2013 LX with 40k or LC with 80k. Help me choose (1 Viewer)

[grinchy]

There are failure modes in all suspensions, and cost to.
Even a basic coil and spring requires news parts as truck ages.
The front page here may not be the typical user experience, why? Because broken cars come here for help, and AHC is better understood here than anywhere else. People aren’t likely to post up stuff like ‘another solid week on my AHC suspension’

they instead post stuff like ‘my replacement bp51 is leaking again. I don’t want to spend another $2000 on this. Should I get $5000 kings instead’

which is more than an Lx owner would ever spend on ahc, and it still isn’t a height adjustable suspension

 

[Madtiger]

There are failure modes in all suspensions, and cost to.
Even a basic coil and spring requires news parts as truck ages.
The front page here may not be the typical user experience, why? Because broken cars come here for help, and AHC is better understood here than anywhere else. People aren’t likely to post up stuff like ‘another solid week on my AHC suspension’

they instead post stuff like ‘my replacement bp51 is leaking again. I don’t want to spend another $2000 on this. Should I get $5000 kings instead’

which is more than an Lx owner would ever spend on ahc, and it still isn’t a height adjustable suspension

While maybe true…but recently, a Lexus dealer said that AHC pump is on national backorder (wait is in MONTHS) because failure rate is high. Some argue that not many are made…sure, that could be the case. OR that yeah, AHC pumps fail at a high rate from vehicles that are serviced thru dealer…from owners that never come to this forum. So, the number of AHC failures may be UNDER-reported since MOST Lexus LX owners (>90%??) don’t know this forum existed.

 

[tacoduck]

A while back…2000 LX470. Have you looked at this forum?

Look at the 1st page of this forum. How many people have maintenance issues with AHC. And once you have an issue, it is a nightmare to trace down the cause. Look at how many times dealers and/or private owner screw up on the drain and fill procedure resulting in pump failure and whatnot. Look at how many times it is mentioned that rust ate thru a particular AHC line resulting in leak.

The only saving grace is that maintenance is only every 60k miles. And yes, AHC does allow for better towing experience…sorry, i did not mention that above. And when “sensor re-located” you can permanently lift your LX and fit larger tires. That is a plus too.

LOL- I panned through 3 pages and found 2 issues with AHC. One was on a truck from 2008 with tons of rust. AHC is super robust. It came on all LC’s and LX’s from 2003-2007. Its old tech and very reliable.

 

[NYC570]

Feel free to correct me.

Well since most of what you mentioned is subjective then, to me, most of it is misinformation

 

[grinchy]

While maybe true…but recently, a Lexus dealer said that AHC pump is on national backorder because failure rate is high. Some argue that not many are made…sure, that could be the case. OR that yeah, AHC pumps fail At a high rate from vehicles that are serviced thru dealer…from owners that never come to this forum. So, the number of AHC failures may be UNDER-reported since MOST Lexus LX owners don’t know this forum existed.

Why stock a part that is never needed? Same with the kdss pressure system. It is rarely needed.
We know the total count of pumps is low because dealer inventory shows how many are in the total system and it is almost always zero. A part in high repeat demand would not look like that in a Toyota supply chain. There are always enough radiators and starters for example

 

[NCTroutHunter]

@grinchy 100% agree. We are all inclined to ask about negative experiences/issues, which leads to a bias in thinking that many others have the same issue. There are plenty of LXs out there with fully operable AHC systems well past 200K miles. There are also plenty that have needed work.

 

[MrX]

I chose the Lexus about a month ago bc it looks a lot better in my eyes....plus you get a Land Cruiser with flagship Lexus luxury as the cherry on top. Neither is a bad choice but I'd take the Lexus with half the miles.

AHC I would not worry about, just change fluid every 60k. I'm having lots of fun with it. Keep in mind it lowers and raises for ingress/egress, which has been a godsend since I'm still getting over spine surgery. That would be great for an older person, etc. It's much more luxurious inside than a LC, as well.

Either is a great choice. Miles DO NOT MATTER on these as long as they've been cared for. I leave my AHC on high sometimes like in this picture, it looks great.

 

[nwfl4runner]

A while back…2000 LX470. Have you looked at this forum?

Look at the 1st page of this forum. How many people have maintenance issues with AHC. And once you have an issue, it is a nightmare to trace down the cause. Look at how many times dealers and/or private owner screw up on the drain and fill procedure resulting in pump failure and whatnot. Look at how many times it is mentioned that rust ate thru a particular AHC line resulting in leak.

The only saving grace is that maintenance is only every 60k miles. And yes, AHC does allow for better towing experience…sorry, i did not mention that above. And when “sensor re-located” you can permanently lift your LX and fit larger tires. That is a plus too.

Operator error shouldn't be a ding on the product. That's like knocking spacers because people install them wrong. AHC is great, coils/KDSS are great. If you want to run a heavy tourer, I wouldn't use AHC. If you like a more light-weight build, then I think it's great. If they're within spitting distance of each other price wise, just buy whatever suits your long-term goal. Also, I wouldn't worry about the mileage, they're barely broken in.

 

[Gazziza]

@grinchy 100% agree. We are all inclined to ask about negative experiences/issues, which leads to a bias in thinking that many others have the same issue. There are plenty of LXs out there with fully operable AHC systems well past 200K miles. There are also plenty that have needed work.

Did you make your choice yet? All I have to say is that if there's a 2013 LX in good condition as you described with 40K mi on it for $45K OTD you better move quick. Same goes for the 2013 LC. If you sit on it too long both will be gone and you'll be SOL.

 

[John Guedry]

Did you make your choice yet? All I have to say is that if there's a 2013 LX in good condition as you described with 40K mi on it for $45K OTD you better move quick. Same goes for the 2013 LC. If you sit on it too long both will be gone and you'll be SOL.

Yes, I agree especially if they are clean underneath.

 

[slipkid13]

I have a White 2013 LX so I may be biased. I like the truck a lot and bought it 2 years ago with relatively (62K) low miles. With a 40K mileage difference I would go with the LX unless you really want to do a lift on the LC. The LX will have a few more nice features if that is important to you.

I am surprised at the prices, I guess the 200 series rise in used prices is real.

 

[NCTroutHunter]

Good feedback on mileage. I'm just not getting excited about white. My buddy loves white and thinks I'm an idiot for not jumping on it. I'd rather have something that I'm pumped about and pay a little more and have a few more miles.

 

[grinchy]

buy what you want. your buddy isn't paying the note. i have a black LX all pinstriped up. looks great to me!

 

[MrX]

I bet one of these truck if not both are already gone. Good ones go fast.

 

[NCTroutHunter]

I bet one of these truck if not both are already gone. Good ones go fast.

I have a deposit in the LX. The LC is indeed gone.

 

[tacoduck]

I have a deposit in the LX. The LC is indeed gone.

Sweet. I bought a dark grey truck and it was my least favorite color, but it was a good deal and local. I would much prefer the white. Black and White IMO are the most desirable colors in these trucks. Check for rust, and then buy it.

 

[04UZJ100]

While maybe true…but recently, a Lexus dealer said that AHC pump is on national backorder (wait is in MONTHS) because failure rate is high. Some argue that not many are made…sure, that could be the case. OR that yeah, AHC pumps fail at a high rate from vehicles that are serviced thru dealer…from owners that never come to this forum. So, the number of AHC failures may be UNDER-reported since MOST Lexus LX owners (>90%??) don’t know this forum existed.

Where have you been? Nearly everything is on back order.

 

[Madtiger]

Where have you been? Nearly everything is on back order.

Does the pump have a chip in it?

See the other thread for what the service guy said: AHC Problems immediately after Dealer Flush - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ahc-problems-immediately-after-dealer-flush.1252832/

See Posts #6 and #28.

 

[CharlieS]

Good feedback on mileage. I'm just not getting excited about white. My buddy loves white and thinks I'm an idiot for not jumping on it. I'd rather have something that I'm pumped about and pay a little more and have a few more miles.

Go with your gut, so you don’t regret it.

Oops, sounds like the LC already sold.

My wife hates white vehicles and I don’t care much for them (I might feel different if we lived in the desert), so that would be a no go.

I objectively get that the LX is largely the same or maybe better than the LC, in many ways, but couldn’t convince myself to by an LX. I guess I’m stuck in a particular mental model, and see myself as an LC guy. Maybe short sighted of me…

 

[slipkid13]

While maybe true…but recently, a Lexus dealer said that AHC pump is on national backorder (wait is in MONTHS) because failure rate is high. Some argue that not many are made…sure, that could be the case. OR that yeah, AHC pumps fail at a high rate from vehicles that are serviced thru dealer…from owners that never come to this forum. So, the number of AHC failures may be UNDER-reported since MOST Lexus LX owners (>90%??) don’t know this forum existed.

My guess (I could be wrong) is it is related to all the supply chain issues and not a high failure rate. I take anything a dealership tells me with a huge grain of salt.

I do wish more dealers/mechanics were more familiar with the proper flush procedures.

Pretty much everything is on backorder and twice the price. Chip or no chip you just can't get a lot of stuff.