Are newer models nicer than the 2008's ?

[triplenet]

I have a 2008 LC - and while its great - we just purchased a 2014 LX570 and its just so much nicer inside....

Did Toyota upgrade the interior on newer models ?

BTW - plan on holding mine for a while - or at least until we get a diesel model in the USA .....

Thanks guys

 

[THEROK]

I personally wouldn't buy a pre 13 200. I can't stand halogen low beams.

Awesome Lexus. Great car for the range rover buyer. I chose to go with the land cruiser for non ahc durability and proper lineage. Gotta lift it on big tires else so drab.

coming from a new range rover the lc more than holds its own along the accoutrements front.

 

[texas]

Mechanically they're identical. But the interior got some nice upgrades, mostly to the entertainment center. But the surround cameras are nice.

 

[THEROK]

Also note that the subtle exterior enhancements make it stand out incrementally better. More aggressive fender panels, bolder front grill and obviously the uprated HID lights and DRL LEDs that aren't DRL for some reason in NA.

The biggest thing it's missing compared to same MY LX are the leather and wood bits. The powered third-row seats and rear lid, etc.

If one is happy with stock mall cruiser height and tame looks, then I'd go LX for the quieter ride, country club exterior aesthetic, and luxury appointments. If you're a big tire and lift guy like many of us here, the LC is a no brainer since you'll be spending about the diff in sticker price in quality aftermarket tires/wheels/suspension.

e.g. LX - none 4u!

 

[stonepa]

I'd personally buy whatever year you find that is a reasonable price. Paying $70k for a 2013 truck that will quickly depreciate to $45k seems like a big waste to me. Whatever you buy will run forever, no matter what the year.

To each his own.

 

[THEROK]

Like you stated it is a personal decision. Make more money and many more things become reasonable.

Bottom line the 13s are markedly nicer than the 08s. Sales numbers show it as well.

 

[Spudman]

My opinion, whilst the newer ones have a few different tweaks, my answer is no, I wouldn't swap my 2008 VX for a later model.

 

[Cfbrenton1]

All of the LXs after 1997 are markedly nicer than the LCs.

 

[Carl L]

Also note that the subtle exterior enhancements make it stand out incrementally better. More aggressive fender panels, bolder front grill and obviously the uprated HID lights and DRL LEDs that aren't DRL for some reason in NA.

The biggest thing it's missing compared to same MY LX are the leather and wood bits. The powered third-row seats and rear lid, etc.

If one is happy with stock mall cruiser height and tame looks, then I'd go LX for the quieter ride, country club exterior aesthetic, and luxury appointments. If you're a big tire and lift guy like many of us here, the LC is a no brainer since you'll be spending about the diff in sticker price in quality aftermarket tires/wheels/suspension.
]

Seems you're into looking the part rather than being the part. The mod-aholic guys in the P-car and M forum amuse me too, whenever we're at the track a different aftermarket part overheats or fails. I've seen similar on the trails, only go a couple of times a year and while extra clearance can be nice, owners don't think so when their control arms snap. Anyhow, to each their own, but I'd stop looking down at people who don't want to tart up their vehicles quite so much and become aware the majority see things the opposite way.

Re the post about new cars depreciating, they sure do but I still don't buy used cars ....but I am pleased others do, or retained value after 5 years would be 0%.

 

[stonepa]

Like you stated it is a personal decision. Make more money and many more things become reasonable.

That may be. My dad owns outright a Fortune 1000 company. He can afford anything his heart desires. Up until a couple of years ago he drove a 1995 Buick Park Avenue. It might have been the finest Park Avenue still in existence, but it still had 250k miles on it. Now he drives a Toyota. Bottom line, I for one would rather spend money on assets that I can either use to provide jobs, help people out, or pass on to my kids. Depreciating cars aren't one of those things.

Okay, I'll get off my high horse. No matter how little I try to spend I'm still a fat cat to those folks struggling in most of the world.

 

[THEROK]

Should've gone for that cnn anchor job. I think I'm really good at getting people to tmi. Lol

Ih8 mgmt should pay me to drive more traffic. in all seriousness, apologies if i've offended anyone. not my intent.

If I already had a 200 I'd def be happy with what I have. If no, then 13+ no doubt. The only thing that'd be killer is to get that diesel v8 in the USA. It won't happen though.

 

[Callahan Offroad]

Seems you're into looking the part rather than being the part. The mod-aholic guys in the P-car and M forum amuse me too, whenever we're at the track a different aftermarket part overheats or fails. I've seen similar on the trails, only go a couple of times a year and while extra clearance can be nice, owners don't think so when their control arms snap. Anyhow, to each their own, but I'd stop looking down at people who don't want to tart up their vehicles quite so much and become aware the majority see things the opposite way.

Re the post about new cars depreciating, they sure do but I still don't buy used cars ....but I am pleased others do, or retained value after 5 years would be 0%.

The reason those parts fail after the modification is that they don't modify the supporting systems. Its the same when you lower a car. I've seen far too many people snap axles in the K-series swapped civics and blame it on the motor. When in reality they put a 2.5" drop on the car as well which changed the angle that the CV sits putting too much pressure on the joint. So in that scenario, the angles changed, then the torque increased significantly, which lead to failure. The same is true for Control Arms. Look at the Rubicon Express lift kits for the JK series Wranglers, they come with all kinds of modified suspension accessories to avoid failures past certain points. Remember, your strongest build is only as strong as your weakest link.

the other thing that can happen is the person purchases a low-quality part or series of parts eventually leading to failure.

And to the OP, your dad runs a Fortune 1000 because he was smart enough/sensible enough to know that the Buick Park Avenue was one of the greatest cars ever built. I had a 96 LeSabre that I sold with 350k miles on it and it still ran just fine and did 34mpg highway. That 3.8L Buick motor is nothing to sneeze at. Were they ugly? You bet-cha!

Speaking of vehicles and income you should all read the Millionaire Mind, its a psychological study of millionaires, their habits and what makes them millionaires. They had a very interesting piece about vehicles. The #1 vehicle driven by millionaires in the US is actually a F-150, I think third place was some kind of buick. But overall they were all sensible cars.

 

[patrickfinley]

The interior of an 08 LC is not going to be very different from a 2014 LC. However if you are switching from an LC to an LX there will be noticeable refinements.

I have a 2008 LC - and while its great - we just purchased a 2014 LX570 and its just so much nicer inside....

Did Toyota upgrade the interior on newer models ?

BTW - plan on holding mine for a while - or at least until we get a diesel model in the USA .....

Thanks guys

 

[texas]

That may be. My dad owns outright a Fortune 1000 company. He can afford anything his heart desires. Up until a couple of years ago he drove a 1995 Buick Park Avenue. It might have been the finest Park Avenue still in existence, but it still had 250k miles on it. Now he drives a Toyota. Bottom line, I for one would rather spend money on assets that I can either use to provide jobs, help people out, or pass on to my kids. Depreciating cars aren't one of those things.

Okay, I'll get off my high horse. No matter how little I try to spend I'm still a fat cat to those folks struggling in most of the world.

Yea but I'm sure he spends some serious cash on something that he likes. Whether it be houses, watches, travel, or whatever that would seem insanely extravagant to someone else.

Believe it or not, there are people who view cars as appliances, and there are those that don't.

 

[Junglejack]

Hello,
This whole perception that the AHC is somehow lesser than the conventional setup is flatout wrong. The fact that Toyota remains to offer it on LC's in markets where those speed bump islands are not the most perilous part of ones journey is telling. Moreover, there are countless LX 470 owners with trucks going on 15 years that are doing just fine. Myself included.

Overseas where AHC is offered on LC's the perception of it really seems different. This can be seen by posts from European Mud members.
If the AHC is not properly maintained it can get costly, but retrofitting is a readily available option.
Best.
Jack

 

[Billfish]

You make a reasoned case Jack but I'd argue your facts are wrong.

I would agree that "perception" is important and that a rig with AHC is more capable than a convention stock rig. It is (probably) not true however that a AHC rig is as capable as a lifted rig with upgraged suspension, arms etc. Body clearance afterall is only one characteristic one might want to improve for offroad use.

Also, just becasue Toyota offers AHC in Faroffistan or wherever it does not automatically follow that they are catering to those who might to take their rig offroad, European Mud posters notwithstanding. They may not have any other option.

Downunder, where LCs get punished probably harder and for longer than anywhere else on the planet, AHC is offered as an option only on some top end blinged-out models and on the LX as standard. This is for a reason: Customer "perception". Most of those would never leave the blackstuff. I can tell you for sure, Jack, that if AHC was "percieved" as durable and anywhere near capable for offroad work as are aftermarket modifications it would be in demand and would probably be a cheaper solution. Its not "percieved" as such because it isn't.

 

[DRCKTM]

I love the interior on my 570 just wish it was a little more rugged looking on the outside - and that I could get some aftermarket parts for it like a grille guard or even a bug deflector. I do love the look of the 200 series lifted with big tires. Saw a totally lifted and outfitted one in Palm Springs CA. I almost crashed my car doing a double take! Lol.

 

[LCKID]

I have a 2008 LC - and while its great - we just purchased a 2014 LX570 and its just so much nicer inside....

Did Toyota upgrade the interior on newer models ?

BTW - plan on holding mine for a while - or at least until we get a diesel model in the USA .....

Thanks guys

IF HID and surround cameras are important to you, yes. If not, there is no difference. To me they matter as i purchased my LC for driving around Europe to different tracks and to travel to the mountains during winter. there are a lot of tunnels where i travel to/from and the lights make a big difference especially at high speed (200KMH+). also when approaching slower vehicles and flashing them to move out of the way the HID's along with upgraded High-beam bulbs i have, really throw a "burst" of light that gains the other drivers attention.