Adive Needed please - Do you LOVE your 200?

[m3fan]

I've lusted after the 200 for years and I'm generally into cars so I buy cars for subjective and sometimes impractical reasons/passion vs. straight option lists and facts. I don't "wheel" my SUVs but I do tow a boat regularly and have a family to haul around. Now having owned a 200 for over a year now I like it. I can't say I love it. I loved the 4th Gen 120 4Runner and I loved the LC 100. Those trucks were amazing, perfectly sized and "just right" in so many ways but they are simply getting too old at this point.

The LC 200 is the coolest car-enthusiast "newer" option out there for a reliable giant SUV. Not a fan of the payments and the gas mileage but these days the LC 200 checks a ton of boxes for me, mainly subjective/impractical ones like being a stealth-elite ride, being rare, and being generally an enthusiast vehicle which are important factors for me. Smile factor is very high vs. something more pedestrian.

 

[JOFS]

I love mine. Bought one, wife and I both loved it. Got rid of the lx470 and got a second so we each could have one, plus I got a deal on the second that was cheaper than I could ever imagine so I couldn't refuse.

I still love the 80 but for some serious trips and weather nothing beats the 200. I drive a ton in bad winter weather and have never had an issue with the 200 and studded snows. So I am biased in that regard.

I do have to figure out some bumper options as I am not a fan of the stock and they don't tolerate plowing through snowbanks very well.

John

 

[swatski]

Anyone who feels the LC200 is too big - consider moving to Missouri!
I swear, driving the LC200 here most days I feel like I'm in a... RAV4, literally dwarfed by various "Missouri Specials", lol.

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[bentonrover]

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.

What is you 05 mileage? Just curious

 

[CharlieS]

Way late, but I’ll pile on. I’ve had four land cruisers: 2 @ 80 series, a 100 series and a 200. I loved them all, and would take any of the past ones back in a heartbeat. Mechanically, they’ve been the most reliable of any vehicle I’ve owned. They’re a pleasure to own and drive. They fit my lifestyle like a glove. Every generation gets more and more fancy and plush, but they remain as capable and reliable. I’m a huge fan.

If I were to nitpick my 200, I’d whine about fuel economy, poor usability on the overly integrated infotainment, and less than spectacular stock headlights. All squarely in the camp of #firstworldproblems.

If you can swing the buy in, they’re worth every penny you pay.

 

[Tommy Dwyer]

Anyone who feels the LC200 is too big - consider moving to Missouri!
I swear, driving the LC200 here most days I feel like I'm in a... RAV4, literally dwarfed by various "Missouri Specials", lol.

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Amen!!

 

[studawg]

The LX might ride a little nicer, but after 2015 you'd have to throw a tarp over it every night for me to get behind the wheel of that UGLY SOB.

I really really love my '15 LC so far, this is my 2nd one. But, sometimes I wish I had something smaller and less thirsty as a DD. I'm a little ashamed that I teach classes promoting green building, energy management, reducing your carbon footprint, blah blah blah, and yet I pilot a gas guzzling barge to campus every day. The IS250C is coming off CPO this Spring, it will get swapped out for something at that point, I haven't decided yet.

Im sorry but, you teach classes telling people how to live and work? Shouldn't you be teaching the facts? And then you dont practice what you preach? Shocker. No wonder we have so many young people out there like Alexandria Occasional-Cortex who are complete and utter idiots. I didnt want to go there, but since literally every post you make is political in nature considering your signature, you were asking for it.



Sorry Moderators, but you know Im right.

By the way, I love my 200 too

 

[swatski]

Im sorry but, you teach classes telling people how to live and work? Shouldn't you be teaching the facts? And then you dont practice what you preach? Shocker. No wonder we have so many young people out there like Alexandria Occasional-Cortex who are complete and utter idiots. I didnt want to go there, but since literally every post you make is political in nature considering your signature, you were asking for it.



Sorry Moderators, but you know Im right.

By the way, I love my 200 too

Huh?

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[bloc]

Huh?

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Someone really doesn’t agree with KLF’s American Idol choices

 

[JohnJB]

Im sorry but, you teach classes telling people how to live and work? Shouldn't you be teaching the facts? And then you dont practice what you preach? Shocker. No wonder we have so many young people out there like Alexandria Occasional-Cortex who are complete and utter idiots. I didnt want to go there, but since literally every post you make is political in nature considering your signature, you were asking for it.



Sorry Moderators, but you know Im right.

By the way, I love my 200 too

If you look for something to complain about, you will find it.
If you look for something to be grateful for, you will find it.
Life is a choice of emphasis.

Hope your day gets better.

 

[swatski]

Im sorry but, you teach classes telling people how to live and work? Shouldn't you be teaching the facts? And then you dont practice what you preach? Shocker. No wonder we have so many young people out there like Alexandria Occasional-Cortex who are complete and utter idiots. I didnt want to go there, but since literally every post you make is political in nature considering your signature, you were asking for it.



Sorry Moderators, but you know Im right.

By the way, I love my 200 too

I have to say if the LC200 looked a bit more rugged (or “retro”) out of the factory like, say, the 80-series the abysmal fuel-efficiency (range) would be much easier to forgive and forget... lol.

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[speyrod]

Did my first little roady fishing trip in my LX. Most of the miles have been city and cold so averaging 9-10 hasn't been great. This last week I took a couple days and went steelehead fishing on the Olympic Pennisula (WA state). I used to reset and calculate my 80's mpg on every tank. With the LX I look at the cruising range and the other idiot lights. Anyway, idiot display said 17.4 MPG since refill, miles 304 refill was 16.7g I usually let the auto stop dictate how full but that seemed light so I stuffed in another .2g. So I calculate at 18.2MPG which is better than the 80 ever got on one of these trips. The added power, comfort and the better mpg have me liking the LX more everyday. One of my buddies commented on it and I replied. It would be ideal with cloth seats, sunroof delete, lockers, and a diesel.

 

[Tex68w]

I haven't had the LX long enough to contribute any real substance to the conversation but I will say that so far it has been surprisingly plush and comfortable. My biggest gripes are the front-end, fingers crossed Dissent will make a bumper for the 2016+ and the fixed factory side rails, it looks like I won't be getting a flat rack for it anytime soon.

 

[Docboy]

I've had a few cars, many from Acura and now the LX570.

I have to admit, the LX570 is really one of the best vehicles I've owned so far. It's comfortable, has a reliable robust V8 engine and 6 speed transmission, feels like a tank, can seat 7, lots of cargo space in the rear for camping gear and Costco stuff, and can tow boats/trailers with ease. Can also go off roading on the sand/desert/trails, or be a mall crawler. Great 4WD system for off roading and snow; my kid likes the rear climate control unit and the rear DVD system during trips. Wife likes the LX due to its size and comfortable front seats, and we take it on all of our road trips. Poor gas mileage and shallow cup holders are my biggest gripes.

As with any vehicle, the 200 has its mechanical weak points (i.e. water pump, radiator, and starter) but are relatively minor and otherwise very reliable, and can go for 300k+ miles and then some with regular oil changes and maintenance.

It's a vehicle that I am appreciating more and more as I get older, likely due to its practicality and near indestructibility. I bought it preowned 2.5 years ago, and I can't see myself getting into another vehicle anytime soon.

 

[chipsterguy]

Opinions are converging here. Cannot go wrong with either. But do not under estimate the versatility, durability, and value of the LX's AHC (at least on the 200 series). Never owned a 100 series LX, but it seems they've improved the system tremendously on the 200 series.

To add a thought to consider... I have owned two LX's now, a 2010 with 160k miles, and a 2015 with 50k miles. Honestly, they both drive exactly the same (same feel, road manners, etc.). You honestly cannot say that about any other stock suspension system out there @ 100k+ miles.

 

[aznxfactor]

Love my 200 however the biggest complaint is off road mods.

Front is tundra so parts are seamless to get and upgrade. However the rear is an enigma unless you buy from ICON or King. I believe the rear suspension is directly from a fj cruiser as far as bolt but of course the weight is different.

Love bilsteins as they make 6112 but nothing for the rears and I dont want to have billys front with some other brand in the rear. Prefer to have it all same brand.

so now im just waiting for metaltech4x4s next group buy and just get the cell foam pro set.

 

[blatant]

I'm surely in the minority but I prefer my 100 over our 200. The 200's 5.7 is great on trips, towing, on ramps and pretty much any power needs, and more refined inside (pretty much better in every way) Zero complaints off road. It's also an eye catcher for many, to stop and ask about it's lift, tires or what's what. You don't see that many of them. It is also way, WAY beefier underneath than the 100. The frame is remarkably huge, drive line and other bits bigger than some trucks, considered a "bigger" vehicle. It's much bigger.

I find the interior space of the 100 better, from the front console to the cargo area. The connection to the road or when off road is more enjoyable on the 100, but I like to drive like granny and like less refined ( if either can really be considered that ). With both LC's, they don't move for cars, cars move for the LCs, they are big and no likes being behind them not seeing.. Even the 100, being a much older truck, it's a pleasure to drive and gobbles up the miles with ease. The 200 just does it with extra ease and it's easy to bump to 100 mph or so when passing, with out even realizing. Impressive. They are both wonderful platforms.

The one thing that I do differ about, compare to some earlier comments, is our local dealer. CBT / Camelback Toyota gets it done. Many LC's and LX's being wrench on, by techs and service writers that understand the vehicles and know the vehicles. As usual, hats off to @murf and his dedication to excellence and his staff! A real Phoenix gem!