Early M.Y. 200 Series LC vs LX - Which is the better deal now?

[Itsky]

I think both the LX570 and LC are amazing. There are slight price differences, but ultimately choose the one you like better.

the 200 is a long term investment (relative to other autos) so make sure you pick the one you love more.

 

[Doomstar]

It won't drop much. Mileage and overall condition will have a greater impact. The range on a 2014 right now is 37k-44k depending on condition. I think the 2013-2015 is the way to go right now. You pay a little bit of a premium over the 2008-2011, but you got a lot more in terms of tech and 'looks'. Not to mention, the subtle improvements they made to the platform. Your depreciation should be minimal maybe 2-3K a year depending on how many miles you put on it.

I see you are in the midwest....After a rather lengthy search this summer I'm still getting notifications on a bunch of saved searches. Did you see this one?

Autotrader - page unavailable

I'm doing my factory recall at this dealer on Tuesday if you want me to check it out.

Thanks!

I hadn't seen that one yet, no. I've been confining my search to places like CarMax and Carvana due to their being able to deliver anywhere. Just not being able to wrap my head around traveling a few states over to look at a vehicle and possibly buy...at least not yet. Right now I find the ones around town or over in Milwaukee and like them, but can't pull the trigger on them because the undercarriage rust always creeps me out.

I guess I'm semi-serious about buying but still can't get over the hump of pulling the trigger just yet. I'm not even sure my bank (USAA) will finance $39k for a 5-6 year old vehicle even if it is a Lexus.

I have a 2010 F150 that is paid off and runs fine that I've turned into a decent off-roader...so though I've got the LC/LX bug I'm still not desperate for one, I guess. Not sure what it's going to take to get me into one.

I even looked at a near mint 2015 GX with 77k the other day. Really liked it but the step down in size just feels strange at this point when I'm so used to driving what amounts to a comfortable living room with leather seats with 2" lift on 33s down the road.

 

[Ali FJ80]

For me the LX was the right choice as it fit my needs better but for those just buying it due to the lower price one thing to also keep in mind is when insuring these the LX seems to have 30%-40% higher rate compared to the same year LC due to the luxury branding. If you plan to own long term this may negate any initial cost savings.

 

[Doomstar]

I bought 2013 LX with 71K for $37k. Seems but to much for 2014 especially since there is not much differences

It does seem a bit much, doesn't it? It's the bluish one at CarMax. Maybe CarMax doesn't have the best prices?

I'm obv sorta new at this.

 

[Doomstar]

For me the LX was the right choice as it fit my needs better but for those just buying it due to the lower price one thing to also keep in mind is when insuring these the LX seems to have 30%-40% higher rate compared to the same year LC due to the luxury branding. If you plan to own long term this may negate any initial cost savings.

That's....a really damn good point. Hadn't thought of that.

Another thing I'm noticing is the LX requires premium fuel? Is that really a thing even though they're the same engine? Is that how the LX gets the extra 2-3 horsepower?

 

[Ali FJ80]

That's....a really damn good point. Hadn't thought of that.

Another thing I'm noticing is the LX requires premium fuel? Is that really a thing even though they're the same engine? Is that how the LX gets the extra 2-3 horsepower?

I think you can run normal gas as it will just pull timing. I have always run premium and not given it much thought as I would rather have the full grunt all the time vs. the engine having to cut back due to gas all along the torque curve, not just peak hp.

 

[Madtiger]

For me, i am jealous of LX with TWO things:

1. Mark Levinson Reference audio system. My JBL is good...but the ML Reference is in a league of its own.

2. REAL ***king wood trim.

Am i the only one who thinks that it is ridiculous that we have cheap looking fake wood on our LC???!! I cannot think of a $50k and up car that has fake wood. LC may be the ONLY one. LOL

 

[blatant]

I guess I'm semi-serious about buying but still can't get over the hump of pulling the trigger just yet. I'm not even sure my bank (USAA) will finance $39k for a 5-6 year old vehicle even if it is a Lexus.

Go thru the loan app now. It's good for 90 days or 120 or something like that. May as well get it out of the way and know what you know.

For me, less is more. My LC2011, built in 12/11 is as spartan as it gets [ or normal oem LC stock, by lc standards ] If a poverty pack was offered, I'd buy it. Again less is more over the long term. I plan to keep the 200 as long as the 100 and mechanically it's a no brainer, however with a zillion electrical/computer items, it's a matter of time before some nonsense demands addressing. Our 100 has 250k on it, it's an 01 with no nav. Great truck but doesn't get to 250k w/o spending money. Our 11 200 has 72k or so on it, a baby by LC standards. Buy what you like / need now, not what you go down the rabbit hole "needing"

This forum is not indicative of LX owners etc [ or maybe LC owners either for that matter ]. It's simply a microcosm, albeit, a deep well of knowledge. A resource which always deserves a hat tip!

 

[bloc]

Plastic with wood paint is more durable.. or at least my assumption for the reason. And as for no other over 50k vehicle not having wood trim.. nothing else is built as solidly and significant cost goes into that. Well, maybe a G wagon but look at what those cost.

Really considering the small difference in price a new LX is a steal with the extra equipment you get over a cruiser. AHC (though KDSS isn’t exactly cheap), more power stuff, real wood, levinson..

The fuel debate here is worse than an oil thread on most forums. Lexus says to run it but there is not much out there to explain why. A significant timing difference should produce more than 2hp gain, or .5%, over a landcruiser with the same engine and compression. Plenty of people have run RUG in their LX570 without issue for many miles. Basically, it’s up to you. Lexus says to run premium and that’s enough reason for many.

 

[TeCKis300]

The extra fuel costs is a cost variable between the two models

Timing maps don't work as some are interpreting. As an engineer and time spent in a previous life as a tuner, the 91 requirement is not a debate. The requirement couldn't be more clear. That people choose to put in lower octane fuel does not make this a debate. Just what they want to do.

Per Lexus LX 570 instruction manual, page 684

"Premium unleaded gasoline only"
"91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher"

page 692

"If 91 Octane cannot be obtained, you may use unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating as low as 87 (research octane number 91). However, use of unleaded fuel with an octane rating lower than 91 may result in engine knocking or drastically reduce output to protect itself while driving a heavy load. Persistent knocking can lead to engine damage and should be corrected by refueling with higher octane unleaded gasoline."

also page 692

"Premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating 91 or higher required for optimum performance."

 

[Madtiger]

Plastic with wood paint is more durable.. or at least my assumption for the reason. And as for no other over 50k vehicle not having wood trim.. nothing else is built as solidly and significant cost goes into that. Well, maybe a G wagon but look at what those cost.

More durable? I have my doubts.

Actually, i made a mistake......Acura RLX has fake wood and that thing is around $60k. So, should we argue that Acura is using fake crap because it is more durable? Or that it is more solidly built vs. other cars?

My opinion...Toyota went cheap to max profits on a slow seller. I LOVE my LC...and fake wood was not a deterrent obviously. At least, i can tell my friends that i have the most expensive fake wood vehicle on the planet!

 

[Madtiger]

The extra fuel costs is a cost variable between the two models

Timing maps don't work as some are interpreting. As an engineer and time spent in a previous life as a tuner, the 91 requirement is not a debate. The requirement couldn't be more clear. That people choose to put in lower octane fuel does not make this a debate. Just what they want to do.

Per Lexus LX 570 instruction manual, page 684


page 692


also page 692

Agree 100%. Don't go cheap. I trust Lexus/Toyota engineers...esp when something is "REQUIRED."

 

[Phalen302]

I’ve used 87 octane gas on my LX since new and it has 85k on it. No issues and or has Lexus tech has shown any heart burn to date.

 

[DenverLX]

I went through this debate twice now and have some advice. I have had several LC/LXs and I first went with the Lexus on my last 100 series bc they were far cheaper and in much better shape. When I was ready to step up to the 200 I went back and forth forever. I test drove both the T and L in the same day 3 times. And in the end I went with the LX570.

I like the exterior of the LC better (I really like the 16'+). And I like the way you can customize the truck easier (sliders, ext). But I was buying a 2016 and if I was spending 60k on a vehicle I thought that it should feel like a 60k vehicle, and the toyota just doesnt. The Lexus (more so on the 16+) is just a much nicer interior and that won it out for me.

Btw I have never put 91 gas in my premium vehicles, I always use the cheap stuff.

 

[DenverLX]

Also, the sound system in the LX is awesome. Well, the whole truck is awesome, can't complain a bit.

 

[bloc]

The fuel debate isn’t about whether Lexus “requires” it. That is crystal clear. It’s about whether it makes any real-world difference at all, and no one has shown that it does, not even those of us that remind everyone about being an engineer that used to tune engines in every forum post. Just as scientific as their assertions are the LX570 owners that have run RUG for so many miles without their engines falling out.

Tangent: with HPTuners now able to tune the 3UR I guess we could have a look at the spark tables of each, if someone were willing to use the credits. That would be actual evidence.

 

[Itsky]

The fuel debate isn’t about whether Lexus “requires” it. That is crystal clear. It’s about whether it makes any real-world difference at all, and no one has shown that it does, not even those of us that remind everyone about being an engineer that used to tune engines in every forum post. Just as scientific as their assertions are the LX570 owners that have run RUG for so many miles without their engines falling out.

Tangent: with HPTuners now able to tune the 3UR I guess we could have a look at the spark tables of each, if someone were willing to use the credits. That would be actual evidence.

Well 91 gets mpg in my truck. What kind of “evidence” are you looking for? What would change your mind?

 

[bloc]

Well 91 gets mpg in my truck. What kind of “evidence” are you looking for? What would change your mind?

Spark plugs or pistons from an LX with a history of RUG use showing preignition damage.
Dyno chart showing clear hp difference of RUG vs premium on the same vehicle and conditions, presumably due to the ecu sensing knock and pulling timing.
Aforementioned spark tables from HPTuners showing a difference between LX and LC tunes.

Teckis is a tuner, he can probably think of other things that would demonstrate an actual tuning difference other than some text in a book.

Again I’m not disputing what Lexus said to do. Unfortunately companies this large sometimes make decisions like this based on things other than the end product. To me that doesn’t equate with a real-world requirement to keep that product working well.

As a result I will continue to call BS when people say or infer it is “required” to avoid problems without actual facts backing that statement up.

 

[Madtiger]

Spark plugs or pistons from an LX with a history of RUG use showing preignition damage.
Dyno chart showing clear hp difference of RUG vs premium on the same vehicle and conditions, presumably due to the ecu sensing knock and pulling timing.
Aforementioned spark tables from HPTuners showing a difference between LX and LC tunes.

Teckis is a tuner, he can probably think of other things that would demonstrate an actual tuning difference other than some text in a book.

Again I’m not disputing what Lexus said to do. Unfortunately companies this large sometimes make decisions like this based on things other than the end product. To me that doesn’t equate with a real-world requirement to keep that product working well.

As a result I will continue to call BS when people say or infer it is “required” to avoid problems without actual facts backing that statement up.

Not sure about others, but for me, the MAIN reason to use PREMIUM in LX is to prevent engine damage long term. IF i had LX, then i would run PREMIUM without a doubt. Same when i had Lexus GX...no doubt in my mind which gas grade to use.

The use of regular gas was a bonus factor in me selecting LC...but the MAIN reason i bought LC is because of the heritage name and less electronics to deal with. Even though LX suspension system is reliable, i just like old style coil springs and shocks that are cheaper to replace. I anticipated that i will be running LT tires (lots of unsprung weight)...and this will kill shocks quicker than average...so, having a cheap suspension is a bonus.

But i was very close to getting LX...i actually don't mind the front end. It looks good on the road IMHO. It looks very stately with the 21" rims. (Yes, i know 21" rims are not for off-road...but damn they look stately!)

 

[fjcruising]

Question for the group; I’ve got my sights on a few LXs. Should I just wait till January? Do used prices drop that much more when the year changes out?

It would stand to reason that the 2014 LX with 77k that I have my eye on for $41k will drop in price once it’s 6 years old vs. 5...right?

no drop. If you ever wonder just look at 100 series prices. They all range about the same except for the mileage. The 03+ go for a little more just because of the 5 speed but there was no major changes from year to year on the 200’s.