2000 LC for $5K or 2005 GX470 for $14K
- Thread starter Macarey
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While we are on the topic of crazy deals I have to tell my story.I am a service advisor at a high volume toyota dealership. About 3 years ago we had a customer tow in their 2000 cruiser because it wouldn't move. We checked it out and found the passenger front hub splines were stripped. We recommended to do both sides because the boots on the driver side were starting to leak. We gave the customer the estimate of around 1000.00 to fix it. The owner said to me how do I get rid of it. He said it is getting old. I asked him what he wanted for it. He said how about 1500. I said how about 500 expecting him to say 1000.00 he said sure. The customers wife showed up the next day with the title and a spare key. I gave her the money and had it towed to my house where I fixed it myself. The truck has 162k on it with 4 brand new michelins and the 30k service interval just done.so in the end I wound up with the cruiser for 500.00 plus about 500 more to fix it. I now have 220k on it and can say it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. As the saying goes you never know unless you try. I may have many non believers of this story but I can assure you it is very true.
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- #23
In your opinion what makes it a significant step up.
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- #24
I guess the deals I am entertaining are not that great after all!!!! Good for you, nice to hear stories like that. Things like that certainly do not happen often.
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- #25
I think that is exactly what I am going to do if all is good with inspection of the LC.
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- #26
So what premium would you put on a LX over a LC. Will say both are 2000 model year with the exact same mileage. Is it $1K or $3K, what is it worth?
re_guderian
SILVER Star
-$1000 to -$3000 IMO.
LX gets the better headlights, memory seating, nicer carpet, better seatback pocket and other little refinements throughout.
a $5,000 UZJ100 must be a total beater.
If it's gotta be between those two and your wife will be driving, I would choose the GX, hands down. Side air bags, LATCH system for the kiddos, navi, etc. They are still very capable off road and looks good. The only thing I'm not a big fan of is the barn doors.
I think that the LC could be a better buy in terms of price relative to market value depending on condition. The price on the GX does NOT seem like a steal it seems pretty on par with market value right now. I cross shopped the exact same vehicles last year and that falls in line with what I was seeing. Bundu Gear's GX with a ton of expensive mods sold for a couple grand more than this GX and it probably had the asking price in upgrades. I like the GX for a town/up to the mountain freeway car but I would choose the LC for off road durability and cost to get it where you want mods wise.
As the wife's kiddo transport I would go with the GX as phsycle said. It's nice to have the Latch and extra airbags. Think 10 years out and which would you be happier with? That LC is priced really low, I'd be concerned with what your not seeing. What you don't pay for now you will probably pay for later.
If you factor in possible brakes, shocks, timing belt, fluids etc on the LC there could easily be 4k of shop maintenance needed right away. Plus what are the other things that should be changed at 185-200k? Make sure to check them all out first and see what's needed, on both vehicles. Add up price plus necessary maintenance and see where you stand.
If you factor in possible brakes, shocks, timing belt, fluids etc on the LC there could easily be 4k of shop maintenance needed right away. Plus what are the other things that should be changed at 185-200k? Make sure to check them all out first and see what's needed, on both vehicles. Add up price plus necessary maintenance and see where you stand.
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Glad you asked! Purely my opinion, and I'm not talking bad about GX's in general, just compared to a LX.
The ride quality is better in the LX, I don't know if its because of added weight, stance, or what... But it is better. GX feels too bouncy to me. I think the fit and finish throughout the LX is nicer. The LX has AHC (negative in some people's opinion). I have no stats, but the LX feels wider, bigger inside compared to a GX. And my two pet peeves about the GX... The back door and piece of crap door claddings. When the miles start racking up on a GX v LX, I think the differences start to show in quality.
Good thing about a GX, not as sluggish as a LX. Disregarding price, which model would most people choose?
re_guderian
SILVER Star
GX by about 2.5:1 according Lexus...
I'd seriously take everything said here with a grain of salt as we are a LC centric board. Go out and drive the two and weigh the qualities that matter more to you.
That said, my opinion based on some of your comments / wife's comments is that the GX may fit you better. My parents have an '06 GX and I have an '06 LX. I've driven a few early gen LX's as well.
Flat out, the '05 GX will be a much better driving and agile car... not just incrementally, but incredibly better as a 4-speed cruiser won't be able to get out of its own way most of the time. It will have the advantage of the updated VVTi motor with 5 speed transmission that only the '06 and up LX's got. The GX also is a newer platform than the late 90's developed 100 series and has better NVH in general. My AHC '06 LX is quite plush, but my parents '06 GX easily holds its own. Against a standard suspension LC, the GX will win on ride quality hands down.
In terms of interior electronics, amenities, and fit/finish. Again. the GX will win by a long shot. The 2000 LC, while being high quality overall, will be significantly dated by comparison.
That said, my opinion based on some of your comments / wife's comments is that the GX may fit you better. My parents have an '06 GX and I have an '06 LX. I've driven a few early gen LX's as well.
Flat out, the '05 GX will be a much better driving and agile car... not just incrementally, but incredibly better as a 4-speed cruiser won't be able to get out of its own way most of the time. It will have the advantage of the updated VVTi motor with 5 speed transmission that only the '06 and up LX's got. The GX also is a newer platform than the late 90's developed 100 series and has better NVH in general. My AHC '06 LX is quite plush, but my parents '06 GX easily holds its own. Against a standard suspension LC, the GX will win on ride quality hands down.
In terms of interior electronics, amenities, and fit/finish. Again. the GX will win by a long shot. The 2000 LC, while being high quality overall, will be significantly dated by comparison.
I was tracking with you until this. The 120 platform is no match for the 100. In stock form, the 100 (particularly the LX) is the gold standard for ride quality. GX is more agile and more quick but a solid 100 it is not.
Not saying the Prado is bad, it just not the same class.
I tell it like it is, LC or not. I've had significant seat time in both my LX and my parents GX. I know what both are capable of and I tell it like it is. The GX (120-series) can ride better than a 100 series, especially a 100 on standard suspension. Even simple things like NVH of the motor/driveline are better isolated in the 120 series platform. Logically, the 100 series pre-dates the 120 series, so they've learned a thing or two. Let's face it, torsion bars aren't exactly synonymous with refinement.
Though don't get me wrong, my vote was obviously for the 100-series in my stable. The 120-series will never touch it if the OP's intent is for heavy duty use... and that's where torsion bars shine
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- #40
Let me say that I am very impressed with this forum and the feedback that is given. You guys know your stuff and give honest opinions. Thank you for all of your responses. I am still waiting on a mechanic to check out the LC but I am leaning toward the GX. The latch system and the extra air bags are good points to be considered as well as the likelihood of many repairs being required on the LC. I may shoot for a newer LC for next company vehicle.
