Need help deciding...

[Winter Borne]

If your ownership horizon is only 5-7 years and you don't go off road and you're asking questions about operating costs, I'd recommend the Highlander. I owned one (hybrid) for several years and was astounded at the low operating costs with zero repairs and not much required maintenance. Even the non hybrid version will use about half the gas of the LX and should be much cheaper to insure. Highlanders are really nice vehicles. The $30K cost seems high, but I've read that used vehicle prices are way up right now.

Thanks - I wrote this in haste while walking out to test ride a Highlander - I agree they ride great and are nice cars, but I do plan on keeping this long term. I typically drive 6000 mi / year or less and am in my 50's so this could be the last car I ever buy given the durability of these Toyotas.

 

[afgman786]

@Winter Borne the 2017 body style looks good, I especially like the look of SEs. My aunt has one and that is their family car now. She came from a Suburban. Funny thing her kids said the 3rd row of the Highlander felt bigger to them than my LC.

Now you threw in a wrench saying this might be your last car. You can't make the Highlander your last car, you need to end it with a proper vehicle like and LX/LC. This forum will help you spend all your money on making it "better" too

 

[Winter Borne]

Man this is such a great group - I left with the Bride to drive a few Highlanders as comparisons to the LX... They really don't compare at all, but I kinda knew that already. The argument (okay the discussion) over the dinner table (taco Tuesday) is a Certified Highlander XLE with a 7 year 100,000 mile protection plan (limited) for $31,000 or the 2011 LX (my preference) for $25,800. The LX was lovingly maintained and appears to need nothing. Even at 163K miles it seems nicer than the Highlander (fit, finish, drive...) One has the comfort of a warranty, but I can buy an aftermarket warranty for about $3500 but only if you all think it would need major work in the next 5 years (lifespan of the warranty) This LX was in the dealership every 5000 miles and needs nothing that I can tell. It's rust free as well... We don't overland BUT I'm in a position that we could set this up for forest roads and camping adventures... (okay, I could do the same with the Highlander too...) So the question comes down to risk management, am I likely to incur large ticket maintenance in the next 5 years or 40,000 miles. I'm thinking probably not other than (new rims, tires, roof rack, and sliders... mk

 

[grinchy]

Any car can break, but a gently used 200 is not likely to break. You're in the mileage window for starter, alternator, radiator, water pump, that kind of stuff.

 

[afgman786]

Man this is such a great group - I left with the Bride to drive a few Highlanders as comparisons to the LX... They really don't compare at all, but I kinda knew that already. The argument (okay the discussion) over the dinner table (taco Tuesday) is a Certified Highlander XLE with a 7 year 100,000 mile protection plan (limited) for $31,000 or the 2011 LX (my preference) for $25,800. The LX was lovingly maintained and appears to need nothing. Even at 163K miles it seems nicer than the Highlander (fit, finish, drive...) One has the comfort of a warranty, but I can buy an aftermarket warranty for about $3500 but only if you all think it would need major work in the next 5 years (lifespan of the warranty) This LX was in the dealership every 5000 miles and needs nothing that I can tell. It's rust free as well... We don't overland BUT I'm in a position that we could set this up for forest roads and camping adventures... (okay, I could do the same with the Highlander too...) So the question comes down to risk management, am I likely to incur large ticket maintenance in the next 5 years or 40,000 miles. I'm thinking probably not other than (new rims, tires, roof rack, and sliders... mk

Sounds like you already know the LX is the option to go with and use the difference in cost that you save on mods
Honestly, if you enjoy wrenching or wanting to wrench, no warranty on the LX and using the forums to fix any issues that arise would be the way to go.

 

[1world1love]

Any car can break, but a gently used 200 is not likely to break. You're in the mileage window for starter, alternator, radiator, water pump, that kind of stuff.

This is a good point. You could spend half the difference on these maintenance items, which to be fair are all likely to be required at that mileage, and the LX will run as long as the Highlander if not much longer.

 

[Markuson]

Nota deal breaker at all...but before making the deal on the LX... pop the cover off that hides the top of the radiator and look for a hairline crack forming at the crease of the part number sticker/stamp.

Or... Lookiin the history for radiator replacement. If it’s been replaced, that’s normal...along with:
-Water Pump
-Starter

None of those are all that bad,but if those have not been done, expect them.

If there is evidence on radiator top, you may be able to negotiate a replacement.

Again...These do not indicate a bad vehicle. They are just typical for all of us. The radiator seems to be age related rather than mileage...

If you are buying your last vehicle... Man, I say get the one you really WANT to sit in for the next 100k miles...which for you, sounds like quite a few years.

 

[TheGrrrrr]

Between the difference in depreciation and rarity of the 200 platform, it's possible that the LX may never drop below $15k in resale value, no matter how long you keep it. I don't think the same can be said for the Highlander. The warranty on the LX is a decent insurance policy if the radiator, water pump and starter are all original. I wouldn't expect anything else, but you will be in the black if one thing breaks in addition to those three, with the warranty.

 

[TeCKis300]

@Mogwai touched on it earlier and I think it's worth highlighting. The LX will be more at the bottom of its depreciation curve potentially making up for any additional operational costs difference

There's also the risk of compromising and getting the Highlander that won't really scratch the itch. You may be back and it'll cost you more to get into what you really want.

 

[Winter Borne]

Any car can break, but a gently used 200 is not likely to break. You're in the mileage window for starter, alternator, radiator, water pump, that kind of stuff.

This is exactly the info I'm looking for - Thanks. I want to be able to factor these into the mix. Brakes and rotors were replaced at 140,000, Spark plugs and all fluids swapped too along with the PVC Valve, rear shocks, and drive shaft serviced, all at Lexus dealer... I can factor in the Alt, WP, Radiator, and such, what else should I be looking at? Thanks mk

 

[Winter Borne]

Sounds like you already know the LX is the option to go with and use the difference in cost that you save on mods
Honestly, if you enjoy wrenching or wanting to wrench, no warranty on the LX and using the forums to fix any issues that arise would be the way to go.

I do enjoy wrenching and do most of my own work (within reason) - the computers scare the crap out of me but I'm good for a WP or Alternator or Radiator swap out with the right instructions...

 

[Winter Borne]

Between the difference in depreciation and rarity of the 200 platform, it's possible that the LX may never drop below $15k in resale value, no matter how long you keep it. I don't think the same can be said for the Highlander. The warranty on the LX is a decent insurance policy if the radiator, water pump and starter are all original. I wouldn't expect anything else, but you will be in the black if one thing breaks in addition to those three, with the warranty.

Can you ballpark the complexity on those? I'll do the labor and I can look up the part costs easily enough. I am not a mechanic but I'm also not too shabby and I am unafraid provided I have some solid back-up from you all and a good you-tube video... LOL

 

[tincan45]

Buy the LX. Which is more likely when you are too old to drive and discussing old cars with the grandkids?

Do you think you will find yourself wishing you bought the more sensible Highlander?
OR
Will you regret driving an iconic flagship model that you don't see at every stoplight in town?

 

[Winter Borne]

Can you ballpark the complexity on those? I'll do the labor and I can look up the part costs easily enough. I am not a mechanic but I'm also not too shabby and I am unafraid provided I have some solid back-up from you all and a good you-tube video... LOL

Also, should I only be looking at Lexus / Toyota parts or is Rock Auto an option for starters, water pumps and such??? Hell, I can stock pile those parts if need be to have them on hand - LOL

 

[Winter Borne]

So I went to an OEM Lexus part supplier SSL Parts On-Line and none of those parts cost more than 400 bucks each. The grand total is under 1000 bucks for all four, (radiator, alternator, starter, and water pump) so the question is, can a fairly handy guy do these himself, or will it need special skills or tools best done by a mechanic? Second question is to do them primitively before they go out??? Maybe do one part per quarter and after a year they will all be new??? That's going to cut into my wheels and tire budget but it's doable, especially if lil ole me can do the work himself. Thanks all, you're making this very easy to choose the LX over the Highlander! mk

 

[CharlieS]

If you're going to do them, it makes sense to do them all at once. It is definitely doable by a handy do it yourselfer. No special tools required (although some like hose clamp pliers, hose pliers and hose removal tools) can come in pretty handy. A good selection of metric tools should be all you need.

I'm sure you could probably go aftermarket or OE, but I buy Toyota parts for my cruiser.

 

[TimTX]

Good read...make sure to let us know your final decision and post a picture or two when you get it, whatever it is.

Sounds like you found a "creampuff" LX. You won't regret getting an LX/LC...the questions is can you say the same for a Highlander.