Have a 98 LC and an 05 GX470 - I'm torn on next purchase!!

[COLandCrusher]

I am torn on a '10 GX460 Premium or an '08 LC 200.
It seems fuel economy is very similar. I hear the LC200 is far more peppy and powerful. Both have air suspension. The LC200 has crawl control. The 460 has power foldaway 3rd row seats. But it seems the LC200 is just a tiny bit wider than my 98. But power folding mirrors make it fit in garage. I will be driving it everyday about 10 miles to work. When we go to the mountains we like to go offroading. Nothing super tough but definitely challenging. I'm curious about maintenance. My 98 LC has over 9+ years been a very reliable rig. Front dif broke in snow and we replaced with a 2000 dif. Sunroof needs repaired, motor is bad and no longer powers it. The Lexus had a bad cat, coolant pipes all leaked, and the water pump is seeping a bit. These trucks are both around $26,000 so want to make the best decision here. Advice is so much appreciated!

 

[Markuson]

The 200 is in another league entirely...and will feel HEAD and SHOULDERS more STOUT in every way except bling.

And... the 200 is really quite luxurious! Head and shoulders over the 100/460LX.

Go drive a NICE 200. Its the difference between driving a battle-ready tank...
...and a blingy 4Runner.

I wouldn't give up my 2008 200 for even a brand new 2017 GX460 (unless I could sell it immediately and buy a newer 200).

 

[ryanCA]

Buy a Land Cruiser, don't buy a Prado.

Not to mention the GX has the silly rear door that opens on the wrong side for the USDM market.

Bigger is better. Size matters. 200 for life (till the 300 shows up)

 

[mark71]

I'm glad the GX has that stupid door. My wife saw that during our car shopping and said, "Where's the tailgate?"

I showed her the one with a tailgate, the cruiser. End of shopping. Win/win.

 

[Ali M]

May be relevant to your question. I drove my in-laws 2014 GX 460 for roughly two weeks before I bought my 2016 LC, I can tell you from experience my thoughts for the short time I have been driving both trucks.

GX 460:
- 4.6 L V8
- Smaller cabin all around comparing to LC 200
- Slightly better gas mileage than my LC 200
- Steering/body feels more nimble than LC 200
- Off-roading I think it feels as capable
- 6500lbs towing capacity w/AHC to lift the rear
- The tail gate has it's pros/cons (it was designed that way because the Prado had the spare tire mounted on the gate). Not ideal if you have a 4-bike rack like mine.
- Multi-select terrain, ATRAC, AHC and towing packaging is additional $5K option if you buy it brand new.

2016 LC 200:
- Roaring 5.7L baby
- Bigger Cabin and luxury is everywhere. It's more plush than the GX 460 if you ask me
- 8100lbs towing capacity
- Weight of the vehicle when off-roading makes it so grounded
- Not sure I like the 8-speed transmission to be honest. At times, it is too aggressive down shifting and other times it has sluggish shifts.
- Gas mileage is horrible but that's not a major concern if you are into LC
- Cheep keyfob design (Sienna minivan keyfob looks more expensive)
- All the 4x4 capabilities you need
- Wish I had bigger gas tank

 

[Markuson]

Just a quick note regarding Ali's great response...

He is contemplating a 2008 LC...so the new 8-speed transmission is a non-factor...

Other than that... Great pro and con list.

To me...the Prado is to the 4Runner...as the LX is to the 200...except they retained the V8 the 4Runner no longer offers (but should!).

So... Do you want a 4Runner-based rig? Or a Land Cruiser 200 based rig? To me, that's an easy choice.

 

[ikeb]

May be relevant to your question. I drove my in-laws 2014 GX 460 for roughly two weeks before I bought my 2016 LC, I can tell you from experience my thoughts for the short time I have been driving both trucks.

GX 460:
- 4.6 L V8
- Smaller cabin all around comparing to LC 200
- Slightly better gas mileage than my LC 200
- Steering/body feels more nimble than LC 200
- Off-roading I think it feels as capable
- 6500lbs towing capacity w/AHC to lift the rear
- The tail gate has it's pros/cons (it was designed that way because the Prado had the spare tire mounted on the gate). Not ideal if you have a 4-bike rack like mine.
- Multi-select terrain, ATRAC, AHC and towing packaging is additional $5K option if you buy it brand new.

2016 LC 200:
- Roaring 5.7L baby
- Bigger Cabin and luxury is everywhere. It's more plush than the GX 460 if you ask me
- 8100lbs towing capacity
- Weight of the vehicle when off-roading makes it so grounded
- Not sure I like the 8-speed transmission to be honest. At times, it is too aggressive down shifting and other times it has sluggish shifts.
- Gas mileage is horrible but that's not a major concern if you are into LC
- Cheep keyfob design (Sienna minivan keyfob looks more expensive)
- All the 4x4 capabilities you need
- Wish I had bigger gas tank

Great comparison Ali.

I have no experience with the GX, but I tried to convince the wife and she HATES the tail gate. Complete show stopper for her...

I haven't had any issues with the 8-speed, but I've noticed the occasional sluggish shifts - but then I've experienced the same thing in most vehicles that "learn" your driving habits.

Keyfob? Cheapest feeling POS I've owned on any vehicle... can't believe this is what they provide for $80-ish thousand.

...lastly, I'd pay a small ransom for a 40 gal gas tank on this thing!

 

[Markuson]

Great comparison Ali.

I have no experience with the GX, but I tried to convince the wife and she HATES the tail gate. Complete show stopper for her...

I haven't had any issues with the 8-speed, but I've noticed the occasional sluggish shifts - but then I've experienced the same thing in most vehicles that "learn" your driving habits.

Keyfob? Cheapest feeling POS I've owned on any vehicle... can't believe this is what they provide for $80-ish thousand.

...lastly, I'd pay a small ransom for a 40 gal gas tank on this thing!

I never really thought about the key FOB...because it never leaves my pocket anyway. It's not like I'm flashing it like a Rolex watch...

So... meh... I guess i figure it's in keeping with the LC's low-profile image...which I love.

On the other hand...there are things Toyota could have easily tweaked just a bit in order to bring it up a notch. _So int that sense, Ali is right. Thing is... it has great range. My old 100 Series key? Range was terrible...but the 200 FOB has amazing reach across parking lots, etc.

 

[ikeb]

I never really thought about the key FOB...because it never leaves my pocket anyway. It's not like I'm flashing it like a Rolex watch...

So... meh... I guess i figure it's in keeping with the LC's low-profile image...which I love.

it works, so i don't give it a lot of thought... but Ali called it out and it reminded me of how cheap it feels.

 

[linuxgod]

To me...the Prado is to the 4Runner...as the LX is to the 200...except they retained the V8 the 4Runner no longer offers (but should!).

IIRC the new 4Runner is actually based on the Prado. The 109.8" wheelbase is identical.

 

[COLandCrusher]

Thanks People! So here's an interesting thing I was told: people I talk to just pretty much consider the GX a metrosexual persons car. It's not a dig, but they have a specific persona involved in who should be driving them. Kinda funny. I would not say that's me. My sis says I'm a cruiser guy not a Lexus guy - and then there is the appearance. These things are incredibly different looking - I was thinking the LC200 is pretty low key, with a purpose built appearance. But if you throw some solid tires and rims on it, can probably look a bit aggressive as well. The size is really night and day in the cabin for sure. Sometimes it's nice to have that nimbleness, but I find overall I liked the size of the LC. I also really like the crawl control option. And that is pretty much non existent on the 10-13 GXs. Also, it's pretty tough to find one with a DVD system for a fair price. I think my mind has been made up - and it's the LC200. I'll stick a pic up of mine when I get it. The one I'm looking at is a previous IH8MUDDERS truck. You all may recognize it. thanks guys for the great info. Really helped me out here.

 

[ryanCA]

Thanks People! So here's an interesting thing I was told: people I talk to just pretty much consider the GX a metrosexual persons car. It's not a dig, but they have a specific persona involved in who should be driving them. Kinda funny. I would not say that's me. My sis says I'm a cruiser guy not a Lexus guy - and then there is the appearance. These things are incredibly different looking - I was thinking the LC200 is pretty low key, with a purpose built appearance. But if you throw some solid tires and rims on it, can probably look a bit aggressive as well. The size is really night and day in the cabin for sure. Sometimes it's nice to have that nimbleness, but I find overall I liked the size of the LC. I also really like the crawl control option. And that is pretty much non existent on the 10-13 GXs. Also, it's pretty tough to find one with a DVD system for a fair price. I think my mind has been made up - and it's the LC200. I'll stick a pic up of mine when I get it. The one I'm looking at is a previous IH8MUDDERS truck. You all may recognize it. thanks guys for the great info. Really helped me out here.

Good luck on the new truck. Although with all the emphasis on looks and what people think, maybe a mall cruiser would be your best option.

Even though I prefer the LC over the Prado, the Prado is a quite capable machine and can do 100% of the things most mudders do. Sadly it has gotten a bad rep in the USA....

 

[Markuson]

Thanks People! So here's an interesting thing I was told: people I talk to just pretty much consider the GX a metrosexual persons car. It's not a dig, but they have a specific persona involved in who should be driving them. Kinda funny. I would not say that's me. My sis says I'm a cruiser guy not a Lexus guy - and then there is the appearance. These things are incredibly different looking - I was thinking the LC200 is pretty low key, with a purpose built appearance. But if you throw some solid tires and rims on it, can probably look a bit aggressive as well. The size is really night and day in the cabin for sure. Sometimes it's nice to have that nimbleness, but I find overall I liked the size of the LC. I also really like the crawl control option. And that is pretty much non existent on the 10-13 GXs. Also, it's pretty tough to find one with a DVD system for a fair price. I think my mind has been made up - and it's the LC200. I'll stick a pic up of mine when I get it. The one I'm looking at is a previous IH8MUDDERS truck. You all may recognize it. thanks guys for the great info. Really helped me out here.

GX is "for metrosexuals"??

Hmmm...

Weirdest assessment of the GX I've heard to date...
...but hey--whatever it takes to get you into what I consider the most solid production vehicle on the road...

 

[Ali M]

if you like to have a loaner while your car is being worked on, then get the Lexus. Their customer service will put any Toyota dealer in shame. Also don't forget the Lexus GX is a Land Cruiser in a suite.

 

[ranma21]

The GX is very capable off-road for sure, it is just wearing a fancy outfit in the US. In fact it is more nimble in tight trail than 200. I was in the same spot like you debating for a 2014 GX or a 2011 LX 2 weeks ago. I prefer the 200 as well for space and the way it drive and feel like a tank and end up with a 2011 LX. Loving it. You can never go wrong with either one.

 

[COLandCrusher]

Good luck on the new truck. Although with all the emphasis on looks and what people think, maybe a mall cruiser would be your best option.

Even though I prefer the LC over the Prado, the Prado is a quite capable machine and can do 100% of the things most mudders do. Sadly it has gotten a bad rep in the USA....

Yeah, well the trouble is I like both the GX460 and The LC, but no room at the house for more than a few trucks so I had to choose and chose the LC. I was really just looking for opinions of the two rigs, not too concerned about what people think of my truck. Wanted to know if one was better than the other when it came to maintenance, and quality. I think in the end, this LC is going to work just fine. But I do respect the Prado's without question! And the nimbleness was very helpful up at Crystal Mill.

 

[COLandCrusher]

GX is "for metrosexuals"??

Hmmm...

Weirdest assessment of the GX I've heard to date...
...but hey--whatever it takes to get you into what I consider the most solid production vehicle on the road...

Yeah I re-read my post, that was kinda lame. Honestly the GX460s have some great features, I just was not able to find any with crawl control. And these two trucks ride very differently. So far I am LOVING the LC200!