97 80 or 97 LX450

[Romer]

I have been poking around and reading up on the different 80 years and had focused on looking for a 97. I then see that an LX450 can be had for about the same price. An LX450 is the Lexus version of the 80. With price, mileage, etc being equal, what would be better, the Lexus or the Toyota.

 

[timbercruiser]

Both are equal. The LX may have a softer ride. Buy the one with better value (price vs goodies).

 

[tucker74]

Whichever you can find a better deal on - really the exact same truck minus some body cladding (especially if you get a 40th/LE LC). You'll be more than happy with either one -

Tucker

 

[e9999]

when I was looking, I checked both. Was leaning towards the Toy cuz there is no Lexus dealer in my town. Turns out in retrospect that was not as big an issue as I thought at the time cuz I'm doing all the work myself and Dan would have most parts that'd fit the Lex anyway, I guess. So except for the hopefully rare major breakdown that I can't fix myself easily (HG and worse) and would need a dealer for, that was not a good reason to not get a Lexus. Suspension a big softer on the latter, but easy to upgrade. Fancier interior and gadgets on Lex? Prices of repairs and parts higher on Lex at dealers?
Basically, boils down to getting the best deal in the best mechanical condition, both are fine choices and similar overall.

[Me, of course, now, I would not want to be seen in one of the those pansy Lexus mall cruisers... Toy rules! ]

E

 

[cruiserdan]

The primary differences are exterior body moulding/cladding, audio system, HVAC (except 40th), shock valving, upholstry, door trim and emblems.

 

[sjcruiser]

LXs are fully loaded LCs with fr&rr lockers being the main exceptions - I'd always opted for an LX unless you really hate the Lexus badges.

Frank.

 

[cruiserdan]

FWIW,

Lexus specific parts must be sourced from a Lexus dealer. Lexus prices are higher, in some cases, on like parts than Toyota prices because Lexus air ships parts and adds the cost into the part.

 

[Junk]

Romer, you are better off in the Lexii, everyone else should look for the cruiser

Seriously, I'd go cruiser. Oh, I did go cruiser. Want to buy mine? It's a 97

 

[Romer]

I just went a test drove a 97 Lexus LX450 with 108,000 (advertized 100,000). I wasn't impressed with the Lexus difference although I haven't ruled it out. I need to go drive a few 80's. Tbhe parts issue is a good one, with a 25% discount on Toyota parts through my club and zilch on Lexus, that is something to consider.

Thanks anyways Junk, don't think I want to buy something you have worked on. I have read your previous posts!

 

[nakman]

Romer, the parts you're going to be buying are knuckle seals, oil filters, axle seals... stuff that's pretty universal, right? And those will still come at a discount, LX or not, and they'll all say Totota on them. For the Lexus-only stuff, you're connected there too so don't sweat it, our run coordinator is a mechanic at a Lexus dealer, for example..

Just dump the Jimmy already, would ya?

 

[RavenTai]

Give this a read, it is a fairly complete list of diffrences, as you noted there is not that much
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=15223&highlight=differences

all drivetrain parts are identical to the LC so I ordeer them from a Toyota dealer (CDan or local) , so far the only part I have needed that is LX spacific is the rear PS fender flare witch I hope to find used (no luck so far) and the manual set

 

[tarbe]

I didn't factor Toyota vs Lexus. I just shopped. Turned out I got a Lexus. The leather is certainly better on this example vs the Toyotas I looked at, FWIW. I believe the better leather claim.

Just lump them all together and buy the one you think is the best value.

 

[ginericLC]

My friend worked in the Leather industry. Lexus leather is better. It has fewer imperfections and holds moisture better (less cracks over time). I believe the 40th anniversary not Collectors might have the same leather.

 

[Romer]

Thanks for he link RavenTai. That helped a lot. There are two LX4502 locally I found. one has 108K for $16k and is a 97. The other is a 96 and has only 86K on it for $17K. I'm thinking the lower mileage would be much better even though its a year older. A little more than I wanted to spend right now. I'm just researching and taking my time till I see "it". Fortunatley, I am not as impulsive as I was in my youth.

 

[e9999]

Thanks for he link RavenTai. That helped a lot. There are two LX4502 locally I found. one has 108K for $16k and is a 97. The other is a 96 and has only 86K on it for $17K. I'm thinking the lower mileage would be much better even though its a year older. A little more than I wanted to spend right now. I'm just researching and taking my time till I see "it". Fortunatley, I am not as impulsive as I was in my youth.

when I was shopping, I was pretty much calculating with 15000 miles or 1 year being worth about $2K as a rule of thumb.
E

 

[Rookie2]

Thanks for he link RavenTai. That helped a lot. There are two LX4502 locally I found. one has 108K for $16k and is a 97. The other is a 96 and has only 86K on it for $17K. I'm thinking the lower mileage would be much better even though its a year older. A little more than I wanted to spend right now. I'm just researching and taking my time till I see "it". Fortunatley, I am not as impulsive as I was in my youth.

FWIW, those prices seem a little high compared to what I got mine for about a year ago with 67K on the ticker. Prices have appeared to drop relatively significantly over the last year. Either of these should be had for 2 or 3k cheaper IMHO.

Keep shopping and keep a close eye on the under carriage for oil seakage and the birfy squirts.


Rookie2

 

[BigMac]

Two words - Service Records!

 

[NorCalDoug]

A couple things to chime in on...

The parts that you'll likely need to change would be toyota parts. There really aren't many Lexus specific parts in the 450. The stereo, body panels/flares, the center console is another and the only other thing that's different is the fake wood trim (fwiw, the LX fake wood is 1000 times better than the LC fake wood). Everything else (unless I'm seriously drawing a blank...) is interchangeable between the LC and the LX.

One other thing that should be taken into consideration...is if you ever plan on removing your fender flares...it's a MUCH bigger job on the LX as compared to the LC. The flares are incorporated into the design of the body panels. You can't only remove the flares -- you have to remove the body panels too (otherwise it'll look VERY stupid). I mention this because I know of several people who have removed flares on their LCs and had the area covered with bed liner material. I just completed to same job, but had about 90 extra holes to contend with (from where the body panels attached to the sheet metal).


These things are just some things to consider

Don't get me wrong...I still think the LX is vastly superior to the LC

 

[MTNRAT]

Ditto on that Doug )))
Cheers,
Sean

 

[FJ809496TLC]

I will go with the Land Cruiser. LX is a Land Cruiser girlie men edition.