So, I've been doing my research for a couple months on what vehicle to get next. We have a kid on the way and 2 dogs, about 65-70 lbs each. We would like a third row to secure them properly when driving.
Anyway, after a lot of test drives and research, we tried some GX470s and 4runners, but they were too small. I tried the Sequoia (first gen) and we liked those, but I couldn't ignore the 100. Definitely a little less family friendly, but so much cooler and much more likely to hold value. Full disclosure, I probably won't use capability beyond what the sequoia will do. At least not for the first few years, maybe it can be a toy later on.
So I've test driven a handful of each and pretty sure I know what I want. I found a cool dealer who has 3 great options in stock and I will likely buy one of them today or tomorrow, depending when I can get out there.
Option 1: 2003 LX. 2 owners, 180k miles. Dealer maintenance and timing belt for first 100k. After that, it bounced around between a couple independent shops for the second owner. Still tons of records and just got the second timing belt. Blue vapor over gray. Frame pics look amazing up on the lift. $18k.
Option 2: 2006 Sequoia Limited. 1 owner, 230k miles. Dealer maintenance and timing belt for first 100k. After that, switched to local shops. Still tons of records and had a second timing belt at 200k in 2018. Pearl White over gray. Loaded with options including captains chairs and memory seats, which are huge for us. Frame looks amazing in pictures on lift. $11.5k.
Option 3: 2006 LX. 1 owner, 200k miles. Dealer maintenance it's whole life including timing belts at 100k and 200k. Even had Lexus detail it every other time. Pearl white over tan. Frame looks amazing in pictures on lift. $21.5k.
The 2006 seems like the obvious choice if you don't consider money, or color. Both LX are also from Minnesota, so I really want to check out those frames. Sequoia was in North Carolina, so should be solid. Dealer has an amazing reputation, and has sold many Lexus including tons of LX and GX (mainly 470s). Clearly he has a niche for picking them out.
It's hard to say no to the others though. The sequoia is tough to find like that (options and condition/history). It also has all the capability I need, more space for the family, probably cheaper to maintain, and is many thousands cheaper to buy. That said, the LX is just cool, and will likely have less (or no) depreciation over the 5-10 (or more) years that I have it. So it might not actually cost more I guess.
Also the 03 vs the 06... 03 has better colors (IMO), less miles, still decent history, and is like 5k cheaper. I do think the 06 is pretty much investment material though. I'll read through the 03 vs 06 options again, but the guide is a bit unclear to me about what came out when for Lexus vs Toyotas. I know it will at least have the 5 speed trans, which is necessary for me.
So yeah, thanks for letting me rant. I'd love to hear any and all thoughts and suggestions!
Anyway, after a lot of test drives and research, we tried some GX470s and 4runners, but they were too small. I tried the Sequoia (first gen) and we liked those, but I couldn't ignore the 100. Definitely a little less family friendly, but so much cooler and much more likely to hold value. Full disclosure, I probably won't use capability beyond what the sequoia will do. At least not for the first few years, maybe it can be a toy later on.
So I've test driven a handful of each and pretty sure I know what I want. I found a cool dealer who has 3 great options in stock and I will likely buy one of them today or tomorrow, depending when I can get out there.
Option 1: 2003 LX. 2 owners, 180k miles. Dealer maintenance and timing belt for first 100k. After that, it bounced around between a couple independent shops for the second owner. Still tons of records and just got the second timing belt. Blue vapor over gray. Frame pics look amazing up on the lift. $18k.
Option 2: 2006 Sequoia Limited. 1 owner, 230k miles. Dealer maintenance and timing belt for first 100k. After that, switched to local shops. Still tons of records and had a second timing belt at 200k in 2018. Pearl White over gray. Loaded with options including captains chairs and memory seats, which are huge for us. Frame looks amazing in pictures on lift. $11.5k.
Option 3: 2006 LX. 1 owner, 200k miles. Dealer maintenance it's whole life including timing belts at 100k and 200k. Even had Lexus detail it every other time. Pearl white over tan. Frame looks amazing in pictures on lift. $21.5k.
The 2006 seems like the obvious choice if you don't consider money, or color. Both LX are also from Minnesota, so I really want to check out those frames. Sequoia was in North Carolina, so should be solid. Dealer has an amazing reputation, and has sold many Lexus including tons of LX and GX (mainly 470s). Clearly he has a niche for picking them out.
It's hard to say no to the others though. The sequoia is tough to find like that (options and condition/history). It also has all the capability I need, more space for the family, probably cheaper to maintain, and is many thousands cheaper to buy. That said, the LX is just cool, and will likely have less (or no) depreciation over the 5-10 (or more) years that I have it. So it might not actually cost more I guess.
Also the 03 vs the 06... 03 has better colors (IMO), less miles, still decent history, and is like 5k cheaper. I do think the 06 is pretty much investment material though. I'll read through the 03 vs 06 options again, but the guide is a bit unclear to me about what came out when for Lexus vs Toyotas. I know it will at least have the 5 speed trans, which is necessary for me.
So yeah, thanks for letting me rant. I'd love to hear any and all thoughts and suggestions!
