Buying a new LC? Need advice… thoughts?

[Cathar_Knight]

Buying a new LC? Need advice… thoughts?


I have owned a LC 100 series for 14 years. In those 14 years I have racked up a lot of miles – 310Kmiles to be precise.

I am now reaching that point where my repair costs are no longer justified given the age of the vehicle…. Which leads me to the following dilemma.

Do I buy a new (meaning used as I cannot afford $80K on a new car) LC or do I look at – gasp – an alternative? I love LC’s but the low mileage and resulting high gas bills have made me reconsider. If Toyota would bring the diesel LC into the US the choice would be clear but…….

So here is what I am considering:

1. 2008-ish used LC

2. 2015 4 Runner TRD PRO (about $45,000ish)

3. 2010-ish Mercedes GL 350

4. Foreign import of diesel LC (through Canada?, conversion of LC to diesel)

What’s important to me:

1. Reliability – longevity of vehicle

2. Mileage and low operating costs

3. On road handling

4. Off-road capability

5. Towing capability (ideally more than 5000lbs)

Thoughts? I would appreciate other’s experience.

Mark

 

[TioChachie]

My thoughts are as follows:
1) decide how much money you have to spend.
2) wait until that much money will buy you a 2013 or newer 200 series that is used but still very new.
3) trade your 100 for something like an old Prius, civic or corolla that you can use when you don't need the 200 to keep miles, wear and tear and fuel costs down, or just drive the 200 everyday and don't do the math when gas prices go back up.

 

[stonepa]

I went through this same thought process last March. My 98 LC had been good to me for 16 years and 331k miles. I looked at the GL 320 and 550 but the out of warranty reliability is terrible so that was out. Looked at the Mercedes G wagon but couldn't justify the price. Looked at the 4Runner - great vehicle but the interior was a bit too cheap given the price. Tahoe and Denali - yuck and yuck. Looked high and low for an LC but everything around here was a 2008 for $40-48k. Ended up with a new 2013 LX570 and I have to say that I love it. I've driven it all over North America and put almost 46k miles on it already. The dealer wanted $68k for it but I talked him down to $56k - for a new LX. Bought the platinum warranty and I am good till 2020 or 125k miles. Awesome deal and I couldn't imagine getting something better for that price.

 

[SWUtah]

$56k would be a great price right now for a 2013 LX with 50k miles on it. You stole it!!

 

[SWUtah]

Buying a new LC? Need advice… thoughts?


I have owned a LC 100 series for 14 years. In those 14 years I have racked up a lot of miles – 310Kmiles to be precise.

I am now reaching that point where my repair costs are no longer justified given the age of the vehicle…. Which leads me to the following dilemma.

Do I buy a new (meaning used as I cannot afford $80K on a new car) LC or do I look at – gasp – an alternative? I love LC’s but the low mileage and resulting high gas bills have made me reconsider. If Toyota would bring the diesel LC into the US the choice would be clear but…….

So here is what I am considering:

1. 2008-ish used LC

2. 2015 4 Runner TRD PRO (about $45,000ish)

3. 2010-ish Mercedes GL 350

4. Foreign import of diesel LC (through Canada?, conversion of LC to diesel)

What’s important to me:

1. Reliability – longevity of vehicle

2. Mileage and low operating costs

3. On road handling

4. Off-road capability

5. Towing capability (ideally more than 5000lbs)

Thoughts? I would appreciate other’s experience.

Mark

How many miles do you drive a year? I drive about 4k in each of my two LX's so gas, not an issue. Since reliablity is your #1 your back to Toyota/LX570. Reliablity/safety is my #1 so I want to drive my 100 or 200 series. Off road capability gets you back to Toyota 100 or 200 series. My vote would be a 2008-2011 LC you can run regular. Even if you only get 15-16 MPG with the cost of diesel here in Texas you would have to get 25+ mpg in a diesel to break even. Plus anything that is going to pull 5000 lbs and be good off road isn't going to get over 18-20 mpg. You could buy another low mileage 100??

 

[Atwalz]

I would stay away from GL. Known for issues with airmatic suspension, leaks, expensive sensors that go bad. I owned one and off loaded after seven years. It had less than 85k and extended warranty was over.

 

[Cathar_Knight]

How many miles do you drive a year? I drive about 4k in each of my two LX's so gas, not an issue. Since reliablity is your #1 your back to Toyota/LX570. Reliablity/safety is my #1 so I want to drive my 100 or 200 series. Off road capability gets you back to Toyota 100 or 200 series. My vote would be a 2008-2011 LC you can run regular. Even if you only get 15-16 MPG with the cost of diesel here in Texas you would have to get 25+ mpg in a diesel to break even. Plus anything that is going to pull 5000 lbs and be good off road isn't going to get over 18-20 mpg. You could buy another low mileage 100??

Right at the moment I am driving about 18K/year so gas does add up. Curious - do you mean you can run regular gas in a 2008-2011 LC? I have to run premium in mine. I have considered another 100... I definitely would like some upgraded electronics (like blue tooth and a stereo system that appeals to non-deaf listeners).... are there any "sweet spots in the product years? Probably in the 2008 or newer.....

 

[SWUtah]

You can run Regular in all 100 series and all 200 series LC's per Toyota. They recommend Premium but not required, a lot of threads on that subject. I run Premium in my LX570 since Lexus states it's required. But i think they do that to get the Lexus rated HP out of the 5.7. A lot of owners of LX570's run regular with no problems reported. You should be able to get a nice 200 series with 50k miles or less for the mid $40's.

 

[Cathar_Knight]

I went through this same thought process last March. My 98 LC had been good to me for 16 years and 331k miles. I looked at the GL 320 and 550 but the out of warranty reliability is terrible so that was out. Looked at the Mercedes G wagon but couldn't justify the price. Looked at the 4Runner - great vehicle but the interior was a bit too cheap given the price. Tahoe and Denali - yuck and yuck. Looked high and low for an LC but everything around here was a 2008 for $40-48k. Ended up with a new 2013 LX570 and I have to say that I love it. I've driven it all over North America and put almost 46k miles on it already. The dealer wanted $68k for it but I talked him down to $56k - for a new LX. Bought the platinum warranty and I am good till 2020 or 125k miles. Awesome deal and I couldn't imagine getting something better for that price.

Good information! I have to admit that I prefer the lower profile of the Toyota badge vs the Lexus but I have been considering that route. I think the Lexus owners tend to flip their SUVs more often to stay up with the Jones. Out of curiosity.... Have you any opinions/observations of the Toyota vs. Lexus ? I have heard people say they can tell the difference in how they drive and handle.

 

[GX-R]

Go for the best one you can find in your price range, LX 570 or LC200, you won't go wrong with either.
Sure you can get a brand new 4 RUNNER, but we all know deep inside its the 200 you want.
Toyota calls it the ''KING OF 4WD'' after all......

 

[stonepa]

Good information! I have to admit that I prefer the lower profile of the Toyota badge vs the Lexus but I have been considering that route. I think the Lexus owners tend to flip their SUVs more often to stay up with the Jones. Out of curiosity.... Have you any opinions/observations of the Toyota vs. Lexus ? I have heard people say they can tell the difference in how they drive and handle.

I bought the Lexus because I got a great price on a new vehicle and I absolutely love my dealer. We also have an RX400h and the dealer has always treated us right. The Toyota dealer - not so much.

I have driven the LC and it drives great as well. Not as quiet as I do not believe the LC has the same level of sound deadening the LX does. Stereo in the LX is fantastic and better than the LC but that is splitting hairs. I also like the AHC a lot.

 

[MScruiser]

Buying a new LC? Need advice… thoughts?

So here is what I am considering:

1. 2008-ish used LC
A great idea.

2. 2015 4 Runner TRD PRO (about $45,000ish)
Another great idea. It is a great truck and will serve you well. The LC will have a lot more room though. If you have a small family, and dont need the extra space, go for it.

3. 2010-ish Mercedes GL 350
Nope. Not unless you like frequent and high cost repairs.

4. Foreign import of diesel LC (through Canada?, conversion of LC to diesel)
If you are out of the market on brand new TLCs because of price, you can forget about importing. $$$

The 570 and LC are both the same trucks for all practical purposes. I will say that if you are the kind of guy that can't leave things alone, and tend to modify your trucks, the LC will be much more friendly than the 570.

 

[JamesC]

HI Mark,

We just bought a '14 a week and a half ago. I went through a similar process. We have several diesels (3500HD, TDI wagon, HJ, tractor, etc) and wanted another. Agreed on the US Diesel offering but I think it would be another 12-15% more - 80k-ish? Also, my ideas of diesel reliability come hand in hand with a certain era of manual operation of EVERYTHING. I'm not sure modern diesel offerings as a platform really fall into that category anymore. Same window regulators, electronic traction devices, nav/radio, trans complexity, etc, etc.

I feel like to maintain my idea of true field repair-ability, reliability and thus manual operation an 80 diesel is as new as I would go based on your list - though I'm not sure about towing. Really a 2H (HJ47/60) is as new as I'd like to go if your 'important to me' list were a prioritized one. We were set to buy a friend's 460 Gwagen Turbo Diesel 5sp conversion but then had a drive in the 200. Towing swayed us.

I believe the 200 is a sweet spot and we fully committed to that end. The 15/16mpg of regular 87 octane is just the price you pay, or not

 

[BTUMAN]

I agree with a previous comment. Figure out what you can afford and buy the most Land Cruiser you can afford. I can afford a new LC but grew up years ago and never by new- simply a wast of dollars in my onion for a LC. Go for - 2008- you will be happy. It should last another 300k like you current LC.

 

[stonepa]

Right at the moment I am driving about 18K/year so gas does add up. Curious - do you mean you can run regular gas in a 2008-2011 LC? I have to run premium in mine. I have considered another 100... I definitely would like some upgraded electronics (like blue tooth and a stereo system that appeals to non-deaf listeners).... are there any "sweet spots in the product years? Probably in the 2008 or newer.....

I run my LX570 on regular. Ran my old 100 on regular too, for 16 years although they said Premium as well. I ran all kinds of nasty third world fuel through the 100 with no issues (filter first ).

 

[SWUtah]

I run my LX570 on regular. Ran my old 100 on regular too, for 16 years although they said Premium as well. I ran all kinds of nasty third world fuel through the 100 with no issues (filter first ).

Agree can not think of any reason why the LX requires Premium and the LC can use regular per Toyota. Maybe it's that extra couple of HP that Lexus claims? I think it's like the oil change interval. My 2011 LX570 owners manual shows that my LX requires 5k mile oil/filter changes with 0W20 synthetic. But a new LX570 with all the same engine spec's requires 10k mile change intervals with the same 0W20 synthetic oil??? What do you guys think? Anyone else smell Lexus marketing

 

[INTP]

Koons Tysons Toyota has a 2008 in stock.

http://www.koonstoyotatysonscorner....virginia-469f42df0a0a00de0937467ed9b2b1a0.htm

 

[MScruiser]

Koons Tysons Toyota has a 2008 in stock.

http://www.koonstoyotatysonscorner....virginia-469f42df0a0a00de0937467ed9b2b1a0.htm

Dang, it really seems like prices on these things are going up instead of down.

 

[options2]

Dang, it really seems like prices on these things are going up instead of down.

Agreed....what was the original MRSP on a 2008? Just curious. The 200s seems to be holding their value incredibly well.

 

[INTP]

Sub $40k 200 series are hard to find in the DC area. Last October I got my 2008, 120k miles for $32K. I think the prices go up during the winter time too.