2005 vs 2007 LX470 (1 Viewer)

[LandXruiser]

Hey everybody - brand new here but been lurking and reading a ton in the run up to a purchase.

I was just about to sign papers on a 2006 LX 470 but the pre-inspection from the Lexus dealership (not the seller) came back real bad. Major structural rust, several major systems needed replacing, etc. So now I'm looking only at southern/western vehicles in the US which has shrunk my national search even further.

Currently narrowed down to 2 examples, both under 150k miles, both with well documented maintenance, but one is a 2005 and the other a 2007.

Outside of the added horsepower in the 2007, are there any other major differences that would bias you towards one model year over the other? Is the added horsepower worth a significant cost premium? "If you could do it again", which route would you go?

 

[saucebox]

I'd love the few extra horsepower, but I'd probably settle for the one with the best records. Or the better color

 

[golfinz]

Not sure if you’ve seen this but Slee does a good job of summarizing the differences

100 Series Newbie Guide - Slee Off Road

Our Newbie Guide for the 80 Series Land Cruiser proven very popular, so we decided to compile one for the 100 series as well.

www.sleeoffroad.com

 

[LandXruiser]

Thanks @golfinz!

 

[LXPearl]

You have not posted a decision yet. The added HP in the 06-07 is nice, but it is not a significant factor in typical driving where torque is the main driving factor. The 05 is a mature model prior to the VVTI and may be the least problematic model. It has the 5 speed and VGRS that were introduced in 2003 and those are the most notable impact items I notice between my 01 and 07. The backup camera was added in 2004 which is a nice feature on the interior along with a fully articulating passenger seat (like driver) also in 2004.

While having full records is helpful, nothing beats thoroughly test driving and personally inspecting the vehicles to determine how it drives and responds. People may not fix all the issues they experience with a vehicle, and those can pile up. Glad you received the warning on the 06 from the pre-inspection. Lexus will also do a full "Certification Inspection Test" on a Lexus that costs a bit more, but gives more detail than their typical used car inspection. I have been pleased with the extra detailed results I received from the more detailed report.

 

[3_puppies]

never had an issue of not having enough HP under the hood in our 2005. it gets up and goes plenty good,even at our altitude and climbing passes.

 

[J1000]

If the price and condition is the same, then obviously go for the '07. Whatever you do, first go to Lexusdrivers.com and sign up and then add the VINs for each vehicle. This will display the official Lexus service records for each truck. After that I'd just buy whichever had the best service records.

 

[tacoduck]

i have an 07. I love my 5 star wheels vs that crap from 05. my 07 has 303k miles on it, and still turns heads. great truck.