accountCircle Beth C on October 9, 2020
Worst van ever everyone agrees
We bought our 2011 in 2012 and spent no less that 1200-3000 each year until it finally dies this year. Every time something happened the mechanic would say “yes this model year transmission has problems for everyone” - worst customer service at Chrysler - they broke my door handle the. Charged me to fix it. Just the absolute worst experience
accountCircle dom l on October 3, 2020
I dislike that i sometimes accidentally open the doors without knowing. I love the heated steering wheel and all the room that it has!
A great car to drive and tons of space for the kids!
accountCircle Sandra K on September 23, 2020
It has a built in flashlight in the back
Does not get the gas mileage I was hoping for. The low tire light is always coming on even though you have just checked the tires. Sometimes the Cruise Control will not turn on.
accountCircle Jen T on September 16, 2020
Its economical and meets my family needs as far as versatility and comfort.
I love the amount of room I have to transport kids and large items. I like the upgraded features with leather and sunroof. However, I do not like the fact that it's a minivan.
accountCircle Pablo V on September 3, 2020
Chrysler town and country minivan.
I love this van stow and go seating and full flex fuel. The only drawback is the reverse camera went out easy and was fixed and broke again so that's not great. Also the doors motor function gets stuck and just clicks often. Also even though it's full flex fuel. Using it has made check engine light come on. Regular gasoline and this doesn't happen.
accountCircle Kim D on August 26, 2020
Easy in and out with the sliding doors - perfect for families with small kids.
I like the stow and go and the automatic sliding doors. I do not like the number of repairs we've had to have done on a vehicle with less than 100k miles on it.
accountCircle Danielle S on August 21, 2020
I do like the automatic doors and back hatch. Makes life easier with kids.
My Town and country has been reliable since we purchased it, little to no issues with performance. It is the most comfortable vehicle I've ever had. I really like the fold down seats throughout the van makes for storage and easy cleaning. The only downside there is, the windows barely open in the rear and I would like the till down option for the back.
accountCircle Jessica O on August 20, 2020
Great on gas Lots of room for kids and their stuff
I like the all the room in the van. I also like all the storage it has. It is a pretty smooth drive.
accountCircle Barbara O on August 11, 2020
There is enough room to haul 7 people and haul items without using a truck.
Very comfortable, can hall things in it, enough room for 7 passengers, lots of great features, I enjoy the radio, DVD, the multiple cup holders.
accountCircle Michelle M on August 7, 2020
That it is a stow and go van.
My van can fit all 6 of my kids. I like that I can adjust the temp controls in the front and back of the van.
avatar Alex Showalter
Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they’re built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it’s a better value in the used market.