Lc100 vs Gx470

[RND1]

The GX is nice if it wasn't for that dumb barn door that swings the wrong way (designed for Japanese drivers that drive on the wrong side of the road, but the right side of the barn door).

Since you don't live in the rust belt, I would recommend being patient and finding one local. Stick to '03 - '07 LC or LX. I'm not a fan of AHC (more maintenance), but my next one will likely have it as I'm going to get an '06-'07.

Here's an '04 in Sacramento that might work for you:

For Sale - 2004 lx470 California near Sacramento 142k

 

[COLandCrusher]

I have had a 2005 GX470 that drove like a dream! We took it from Colorado to San Diego up to Laguna Hills, up the coast to Monterey, then over to Sacramento, and up to Burney. Then down to Ogden, back up through Wyoming and back in to Colorado. Has great power, and eats up hiway miles like nothing. The Adjustable suspension worked awesome, and it was like driving on an air bubble the whole time.

Around town it was nice an nimble, I loved that around LA and in Denver. We took it up to crystal mill on a trail and it did very well on the trail as well.

I would not hesitate to recommend a GX-470. Now the nice feature on the '12 GX-460 is power folding third row seats!

I also have a 2008 Land Cruiser, 98 LC, and a 2000 LX470.

The land cruisers are amazing. I feel they would be a bit more steady in continued offroading. I think the Adjustable suspension could get costly if it starts going out. I had no problems with mine though.

Also, I felt that the size difference of the 100 series vs the GX was noticeable, and though it fit very nicely in my garage, I sold it to buy the '08 200 series.

Hope this helps.

 

[White Stripe]

I don't really understand why you want such a large vehicle for her just to drive around town and do errands. You say she prefers a large vehicle? I don't really understand that. The landcruiser is made for going accross africa in luxury. For the needs of a typical "Mom" vehicle in the US, its pretty overbuilt, and fuel mileage is far from stellar. In addition, maintenance and repair costs will be higher with the landcruiser over the GX. For example price out a set of suspension globes which are basically the vehicles shock absorbers for a landcruiser. The GX models are extremely reliable, get better mileage, and have a platform more suitable and practical for daily driving in the US.

 

[jLB]

I don't really understand why you want such a large vehicle for her just to drive around town and do errands. You say she prefers a large vehicle? I don't really understand that. The landcruiser is made for going accross africa in luxury. For the needs of a typical "Mom" vehicle in the US, its pretty overbuilt, and fuel mileage is far from stellar. In addition, maintenance and repair costs will be higher with the landcruiser over the GX. For example price out a set of suspension globes which are basically the vehicles shock absorbers for a landcruiser. The GX models are extremely reliable, get better mileage, and have a platform more suitable and practical for daily driving in the US.

Maybe, but the GX parts aren't really cheap either. The suspension globes you mentioned, would be on all AHC equipped vehicles, all LX470s and some/most 06-07 Land Cruisers. Compare the price of the AHC globes on all LX and some LC to the rear air suspension parts on all GX470s, and it's pretty much a wash.

If we were only going on reliability, gas mileage and "need", most of us would be in a Prius or something similar.

 

[benjawi4]

I don't really understand why you want such a large vehicle for her just to drive around town and do errands. You say she prefers a large vehicle? I don't really understand that. The landcruiser is made for going accross africa in luxury. For the needs of a typical "Mom" vehicle in the US, its pretty overbuilt, and fuel mileage is far from stellar. In addition, maintenance and repair costs will be higher with the landcruiser over the GX. For example price out a set of suspension globes which are basically the vehicles shock absorbers for a landcruiser. The GX models are extremely reliable, get better mileage, and have a platform more suitable and practical for daily driving in the US.

Right...but this is America, where she's able to desire and purchase whatever kind of vehicle she damn well pleases.

None of us here in the states are 'driving across Africa in luxury,' we're just driving vehicles we enjoy - LC, prius, hummer, or otherwise - for personal reasons.

The OP doesn't need someone to tell his wife her preference and reasoningr are flawed, he's simply asking for advice between two vehicles.

 

[bctlex]

I don't really understand why you want such a large vehicle for her just to drive around town and do errands. You say she prefers a large vehicle? I don't really understand that. The landcruiser is made for going accross africa in luxury. For the needs of a typical "Mom" vehicle in the US, its pretty overbuilt, and fuel mileage is far from stellar. In addition, maintenance and repair costs will be higher with the landcruiser over the GX. For example price out a set of suspension globes which are basically the vehicles shock absorbers for a landcruiser. The GX models are extremely reliable, get better mileage, and have a platform more suitable and practical for daily driving in the US.

I think most of us choose LC because it is an overbuilt, safe, "it drives solid like a tank" vehicle. While GX is a lighter vehicle than LC, I would imagine gas mileage is about the same since both has v8. GX is not that much smaller. From wiki:

LC 100
Wheelbase 2,850 mm (112.2 in)
Length 4,890 mm (192.5 in)
Width 1,941 mm (76.4 in)
Height 1,849 mm (72.8 in)
Curb weight 2,320 kg (5,115 lb)

GX470
Wheelbase 2,789 mm (109.8 in)
Length 4,780 mm (188.2 in)
Width 1,880 mm (74.0 in)
Height 1,895 mm (74.6 in)
Curb weight 2,209 kg (4,871 lb)

I can not compare maintenance cost since I do not own a GX, but I would imagine the maintenance is about equal.

 

[White Stripe]

Right...but this is America, where she's able to desire and purchase whatever kind of vehicle she damn well pleases.

None of us here in the states are 'driving across Africa in luxury,' we're just driving vehicles we enjoy - LC, prius, hummer, or otherwise - for personal reasons.

The OP doesn't need someone to tell his wife her preference and reasoningr are flawed, he's simply asking for advice between two vehicles.

Well I think most guys here have a 100 series because they use it as a daily driver and they take it off road. I mean sure everybody has the freedom if u have the money to use a 100 series, a Ferrari, or a Cummins dually truck for taking u back and forth to the mall, grocery store, and getting a manicure. Is it a waste to use such vehicles for only those purposes? I think so. If the op doesn't want opinions as to what vehicle is more practical he would have not asked for opinions. Im giving mine obviously as are others.

 

[bucfl]

I purchased mine from GA site unseen. I did have a co worker close by that drove it for me and took some pics.

Im in Tampa if you need something looked at and its not too far.

 

[future1]

I'm going to stick with looking for a 100 series. never thought id be considering 10 year old trucks with 150k miles. any thoughts of sticking with a 03-05 vs the 06-07 because of the difference with the vvti and or emission concerns, especially here in the great state of California? or am I overthinking it? been reading nonstop for weeks now...

 

[CreasyBear]

If you end up shopping in Texas, I'm in Denton just north of Dallas. I would be happy to go take a look at either style for you.

Good luck!!

 

[OTSWolf]

I'm going to stick with looking for a 100 series. never thought id be considering 10 year old trucks with 150k miles. any thoughts of sticking with a 03-05 vs the 06-07 because of the difference with the vvti and or emission concerns, especially here in the great state of California? or am I overthinking it? been reading nonstop for weeks now...

I don't think you need to worry much about these vehicles unless they have really been neglected. Mine is an 02 and it had 150k when I bought it last year. Drives great, no problems, and it passed smog here in California easily.

 

[Lc80series]

Had a 99 100 that my dad now drives. Now have an 04 GX. Both great vehicles. The LC is more robust and roomy for sure but the GX is also solid while feeling more nimble. Yes, the barn door is annoying but it's got a 100 series drivetrain! Rear bumper, side steps, and skid plates all hang pretty low (limiting factor off-road) but, as a daily driver, it's a pleasure to own. Comfotable interior and very reliable. Cheap, low mileage, and well maintained 100s are tough to find so I'd say the GX is a great option.

 

[bmw635]

I'd avoid the Vvti, like the Honda Vtec and BMW Vanos, it will be more problematic, just like Ach vs BMW self leveling suspension.

01-05 would be ideal (Atrac, 4/5 spd), since 98-00 front diff pinion is weak.

Test drove bunch of GX for my brother before buying my own 100. Lexus GX or LX is definitely more plush, luxurious, quiet than Toyota but the 100 is more solid in feel.

 

[taco47001]

I have both an LX and a GX for my wife. Both drive like a dream but the GX is far more nimble feeling driving around town. It also gets about 6 mpg's better in the skinny pedal department. Pretending there's an egg under the pedal will net almost 21MPG's out of the beast.... where my LX is around 14-15 avg.

 

[gpxl]

I'd say get the GX if it suits your needs better than a LC/LX, but do not buy one because they're cheaper and easier to find. You won't regret waiting for the right vehicle but you will regret settling.

 

[Mark Vollinger]

Right...but this is America, where she's able to desire and purchase whatever kind of vehicle she damn well pleases.

None of us here in the states are 'driving across Africa in luxury,' we're just driving vehicles we enjoy - LC, prius, hummer, or otherwise - for personal reasons.

The OP doesn't need someone to tell his wife her preference and reasoningr are flawed, he's simply asking for advice between two vehicles.

Yes, Where we burn too many hydro-carbons and melt the polar caps.