Lexus LX450 55K miles. To sell or not to sell?

[suxel 450]

Hi all. I was lucky enough to recently acquire a beautiful 1997 LX450 from the original owner. He took exceptional care of the LX, maintained it beyond belief and always stored it inside. It was one of many cars for him and used mostly for vacations.

My LX had 48K miles when I bought it and I use it as my daily driver. It now has 55k miles and it is awesome. It's black and loaded (except lockers-damn!) completely stock. I owned a 1995 FZJ80 in the late nineties and moved onto to a 2000 UZJ100 after that. Loved them both, sold them both and years later I came across this LX and thought, sweet, I'll drive it forever.

I love this LX/LC and the plan as stated was to drive daily, rack up the miles and then my (now) 2 year son and I can wheel it years down the road. But... I am tempted by the possibility of making a small profit and using the funds for another UZJ100, only because they are a little more comfy on the freeway and a little better family cruiser. I think the 80 is way cooler, more retro and of course a bit rare these days. I'd probably regret selling it for more comfort but I am still tempted.

What would you do?

1997 LX450, 55k orig miles, all stock

 

[justin8818]

I vote keep it! 100's may be more comfy but 80's have cool and character for days. Can't beat 'em!

 

[arndog123]

Another vote for keeping it.

 

[97FZJ80]

i vote to keep as well

 

[RouxSER]

what did you think everyone on here was going to say?
"sell it, you'll be happier with a 100!"
You should post this in the 100 area too. It'll be interesting to see what they say.

You have found something IMO, very rare. mint 80's are hard to find, an 80 that is barely broken in? amazing. thats just over 4K a year for miles. I do that in a month.

I say, sell it and buy a nice 80 with 200K miles on it and keep the money for gas and repairs. but that all depends on how much someone will pay for a 13/14 y/o car. seeing as the new LX starts at 77K, you might be able to fetch a pretty penny for yours.

 

[Jameym00]

Sell it to me.

 

[Romer]

You have to do what you feel is right. Our telling you to keep it or trade it is irrelevant because we don't know wheich ones is going to make you happier, and thats the key

If you asking the question, sounds like you are leaning towards the 100 series. Nothing wrong with that. If all you are using it for is a daily driver, then the 100 series would likely be a better vehicle for you, but it really comes down to what vehicle really "does it for you"

I look at my 80 and still think, "what a swwet vehicle". Which truck will you look at in 3 months and be more excited about. If you keep the 80 and wonder if you should have gotten a 100 series, then you made the wrong choice

My 2 cents

 

[firetruck41]

Look at my sig, I had both LX's at the same time, and sold one. That being said, I do still think about the 100 series on occasion. Now that we are flirting with adding one more mouth to feed, which would make it a family of 6 (plus a 75lb Ridgeback), I am thinking of it more seriously. When it comes down to it, will probably still keep the LX450.

 

[Cambino123]

Life is short, if i were you I'd keep it, rack up as many miles as you can with your son, then start the build at 150K(5 years later when your kid is 7). You're lucky to have something that pristine. A black FZJ80 w/55K unbelievable!

 

[retrofive]

My 80 is my baby. If I had a 100 really not sure I would care much about it other than getting in, driving to work and driving home.

 

[greentruck]

The 450 (OK, it's an 80 underneath the glitz) still has a little of FJ55 in it. A straight six, for starters.

I've never been in a 100 series, no doubt a fine vehicle, but there's no visible or palpable hint of a Pig in a UZJ.

I'm just saying...

Besides, if you want to share that subtle funkiness with your son when it's his turn to take the wheel, I'll bet the 80's simplicity (only relative, I know) is gonna hold up better over time than the 100's.

 

[jlg32281]

I'll give you a dollar for it.

 

[Nay]

What would you do?

I'd search 'zpilot' under the classifieds and see how it has worked out for him.

Welcome

 

[Fly Rod]

I have a locked 80.

A client of mine has a 100 with 230k on it I have ridden and driven in.

As a dd, and I could afford it, I'd go 100 all the way.

If I want to wheel it? A locked 80 would be the ticket. Unlocked, not so much.

You choose...

 

[LCHardriver_02]

OK - How is this for an "un-biased" opinion? I had both a 100 and a 80 and I say keep it.

I love BOTH of my Land Cruisers. The 100 is big and I love the brakes on it, but I love driving the 80 too and I do like the look of the 80 better than the 100. That said, I will never give up my 100 and yet, one day, I will say goodbye to my 80. Teenage son will get it, if he gets really good grades and tows the line!

Plus, you OWN the 80!

 

[fjfar80]

Sell it to me...no...seriously you need to do what you want/need to do. It depends on what kind of wheeling you want to do. If you just want to do some old National Forest roads...get a 100 put a small lift on it, beef up the front diff, add some sliders, a front and rear bumper and you can go 95% of the places I can go with a heavily built 80. I know this because one of my good friends has a 100 just like above (MEMCRUISER). If you want the retro...less highway cumfy cruising vehicle with a bit more off road prowess keep the LX and build it out. I can and have run 5's in my truck...but, I have just as much fun running National Forest service roads with unlocked almost stock Tacos...so, match your vehicle to your needs and wants and you won't go wrong.

Gratuitous Picture:

- Mark

 

[suxel 450]

Thanks for all the replies.

Well the consensus is to keep the 80 and a lot of good reason from everyone. I am going to keep it, drive it daily and take care of the beast. Let's see how many miles it will go and how many adventures it takes us on.

I just got it serviced at TLC4X4 yesterday and they can't believe how nice it is. I love the look of the 80 and the more you drive them the smoother they feel. I would take my LX450 over a brand new Honda Pilot and many more SUV's or CUV's that are on the market today.



Merry Christmas to everyone!

 

[arndog123]

Glad to hear you're keeping her. Getting into either the '96 or '97 always bring a smile to my face.

 

[whyworry]

rookie here. I just bought a 97 lx450 with 105k miles. I love it. My wife wants it. She can't have it. The owner took good care of it. I just put Hankook tires on it, conditioned the leather and detailed the outside, looks more like a 20k truck. Anyway, if you want to sell it, let me know so I don't find mine missing out of the garage with my wife behind the wheel.

 

[arndog123]

rookie here. I just bought a 97 lx450 with 105k miles. I love it. My wife wants it. She can't have it. The owner took good care of it. I just put Hankook tires on it, conditioned the leather and detailed the outside, looks more like a 20k truck. Anyway, if you want to sell it, let me know so I don't find mine missing out of the garage with my wife behind the wheel.

My wife did the same thing to my '97 so I had buy an 80 for her.