Maintinance Issues for used, LX570 Vs Landcruiser trying to buy a new cruiser

[justimaginejack]

Dear All,
I am getting divorced and want to get back into cruisers and overlanding. Ironic how women are attracted to this and then I end up getting away from it for them. I think I just need an upgraded women this time... It seems the LX570 is not holding it's value as well as the Landcruiser. 80% of my driving will be on the highway, 10%city and 10% offroad and farm/ranch. The LX seems like the better deal until I factor in possible repairs. Recently I looked at an LX570 and it had been driven hard by a women. Fairly banged up. The repairs to clean it up were about 4K and it was still not a bad price. But my concern is what will be next. The landcruiser is not quite as posh, but about the same price. I was interested in the LX over the landcruiser for it's height adjustability with towing a trailer for camping.

Please tell me about maintenance issues you have experienced with the 200 series and why you choose one over the other. Please do not make this a flame war. I am looking to buy very soon. Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

JIJ

 

[cc1999]

That's easy just buy one of each. LOL

Parts prices are high on either version, but the LX can and is more extreme when it comes to parts especially if your needing interior items that have wood involved, also I have not had any issues with the LX air suspension, but I bet its a pretty costly if I ever due. The wood Steering wheels is about $2K for an LX, I got it covered under warranty, thankfully.

I think owning both, that I am finding that if off road or extreme weather is involved I tend to take the LC, partially because my LX is black and a PIA to keep looking nice, the LC is white and pretty easy to clean up, so if knowingly going into harms way, I generally take the LC, mostly due to color, both are very capable machines.

 

[justimaginejack]

CC1999 Have you towed a trailer behind either of them? If So what was the difference?

 

[Willy beamin]

I bought my 200 due to the fact that I was going to replace most of the suspension (didn't want to mess around with AHC), the vehicle is under cover / off radar. Repairs haven't started yet, other than replacing my battery.
Buy the car after the divorce or she may want it.

 

[elkaholic]

Buy the car after the divorce or she may want it.

Best advice so far ...

 

[dukmon]

I bought my Land Cruiser because it's not a Lex Cruiser.

 

[Archtaan]

Here is how much squat you get with 8000#'s of car and trailer. Airbags were only able to bring it up about 1". With just the trailer (tongue weight @ 350#'s) it barely squats.

Stock Front and rear suspension in this pic. Only the airbags.

I towed this 2200 miles from Idaho to Nashville with no issues. Avg 11mpgs though and kept it @60mph.



After OME's

 

[cc1999]

CC1999 Have you towed a trailer behind either of them? If So what was the difference?

Not the LX but towed a lot with my LC. Boats mainly. One of the best tow rigs of this size I have ever owned. Much more controlled then tahoe, suburbans, expeditions I owned in the past . Very impressed.

 

[JamesC]

We were faced with the same choices. LX if it was going to stay stock with the benefit of AHC for towing or LC if we decided to mod. Mods won

 

[Stupac]

I guess each section of the country has different market pricing. When I was looking for a LC the LX's were still holding their new price differential over the LC even in the used market.

Where I live the LX are much more prevalent compared to the LC. If I see another LC on the road once a week its a surprise. Whereas I see LX's every day.

Can't comment on maintenance costs since I haven't had to buy or repair anything yet. I'd imagine if you do the work yourself there shouldn't be that much of a difference. If you are prone to getting the dealer to do the word then you'll have the normal labor cost differences between a Lexus and Toyota dealership (although on the flip side you also get to benefit from the customer service differences between a Lexus and Toyota dealership...)

 

[Willy beamin]

Here is how much squat you get with 8000#'s of car and trailer. Airbags were only able to bring it up about 1". With just the trailer (tongue weight @ 350#'s) it barely squats.

Stock Front and rear suspension in this pic. Only the airbags.

I towed this 2200 miles from Idaho to Nashville with no issues. Avg 11mpgs though and kept it @60mph.



After OME's

Whats in Nashville? - next time you roll through my domain let me know - I'll buy you a beer (s)

 

[Archtaan]

Sounds good Willy . Im here for some contract work. (12 months worth).

 

[cc1999]

I don't know if anyone watches TFL truck/car on YouTube, but I spotted a an LX570 as there chase/camera car in yesterday's Tacoma run up what they call the Ike gauntlet. I hit them up to see if they were going to due an Ike gauntlet test with the LX, and Andre said they were. It would be posted soon. They tested a 14 pulling a boat last year, but it was just a short 0-60 deal. It sounds like they are going to be pulling a 6100 pound inclosed trailer up the gauntlet, that should be a good video to see actual towing with in LX in extreme conditions, up steep grades and at high altitude.

I will post a link as soon as I see they have it posted on YouTube.

 

[mtnracer]

The LX's air suspension is definitely pretty cool when towing. We towed our 28' travel trailer weighing about 7000# several times. Once you hook up the trailer and fire up the ignition, the truck slowly raises itself up and is perfectly level once you get going. It worked flawlessly with four adults, a baby and the trailer hooked up.

Now as far as "towing ability", I would say the engine and transmission are perfectly fine but the wheelbase is a little short for a big trailer (25+ feet). You definitely feel it when another vehicle passes you at speed. The mirrors are also too short and you will need towing mirrors if you want to be able to see anything on your sides.

We also have a 2013 Tundra CrewMax 4x4 and the extra wheel base makes towing much smoother and the mirrors on the Tundra are big enough to see behind you.

 

[arich]

I'm pushing the limits with my tow. I tow with empty fuel tanks to keep it 1,000 lbs lighter.
Manually shift to keep revs up and try to lock the converter as often as possibly be she manages.
Very few issues.
Have dealer check to make sure the KDSS valve can be opened if your roads receive salt in winter. Mine was frozen.

 

[hachirokufan]

I was just about to comment on the exact same thing. LX's go for cheaper than LC's. An LX with 30-35k miles can go for high 40k low 50k but a Cruiser with that many miles will be high 50s to mid 60s. Might save up for an 80 to mod and a LX 200 to daily. (My wife said she'd help to buy "something nice like a Lexus" so it'll either be the LX or ISF hahaha)

 

[SWUtah]

I was just about to comment on the exact same thing. LX's go for cheaper than LC's. An LX with 30-35k miles can go for high 40k low 50k but a Cruiser with that many miles will be high 50s to mid 60s. Might save up for an 80 to mod and a LX 200 to daily. (My wife said she'd help to buy "something nice like a Lexus" so it'll either be the LX or ISF hahaha)

Interesting. You won't get a LX with that mileage for that money. Not even a rusty one from the Midwest. Best deal I've seen of late was Carmax has a 2011 with 33k miles that is a Florida vehicle for $56k, but they do not nego. The deal with the price difference between the used LX versus LC is new the LX costs close to $10k more new and sell for about the same used. Plus used they are normally nicer shape since they are not normally off-roaded, and they have the high dollar suspension as standard.