Seariously if you are considering a MDX or a highlander do you need an LX? Well I guess no one “needs” one. But at least for me, yes I really like my LX and hope to drive it 10-15+ more years. But if I didn’t off road hard (to get to fishing/hunting) and tow a 7k lb camper I would own something else.
LX570 - realistic fuel economy?
- Thread starter eatSleepWoof
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When I sold my RL after I bought the LX I got a ride home in the dealers' 2017 MDX. It was several steps in solidity down from a 9 year old LX. I couldn't believe the difference. Definitely less truck like though.
Agreed. The LC/LX drives and rides pretty well for a 6,000 lb, solid-rear-axle, body-on-frame, off-road-capable truck, but you’ll never mistake it for a tall car. It’s a big, tall, heavy truck.
I put up with its driving dynamics because I want the off-road capability. But if you don’t need that capability, something like a Highlander, Mercedes ML, BMW X5, or similar crossover might be a better choice.
Good point but I’ve always owned LC/LX’s because I like owning the best!
These are luxury items, and buying is based off wanting it - not - needing it. It sounds like your heart wants the LX. And you should listen to your heart.
But at the same time, luxury items are discretionary toys and should be purchased comfortably — not if it “works.”
If you’re the type to calculate NPV and want to know all the details, then consider these points. Congrats on your first house. Houses are expensive to maintain, clean, and repair (even new construction). I’m assuming you’re married and also taking a big guess that you’ll eventually have kids. Raising a kid is EXPENSIVE.
Anyway, sounds like you’re careful and methodical. It also sounds like you work hard, and you should definitely enjoy your success.
Looking forward to your incoming photos.
But at the same time, luxury items are discretionary toys and should be purchased comfortably — not if it “works.”
If you’re the type to calculate NPV and want to know all the details, then consider these points. Congrats on your first house. Houses are expensive to maintain, clean, and repair (even new construction). I’m assuming you’re married and also taking a big guess that you’ll eventually have kids. Raising a kid is EXPENSIVE.
Anyway, sounds like you’re careful and methodical. It also sounds like you work hard, and you should definitely enjoy your success.
Looking forward to your incoming photos.
Perhaps overthinking. But I have to give you credit for doing the right thing here. Exercising some level of fiscal responsibility with planning, while getting what you want. Something along the lines of have your cake and eat it too. Doing this right will allow you to own a substantial vehicle, while minimizing the total cost of ownership which includes everything you’re considering. Major categories are procurement, sustainment, and depreciation.
Gas is a variable in this, but perhaps can be offset by some other larger variables.
For a very expensive vehicle and a highly reliable vehicle, that the 200-series is, the opportunity is in an older variant (which is largely unchanged today, especially the LX which started with almost every bell and whistle). This will greatly minimize costs in all 3 categories. On the order of 10s of thousands. Initial outlay and cost of financing for procurement. Cost of registration and insurance in sustainment. Sure, the risk of incidental costs may be slightly increased, but that can be further minimized with aftermarket warranties and insurance to a degree, and you still should come out ahead. Likely still less risk than a newer Merc. Then the big one, depreciation can be reduced to less than a new mainstream commuter car.
This graphic should help visualize. Not saying this old of one, but there's a sweet spot for every car.
That said, I agree with others this is a luxury item. It’s an opportunity cost. Are you exercising fiscal responsibility elsewhere in terms of your long term finances to take care of your older self, and perhaps family? If so, go for it! Perhaps one day, you may even want to look into the "FIRE movement"
Gas is a variable in this, but perhaps can be offset by some other larger variables.
For a very expensive vehicle and a highly reliable vehicle, that the 200-series is, the opportunity is in an older variant (which is largely unchanged today, especially the LX which started with almost every bell and whistle). This will greatly minimize costs in all 3 categories. On the order of 10s of thousands. Initial outlay and cost of financing for procurement. Cost of registration and insurance in sustainment. Sure, the risk of incidental costs may be slightly increased, but that can be further minimized with aftermarket warranties and insurance to a degree, and you still should come out ahead. Likely still less risk than a newer Merc. Then the big one, depreciation can be reduced to less than a new mainstream commuter car.
This graphic should help visualize. Not saying this old of one, but there's a sweet spot for every car.
That said, I agree with others this is a luxury item. It’s an opportunity cost. Are you exercising fiscal responsibility elsewhere in terms of your long term finances to take care of your older self, and perhaps family? If so, go for it! Perhaps one day, you may even want to look into the "FIRE movement"
I’ve said on here before. I’m more of a function over form oriented person. Yes LC’s are good vehicles and Ill say the Best for a large SUV with stellar off road ability and towing capacity. However they are not the overall end all best.
Best can only be answered by asking "best for what"? A LC truly sucks for a track-day vehicle. A Corvette ZR1 truly sucks for taking the family off-road. A Ranger Rover Autobiography is great for having your chauffeur take you and the Mrs. out to dinner (provided you turn it in when the lease is up and your chauffeur runs it to the dealer when it brakes).
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- #50
Good thoughts all around - thanks, guys.
For some reason I had eliminated the GX from my comparison sheet. On reflection, I have no idea why I did that, since if I'm leaving in things like the MDX, Highlander and CX-9, the GX is very much worth considering.
I've added it back in, and also tallied up total projected 5-year costs of the vehicle upgrade. I've never done this before, but am finding this helps paint a very clear picture of real long-term costs. And lost opportunity cost elsewhere.
Looking this over, the GX becomes a very strong contender. I'm also eliminating the ML550 as an option. I did drive a GX460 and LX570 back to back a few months ago and liked them both, but felt that the LX was noticeably roomier and more powerful. I'm also not a big fan of the GX's side-swinging tailgate door. That said, the GX will do everything I need it to.
I'm also surprised that the cargo room to 2nd seats is higher in the GX - that's an important factor for me. Does anyone happen to know cargo capacity values for both the GX460 and LX570 with 3rd row seats removed from both trucks? Those would be coming out immediately in my case.
Whatever truck I end up with, third-row seats (if present) will be removed immediately. I will build a drawer/storage platform that will also encompass a (likely custom) dog crate. Partial folding of the 2nd row seats may be needed, but I'd like to avoid that if possible. For reference, current dog crate is 40" long, 28" wide, 32" tall. I can compromise on the height without too much issue, but I'd love to keep length and width around the same dimensions. A side wall can also be tapered/angled so as to follow the curvature of the truck. Given the rather large crate dimensions, it's critical for me to have as much space outside of that as possible.
I don't mind using the 2nd row of seats for storage of soft items (duffels) while going on trips, but it would be fantastic to keep at least one 2nd-row seat open for passengers.
For some reason I had eliminated the GX from my comparison sheet. On reflection, I have no idea why I did that, since if I'm leaving in things like the MDX, Highlander and CX-9, the GX is very much worth considering.
I've added it back in, and also tallied up total projected 5-year costs of the vehicle upgrade. I've never done this before, but am finding this helps paint a very clear picture of real long-term costs. And lost opportunity cost elsewhere.
Looking this over, the GX becomes a very strong contender. I'm also eliminating the ML550 as an option. I did drive a GX460 and LX570 back to back a few months ago and liked them both, but felt that the LX was noticeably roomier and more powerful. I'm also not a big fan of the GX's side-swinging tailgate door. That said, the GX will do everything I need it to.
I'm also surprised that the cargo room to 2nd seats is higher in the GX - that's an important factor for me. Does anyone happen to know cargo capacity values for both the GX460 and LX570 with 3rd row seats removed from both trucks? Those would be coming out immediately in my case.
Whatever truck I end up with, third-row seats (if present) will be removed immediately. I will build a drawer/storage platform that will also encompass a (likely custom) dog crate. Partial folding of the 2nd row seats may be needed, but I'd like to avoid that if possible. For reference, current dog crate is 40" long, 28" wide, 32" tall. I can compromise on the height without too much issue, but I'd love to keep length and width around the same dimensions. A side wall can also be tapered/angled so as to follow the curvature of the truck. Given the rather large crate dimensions, it's critical for me to have as much space outside of that as possible.
I don't mind using the 2nd row of seats for storage of soft items (duffels) while going on trips, but it would be fantastic to keep at least one 2nd-row seat open for passengers.
I'm not trying to be too preachy, but you are asking for advice so here it goes. You have a new $600k mortgage and associated carrying costs, and you're concerned about the cost of gas in the next truck you buy. I don't think you should be looking at anything that costs $50k+ in that situation. Even slow depreciation is going to hurt if you're already highly levered, which you are unless you have a 7 figure bank account. Your leverage will increase if you finance the purchase, which again is really going to suck when that depreciation kicks in as more and more vehicles go electric or hybrid and the market for a dinosaur (which all Land Cruisers are, and I love them for that) shrinks further.
@TeCKis300 already mentioned this, but the least bad choice you can likely make is to buy an 08-11 LX570 for well under $30k. I have an 08 LX that I daily, and according to the blue book math it's depreciating at just under 2 pennies per mile. Put another way, I can drive 10,000 miles in a year and the depreciation hit - assuming current market conditions hold - will cost me about $200. I've had the LX for 13 months, put $300 in regular maintenance it, and I could turn around and sell it for more than I paid for it. I also have a 16 LC, and unfortunately it still has quite a bit of depreciation left in it, which is one of the reasons I try to put most of the miles on the LX. If I'm being honest, the LX drives nicer, has almost the same level of equipment, is quieter and I kinda don't really care about it because it's mostly fully depreciated at this point. That comfort is worth a lot in terms of peace of mind, sanity and financial comfort. Again, not trying to be preachy, but it sounds like that would be the wiser of the decisions you're considering, especially since from 08-15 it's 99.9% the same truck.
@TeCKis300 already mentioned this, but the least bad choice you can likely make is to buy an 08-11 LX570 for well under $30k. I have an 08 LX that I daily, and according to the blue book math it's depreciating at just under 2 pennies per mile. Put another way, I can drive 10,000 miles in a year and the depreciation hit - assuming current market conditions hold - will cost me about $200. I've had the LX for 13 months, put $300 in regular maintenance it, and I could turn around and sell it for more than I paid for it. I also have a 16 LC, and unfortunately it still has quite a bit of depreciation left in it, which is one of the reasons I try to put most of the miles on the LX. If I'm being honest, the LX drives nicer, has almost the same level of equipment, is quieter and I kinda don't really care about it because it's mostly fully depreciated at this point. That comfort is worth a lot in terms of peace of mind, sanity and financial comfort. Again, not trying to be preachy, but it sounds like that would be the wiser of the decisions you're considering, especially since from 08-15 it's 99.9% the same truck.
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- #52
Thanks for the advice. You definitely make good points, and I understand and agree with them. That said, a replacement vehicle is definitely happening in the next few months. I hate the Tacoma and it reminds me of that every time I get behind the wheel. If I can't find an agreeable deal in the near future I may delay until as long as this spring, but not much longer than that.
I'm really aiming for not spending more than $15k total, over and above the trade-in of the Tacoma. Maybe $20k max if it's a nice, modern LX. I will also net an easy $10k from the parts I will sell off the Tacoma (will take some effort to remove them and time to sell, but it'll happen). End result is that I'm not spending more than $5-10k out of pocket to upgrade the vehicle. Sure, that's still money I could save/invest, but it's not "as much" of a hit $$-wise. Maybe I'm just trying to justify the "want" to myself.
An upside of getting the LX is that I really do see myself owning it for much longer than any other vehicle I've had. Maybe 10 years, maybe 15. Desire to keep it very long term is also one of the reasons I'm more inclined to find a lower-mileage model. Between the power, room, reliability, on/off road ability, and all those creature comforts, it checks just about every single box. Fuel efficiency and upfront cost being the downsides.
Looking for an early-year LX is a good idea, but options are slim, and over the ~3 months I've been casually browsing LX ads, I've yet to see a single one listed for less than $38k CAD. The cheapest local (4hr drive for me) option currently on the market is a 2008 with 60k miles, listed for $38k at a small, shady dealership. It looks somewhat rough in the photos and has been for sale for well over a month (whereas similarly priced LXs with similar/higher mileage have sold quickly in that same timeframe), so I suspect there's a good reason it's not selling, and I'm very hesitant to even think about it.
Will keep my eyes open and see what comes up on the market. Still haven't heard back on those final "no haggle" numbers from the dealership with the 2014 LX.
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Is it very difficult to buy in the US and bring into Canada? I've never looked into it, so it may be impractical. If it's not too expensive or difficult, just keep an eye on TX, AZ and CA LXs. I helped a local buddy recently buy a super clean 2011 LX with ~110k miles for $26k with every option including the heated steering wheel, center console fridge and radar cruise (it was advertised right here on this forum actually). That is a truck that will depreciate much less than one a few years newer and looks and performs identically. My LX has ~167k miles on it now, and I drove a 2015 with ~19k on it to see if it was worth the approximately $27k to upgrade. It resoundingly was not worth the cost to upgrade, and in fact they drove nearly identically. If you were set on a 16+, there are a lot more differences to consider, but anything 2015 or older my advice is stick with the most affordable well maintained option. Good luck with your search - it sounds like you are being very methodical and rational.
Wayyyyy too much discussion in this thread. You can either afford an LX or you can’t. I don’t want to sound too insensitive, but if $100/month in gas is weighing your decision, the LX is not the right car for you. You’ll also find that the LX is significantly more to insure than your Tacoma.
They’re expensive to drive, expensive to maintain, and expensive to buy. Period.
They’re expensive to drive, expensive to maintain, and expensive to buy. Period.
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- #55
I've imported a motorcycle from the US some 6-7 years ago and that was a fairly straightforward process. Cars are a bit more work, and have much more rules surrounding them. I know that we legally cannot import vehicles newer than 15 years or so, but I'm not sure whether that applies to the entire world, or whether importing from the US would be exempt from that rule. I feel like I've seen US vehicles that were not 15 years old.
In any case, when I imported the bike, the currencies were on par with each other and I saved quite a bit of money. Right now USD is 30% higher than CAD, so importing is not worth it.
I'm glad to hear that your LX is still going good at 167k miles!
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- #56
There's affording, and there's throwing money into the wind. There are many variables at play which are worth considering.
I also think that $100/month is a drop in the ocean. But when you consider that investing $100/month at an average return rate of 5% (after inflation) turns into $81,869.78 in 30 years' time (my expected retirement, as I'm 30 now), that $100 seems a bit... wasteful
There's affording, and there's throwing money into the wind. There are many variables at play which are worth considering.
I also think that $100/month is a drop in the ocean. But when you consider that investing $100/month at an average return rate of 5% (after inflation) turns into $81,869.78 in 30 years' time (my expected retirement, as I'm 30 now), that $100 seems a bit... wasteful
I am 28 so I hear you....however. There are fixed expenses each month (including retirement savings, cash savings, and investments) and variable expenses as I know you’re aware. If you can afford the LX within your variable expenses bucket, go for it.
Oh yeah. Look at insurance. I have a 100% clean driving record. I pay more to insure the LX than any car I have owned. Even more than 911 turbo or GT3. I would guess you could see 50$+ a month increase over the Taco. I was shocked when my insurance went up by a few hundred dollars a year from the G500 I had before!
As to the GX. GX’s are nice, if I didn’t tow I would have probably gotten one instead of my LX. I drove one for almost a month when the dealer messed up my rear gate when they did a recall a few years ago. But per the origional question they also get horrible MPG, when I drove the GX for a month I was surprised to get ~1 MPG better than the LX.
As to the GX. GX’s are nice, if I didn’t tow I would have probably gotten one instead of my LX. I drove one for almost a month when the dealer messed up my rear gate when they did a recall a few years ago. But per the origional question they also get horrible MPG, when I drove the GX for a month I was surprised to get ~1 MPG better than the LX.
I encountered the opposite wrt insurance, possibly due to geographical differences where we live?
I have a 100% clean driving record as well. For my wife and I, insurance on my 09 LX is a little cheaper than her 2017 NX300H (collision damage to said vehicle is more on the NX). When I had my 996tt, my insurance on the Porsche was about the same as my LX.
The biggest expense on the LX is by far the depreciation. As with any new auto, esp any "luxury" auto costing $100k+, depreciation is killer. This makes the LX/LC a good buy when it hits the 7-8yr old mark, esp since these trucks can last 250-300k miles easily and has minimal weak points.
Agreed that insurance on the LX570 is rather hefty. Would make sense as its commensurate with the premium price of the LX. In my case with a 100% clean driving record, it's also just barely more than my 996TT. I chalk it up to owners of the 200-series daily driving it and not afraid to put it in riskier situations or inclement weather. Versus the typical owner of a Porsche that generally parks it in the garage or babies it on the road in sunny weather only.
On topic of the GX. I like that vehicle. Much much better of a daily driver as it's more agile. The side opening rear hatch doesn't bother me either. It's like the FJ. When paired with a rear swing out bumper, they work nice together and doesn't require releasing 3 or 4 latches.
On topic of the GX. I like that vehicle. Much much better of a daily driver as it's more agile. The side opening rear hatch doesn't bother me either. It's like the FJ. When paired with a rear swing out bumper, they work nice together and doesn't require releasing 3 or 4 latches.