Consumer Purports 
2000 LX470 or 2003??? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter cobra2top
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- #22
Consumer Purports
Agreed! The only bonus is that when I am explaining my postition as to why we need the 100 to the
, I flash the red circles from top to bottom on their chart along with them singling out the 100 as a top safe bet......makes my pitch that much easier!!
Jim_Chow
V8_Fan
'03 for these reasons:
-first year w/ 5 spd...first year w/ the 5spd is lower than the 4 speed regeared to 4.88's, so better for offroading/big tires, etc.
-last year w/ ATF dipstick and non-WS ATF fluid (ie, you can use amsoil ATF, etc.)
-side curtain airbags (standard on all lexus vehicles from 2002+)
-more modern designed dash
-some 2000 LX/LC's had tranny issues. Check past threads.
You can get the service records for either vehicle at your dealer by giving them the VIN (in case you already haven't). The $3K price difference is negligible. When I bought my '03 in early '06, the price difference was about $5 per year (meaning the '03's were going for $40K when '00's where going for $25K).
-first year w/ 5 spd...first year w/ the 5spd is lower than the 4 speed regeared to 4.88's, so better for offroading/big tires, etc.
-last year w/ ATF dipstick and non-WS ATF fluid (ie, you can use amsoil ATF, etc.)
-side curtain airbags (standard on all lexus vehicles from 2002+)
-more modern designed dash
-some 2000 LX/LC's had tranny issues. Check past threads.
You can get the service records for either vehicle at your dealer by giving them the VIN (in case you already haven't). The $3K price difference is negligible. When I bought my '03 in early '06, the price difference was about $5 per year (meaning the '03's were going for $40K when '00's where going for $25K).
When BMWSTOY says "'03 from an '00 owner" it's bc he went through mine w/ a fine tooth comb before I flew out to Denver to buy it.
Yes, the outdated and overly complicated Nav/heating/cooling/audio interface issue is a drag, but I wouldn't pass up a good deal on an '03 over that.
Yes, the outdated and overly complicated Nav/heating/cooling/audio interface issue is a drag, but I wouldn't pass up a good deal on an '03 over that.
- Thread starter
- #25
Great information. I am going to focus on the 03. The 00 I found out today is sold so that one is out. I will check out the 03 and limit the search to those with the above mentioned updates.
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- #27
Yeah, my GS400 does not have the latch but I can snug it up pretty well with the belt. Still though, I rather have the latch for the extra piece of mind.
Now the decision is how many miles to go with on the 03. Anything in the 50K mile range is low to mid $20K while those with 90K are high teens. I want to go low miles but hear that those with higher miles that were driven highway and have the 90K done may be the better option. Less $ but the 90K maintanence done but run longer distances instead of stop and goes.
Thoughts on higher miles with less $ or the lower mile rigs?
Now the decision is how many miles to go with on the 03. Anything in the 50K mile range is low to mid $20K while those with 90K are high teens. I want to go low miles but hear that those with higher miles that were driven highway and have the 90K done may be the better option. Less $ but the 90K maintanence done but run longer distances instead of stop and goes.
Thoughts on higher miles with less $ or the lower mile rigs?
Personally I would go with the 03+ for the same reasons posted by Jim_Chow and Blake. Plus the overall look and feel of the 03 is much better IMO.
I had an 00 and now an 03. I am overall much happier with my 03. The bottom line is what are you going to use it for? What do you want out of it? And what is comfortable for you? It sounds to me like your decision of 03+ based on safety could very well be the driving force for you.
As for thoughts on a lower mile rig vs higher miles. Either way you can't go wrong. Of course calling 90k high mileage seems a little silly when you are talking about a truck that you will get at least 300k out of. When I found my 03 it was super clean, with 70K on the clock, for a steal of a price and have been very happy with it... at the time I couldn't find anything else as clean, so that was a driving factor for me. Plus if you do the 90k maintenance yourself (or give a buddy some food or beverage of choice) then your cost goes way down on the under 90k trucks.
Longer than I planned... but good luck. Post up what you buy.
I had an 00 and now an 03. I am overall much happier with my 03. The bottom line is what are you going to use it for? What do you want out of it? And what is comfortable for you? It sounds to me like your decision of 03+ based on safety could very well be the driving force for you.
As for thoughts on a lower mile rig vs higher miles. Either way you can't go wrong. Of course calling 90k high mileage seems a little silly when you are talking about a truck that you will get at least 300k out of. When I found my 03 it was super clean, with 70K on the clock, for a steal of a price and have been very happy with it... at the time I couldn't find anything else as clean, so that was a driving factor for me. Plus if you do the 90k maintenance yourself (or give a buddy some food or beverage of choice) then your cost goes way down on the under 90k trucks.
Longer than I planned... but good luck. Post up what you buy.
Highway miles aren't as big a factor as stop and go so I think you are thinking about things the right way.
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- #30
Thanks NMuzj100, miles are not as important as condition and history. I will keep mileage as a negotiating factor only. My GS400 has just a tick over 90K and it feels like a 30K car. Sure the PO was a grandmom in her 70's and bought it new. She reluctantly had to sell it when her Dr said no more driving.....I guess I lucked out on that one but I know the 100's like my GS are outr there, just got to find it and the bonus I can wait to find the right one as my DD runs fine, just feel like it's days are limited.
Topoguide, I am going to use it as a DD and then someday possibly build a expedition rig way down the road. I dont drive a ton as I work out of my house so the miles on the thing will be limited but when it does get out it will be driving me and the family 5 hours to the inlaws and bi-weekly to the airport (40 minute drive), both highway. I am the kind of person if I like something and feel it will last a long time (like my GS), then I would plan to keep it, maintain it religously, garage it, and keep it until the wheels fall off. And with the 100, it could be a very very long time. That is why I was contemplating the Navi issue. If I have this truck, say 2019, I wonder what types of audio upgrades will be available in the aftermarket vs the 03+ with the fixed screen and no upgrades.....I guess that is something to worry about then!!
Topoguide, I am going to use it as a DD and then someday possibly build a expedition rig way down the road. I dont drive a ton as I work out of my house so the miles on the thing will be limited but when it does get out it will be driving me and the family 5 hours to the inlaws and bi-weekly to the airport (40 minute drive), both highway. I am the kind of person if I like something and feel it will last a long time (like my GS), then I would plan to keep it, maintain it religously, garage it, and keep it until the wheels fall off. And with the 100, it could be a very very long time. That is why I was contemplating the Navi issue. If I have this truck, say 2019, I wonder what types of audio upgrades will be available in the aftermarket vs the 03+ with the fixed screen and no upgrades.....I guess that is something to worry about then!!
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- #31
Next thought as I search tonight for my next rig. Again looking for a 100 but to keep my mind open I searched some other vehicles to see what I can get for my $20K. Which would you buy:
03 Landcruiser 80k miles, Navi $22K
04 GX470 40K miles Navi, $19K
I know the GX is a pimped up 4runner but it still has that Toyota quality. Looks like it has the same AHC system as the LX470. Also there are a TON of GX470's in my area so the prices listed are the asking price, I am sure I can work them down.
Again, I know they are apples and oranges comparisons here, but just wanted some opionion on the GX.
Thanks
03 Landcruiser 80k miles, Navi $22K
04 GX470 40K miles Navi, $19K
I know the GX is a pimped up 4runner but it still has that Toyota quality. Looks like it has the same AHC system as the LX470. Also there are a TON of GX470's in my area so the prices listed are the asking price, I am sure I can work them down.
Again, I know they are apples and oranges comparisons here, but just wanted some opionion on the GX.
Thanks
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Patience
- Thread starter
- #33
I hear ya!
I know I need to be patient......the right one will come along soon enough!! I just want to get out of my DD and into something better
I know I need to be patient......the right one will come along soon enough!! I just want to get out of my DD and into something better
actually its much easier to liken a GX470 to a Land Cruiser Prado, as the differences are along the lines of a LX470&LC100. The suspensions are quite different, the GX does not have the AHC AFAIK.
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- #35
Thanks. I was just reading about KDSS on the 04+ GX (optional). Looks like there are not may options to lift or mod down the road but seems to work well in stock form. Reading that the 200 now has this feature and it sounds like it improves the ride. Wonder if it is just something that may be costly to fix down the road.....
