LX470 for Wife

[stump jumper1]

Have been looking to replace my wifes 07 camry with something bigger for her and the two kids. Things get a little tight with the two car seats and also like the idea of them being in a much bigger vehicle. I have been lurking on the forum for a while and also searching for a LC100 or 470. I believe I have found an 05 470 with around 80K miles on it. It has been serviced at the dealer and looks to be in great shape. Took it for a spin today and the AHC seems to be working fine and didnt notice anything not working correctly. I just have a couple of questions. 1) Would you have any issues with the age for being the wifes daily driver? I know I have the 90K service coming up. 2) I did notice that the vent on top the dash seemed to not be quite even, maybe warped in places. Is that from UV damage or is it related to something else? I am planning on taking it by my mechanic to check out before we purchase. 3) Is there anything else I should be concerned with? I would plan on keeping this at least to 200000 if not 300000. I have a 4th gen 4runner and love the v8 with the fulltime 4wd and was wanting something similar but more robust for the my wifes car. Hopefully when she gets tired of it sometime down the road I will inherit it. I really enjoy reading the forums. Thanks for taking the time to read. Thank you

 

[Grundletaint]

I can only really speak for #1 but I have an 05 with 118K on it and it's my DD. I have absolutely zero worries about it and it drives like a new car. Recently took it from Austin to Santa Fe (twice) and only needed air in the tires.

Are you getting it from a dealer? See if they'll do the 90K service for you.

 

[re_guderian]

No need to rush the 90k service either, unless you've got money to burn. As to reliability, my wife DD's our 2000 with 205K on the clock, not a single worry...

 

[bmwguy]

I did the same thing. SWMBO went from a 3rd gen 4Runner to a 02 LX470 (with 96k miles). The 3rd gen 4Runner is temporary mine until my daughter starts to drive this winter.

Triple check the AHC, mine died after 2 weeks of ownership. What had happened was there was receipt for the AHC flush, however when it died, and I tried to flush the fluid, the fluid in the engine bay reservor looked fresh but the fluid in the accumulators were in really bad shape. they were black. In fact when I bleed, only 1 accumlator fluid flow freely. Rest didn't even come out. The Indy shop that replaced it probably only sucked the fluid out from resevor and that was it. They never bleed the accumulators. I have since gone to the regular LC coil and shock setup but will occassionally be reminded of this episode from SWMBO.

Other than the AHC and my subwoofer foam disintegrated, mine LX470 has been reliable.

Good Luck with your purchase.

Prep your wifey for some bad gas mileage on the LX-470 since she will be coming from a Camry.

 

[twentyocho]

Just took mine to Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon then back no problems.. 15 hour road trip one way.. also an 05 with approx. 80K miles on it.. Oh and also have a 4th gen runner withe v8 and AWD lol..

 

[super50]

Just took mine to Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon then back no problems.. 15 hour road trip one way.. also an 05 with approx. 80K miles on it.. Oh and also have a 4th gen runner withe v8 and AWD lol..

It will be somewhat harder to park for her as well. Does it have rear camera?
And dont remove the running boards so the little ones can hop in. Mine complain because its so high now. I dont think reliability should be an issue. And IMO it does not get safer for the family than being in a big SUV in a collision.

 

[paflytyer]

It will be somewhat harder to park for her as well. Does it have rear camera?
And dont remove the running boards so the little ones can hop in. Mine complain because its so high now. I dont think reliability should be an issue. And IMO it does not get safer for the family than being in a big SUV in a collision.

Good advice on the running boards and I agree. There is no reason to remove them for DD and dirt road use. Slee bumpers would add even more family protection too, but that's a slippery slope you start down.

 

[bdac]

We sold our 2009 Honda Pilot 4wd Touring with 75k for our 2004 LX470 with 120k. The Pilot had every bell and whistle available. Wife has no issues with the transition. Horsepower of the 470 is less, but torque is higher. The V8 has a nice growl, and ride is smooth as butter. The only thing missed the 22mpg's. Things to keep an eye on: AHC, A/C front and rear, multifunction display, door lock actuators, 3rd brake light leak, CV boot leaks, t-belt. Parking the 470 is easier than the Pilot because of VGRS.

 

[AimCOtaco]

LX470 for Wife, sounds like a good trade to me!


If it's been taken care of up to 80k you are golden.
Ours was not well cared for up to 160k and it's running like a top with zero surprises. Went to Canada and then 100's in the hills this summer all in the same 3 weeks and all we did was keep buying more fuel. We turned over 200k approaching the camp at Ouray. If you're not going to beat on it it's not going to cost a ton to keep up.

 

[TXLX100]

I bought a 98 for my wife to replace a newer 4Runner. It's been a good vehicle, it's been all over Texas and the Southeast in the last 3 years. It's 15 years old 125k miles and hasn't seen any real abuse outside of door dings. I wish it had skid control.

 

[aaronrules]

Another thing to think about is the fact that Lexus(es?) are priced high enough to put them out of the reach off lot of people. The people who buy them new and drive it for the lease or for a couple years and trade in for a newer one are basically doing nothing but shuffling grandmas around town, or a super high priced soccer mom mobile. They keep resale value, are built and engineered very well. I am very confident in jumping in my 01 LX and driving it to Colorado and bouncing it off all kinds of rocks...BECAUSE I DID! I change the oil, air filter, windshield fluid, and a butt load of gas! Other than that, this vehicle is awesome! My wife drives a 2012 Honda Odyssey, the only reasons she isn't driving an older 100 or LX is gas mileage with a 30 mile drive round trip to work for her. It is easier to kids and stuff in and out of the van, but in my eyes, not so much so to make it a reason to keep or get rid of it. My main point about Lexus being higher prices than Toyotas already high price on new makes it even farther out of reach for "normal" people, and out of reach for anyone that will do things that these trucks are capable of doing. So you most likely wont get a very hard used vehicle from Lexus as you would from Toyota.

 

[paflytyer]

Another thing to think about is the fact that Lexus(es?) are priced high enough to put them out of the reach off lot of people. The people who buy them new and drive it for the lease or for a couple years and trade in for a newer one are basically doing nothing but shuffling grandmas around town, or a super high priced soccer mom mobile. They keep resale value, are built and engineered very well. I am very confident in jumping in my 01 LX and driving it to Colorado and bouncing it off all kinds of rocks...BECAUSE I DID! I change the oil, air filter, windshield fluid, and a butt load of gas! Other than that, this vehicle is awesome! My wife drives a 2012 Honda Odyssey, the only reasons she isn't driving an older 100 or LX is gas mileage with a 30 mile drive round trip to work for her. It is easier to kids and stuff in and out of the van, but in my eyes, not so much so to make it a reason to keep or get rid of it. My main point about Lexus being higher prices than Toyotas already high price on new makes it even farther out of reach for "normal" people, and out of reach for anyone that will do things that these trucks are capable of doing. So you most likely wont get a very hard used vehicle from Lexus as you would from Toyota.

We also have a Honda Odyssey...... Hard to compare the two. With more than one kid, it's hard to beat a minivan for day to day driving. Everything opens and closes with the touch of a button, decent gas mileage, plenty of room. Granted, it is a minivan, but we wouldn't own two 100s for my wife and I. They each fill their roles in our family.

 

[stump jumper1]

Thank you for all the replies. Took it to the mechanic and the only thing they found was both cv boots are leaking grease. Going to see if I can get them to take the price off of replacing them. Other that that they said the truck is in great shape.


The other thing I noticed was the license plate holder along with light on the back is loose on one side. Not sure what is causing that.

Not getting from a Lexus/toyota dealer so doubt they would do service.

It does have a rear view camera so it isn't bad parking etc. The running boards would be staying for now.

 

[stump jumper1]

Here a few pics.


The last one is of the dash and kind the bumpy looking vent.

 

[moooooooo]

looks good, and i love that colour.
i'd say the dash vent warpage may be coz of UV. I've had a "dashmat" (not sure what you call them over there) on mine since new as my LC wont fit in my garage so it's outside all day everyday.
I have green mould on some of the exterior window rubbers (it's winter here) and due it being outside you can tell they are deteriorating. But all fixable/replaceable.
They are a great reliable car and as someone said above about Lexus - they hold their value well.
Go for it i say!!

Sent from my iPad using IH8MUD

 

[powerglove]

I was in your position a few months ago...wanted a DD for the wife to replace a Sienna minivan (while very practical, she has hated it since day one). With 3 kids, we need 3 rows, and I convinced her that the 100 was the best SUV with 3 rows. We bought a 2004 LX470 with 70K, and she loves it as a DD. My DD is a Camry and I am sooo jealous now We just got back from a road-trip vacation, and it was flawless--even through a pounding rain/hailstorm in the mountains that was making me wish I had installed a snorkel there was so much water on the road. Other cars were forced to pull over, but we trucked on through to the sunshine.

 

[SWUtah]

I have a 2005 LX same color and one of my lights by the rear plate was loose? I just used some double sided tape.

 

[2003lx470]

Not sure if you are buying it from a Lexus dealer, if yes, please buy the Lexus Warranty. Bit expensive but believe me its worth it.

 

[2003lx470]

I was in your position a few months ago...wanted a DD for the wife to replace a Sienna minivan (while very practical, she has hated it since day one). With 3 kids, we need 3 rows, and I convinced her that the 100 was the best SUV with 3 rows. We bought a 2004 LX470 with 70K, and she loves it as a DD. My DD is a Camry and I am sooo jealous now We just got back from a road-trip vacation, and it was flawless--even through a pounding rain/hailstorm in the mountains that was making me wish I had installed a snorkel there was so much water on the road. Other cars were forced to pull over, but we trucked on through to the sunshine.

I have a Sienna and there are 3 rows. Front, individual middle bucket seats and the back row. With 3 kiddos, you can have 2 in the middle row, each having there own seat (which you can't do on the LX) so there is less fighting and the last row for one all by her/him self. Am I missing something here? OKay Okay, I get it...you just want a LX !!!!

 

[powerglove]

I have a Sienna and there are 3 rows. Front, individual middle bucket seats and the back row. With 3 kiddos, you can have 2 in the middle row, each having there own seat (which you can't do on the LX) so there is less fighting and the last row for one all by her/him self. Am I missing something here? OKay Okay, I get it...you just want a LX !!!!

Oh, I completetly agree that a Sienna is a great option for a family. I loved it. My wife just hated the "minivan soccer mom" stigma. Not much I could do except steer her towards an LX. And our kids would still fight in the Sienna, no matter how much space was between them. ;p