LX vs RX, how to convince the wife...

[firetruck41]

Time to get a new rig for the wifey. How to convince her to get the LX470 vs. the 300? I have found a (relatively) cheap 99 LX470 which is in good condition, good tires, extra snow tires, timing belt has not been done. Initially she liked the LX, but now I think she wants to get something that I don't want so starts looking at the RX, they are mostly in the same price range as the LX. The only advantge I see to the RX is the gas mileage.

We have a 7 month old and will probably have another in the next year or two, I just love the room of my LX450 and don't want her to get a "smaller" vehicle. She loves to drive my LX over her Element, but somehow can't get over the idea of getting her own "big" SUV.

Yeah, it's probably chat, but you guys are the 100 series experts...

 

[tabraha]

Just tell her if she wants an RX later, you can always fold up the third row of the LX and put it back there.

No seriously, take all of the baby gear to the car lot. Load it up in an RX, load it up in an LX. Then see were you are gonna put the luggage to go on a trip or where you are gonna put the shopping bags or groceries with all of the baby stuff already in there. Then, as if you even wanna think about this, where's the next kid gonna fit in all of that!!!!!

 

[macneill]

That's a tough one. She may be thinking of ease of parking etc and maybe the size is leading her decision.

Just tell her all the guys on MUD say the LX is a better choice. That outta do it.

 

[Josh83]

I have an 80, a 100, and a 300. If she plans to go anywhere with both kids and anything else, she doesn't want a 300. My wife loves her 300, but my 100 is hands down the "family car". The 300 is fine for 2 kids around town, but if you need luggage it sucks.

 

[ff347]

Having taken a few trips with both of our children and all the support equipment that it takes, I believe that interior volume should win out. She can get used to the parking spaces etc. in no time, and when #2 comes along you might regret the smaller vehicle.

 

[Josh83]

I should also add that my wife spent a week driving my 100 back in the summer and fell in love with it. When she starts working again she said she is buying a 470.

 

[aedgington]

I second the cargo/family argument. Hell of a lot easier learning to park a bigger truck than to pack a family into an RX. Especially tykes, with their strollers, pack & plays, bouncers, etc, etc.

 

[firetruck41]

Thanks guys, anybody else?

 

[spressomon]

Well if you camp and play off-road the decision is a no-brainer. So better get her into camping

 

[bh4rnnr]

Thats a hard one. For an all around family car the Rx is great. Does well in the snow and gets decent gas milage. The Lx is a little bigger and can carry more stuff. Plus, if your into off-raoding. The wife might let you take it up in the hills on a family vacation . I think either way you choose you'll be happy. Here is what i've seen on the mechanical end.

RX300- Rear Mains leak higher milage. Dash's rattle(centering pins). If tires are not rotated on reguler bases, they develope inside/outside edge wear. 4-speed trannys are o.k, once they went to 5spd had a lot of complaints about shifting...... Antenna mast/motors, had a lot where they made noise, ended up replacing the motor itself.

Lx470- On older Lx's the Tps/Tpps sensors can set codes. Exhaust manifolds sometimes crack, think there was a tsb on those. on some of the early models, 98/99. the front diffs are known to break. after wheel spinning finds traction situations. Think they were a little weaker. Updated in 2000. I seen a couple after the big snow storm in 2003.

If I think of anything more i'll let you know. Good luck!

 

[ryanjl]

If you are looking at LX470's and RX300's in the same price range, in three to four years the LX will have lost far less value than the RX.

Tell her about the rigid frame vs. unibody, the stronger axles vs. toothpicks. Even though a lot of people aren't "car people", they know the value of durability and construction.

Then play up the "bling" factor. Tell her you'd rather have her in the more upacsle model because anything less just won't do.

 

[hoser]

Tell her about the rigid frame vs. unibody

That argument would favor the unibody RX in terms of safety. Better crush zones, better ride, lower center of gravity...

 

[r3run33]

hey for my .02 worth we have both andi do not like the 300 but my wife loves it but the biggest thing i can tell ya with a car seat in the back getting 2 people back there is very tight. not sure how often you drive with other people but with my lx and the car seat no problem with 4 people.

 

[SSS]

Don't forget safety...

I have a LC, and my wife has the RX. She finally drove my LC about a month ago. She was pleasantly amazed. The big things to her were the height and visibility. My wife now complains about her RX having poor visibility, especially rearward.

However, do not push her. That'll just make her choose the lesser of the two. Let the decision, good or bad, be hers. [If it's a bad choice, you can use it against her in future. If it's a good choice, you're home free.] Never forget: "Happy wife, happy life."

Just my .02...

 

[Jim_Chow]

RX is ridiculously too tight, probably even smaller than a 4runner inside. A friend's LX450 even looked small inside once baby seats were in the second row. Remember, you have to fit two strollers in the RX. See how much space that takes!

 

[flyfish4life]

You could always compromise and go with the GX 470 - much larger than RX and only slightly smaller than LX.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

You could always compromise and go with the GX 470 - much larger than RX and only slightly smaller than LX.

You suck! You beat me too it!

Many good points listed above. Both sides are covered. I'm sure it'll come down to $$$z and what the family needs are.

I personally think the RX's are ugly and I see almost all of them driven by old foggies. (Wow, I'm almost one...better watch it ) That's strictly an opinion however.

The LX is BIG and I know some ladies don't want that, though some luv the prestige of having the "top Lexus model".

I think a new or used GX is a great compromise. You get the good motor, you get the upscale design, though you'll pay more for it than a '99LX. And, it looks good, unlike the 4Runner and/or GX. Opinion though!

 

[firetruck41]

I'd prefer a GX470 over the RX or LX, unfortunately a used example is $20k out of my price range

 

[Coastal]

am I crazy or is the RX just a rebadged / nicer RAV4 and the GX just a rebadged / nicer 4 Runner and LX just a rebadged Land Cruiser? Surely the RX and GX are not build on completely different platforms than the similar size Toyota's?

 

[firetruck41]

RX/Higlander, GX/4runner