LX or LC - I know I know...

[zmw100]

So having owned LOADS of LC, 4R's, GX's, etc - I'm well acquainted with them all, but this is the first time I'm really struggling with choosing between the two.

Our choice is a 2009 LX, low low $50s, 42k miles - loaded up, luxury, rear entertainment, ML. Black with dark grey.

our a 2010 LC, 19k miles, $61k - as loaded as a LC can be, but obviously no where near the optioned level of the LX. silver with grey

The challenge for me is the used 2011 LC just seems too expensive for what we're getting, it's not that far off of a discounted price on a new one - the LX seems like a much better deal.

The reality of it is the offroading we do, the LX is more than capable - fire roads, and stock SUV capable trails - nothing whacky.

I've read lots of comparison threads and just wanted to hear some more takes. The 20s don't bother me so much, the chrome does.

One thing that DOES irk me though is the LX seems to have a 1500lb lower towing rating, is that because AHC can't support the tongue weight or ??

I could try to find an earlier year model LC but they are few and far between. LX's do seem to be quite a bit more common which is odd to me.

I actually really liked or GX470, better than all the 4 runners we had, and we now have a 2010 4runner which frankly is a piece of crap, if it had a v8 option I'd be much more in love with it.

Alternately I could look at the GX460....

ugh
Thoughts?

 

[dnh1]

I own both an LC and an LX. I paid $59k for my LC new. That's too much that they are asking. LX I don't know used prices. Neither one is a great two vehicle because of short wheelbase. You wouldn't tow anything heavier than the towing capacity without bouncing around everywhere.

 

[zmw100]

did you buy your LC fully loaded, rear entertainment, tech package, etc? Even discounted I'm seeing close to 70 fully loaded. I can't find a base model anywhere.

The towing capacity I need is about 6500-7000 lbs, covered trailer and my supra - both are more than capable - the 4runner POS we're getting rid of isn't, in fact it's painful to tow even below the 4runners limit of 5000.

 

[zmw100]

Going through the configuration list for a 2010, and looking at the price sheet this vehicle had an MSRP of just shy of 80k, that's the base, with upgrade package and literally EVERY option that can be checked, 78,933 is what I come up with. I know a GM for a dealership chain that owns 2 toyota stores, he says he's happy to sell me one from inventory for pure cost, but that is still over 71.

the LX was optioned to ALMOST 90k, has more miles, and i can tell has had some paint work in the rear drivers quarter panel - shows an accident on autocheck but not on carfax - I've pulled the police report for the accident and it was hit in that quarter panel at approximately 15mph, broke the rear quarter glass.

My gut is telling me to buy the LC simply because it's a more simple vehicle with less to go wrong - I'd want to buy a big ass bumper to bumper warranty on the LX because virtually everything is electronic with 10x the buttons to match.

 

[zmw100]

based on book values, the LX is priced far better... nada book value on the LX still lists it at over 70 clean retail, and over 60 rough trade in... the LC I am looking at books at 65 clean retail and 56 rough trade in.

hmmmm didn't realize I was getting the LX so far below black book....

 

[dnh1]

LC has every option but I've had it three years.

 

[zmw100]

well this decision has been made for me... the I pulled the accident report and asked for the damage acknowledgement frmo the trade in paperwork, it had over 27k$ of damage an accident that was claimed as "light rear end damage" by the lexus dealer... =\

I'd love to see your window sticker from 2008, This 2010's sticker is over 78, I have a hard time seeing how this could EVER get down to 60k new.

 

[Carl L]

well this decision has been made for me... the I pulled the accident report and asked for the damage acknowledgement frmo the trade in paperwork, it had over 27k$ of damage an accident that was claimed as "light rear end damage" by the lexus dealer... =\

I'd love to see your window sticker from 2008, This 2010's sticker is over 78, I have a hard time seeing how this could EVER get down to 60k new.

There was a brief period around late 08 when the recession hit and there were too many LCs which had been ordered by Toy dealers as it was an all new model A small number of customers were able to get amazing deals.

I paid a lot closer to msrp when I bought mine, and I'm a guy who has negotiated a new $55k Super Duty (among other great deals over the yrs) down to $37k out the door. Guess when that was? Late 08.

You won't be able to get anything near to 60k on a new LC now. Numbers have been cut way down which is great news for residuals but bad new for those in the market for one. G luck and keep us updated.

 

[dnh1]

Exactly. My LC had been sitting on a lot since August '08 and it was '09 they needed to move it.

It all balances out. Paid way too much for the LX last year.

 

[arich]

Price difference reasoning

When I was in the market last year for a used LC one of the dealers told me something that made sense. First the back story

We've had a 98 and still have our 1999. I was looking for an 06 or 07 low mileage. I could not find one in a range where I thought is was fair. 45K-50K was very common while LXs same year were around 40K. It made no sense to me.

I visited a dealer up in CT who had both an 07 LX and an 06 LC. We would not budge on the LC price but would negotiate on the LX. The LC as he explained are very desirable export vehicle, to the Arab nations he said. No one want a Lexus in those nations, they all want Land Cruisers.

I guess this made sense and as I continued my search for a used Land Cruiser I continued to see 1-2 year old used Land Cruisers selling for nearly new because "You cant export a NEW vehicle and many used LCs get bought up by exporters."

I started looking for new and found a 2011 Dealer Demo (owner's wife drove) Fully Loaded for $64,000. Financed for 2.5% and bought the 5 year extended warranty. If my wife can drive this truck for 5 years and come out still worth high 40s I thank I dun good.

Sure the wife would love the LX but for 25 K more and getting killed on residual value I don't think it's worth it.

I love the "under the radar" look of the LC. No one knows what its worth and I like that. If you want bling buy a Range Rover. Land Cruiser owners are a very smart group of individuals and own you own one I think most go on to buy another, whether used or new. I'm trying to get into the pattern of buying a new one every 5 years and taking the wife's "old" one as my fishing/tow vehicle. Knowing I'm going to keep it for 10+ years I'm going to take very good care of it as I do all my cars.

Hope this make sense to others. Would love to hear other's thoughts.

 

[snobdds]

I don't buy the whole export thing. Have you ever been to arab countries? All the fuel there is diesel, not gasoline. The only way an imported LC from the US could operate there is with an engine swap. The world outside the US is ran on diesel because it's easier to refine.

It's simple economics on why LC's have a higher resale value than the LX's. Demand. People want them much more then the LX, even if the bang for their buck is with the LX.

 

[snobdds]

Also look at the sales figures. There were more than twice the number of LX's sold then LC during the period of 2008 to 2010. Which means less of a supply of land cruisers and the price goes up.

So we have a high demand and a low supply and that is why a LC cost way more than a LX.

LX sales figures (might need to scroll down a bit.)
Lexus LX - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LC sales figures (might need to scroll down a bit)
Toyota Land Cruiser - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[tempestv8]

I don't buy the whole export thing. Have you ever been to arab countries? All the fuel there is diesel, not gasoline.

That's not right at all. The majority of vehicles sold in the Arab countries run on gasoline. You won't find so many exotic supercars and Bentleys in the Middle East if they only sold diesel.



Re the original question - I vote the Lexus. More comfort, and more bang for your buck.

 

[brussum]

That's not right at all. The majority of vehicles sold in the Arab countries run on gasoline. You won't find so many exotic supercars and Bentleys in the Middle East if they only sold diesel.

Re the original question - I vote the Lexus. More comfort, and more bang for your buck.

Agreed. I've seen plenty of gas LC200s in Middle East and Australia (not to mention gas Patrols, Pajeros, etc.). I haven't seen as many diesels in those models. Diesel is certainly more common overseas than in the USA, but I don't think it's a driving factor in exports.

 

[DarkStar]

A lot of the 200s are going to Mongolia as well. That is a common destination for exportation of our trucks. I know a lot of the US dealers are now not allowed to sell new 200's to exporters.