Disadvantages of buying a Lexus LX570 over a 200 Series

[supdizzle]

I had this same dilemma when searching for my next cruiser. I came from a LX470 and at first was set on the 570, I loved the AHC and the few additional creature comforts. But when looking at a LX570 and a LC, the LX570 was too much luxury for me. I didn't like the auto third row seats and I really did not like the front grille. Also for every 5 LX's I saw there was only one LC. So it was nice being a little more rare here in Colorado, figured re-sale in 10 years would be better. Anywho, it really comes down to what you want personally. What would make you most happy, can't go wrong with either....

 

[LXCruza]

Move up here to Canada and your only choice will be the LX570.

Joking aside, as others mentioned they're %90 the same truck. You will be happy with either. To me, if the "Land Cruiser" name means a lot to you and you're planning to build it to its teeth then buy the TLC. Otherwise LX570 is a better choice if you're going to be mostly on the road (as opposed to off-road).

 

[DenverLX]

I spent months going back and forth before buying a 16 LX. I’ve had several LC and LX before and still own a 100 series. What it came down to was that I wanted a nice everyday, road trip, rowing, camping rig. I drove the LC and LX side by side and there was no doubt that the LX was a better vehicular for the dollar. The LC looks better but the inside feels like any other Toyota, and for the kind of money I was spending I thought the LX felt like a much better deal. The AHC is really good on it, and it’s just a great luxury vehicle. I do worry often that it’s too nice, I use it very hard every week so I’ll see how it holds up.

 

[krice118]

Slee has 35s on his Lx

The LX is every bit a Bad A off-roader.
There’s a guy who put 37s on one earlier this year.

Get whatever you like better. The Lexus IS a 200 series and a great value.

 

[LXCruza]

There’s a guy who put 37s on one earlier this year.

Would love to see an LX on 37s. Any links?

 

[MikeVpdx503]

I imagine having both would be awesome, I have seen a few on this forum that have multiple 200 rigs...I love my 2013 LC and trying to talk my wife into ditching her BMW for a 2015 LX...

 

[Dayhiker]

Went through this last fall as I was looking for something bigger than the 2014 4Runner Limited I had. I ended up with a 2011 LX that I've since done all the fluid changes and sensor lift and put 275/65/20 Falken Wildpeaks on. I really did NOT want the Lexus for a lot of the reasons listed. Too much chrome for my liking, preferred the more understated styling of the LC, was worried about the AHC system. As we all know now, finding a used LC is not easy and they are definitely higher in price so that kept pushing me back to the LX. The one LC I found and test drove was beat to s*** and had been smoked in which was very disappointing. At the time I even was considering a Tahoe/Yukon and then doing a set of Bilstein's and tires...until I drove one and was not impressed with the interior and the 3rd row with it's tiny windows. My wife and I then went to look at the LX I ended up getting . Since last fall it's already taken my family of 5 from Wisconsin to Colorado and Utah (Arches/Canyonlands) and soon to Vermont/Maine and will probably be towing a travel trailer next year. I just had it offroading through national forests in northern Wisconsin and also way up in the upper peninsula of Michigan. With the bigger tires and sensor lift it has done all the offroading I've wanted to do. I'm sure I'll have to replace the shocks not too long from now as I have 110k miles on it but I've been more than happy with the AHC system and it's ability to adjust.

All that said, if money was not an object, I would have a built 2019 LC for sure. Bottom line, get what you can afford with the 200 series platform.

 

[jeproks]

Resale value, hideous grille, approach and departure angle, premium gas.

 

[Volunteer]

I favor the LC trim myself but the big one for me is the AHC system and the aftermarket support for building the platform will always favor the LC. I certainly can believe the AHC is the cats meow the first 8 - 10 years with the comfort and adjustability to fit the task at hand but as it ages and is used hard offroad or hauling loads when it starts to get worn or have failures. I wouldn't want to foot that bill to replace it knowing the LC had plenty of suspension options that would fit the needs. Also what does that look like when it fails on you on the trail or trip. One of our club members busted a rear line on his 09 model that cost him $2800 to have it replaced at the dealer. The good thing is there are more of the LX's available and you can probably negotiate a better deal on one if you favor the LX trim. Good Luck

 

[nwfl4runner]

I went with an LX over the land cruiser because I wasn't going to build anything that needed to carry significant weight (no RTT, no drawer system, tons of gear), and I wasn't doing any extreme rock crawling. A light weight expedition build, and so the AHC and interior amenities did it for me.

I think the weight you plan to carry needs to factor into these decisions more so than anything.

 

[LXCruza]

I went with an LX over the land cruiser because I wasn't going to build anything that needed to carry significant weight (no RTT, no drawer system, tons of gear), and I wasn't doing any extreme rock crawling. A light weight expedition build, and so the AHC and interior amenities did it for me.

I think the weight you plan to carry needs to factor into these decisions more so than anything.

Is it actually proven that AHC is not capable of handling RTT+drawers+steel-bumpers weight?

 

[tbisaacs]

Is it actually proven that AHC is not capable of handling RTT+drawers+steel-bumpers weight?

 

[tbisaacs]

I mean, it’s not as if you would rely on AHC to cross Africa or anything

Builds - My 200 Buildup for crossing Africa

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[nwfl4runner]

Is it actually proven that AHC is not capable of handling RTT+drawers+steel-bumpers weight?

Not at all - but it has certain limitations (1800-2k lbs or so)

 

[mep1811]

My long range plans are a 40 gallon aux fuel tank , rear fridge, drawers roof rack front bumper

 

[TeCKis300]

AHC disconnects too much feeling from the road (some ghys like that, others want feedback).

Stock for stock, it is LC that is the marshmallow. AHC can be put in sport which I sometimes find it too stiff for conditions.

But when looking at a LX570 and a LC, the LX570 was too much luxury for me.

Yet there are things that are basic niceties that you'll have to forego too, especially on earlier model year LCs. Some can be added after the fact. Others cannot. In no way complete - Interior hatch release (fob), power auto down all windows (fob), folding mirrors, damped tailgate, ventilated seats, storage in middle seat armrest, projector headlights, interior and exterior ambient/courtesy lights, the list is deep and goes on.

Not at all - but it has certain limitations (1800-2k lbs or so)

There's no limitation here and AHC is upgradeable. Scour the web and find all the ballistic armored LX's. These things are easily in the 4-ton+ range. I myself tow with payload in the 2000lb range with a simple 20mm suspension spacer. And near max GVCR (Gross Vehicle Combined Rating). You won't find a single suspension that handles empty and laden weight as well, while still driving like a proper Lexus in comfort or sport as desired, in all conditions.[/QUOTE]

 

[nwfl4runner]

Do you have any links on the suspension the armored LXs use? I couldn't tell if they just used regular shocks or if they actually utilized the AHC. That would be awesome if they did, give me something to look into.

 

[AnthonyLC]

The grill on the 2016+ LX can be "easily" fixed: @benc

 

[bloc]

I favor the LC trim myself but the big one for me is the AHC system and the aftermarket support for building the platform will always favor the LC. I certainly can believe the AHC is the cats meow the first 8 - 10 years with the comfort and adjustability to fit the task at hand but as it ages and is used hard offroad or hauling loads when it starts to get worn or have failures. I wouldn't want to foot that bill to replace it knowing the LC had plenty of suspension options that would fit the needs. Also what does that look like when it fails on you on the trail or trip. One of our club members busted a rear line on his 09 model that cost him $2800 to have it replaced at the dealer. The good thing is there are more of the LX's available and you can probably negotiate a better deal on one if you favor the LX trim. Good Luck

That’s assuming KDSS won’t start having failures as well. One recent post indicated a front cylinder failure and it was not cheap to fix. Personally I think it’s a matter of time until KDSS starts becoming at least something to think about with regard to reliability. As it is, at least AHC specifies a fluid change interval. KDSS appears to be a “sealed for life” system and I fundamentally think that is a bad idea.

While few of us know anything about working on the system, I trust people here to figure it out. And yes the parts should be cheaper than the pumps and control systems on AHC, but I caution people against assuming KDSS won’t have its own headaches eventually.

Plus.. not many LX570s with “cruiser lean”

 

[tbisaacs]

Do you have any links on the suspension the armored LXs use? I couldn't tell if they just used regular shocks or if they actually utilized the AHC. That would be awesome if they did, give me something to look into.

Beefed up AHC Components

forum.ih8mud.com