Earlier this year, we sold our beloved 2017 LX570. We needed a cheap second car—something low maintenance—so I picked up a one-owner, very clean Tesla Model Y. Big mistake (for me, at least).
While the Full Self-Driving feature worked surprisingly well and the instant torque was fun, everything else fell short. The build quality just isn’t there—noisy cabin, horribly uncomfortable suspension, and a list of other issues. After just six days of ownership, I knew I couldn’t do it anymore.
I started looking around for a budget-friendly LX570, but all the “cheap” ones were in rough shape. That led me to consider the Sequoia, specifically the 2018+ models for the refreshed front end.
The Purchase
I ended up buying the cheapest 2018+ Sequoia 4x4 in the entire country. By a long shot. Picked it up for $18.5k — a 2018 Sequoia Platinum 4x4 with some serious highway mileage: 250K on the clock! It’s a two-owner truck with a solid maintenance history, including regular oil changes.
To make the swap, I drove the Long Range AWD Model Y from Austin to Houston to trade it in. I fully charged the Tesla to 100% (330-mile range) for the 170-mile drive. But Texas highways have speed limits of 70-75 mph, meaning very little regenerative braking. I made it about 140 miles before hitting 5% battery. Luckily, there was a Supercharger nearby in Sealy, TX, where I had to stop and charge to 50% just to continue. Totally disappointing.
When I arrived at the dealership, I checked out the Sequoia. It wasn’t perfect, but it was what I expected. A few door dings, but no rust (always Texas-owned). The dealership’s "cleaning" left a lot to be desired—so much Amarillo red dust in every nook and cranny!
However, the interior was in much better condition than I anticipated. Mechanically, it was also better than expected—looked like it had new upper control arms at some point, and all fluids were very clean and recently replaced. All electronics and options worked properly. There was a bit of peeling clearcoat on the front fender, but nothing major.
The Drive Home
With a full tank of gas, I drove the Sequoia from Houston back to Austin. Coming straight from the Tesla, a few things immediately stood out:
What’s Next?
I’ll keep this thread updated with maintenance, modifications, and general ownership updates. Coming from LC/LX ownership, I’ll also share my thoughts on the differences I see/feel between the LC200/LX570 and the 2nd-gen Sequoia platform.
Here's the beast the day I picked it up:
While the Full Self-Driving feature worked surprisingly well and the instant torque was fun, everything else fell short. The build quality just isn’t there—noisy cabin, horribly uncomfortable suspension, and a list of other issues. After just six days of ownership, I knew I couldn’t do it anymore.
I started looking around for a budget-friendly LX570, but all the “cheap” ones were in rough shape. That led me to consider the Sequoia, specifically the 2018+ models for the refreshed front end.
The Purchase
I ended up buying the cheapest 2018+ Sequoia 4x4 in the entire country. By a long shot. Picked it up for $18.5k — a 2018 Sequoia Platinum 4x4 with some serious highway mileage: 250K on the clock! It’s a two-owner truck with a solid maintenance history, including regular oil changes.
To make the swap, I drove the Long Range AWD Model Y from Austin to Houston to trade it in. I fully charged the Tesla to 100% (330-mile range) for the 170-mile drive. But Texas highways have speed limits of 70-75 mph, meaning very little regenerative braking. I made it about 140 miles before hitting 5% battery. Luckily, there was a Supercharger nearby in Sealy, TX, where I had to stop and charge to 50% just to continue. Totally disappointing.
When I arrived at the dealership, I checked out the Sequoia. It wasn’t perfect, but it was what I expected. A few door dings, but no rust (always Texas-owned). The dealership’s "cleaning" left a lot to be desired—so much Amarillo red dust in every nook and cranny!
However, the interior was in much better condition than I anticipated. Mechanically, it was also better than expected—looked like it had new upper control arms at some point, and all fluids were very clean and recently replaced. All electronics and options worked properly. There was a bit of peeling clearcoat on the front fender, but nothing major.
The Drive Home
With a full tank of gas, I drove the Sequoia from Houston back to Austin. Coming straight from the Tesla, a few things immediately stood out:
- Much quieter cabin
- WAY more comfortable suspension
- No creaks or shifting noises
- Not EV fast, but plenty of power for highway cruising at 75-90 mph
- Made it from Houston to Austin on just half a tank of fuel
What’s Next?
I’ll keep this thread updated with maintenance, modifications, and general ownership updates. Coming from LC/LX ownership, I’ll also share my thoughts on the differences I see/feel between the LC200/LX570 and the 2nd-gen Sequoia platform.
Here's the beast the day I picked it up:
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