LC200 vs. GX460? (2 Viewers)

[Sixant789]

Hey all,

New to IH8Mud. I'm coming from luxury German SUV, and I'm currently in the market for one of these. Really considered the 4Runner but after test driving vs. GX and LC, it didn't even come close to these two. I was wondering, with my budget of ~$20-25k to spend on a GX or an LC200, is it completely nuts of me to get an LC200? I've always wanted one and many examples seem to be sitting on the market for a while so it seems like prices are negotiable/going down. But they all have mileages of ~200k. I'm fine with the efficiency, and can see myself using a bigger vehicle. Test drove a 2013 and a 2011 recently and really loved the ride and size over the GX.

On the other hand, I could get a GX460 2014-2017 for $20-25k that is ~100k miles. I have done extensive research on these and test driven a few. Even was close enough to purchasing one that I did PPIs. It seems like GX460s can have transmission issues if fluids hadn't been done and if used for towing. Toyotechs in Atlanta said that they've seen more issues than expected with these trucks. Many of them on the used market haven't had transmissions serviced b/c Lexus claims "lifetime fluid."

Bottomline, is it completely nuts and dumb to spend $25k on an LC200 with ~200k miles? Located in the Southeast btw for pricing reference.

 

[Heckraiser]

Do you intend to tow at all? If so, 200 is the ticket. I find the GX barely better than a 6cyl 5th gen 4Runner for getting out of it's own way. Some of that may be transmission tuning. The 200 definitely brings the power and the solid feeling, though the GX rides like a dream in stock form.

Have you considered LX570? At your price point, you'll find a lot more Lexuses (Lexi?) than Toyotas and lower miles and better condition for the same price. I got my LX in 2021 (covid pricing) with 153k miles for $26k. If you just want a Toyota, I get it though.

:edit: By the way, there are at least a few threads on this very topic if you search. Maybe someone else will feel like it and spoonfeed them to you

 

[Sixant789]

Do you intend to tow at all? If so, 200 is the ticket. I find the GX barely better than a 6cyl 5th gen 4Runner for getting out of it's own way. Some of that may be transmission tuning. The 200 definitely brings the power and the solid feeling, though the GX rides like a dream in stock form.

Have you considered LX570? At your price point, you'll find a lot more Lexuses (Lexi?) than Toyotas and lower miles and better condition for the same price. I got my LX in 2021 (covid pricing) with 153k miles for $26k. If you just want a Toyota, I get it though.

:edit: By the way, there are at least a few threads on this very topic if you search. Maybe someone else will feel like it and spoonfeed them to you

Yeah I’ve read a few. The LX seems even more expensive to maintain than the LC and has the AHC system. I also would rather not drive a Lexus with the fancy badge and everything but that’s not the priority. Mainly looking for people who’ve had experience owning a LC200 at 200k+ miles and their ownership experience. Thanks!

 

[Heckraiser]

Some (in fact many on this forum) would argue AHC is more economical to maintain than traditional suspension, assuming you're not in a rust-prone area. Otherwise, maintenance is identical. But they definitely have a soccer mom vibe

This thread might be up your alley:

mileage expectations on 200 series LC

I'm in the market for a used 200 series LC and found a 2016 local to me w/ 112K miles priced at $45K. You all know inventory on these used is pretty limited. I'm a little nervous about paying $45K for a car w/ 112K miles on the odo. This truck has been dealer maintained w/ very good service...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[lx200inAR]

I think you will be hard pressed to find anyone who is willing to recommend paying 25k for a 200k mile vehicle. That's definitely a personal quest for anyone who decides to do it. I will say, that if there is a vehicle to do it with on the market, it is most likely a LC200. My 2010 LX has 150k on it now (I bought it with 100k 4.5 years ago) and it has offered no surprises over general maintenance. But I'm not anywhere near the 200k mark yet I guess.

 

[Sixant789]

I think you will be hard pressed to find anyone who is willing to recommend paying 25k for a 200k mile vehicle. That's definitely a personal quest for anyone who decides to do it. I will say, that if there is a vehicle to do it with on the market, it is most likely a LC200. My 2010 LX has 150k on it now (I bought it with 100k 4.5 years ago) and it has offered no surprises over general maintenance. But I'm not anywhere near the 200k mark yet I guess.

Yes I agree. Maybe I’ll get more value by waiting or increasing my budget. I have a 2018 ES 350 that is my DD but would love an SUV for occasionally towing and long road trips. The LC200 that I am eyeing down has 200k+ miles but has had fluids done regularly and 5k oil change interval. I guess we’ll see if I bite the bullet and take the risk.

 

[coleAK]

Unless you tow >7k lbs regularly GX all the way.

 

[krice118]

5.7 over 4.6 having owned both.

 

[Sixant789]

Unless you tow >7k lbs regularly GX all the way.

Worried about GX transmission, have seen decent amount of expensive problems

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Drive a GX and LC/LX back to back and the choice should be obvious; it was for me.

 

[Sixant789]

Drive a GX and LC/LX back to back and the choice should be obvious; it was for me.

Yup. Test drove some LCs and now it’s hard to go back to a GX

 

[coleAK]

Worried about GX transmission, have seen decent amount of expensive problems

I had a GX loaner for a while a few years back when the dealer stripped my oil pan. My preference was the GX in almost every way, it is smaller (but not too small) on trail, more responsive/sporty drive. It is all personal preference but if I didn’t tow a >7k camper >8k miles a Summer I would have owned a GX this whole time (going on 11 years with my ‘13 LX).

I also have quite a few friends with GX that tow campers (mostly rPods, and off road style), off road hard, and love their GX.

 

[isthatalexus]

I went from GX470 (KDSS) to LC 200 primarily to fulfill some sort of 'had to have LC' impulse born out of the romanticization (is that a word?) of the platform. If I knew then what I know now, and had it to do again, I'd stick with the GX. That thing went anywhere it was pointed (just like the LC), had enough space for big adventures, and did all of that with less weight. I wheeled harder and more frequently in the GX, but I spend more time wrenching/fixing on the LC.

This is not remorse or regret talking, just pragmatics. At this point, you'll likely have to pry the LC from my cold, deceased hands. Also, my handle on MUD makes less sense now.

 

[Sixant789]

I went from GX470 (KDSS) to LC 200 primarily to fulfill some sort of 'had to have LC' impulse born out of the romanticization (is that a word?) of the platform. If I knew then what I know now, and had it to do again, I'd stick with the GX. That thing went anywhere it was pointed (just like the LC), had enough space for big adventures, and did all of that with less weight. I wheeled harder and more frequently in the GX, but I spend more time wrenching/fixing on the LC.

This is not remorse or regret talking, just pragmatics. At this point, you'll likely have to pry the LC from my cold, deceased hands. Also, my handle on MUD makes less sense now.

Less problems on a GX470 than the LC? I considered a 100 series and 470 but the interiors are a little dated and require timing belt every 100k miles or so. Also wildly overpriced compared to the 460 and 200 series IMO.

 

[isthatalexus]

Less problems on a GX470 than the LC? I considered a 100 series and 470 but the interiors are a little dated and require timing belt every 100k miles or so. Also wildly overpriced compared to the 460 and 200 series IMO.

Yeah, the price bit may very well be true. It feels like the 470 got some level of cult status over time; guess I was in that cult for a while. I can't comment on the 460 as much, but I always assume that it was a relatively linear progression with better bits and bobs, but basically the solid 120 platform. Still blows my mind that older 470's are priced over both of the others...but I have not been in the market for a while. I'd go hang out and lurk on both forums for a while. They all have their unique quirks and tradeoffs, and all you have to do it pick the ones you're more OK with. Or you could just get the one which has more people you like on the forums. In that regard, the 200 is a very strong choice, too.

 

[jmw101]

Having driven an GX 470 to about 315k miles and a 200 to 348k miles, they are both exceptional vehicles. Very low non-maintenance expenses on both of these.

If you're looking to put a bunch of miles on it, then I would pause/look/save until something with lower miles came around. But I would not hesitate if I was planning on another 100k miles over the next 3-4 years. (I drive a lot, for context. So this might sound out of normal but not from my experience.)

Yes, items are going to wear out. But I would go with these vehicles (and GX 460) over anything else on the market for reliability, enjoyment, and lower maintenance costs even at 200-300k miles.

P.S. I'm currently at just oner 60k miles on my second 200 series and our GX 460 just turned 70k. Not even warmed up yet.

 

[Sixant789]

Having driven an GX 470 to about 315k miles and a 200 to 348k miles, they are both exceptional vehicles. Very low non-maintenance expenses on both of these.

If you're looking to put a bunch of miles on it, then I would pause/look/save until something with lower miles came around. But I would not hesitate if I was planning on another 100k miles over the next 3-4 years. (I drive a lot, for context. So this might sound out of normal but not from my experience.)

Yes, items are going to wear out. But I would go with these vehicles (and GX 460) over anything else on the market for reliability, enjoyment, and lower maintenance costs even at 200-300k miles.

P.S. I'm currently at just oner 60k miles on my second 200 series and our GX 460 just turned 70k. Not even warmed up yet.

Tempted to sell my ES 350 and just buy a decent 2016+… on the real though, I’m going to stay on the lookout for a 2008-2015 with around 150k miles for a reasonable price and jump on it. Just will take time since LC200s are so rare

 

[Madtiger]

Some (in fact many on this forum) would argue AHC is more economical to maintain than traditional suspension, assuming you're not in a rust-prone area. Otherwise, maintenance is identical. But they definitely have a soccer mom vibe

This thread might be up your alley:

mileage expectations on 200 series LC

I'm in the market for a used 200 series LC and found a 2016 local to me w/ 112K miles priced at $45K. You all know inventory on these used is pretty limited. I'm a little nervous about paying $45K for a car w/ 112K miles on the odo. This truck has been dealer maintained w/ very good service...

forum.ih8mud.com

Not true at all.

 

[Supra Turbo]

I personally would not even put a GX460/Prado150 in the same sentence, it is simply in a lower class. I do not tow, rarely have multiple passengers, no extra gear, etc. To me, the LC name, market positioning, split tailgate vs barndoor and the additional width is enough of a justification.

 

[Heckraiser]

Not true at all.

Definitely true that "some would argue" AHC is more economical to maintain. I've seen it with my own eyes!