To be fair, didn’t you say that all AHC mysteries have been figured out?
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LX570 purchase advice wanted
- Thread starter jstamper
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To be fair, didn’t you say that all AHC mysteries have been figured out?
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SILVER Star
With as much time as you spend in the vehicle I’d vote 13-14 because of the updated MFI in the cluster, HID headlamps, and general slight refresh. (Edit: these updates make it feel much less antiquated from the drivers seat compared to the low resolution monochrome MFI, etc)
I’d also consider just doing the globes when you get it and not having to worry about them at all. Most likely you’ll need to do an AHC flush anyway.
Considering how many more LXs there are on the road and the few problems posted here, I’d have no problem buying an LX570 and using it the way it sounds like you will. And I’m someone who spent the extra to get a cruiser, knowing I’d end up messing with the suspension eventually. The LX is the better vehicle for many, many people’s use case.
Don’t forget most of these around 100-120 will need a radiator as well.
As for mileage vs year, I’d take a clean 150k example with diligent service history over an 80k truck without documents any day of the week.
I’d also consider just doing the globes when you get it and not having to worry about them at all. Most likely you’ll need to do an AHC flush anyway.
Considering how many more LXs there are on the road and the few problems posted here, I’d have no problem buying an LX570 and using it the way it sounds like you will. And I’m someone who spent the extra to get a cruiser, knowing I’d end up messing with the suspension eventually. The LX is the better vehicle for many, many people’s use case.
Don’t forget most of these around 100-120 will need a radiator as well.
As for mileage vs year, I’d take a clean 150k example with diligent service history over an 80k truck without documents any day of the week.
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I think the LX would be awesome for what you do. AHC aside, look at things mentioned above like the radiator and the starter. Then if the AHC goes south and you, your mechanic, and or the board can't figure it out relatively inexpensively, people here have also worked out how to unplug the system, without any codes or lights, and run a traditional coilovers (front) and shock+spring setup (out back).
As for the GX, it is a really solid rig, but based on some time in both, I always 'seem' to fit more stuff into the LC200 than the 150 series GX/4Runner/Prado. FWIW, the GX has 46.7 cubic feet of storage behind the second row while the LX has 53.7 (noticeable but not groundbreaking). Now with the second and third row folded though, you see and feel more of a difference - the GX460 has 64.7 cubic fee of space while the LX has over 81. When I travel with half of the second row split seat folded I can definitely squeeze more into the LX than we can into a friends GX with second row split.
As for the GX, it is a really solid rig, but based on some time in both, I always 'seem' to fit more stuff into the LC200 than the 150 series GX/4Runner/Prado. FWIW, the GX has 46.7 cubic feet of storage behind the second row while the LX has 53.7 (noticeable but not groundbreaking). Now with the second and third row folded though, you see and feel more of a difference - the GX460 has 64.7 cubic fee of space while the LX has over 81. When I travel with half of the second row split seat folded I can definitely squeeze more into the LX than we can into a friends GX with second row split.
I had a few GX's and while I enjoyed their size around town and off-road the never seemed to have enough space for gear for two when traveling/hunting. We've had both a late model LX and now LC and I can honestly say that the LX is the better option for most. I wouldn't hesitate for one moment to buy a LX and use it like you intend to do.
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Thanks everyone, there’s a ton of good info here, and you’ve given me a lot to think about…keep it coming!
We’re actually camping right now, and I’m working from the camp, and my weekend epiphany from the campfire is to build out a utility trailer for the ‘yaks and extra gear with a galley. It seems to me there’s a lot of advantages to that. Including, being able to stay in the GX platform, which honestly is fine for 90%+ of what I do even without the trailer.
If I stay GX, I can get a much newer one (i.e. vs. similarly priced LX) and stay on budget. Or, I could get a only slightly newer GX and come in $5K-$10K under, leaving room for mods and/or building a better trailer. Not to mention the fuel economy and maintenance cost reduction.
I’m all about not buying something you can’t afford, and yes, as someone mentioned, I do get some mileage reimbursement, but there’s no good reason to spend that money if you don’t have to or want to, lol.
On that note, are the radiator/starter/alternator LC/LX specific, or do they cross over with the Tundra? What are the approx costs of those repairs/replacements?
On the flip side, looking ahead to when I would prospectively hit 300K, a 11-12 year old LX with 300K might have better resale value than a 7 year old GX with same miles, but I suppose that’s just conjecture.
Thanks again!
We’re actually camping right now, and I’m working from the camp, and my weekend epiphany from the campfire is to build out a utility trailer for the ‘yaks and extra gear with a galley. It seems to me there’s a lot of advantages to that. Including, being able to stay in the GX platform, which honestly is fine for 90%+ of what I do even without the trailer.
If I stay GX, I can get a much newer one (i.e. vs. similarly priced LX) and stay on budget. Or, I could get a only slightly newer GX and come in $5K-$10K under, leaving room for mods and/or building a better trailer. Not to mention the fuel economy and maintenance cost reduction.
I’m all about not buying something you can’t afford, and yes, as someone mentioned, I do get some mileage reimbursement, but there’s no good reason to spend that money if you don’t have to or want to, lol.
On that note, are the radiator/starter/alternator LC/LX specific, or do they cross over with the Tundra? What are the approx costs of those repairs/replacements?
On the flip side, looking ahead to when I would prospectively hit 300K, a 11-12 year old LX with 300K might have better resale value than a 7 year old GX with same miles, but I suppose that’s just conjecture.
Thanks again!
I can't argue with the overland trailer approach if that's the style of camping you're looking to do. It's potentially infinitely more capable than a heavily built out overlanding vehicle. And gives you the ability to setup of a base camp while still having a vehicle to explore. Though if you're into technical terrain, still hugely viable with a compact trailer, but could have it's limitations too.
I built this modest trailer for a buddy (trying it on my car for size here). He's loving how functional it is. With 20 gallons on board, doubling of storage with half of it secure and away from the elements, RTT for 2, annex for changing, and another awning/room for 2 more. I'm thinking this may be a path I might do for myself.
Plans for the Elusive $1k Off-road Trailer
This project is in its inception phases for a buddy. We're tossing around the idea of a basic off-road go anywhere overland camper. Smaller, lighter, and simpler. Yes, we'd all love a full featured off-road teardrop but the reality of a $10k+ trailer isn't in the cards. Less is more because...
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I'm in a similar position as the OP (jstamper) looking at different LX570s and don't want to hijack his thread, but also don't want to clutter.
Thoughts on which of the below you'd choose? Both are southern, no-rust vehicles
Option #1:
- $37k - Large no haggle dealership
- 2014 LX570
- 121k miles
- One owner
- Regular vehicle maintenance every 5-10k miles done at Lexus dealer (Though owner did decline front diff, rear diff, and transfer case fluid changes)
- "Minor damage" on front of LX570 listed on Carfax in 2018 (Over 3 years ago). It does NOT list as accident. Lexus Service History notes that it came back from a body shop
- Dealership is 500+ miles away, so I'd have to fly to pick it up
Option #2:
- $45k - Local small lot dealership (Could likely haggle down a bit more)
- 2015 LX570
- 93k miles
- Two owners
- Regular maintenance history every 10k miles done at Lexus dealer up through 77k miles, then sparse history
- No damage
Thoughts on which of the below you'd choose? Both are southern, no-rust vehicles
Option #1:
- $37k - Large no haggle dealership
- 2014 LX570
- 121k miles
- One owner
- Regular vehicle maintenance every 5-10k miles done at Lexus dealer (Though owner did decline front diff, rear diff, and transfer case fluid changes)
- "Minor damage" on front of LX570 listed on Carfax in 2018 (Over 3 years ago). It does NOT list as accident. Lexus Service History notes that it came back from a body shop
- Dealership is 500+ miles away, so I'd have to fly to pick it up
Option #2:
- $45k - Local small lot dealership (Could likely haggle down a bit more)
- 2015 LX570
- 93k miles
- Two owners
- Regular maintenance history every 10k miles done at Lexus dealer up through 77k miles, then sparse history
- No damage
I bought a much higher mileage 2009 that had been in several small parking lot type accidents. It had had the rear bumper cover replaced a few times. These were 5+ years before I bought it, didn't give a second thought.
These two trucks are equivalent for me, I say go haggle on #2, and if it doesn't get down to $37k, fly on down to #1
These two trucks are equivalent for me, I say go haggle on #2, and if it doesn't get down to $37k, fly on down to #1
Yes - LX/LC has a 5.7L vs 4.6L engine, I think* the transfer case is different, front and rear diffs on the LX/LC are larger, along with front CV’s, steering rack, etc.
I toyed around with the idea of a GX with an LC200 front subassembly (front diff, steering rack, etc)… I think a handful of Tacoma and LC150 vehicles have done this but I couldn’t do the fabrication myself and after thinking about hours (and $) I just went with an LX that had those goodies from the factory.
I can't argue with the overland trailer approach if that's the style of camping you're looking to do. It's potentially infinitely more capable than a heavily built out overlanding vehicle. And gives you the ability to setup of a base camp while still having a vehicle to explore. Though if you're into technical terrain, still hugely viable with a compact trailer, but could have it's limitations too.
I built this modest trailer for a buddy (trying it on my car for size here). He's loving how functional it is. With 20 gallons on board, doubling of storage with half of it secure and away from the elements, RTT for 2, annex for changing, and another awning/room for 2 more. I'm thinking this may be a path I might do for myself.
View attachment 2768872
View attachment 2768870
Plans for the Elusive $1k Off-road Trailer
This project is in its inception phases for a buddy. We're tossing around the idea of a basic off-road go anywhere overland camper. Smaller, lighter, and simpler. Yes, we'd all love a full featured off-road teardrop but the reality of a $10k+ trailer isn't in the cards. Less is more because...
!!! That was put together for $1k (teckis engineering not included)??? Wow.
Donated professional services to a good cause.
I was half selfish in that I camp with this buddy all the time, and wanted to see what off-road trailer camping looks like. My other buddy bought a $50k Vorsheer trailer and he's loving it too. But the honesty and ease of use of the smaller trailer makes the big one look excessive, and not necessarily for the better in many ways. Smaller lighter gets though stuff in ways that bigger, badder, can't. Sets up easier too.That's true for the tow vehicle too. Something smaller like the GX can have some significant advantages depending on the region/trail.
It was closer to $1.5k after adding a water tank and custom axles. Not including the RTT and awning/room as those are another $1k+ in goodies.
Donated professional services to a good cause.
That's true for the tow vehicle too. Something smaller like the GX can have some significant advantages depending on the region/trail.
It was closer to $1.5k after adding a water tank and custom axles. Not including the RTT and awning/room as those are another $1k+ in goodies.
Yeah i think that someone posted it or something very similar to those just the other day (may have been you)?
It was super nice but like $48k. Thats still a bit shocking despite how far they have come.
Airstreams also are as much as a home in some places but I cant think of a better way to glamp with my wife.
The truth is, as you described and the real selling point to me is not loading down your vehicle.
I get it for one or two man overland trips, but with a family of 4 inside and their stuff I dont want to add another thousand pounds to an already heavy rig.
I really love my LX, I got a 16'. I had been shopping for an LC or LX and the more I looked and the more I drove I ended up spending much more than I would have thought and got a 16' with 28,000 miles. I paid 62k 3 years ago in 2019. I just really liked the updated interiors of the 16+ LX's.
I have had AHC problems but the dealer paid to fix it for me, since it happened there. I actually love the AHC, functions incredibly well. Sound system is great too. perfect truck for me.
I have had AHC problems but the dealer paid to fix it for me, since it happened there. I actually love the AHC, functions incredibly well. Sound system is great too. perfect truck for me.
