LX570 purchase advice wanted

[jstamper]

Hi, I’m new here and this is my first post.
I’m coming from an 08 GX470and while I had originally planned to just replace it with a used GX460, I am now leaning heavily towards a used LX (Comparable LC’s are more expensive, which is what rules them out for me).

My use case is somewhat unique. I do environmental compliance work for linear utility projects, covering a multi-state area. So, I drive approximately 50K miles per year. Of those miles, most are highway, but with daily bouts of off-road. Not technical rock crawling, but sometimes fairly serious terrain, both on rough trails and non-maintained rights-of-way. The stock 470 with good A/T tires is pretty sufficient capability-wise.

The vehicle will also be used for family trips (family of 3) and fishing/hunting/kayaking/camping. The GX is somewhat cramped space-wise at times, so, the LX (with third row removed) is attractive.

I have test driven a 2013 LX, as well as newer GX’s.

My concerns are for the long-term reliability of the AHC. Firstly, I’ll say that I love the idea of AHC. My 470 has it in the rear only (pneumatic version), and It still works perfectly. Even though it’s rear-only, it does help quite often. Does the AHC, well maintained, generally remain reliable?

Also, I didn’t take any measurements, but the cargo capacity of the LX feels substantially larger than the GX. For anyone that has had both, does this work out to be true in the real world?

To fit into the budget I have set, I would need to buy an LX that is in the 2013-2014 range, with around 100,000 miles. For the same money, I can get a 2018 GX Base with <50,000 miles. The ride quality on the coil-sprung Base is plenty good enough for me, and I could add a small lift easily. It would also come with a lifetime powertrain warranty.

Another option would be a bit older LX for substantially less money. If I drop back to examples with 125K-150K miles in the 2009-2011 range, the prices are about $10 less.

So, what are your thoughts on the relative values and reliability of a 2014 LX with 100K, a 2010 with 150K, and a 2018 GX with 50K?

I would of course be looking closely at the previous ownership, condition, etc., of each.

Thanks!

 

[tbisaacs]

You’re more likely to have issues with radiator, starter, alternator than AHC as long as you keep the fluid changed. Higher mileage trucks will need new suspension accumulators buts it’s easy.

lucky for us, the wizards on this board like @TeCKis300, @grinchy, @radman and others have figured out all of the mysteries of 200 series AHC. All of the potential problems are mostly known.

 

[jstamper]

You’re more likely to have issues with radiator, starter, alternator than AHC as long as you keep the fluid changed. Higher mileage trucks will need new suspension accumulators buts it’s easy.

lucky for us, the wizards on this board like @TeCKis300, @grinchy, @radman and others have figured out all of the mysteries of 200 series AHC. All of the potential problems are mostly known.

What are you considering high-mileage?

Thanks!

 

[tbisaacs]

What are you considering high-mileage?

Thanks!

Most people are replacing accumulators at 120k-ish. I did mine at 130

 

[jstamper]

Most people are replacing accumulators at 120k-ish. I did mine at 130

And that is $2000-worth of parts, correct?

Is that a Lexus recommended service? Asking because if so I might find one on which it has already been done.

 

[t4r2lx570]

And that is $2000-worth of parts, correct?

Is that a Lexus recommended service? Asking because if so I might find one on which it has already been done.

All four accumulators seem to be around $600 on Ebay, adding the cost of fluid, total would be around $750 if you do it yourself.

 

[jstamper]

All four accumulators seem to be around $600 on Ebay, adding the cost of fluid, total would be around $750 if you do it yourself.

Yeah, I just found some threads mentioning the gray market parts. That’s not bad at all.

thanks!

 

[jstamper]

So, are there any red flags or major differences in the odds of getting to 300K miles relatively trouble free when starting with say, an ‘09 with 150K or a ‘14 with 100K miles?

I’m thinking the years of age matter more than mileage, just trying to determine if the difference is worth a 33% purchase price increase…

 

[LX5708]

comes down too personal preference really.. 50k mile difference to me isn't that big in these trucks. Especially if both trucks have all known maintenance records

 

[AnyMal]

If I were you and planned on actually beating it up and putting that many miles on it i would go with the 2010.
Build it how you like with the cost difference and try to break some milage records.

 

[Madtiger]

You’re more likely to have issues with radiator, starter, alternator than AHC as long as you keep the fluid changed. Higher mileage trucks will need new suspension accumulators buts it’s easy.

lucky for us, the wizards on this board like @TeCKis300, @grinchy, @radman and others have figured out all of the mysteries of 200 series AHC. All of the potential problems are mostly known.

If all the mysteries about AHC are known, then why are there so many posts about repeated issues? Worst yet, unsolvable issues! Why is it that Lexus dealers are having issues diagnosing problems with it? Even with the help of said users above, forum members continue to have issues with no fix in sight.

Sorry. We need to be more realistic about AHC. We need to stop praising it like it is that much better than other brands suspension of similar function. It is not. It is overly complicated. Hard to diagnose. Expensive to fix. We don’t need to paint rosey pictures to new owners or prospective buyer.

I am sure that I will be chastised for this. But it’s true. Every day, a new member post AHC issues from hell. It always leads to replacing all sorts of parts and costing $$$$$$$. And still not fix.

The original poster will need to replace AHC fluid EVERY YEAR with how much he’s driving!! That is just asking for AHC issue from hell!! Every year. That’s like shooting himself in the foot annually by buying LX! One oopps during the procedure and you will be thousands of dollars in the hole trying to figure out the issue. And if his place snows, then those AHC lines love to rust!!! And there you go having to chase after the issues!

 

[NYC570]

If all the mysteries about AHC are known, then why are there so many posts about repeated issues? Worst yet, unsolvable issues! Why is it that Lexus dealers are having issues diagnosing problems with it? Even with the help of said users above, forum members continue to have issues with no fix in sight.

Sorry. We need to be more realistic about AHC. We need to stop praising it like it is that much better than other brands suspension of similar function. It is not. It is overly complicated. Hard to diagnose. Expensive to fix. We don’t need to paint rosey pictures to new owners or prospective buyer.

I am sure that I will be chastised for this. But it’s true. Every day, a new member post AHC issues from hell. It always leads to replacing all sorts of parts and costing $$$$$$$. And still not fix.

The original poster will need to replace AHC fluid EVERY YEAR with how much he’s driving!! That is just asking for AHC issue from hell!! Every year. That’s like shooting himself in the foot annually by buying LX! One opps during the procedure and you will be thousands of dollars in the hole trying to figure out the issue. And if his place snows, then those AHC lines love to rust!!! And there you go having to chase after the issues!

Damn meng, what did AHC or other tires that aren't K02s ever do to you? Have you actually counted how many people have had issues with the AHC recently?

 

[grinchy]

No used car is risk free. Even the pricey aftermarket suspensions are breaking under heavy use. And those are like $5k plus.
I personally never worry about my ahc. And it helps me because I’m a crap driver.
I think if the fluid is good and the level kept above zero during a flush, that risk is really low. Not zero, but really low.
Even if you have to get a pump every couple years, the total cost wouldn’t be all that much in the grand scheme. I mean, you’re getting mileage for 50k a year, so you can save for repairs, right?
I don’t think mileage at purchase is relevant at all, but then I personally baselined everything over the course of a year, so I know I can trust it.
If mileage is higher you may need to spend a couple thousand to get everything refreshed, same as any high mile used car.

 

[TeCKis300]

To the OP, if you haven't learned anything about AHC here, at least you learned who the resident madkitten clown is. While he praises everything LC, he disparages everything LX. He fails to realize everything LX is LC in the rest of the world. Meaning it gets built to the same LC standards. Perhaps even more as it has to hold up to even loftier Lexus standards.

The AHC system is robust and durable. Majority of examples going well into 200k+ miles without replacing anything, except standard 60k fluid flush intervals. On the 100-series, many have proven to have durability to go 250k++. Try that with any standard shock which usually done at 100k. Aftermarket? Try 30k rebuilds, or maybe 50-75k at most. With suspensions systems easily in the 2-5k++ territory, well beyond any repair cost for AHC. And none matching the broad capability.

Yes, as any mechanical part, it can have issues. Rare, but there has been cases of weeping shocks, suspension globes, and rusted lines. Then ham fisted monkey techs screwing up things. For as many LXs out there, these are not common issues. I'm almost at 140k and I have yet to replace anything and the system is still going strong. I ask a lot from the system too going to 2k payload, off-roading with 35s, while still riding as a Lexus should on road. Try that with anything else - it doesn't exist. I will keep my AHC going for the life of the car because it's that good. With the proven durability of the overall system, it will be easy.

 

[AnyMal]

If all the mysteries about AHC are known, then why are there so many posts about repeated issues? Worst yet, unsolvable issues! Why is it that Lexus dealers are having issues diagnosing problems with it? Even with the help of said users above, forum members continue to have issues with no fix in sight.

Sorry. We need to be more realistic about AHC. We need to stop praising it like it is that much better than other brands suspension of similar function. It is not. It is overly complicated. Hard to diagnose. Expensive to fix. We don’t need to paint rosey pictures to new owners or prospective buyer.

I am sure that I will be chastised for this. But it’s true. Every day, a new member post AHC issues from hell. It always leads to replacing all sorts of parts and costing $$$$$$$. And still not fix.

The original poster will need to replace AHC fluid EVERY YEAR with how much he’s driving!! That is just asking for AHC issue from hell!! Every year. That’s like shooting himself in the foot annually by buying LX! One opps during the procedure and you will be thousands of dollars in the hole trying to figure out the issue. And if his place snows, then those AHC lines love to rust!!! And there you go having to chase after the issues!

Is this what it's like to wish you could have on demand lift and lowering?

Also, Mark Levinson. Sorry about that.


Not going to lie though as someone with "AHC issues" (still love the system BTW) you do have some good points.
Specially the part about dealers and diagnostics.


I want to try Dr. Bose suspension.

 

[tbisaacs]

If all the mysteries about AHC are known, then why are there so many posts about repeated issues? Worst yet, unsolvable issues! Why is it that Lexus dealers are having issues diagnosing problems with it? Even with the help of said users above, forum members continue to have issues with no fix in sight.

Sorry. We need to be more realistic about AHC. We need to stop praising it like it is that much better than other brands suspension of similar function. It is not. It is overly complicated. Hard to diagnose. Expensive to fix. We don’t need to paint rosey pictures to new owners or prospective buyer.

I am sure that I will be chastised for this. But it’s true. Every day, a new member post AHC issues from hell. It always leads to replacing all sorts of parts and costing $$$$$$$. And still not fix.

The original poster will need to replace AHC fluid EVERY YEAR with how much he’s driving!! That is just asking for AHC issue from hell!! Every year. That’s like shooting himself in the foot annually by buying LX! One oopps during the procedure and you will be thousands of dollars in the hole trying to figure out the issue. And if his place snows, then those AHC lines love to rust!!! And there you go having to chase after the issues!

hyperbole is your brand isn’t it?

 

[t4r2lx570]

Deep down inside we all know we've had that dream about our AHC systems where we spoke up scared and then immediately went out to our cars to cycle through height settings. Or was that just me?

Kidding aside, being new to the system it is intimidating. I love what it does, but haven't worked on it yet as far as bleeding, refilling, checking pressures, etc. I know over time I'll grow more comfortable with it, and the incredible resources here certainly help foster a peace of mind.

 

[LX5708]

thats why I take it to my lexus dealer and pay them to deal with it. I dont worry about AHC, but I can afford it. DONT BUY SOMETHING YOU DON'T THING YOU CANT AFFORD... something my father always taught me

 

[t4r2lx570]

thats why I take it to my lexus dealer and pay them to deal with it. I dont worry about AHC, but I can afford it

My original plan was to simply take it to the dealer for that type of work, but after reading more stories about dealers not doing work correctly I think I've changed my mind. I have learned over the years that to repair most household "items" correctly I simply have to repair them myself. It's a sad truth. But, I'm extremely anal.

 

[LX5708]

My original plan was to simply take it to the dealer for that type of work, but after reading more stories about dealers not doing work correctly I think I've changed my mind. I have learned over the years that to repair most household "items" correctly I simply have to repair them myself. It's a sad truth. But, I'm extremely anal.

I trust my lexus dealer.. been going there 15 years and the same mechanic has been working on my vehicles the whole time..

edit: we have had the same service advisor as well