2007 LX470 280k Miles vs 1999 LX470 156k Miles

[ElkWhisperer]

I’d appreciate you saavy 100 series owners give me your opinion.

1999 156 miles 1999 LX470 vs 2007 280k miles LX470. About $2,000 difference.

Very clean records for both of them. Plenty of history. 1999 has very little rust. 2007 has no rust.

Which one would you buy?

 

[Spike555]

'07 hands down all day long. Not only will it have better resale value (not that you need it to sell it but for insurance in case it gets totaled), more safety features and better gagets.
You will also get a better rate on financing because it is newer. And better insurance rate because it'll be safer.
And it was the last year of the 100 series.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

2007. I wish I had the five speed.

 

[geanes]

As the owner of a '98 LX, I tend to favor to the older version. However, common sentiment is: buy the newest model you can afford. Mileage is largely irrelevant if the service history is there. The '07 comes with more airbags, 5 speed and the parts are 8 years newer. I'd go the '07 if it's as clean and documented as you say.

 

[vman07]

5spd is nice. VVTi is nice. 11 years old instead of 19 years old us nice.

Somebody loved the heck out of that 07'. They put almost 30k miles a year on it....

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Buy the newest LC you can afford. Any maybe have one purchasing thread?

 

[geanes]

5spd is nice. VVTi is nice. 11 years old instead of 19 years old us nice.

Somebody loved the heck out of that 07'. They put almost 30k miles a year on it....

I put 28k on mine this past year. I drive the heck out of my LX. Love it more than any vehicle I've ever owned. Figure I'll get to the 200k club this year and 300k within another 3

 

[sammybones]

07.

 

[bpe3]

2007 and it’s not even close. Age matters on a whole lot of parts.

bpe3

 

[ElkWhisperer]

Ok, so far I am pro the 2007, however, digging up more info, I found the following events in the record of the 2007. All these happened very recent. See screenshots. Please remember this will be my first 100 and I don’t have that much experience with used cars. But I look forward to it.

Please can you share your opinions? Perhaps these things may have caused long term damage, etc.

This vehicle seems to had been owned by a soccer mom.

 

[JPS]

Hmmm, sounds like the power steering pump got repaired, hopefully they didn't get the engine too hot with the cracked T.

 

[geanes]

Yikes! Don't like the "smoke" coming from exhaust and coolant leak. Curious what the pressure test numbers were. Not a no-go for me, but definitely would want to dig in a little more. Definitely do a pre-purchase inspection....preferably via a mechanic that specializes in Cruisers or at least in the 2UZ-FE motor.

 

[97 AZ LC]

I'd buy the 99 if it wasn't for the rust. Given the rust I wouldn't buy either one of them.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

I'd buy the 99 if it wasn't for the rust. Given the rust I wouldn't buy either one of them.

Surprised to see rust in Utah, but maybe the road salts? I guess I never imagined rust in Utah being a problem

 

[rroverbkk]

07. Even with the reports. For 2k difference? 07 all the way.

I have a 99 and and 06 (with 320k miles) so similar circumstance. The 06 feels like a different animal altogether. Back in 99 there wasn’t much difference in LC vs LX. I feel like the 06-07 LX just has a feel about.

 

[biggus]

My favorite parts about buying a used Lexus. Generally they are dealer serviced for a good portion of the first owners tenure. Sometimes, like the three I have bought (2 RX330s for my daughters and my LX) have been Lexus dealer serviced almost exclusively. And those dealer service records are available with a few clicks of a mouse, and you need only the VIN. That's transparent and incredibly valuable information when evaluating a used car.

Knowing that heater T failures have taken out a lot of engines, A good PPI with a close eye on clues to if the head gaskets have been compromised would be a good place to start knowing the history of this unit.

 

[jhanley]

I've owned both, and HATE the built-in NAV. Also, the difference between 5-speed and 4-speed auto's is inconsequential to fuel economy and this shifts are marginally better. That being said, for a 2k delta, get the 07!

 

[tacoduck]

heater T failure was at 230k miles? truck ran another 50k miles afterwards, so the engine is prob fine. I have a 2007 with 287k miles on it. Im constantly amazed at how nice this truck is. I really like the 07, but I also like my 01 LC. the LC feels like a truck, while the LX470 feels more like a floaty cadillac. both trucks are SWEET.

 

[theferg]

Surprised to see rust in Utah, but maybe the road salts? I guess I never imagined rust in Utah being a problem

Yup. Road salts. Its def a problem in Northern Utah. I mean, its not like the rusty crusty Northeast, but a 10+ year old car in Utah--you're checking for rust for sure.

 

[msummers]

i would personally take the lower mileage vehicle if it has been well taken care of. i could be wrong but once you're done with the 300k mile vehicle, you will have a difficult time selling it. just my .02