Car and Driver: LX570

[pappy]

A few quotes.

"When Toyota first began working on the new body, engine, and purpose-built frame for its latest heavyweight twins -- the LC and the Lexus LX570 - the company couldn't have predicted $4 fuel, and economy on crutches, and Americans' panicky migration from full-size SUVs. Never has it been more politically incorrect to sing the praises of a passenger vehicle that weighs 6180 pounds, attains observed fuel economy of 14 mpg, and cost $75465. Poor Toyota. A perfect trifecta of bad timing.

Which is a little embarrassing for us because every C/D editor who drove the new LX570 came back to the office, looked sheepishly at his shoes, then said in a small voice, "Holy crap, I love that thing."

"In acceleration, it basically matches a Mercedes-Benz GL450."

"Drive solo in this behemoth and enviro-conscious citizens give you the stink eye, as if you've fired up an unfiltered Camel in the produce section of Whole Foods. Which is a shame because the LX570 may well be the most desirable SUV on the planet."

"Anything based on a Land Cruiser ought to excel in muck, and the LX570 doesn't disappoint."

"The Bentley of SUVs"

 

[evanz80]

I want one! I'm not sure I would spend $75K on one (even if I had the money, which I don't), but I would not be displeased if one showed up in the driveway with a big red bow on the roof!

 

[marcfj60]

There still has to be a bunch of wealthy people out there that still want a luxo-cruiser like this but I think I've only seen 2 on the road since they've come out. I imagine the driving experience is like nothing else - it better be since it costs more than I make in a year (and several months). If you eventually decide that your DCAB Taco is just too harsh and unrefinded and you need a place for it after you buy the new LC, I'll help you get rid of it.

 

[evanz80]

There still has to be a bunch of wealthy people out there that still want a luxo-cruiser like this but I think I've only seen 2 on the road since they've come out. I imagine the driving experience is like nothing else - it better be since it costs more than I make in a year (and several months). If you eventually decide that your DCAB Taco is just too harsh and unrefinded and you need a place for it after you buy the new LC, I'll help you get rid of it.

Thanks Marc, but don't hold your breath! I really enjoy the Dcab taco. It's a very nice truck. I plan to drive it a very long time. It's two years old and it only has 11,000 miles. At that rate, it's good for another 50 years! (OK, maybe not quite).

It's interesting about the new Cruiser - the Wall Street Journal has a little article about "hot" vehicles that they can't keep in stock. Either the new Cruiser or the LX version was on that list. It goes to show at that price range that little things like an economic recession/depression and/or the price of gas don't really matter to people with enough money to afford one. I can't even guess what it would cost to insure one! Again, if you have to ask...

 

[Beowulf]

... the company couldn't have predicted $4 fuel,

I realize there is several months between when an article is written and when it is published but we saw $1.39 regular at Sams in Kansas City. Non-discount locations were $1.42 pretty much everywhere in the KC area. It was around $1.69 through OK and a little less in the panhandle.

I'm wondering what $1.39 would be when compared to 2000 prices with inflation factored in.

-Mike-

 

[slimbuddha]

I was at American Toyota Friday and they had one tagged as 58k invoice price... i'm not sure if it was new, or used though.

 

[OGBeno]

I was at American Toyota Friday and they had one tagged as 58k invoice price... i'm not sure if it was new, or used though.

It's an 08. The GM JR also drives one as his DD.

That said, they still look like stretched Highlanders.

 

[pappy]

That said, they still look like stretched Highlanders.

And Highlanders look like stretched Rav4s.

 

[SteveLCetc]

Isn't a Highlander just a Camry that sits up a little higher and has a little taller tires?

 

[alia176]

I realize there is several months between when an article is written and when it is published but we saw $1.39 regular at Sams in Kansas City. Non-discount locations were $1.42 pretty much everywhere in the KC area. It was around $1.69 through OK and a little less in the panhandle.

-Mike-

And that's for 87 octane too....

 

[TroutRunner]

Better use the gas now while it's cheap.

I'm waiting for the "economy fixes" that will undoubtedly raise interest rates and cause major inflation. My brother (investment banker in the energy field) believes we will be at $6 a gallon in the next 3 years.

I'm gonna keep putting my money into ammo and canned goods. JK Well maybe only a little.

G

 

[pappy]

I'm gonna keep putting my money into ammo and canned goods. JK Well maybe only a little.

G

I've noticed gas seems to have crept up a tad today.

As far as the supplies ... Ed Abbey once wrote "All revolutions have been failures, all the better to start another."

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Ed Abbey once wrote "All revolutions have been failures, all the better to start another."

Ed Abbey was a genius, even if he did give Hayduke a *eep.

My brother (who is an economist for the state of MT, which obviously cares a LOT about energy prices) says that oil will start it's real climb in late January. Average per barrel price for crude should be 95-105, which will lead to average per gallon prices of around 3.50-4.00 at the pump. It's ridiculously underpriced at the moment, so the increase is pretty inevitable.

Dan

 

[Ruadhrigh]

Ed Abbey was a genius, even if he did give Hayduke a *eep.

My brother (who is an economist for the state of MT, which obviously cares a LOT about energy prices) says that oil will start it's real climb in late January. Average per barrel price for crude should be 95-105, which will lead to average per gallon prices of around 3.50-4.00 at the pump. It's ridiculously underpriced at the moment, so the increase is pretty inevitable.

Dan

so deos this mean bike prices will be cheaper?

 

[alia176]

Ed Abbey was a genius, even if he did give Hayduke a *eep.


Dan

equipped with a Warn 8274 winch no less....

 

[2manycruisers]

there was an article in the SFNew Mexican this weekend about the 200 series. IIRC, it said in the US, they sold something like 145 rigs nationwide in one month (don't remember what month). Not very stellar. And it said the Lexus outsells the LC 3:1. The article had a little timeline of cruiser production and even had a couple pics of local junk--an fj-55 that I know and an fj-60 instead of stock images.

It's interesting about the new Cruiser - the Wall Street Journal has a little article about "hot" vehicles that they can't keep in stock. Either the new Cruiser or the LX version was on that list. It goes to show at that price range that little things like an economic recession/depression and/or the price of gas don't really matter to people with enough money to afford one. I can't even guess what it would cost to insure one! Again, if you have to ask...

 

[Beowulf]

And it said the Lexus outsells the LC 3:1.

There have been rumors each year for about the last 4 years that there would not be a US Land Cruiser and only the LX would be available for the US market. Those rumors have not been true so far, but the end of production for a US Land Cruiser might be coming some day soon.

-Mike-

 

[marcfj60]

Does that mean my FJ60 has the potential to be worth something some day?

 

[Beowulf]

Does that mean my FJ60 has the potential to be worth something some day?

Your FJ60 is already "worth something" ... just not as much as you would like.

-Mike-

 

[marcfj60]

Thanks for pointing that out. Our definitions of 'something' are slightly different.