Adive Needed please - Do you LOVE your 200?

[SupercrossBMX]

Hey Guys,

Long time Toyota fan, my first car was a 1972 Toyota Corona at 16 and I instantly thru on a lift kit to try to make it as capable as the 1976 HiLux I really wanted, or the early 80's Toyota 4x4's my friends were driving.

Picked up a 1994 Land Cruiser in 1999 , but had to retire it for work reasons in 2004. I still have it, has been my favorite truck ever, but some vandals got to it, and now it sits in storage awaiting a re-birth.

Current daily driver is a 2007 Fj cruiser, and I love it, except for the windshield leaking and the Catalytic Converter problem, and trying to fit the Family in to go somewhere. Could also benefit from more comfortable seats etc.... so with this in mind I am looking at a 2008 or newer Land Cruiser or an LX570 to replace it as the Daily Driver.

The 200's are dear to people and the prices are up there for a used truck with 150,000 miles, but looks like it will be dependable. I have found a few LX570 for 4-5,000 less than the Toyota version, and I am jsut wondering why... I know the Lexus is supposed to be more upscale, why is it less expensive on the used market? Is the AHC a problem like my Range Rovers Airbags were?

Also not a huge fan of the styling on the LX570, but not it's not hideous. Just a little too Transformer looking, even though most of the bodywork is the same as the Toyota.

So question, do you guys LOVE your 200?? and what are the advantages or disadvantages of the LC or the LX?

Are the Offroad Accessories available for the LX as they are for the Land Cruiser??

Thanks in advance for the help.

Have a great day!!

Bill

 

[Beams37]

Hey Bill,

I'm not the guy to answer some of your questions, but my wife and I have had our 200 for 1 week, exactly. I can tell you its a great vehicle. Plenty of room, plenty of power, and plenty of room for the family.

 

[mooneywa]

If you want people to tell you they love their Cruiser, you've come to the right place. But you're also going to get a lot of confirmation bias here. There may be some folks that have a Cruiser and wish they were in a Range Rover, but they're likely not on MUD.

I do love mine, so much in fact, I got another one. It's capable, reliable, plenty of room, and fun to drive. It's not laden with electronic nonsense or nannies, but is up to date enough to keep me wishing for a lot more.

Most importantly though is the reliability. The important stuff just works and lasts.

Frankly the worst part about owning a 200 is the dealership. But if you're coming from an FJ and an 80, you're probably at least somewhat familiar with that.

LX because of AHC is going to be more difficult to lift, LC isn't. Otherwise, everyone will have their individual preferences about each, but you generally can't go wrong.

 

[Rando Kuruza]

I’ve had both and yes you are right land cruisers have much better resale. In the past the lx470 has had a lot of problems with AHC as they get older I think this makes people partial to land cruisers also seems like People don’t really see the LX as off-road worthy as the land cruiser. I can somewhat agree, the land cruiser is much easier to mod with sliders and bumpers in my opinion. 4runners also seem to have better resale that GX460’s too and so do FJ Cruisers. I got a 2018 LX570 because the dealer gave me $14,000 off msrp but I have regrets now because I know the land cruiser will hold its value better and I just think the LX Bumpers and running boards have gotten out of control (they just hang to low) but I had a 2013 land cruiser before and I love both of them!!!

Advantage LX. Quieter interior, AHC for daily driving it lowers itself once the car is off, you can raise it to go off road, more upscale finishes, power rear seats , soft open tail gate power hatch, 2016 plus can get heads up display, has heated and cooled seats in the back. Also I like being able to select comfort, normal, sport or sport +. This going down mountain freeway roads performs 10 times better than my old land cruiser who I felt was going to fly off the road with excessive body roll.

Advantage Land Cruiser, I think the suspension is more stout than the AHC and easier to modify if you choose too. The running boards are much higher up on the vehicle and is easy to take off and add sliders. I like the KDSS system for off-road Lexus does good but I feel like my land cruiser with the KDSS just has less wheel spin could be my imagination. Much much better resale and people don’t mind buying Land Cruisers with higher mileage where as the LX I feel like you take more of a hit. The land cruiser also just Looks Cooler in my opinion. 2016 does add the soft open tailgate and the power rear hatch. The land cruiser gets much much better gas mileage too. toyota says land cruisers can take any grade gas where as the LX manual specifically states 91 octane or higher (this is debatable but I like to follow the manual)

Well that’s my opinion on things...

Oh BTW I just spent 2 full days ripping apart my AHC on my 2005 LX470 as it finally went bad and put land cruiser suspension on it... seems the 200 series has a better AHC system... but that’s something to consider! it cost me $1,400 in parts as I put in the factory land cruiser suspension and I did the labor myself... I was quoted 2,000-3,500 from local shops to do the work.

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

As Mooneywa mentioned, if you’re on Mud and the 200 section your going to hear very positive things 99.99% of the time.

There are known issues that occur later (>100k mi) but none are catastrophic and most give you warning and can be handled outside of the dealership.

The Land Cruiser currently has more body panel specific aftermarket options, however the LX is gaining ground as there are more sold annually. Most off-road options can be swapped between T and Lexus.

To directly answer your question: Yes. I love mine. So does my wife and kid. Chances are when her WK2 Grand Cherokee goes she’ll be stealing mine or wanting one of her own.

 

[TeCKis300]

Absolutely smitten with my 200-series in LX guise. Many years later, I would still rather have nothing else.

Between the LC vs LX, it comes down to whether you're a purist. It's going to cost more to be a purist. The difference in price in the used market comes down to supply vs demand, with much fewer LC's in the used market.

Objectively, you're going to get more with the LX, for less. Much more in fact if you start researching the detail differences. Whether they have value to you is a personal choice. Juxtapose that with time and wear, and it may be more liability.

AHC is actually cake to lift for those that don't know. 10 minutes with a 10mm wrench. It's lift that won't squat when laden either. You won't find a suspension more robust and longer lasting. Trade is that it's a complex system and may be costlier to repair when 250k miles come. Good aftermarket suspensions for the LC aren't cheap either. You may even want to research their long term durability, which doesn't hold a candle to AHC.

 

[mcgaskins]

If you spend even a little time browsing this forum you’ll get the answer you’re looking for. Also going to any enthusiast forum asking if the truck is any good will undoubtedly give you biased info.

 

[SupercrossBMX]

Thanks guy! Appreciate the quick response. And @mooneywa yes, I know what you mean about the dealership. My wife wanted to trade in her Seqouia on a 4Runner or Highlander and the local dealer put so much pressure etc... That she got mad and ended up at the jeep dealer. Think I have her ready to go back though as she is liking the 4Runner again.

And yes, I figured this would be a great forum to get positive reviews. Was more looking for the LX vs. LC comments.

I test drove an LX and it was really nice, but the LC looks to be more the direction I want but it is seeming to be 4-5,000 more than the LX

Again appreciate everyone's responses. And like I did to my FJ I am going to want to upgrade, suspension, wheels, etc....

And after my Range Rover experience, I am afraid of the air or hydraulic suspension.

Hope you all have a great day!!

Bill

 

[SCbarber]

I just picked up my '17 yesterday and drove it 750 miles home, and after owning many vehicles, I must say, I have a keeper! Simply love it!

 

[Markuson]

-Planning major mods?
-Suggest LC.
LC is easier to deal with (AHC complicated slider install, front grill trickier with some front bumper fitment AHC means some different consideration if planning suspension upgrades). This is NOT meant to say you can’t Build the LX! Just that there are some constraints to negotiate.

-If you plan to keep things mostly stock but wanna still off-road?
-Suggest LX.

Either will kick butt, but...Pretty hard not to suggest the LX.

The LX’s AHC really is pretty awesome/versatile without further modification. I’ve wheels directly behind LXs and articulation and AHC is impressive handling terrain.

Only stock items thing I’d swap out for off-road (if trying to stay stock in an LX) are the 20” wheels and try to do something with the aweful front bumper bottom section that murders approach angles.

And yes...

LOVE is the word.
Shocking, I know.

 

[jmw101]

I bought mine new 6 years ago. 6 years, 281,000 miles. Tires, brakes, and oil changes. The only repair I've had so far was a coolant leak at around 250,000 miles.

I'm about to do some "preventative" maintenance (starter, water pump, radiator) and then do some light suspension work. My plan is to go to 400,000 and then acquire another one.

As I've always said, it takes my family and I anywhere we want to go, tows what I need to tow, and does so in great comfort, security, and piece of mind.

My only regret (if you can call it that) is that I did not immediately put drawers in the back and then do some suspension/armor work in the first year or so. That is exactly what I'm doing with the next one. And I'll keep this one for some type of "project truck".

 

[tominboise]

I had an 80 series for many years and loved it. I moved to the 200 platform about 14 months ago. Unlike most on here, I don't love the 200 series. It's a good rig, drives nice, way more power than the 80 series ever dreamed of.

The styling and the lack of a rear locker leave me cold.

 

[TeCKis300]

And after my Range Rover experience, I am afraid of the air or hydraulic suspension.

I hear your point. But please, don't compare AHC to air suspension.

Not even close to the same thing. Regular air suspension is nothing close to what AHC brings to the table. More robust and capable than majority of suspensions, but especially Range Rover air suspension. People want and try to keep AHC, because it can do things that no other suspension can when it comes to broad competency. The 100-series forum has come to this realization. 200-series owners are slowly understanding this too.

 

[tbisaacs]

@Markuson nailed it. If you are gonna start adding mods and weight get an LC. otherwise you’ll be happy with an LX and some 18” Tundra wheels.

I’m biased though.

 

[SWUtah]

I have had the 80 series the 100 series several of them and two 200 series I love my 80 series I really like my 100 series and I like my 200 series but wish it looked like my one hundred series or my 80 series the new automatic hight control in the 200 series is way way way advanced compared to the 100 series automatic height control if it was duplicated in the aftermarket it would be extremely expensive to do something like that in the aftermarket and it’s very robust I have the specs from the factory this is a robust hydraulic system that nobody in the aftermarket comes close too. If serviced as recommended by Lexus it will last longer than you will.

 

[SF1911A1]

I have a 100 series LX and and 200 series LX. I didn’t care if I ended up with a LC or LX, but like you said, there is a big price difference due to the number of each vehicle on the used market. Personally, I would take the savings on the LX and put that money into steel bumpers front and rear. Trim the “ugly” part of the front bumper to fit the steel one and you’re good to go. I like the look of 200 LC over LX, but $5k buys you a lot of sweet ass accessories. Either way you will be happy, good luck with your search.

Oh and I don’t know a whole lot about the AHC to be honest, but my 99 LX AHC works perfectly and the 200 series has a way better system. I generally prefer simplicity over high tech complex systems, but the AHC has an excellent reputation.

 

[Rigger]

I have a lot of money invested in my 200. If I didn’t like it, I’d never admit it.

 

[Reckless]

I love my LC. What I love about it the most is how dependable it is. Coming from German luxury sedans and having them spend more time in the shop with costly bills I got fed up and searched for a no nonsense vehicle.

Personally, I am always torn between the LC vs LX dilemma. My current understanding is the LC is a drivers car and the LX is a passenger vehicle. At the moment I think the LC is fun to drive whereas the LX because of the AHC is more disconnected from the road which makes it more of a chore for me especially for long drives. You get better passenger comfort in the LX BUT you have to change tires to truck tires otherwise the suspension feels wonky.

 

[TeCKis300]

Personally, I am always torn between the LC vs LX dilemma. My current understanding is the LC is a drivers car and the LX is a passenger vehicle. At the moment I think the LC is fun to drive whereas the LX because of the AHC is more disconnected from the road which makes it more of a chore for me especially for long drives. You get better passenger comfort in the LX BUT you have to change tires to truck tires otherwise the suspension feels wonky.

I firmly disagree. You've actually got this backwards.

The LX is not plush in the classic sense. Because AHC is dynamic, it is both compliant and responsive. Additionally there's user control that allows suspension setting of comfort, normal, sport.

A stock LC would have more body motions on account of its default softly sprung nature. Aftermarket, you can make it as you'd like, but it won't be both plush and sporty at the same time. If you mean the LC is a drivers car with an aftermarket suspension off-road, that I can agree with as you can make it as you wish. But the LX is no slouch there either as I've bombed down washes on occasion.

I drive my cars hard. The LX has way more body control than any 6000+lb behemoth has any right to. There's not a lot of feedback through the steering as would be expected in such a large vehicle, but it corners flat. It brakes without dive. What's surprising is the amount of traction from the front axle. This tank can be pushed hard on mountain roads and it will make good pace while managing it's heft. Enough that it keeps me happy, even when I switch between my sports car and this on a daily basis.

 

[mcgaskins]

I love my LC. What I love about it the most is how dependable it is. Coming from German luxury sedans and having them spend more time in the shop with costly bills I got fed up and searched for a no nonsense vehicle.

Personally, I am always torn between the LC vs LX dilemma. My current understanding is the LC is a drivers car and the LX is a passenger vehicle. At the moment I think the LC is fun to drive whereas the LX because of the AHC is more disconnected from the road which makes it more of a chore for me especially for long drives. You get better passenger comfort in the LX BUT you have to change tires to truck tires otherwise the suspension feels wonky.

I firmly disagree. You've actually got this backwards.

The LX is not plush in the classic sense. Because AHC is dynamic, it is both compliant and responsive. Additionally there's user control that allows suspension setting of comfort, normal, sport.

A stock LC would have more body motions on account of its default softly sprung nature. Aftermarket, you can make it as you'd like, but it won't be both plush and sporty at the same time. If you mean the LC is a drivers car with an aftermarket suspension off-road, that I can agree with as you can make it as you wish. But the LX is no slouch there either as I've bombed down washes on occasion.

I drive my cars hard. The LX has way more body control than any 6000+lb behemoth has any right to. There's not a lot of feedback through the steering as would be expected in such a large vehicle, but it corners flat. It brakes without dive. What's surprising is the amount of traction from the front axle. This tank can be pushed hard on mountain roads and it will make good pace while managing it's heft. Enough that it keeps me happy, even when I switch between my sports car and this on a daily basis.

@TeCKis300 is right. The LX is soooo much better as a "driver's car" - handles flat, little body roll, little to no brake dive, corners great, etc. The LC feels completely static whereas the LX feels very dynamic and is quite fun to drive actually. I have both - the LX wins hands down every time for driving and handling better on road, not even close. Stock for stock the LX is better off road too, so whoever thinks the LC is a better drivers car hasn't owned them both.

You do need to change the tires on the LX to a D rated at minimum, but I have E rated KO2s and it's a perfect tire for it IMO. Who cares about changing tires from stock though - you have to do that on virtually any vehicle you buy if you want to extract performance out of it.