new lc or lx?? what is the difference?

[hrc0105]

i've been reading this post trying to find where someone has mentioned the addition of an optional AHC and AVS to the 2006 Land Cruiser (one of the three 2006 model Toyota's available currently). Not to mention a VVT-i 275hp engine and an available dual LCD headrest entertainment system (in my market - Gulf States--- only seen this in Sequoia & Highlander Hybrid). However, to include the AHC/AVS + navi & the works, is a $6500 package (for the MO-OH-KY-TN market) bringing the total up to nearly $63,000 - ALMOST the price of a Lexus. The LX might be worth the extra $4-5k. Depends on how much you can get the price lowered on the LC, I guess - lol.
Any corrections would be appreciated!
http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2006/landcruiser/options.html

---
'99 TLC - 60k mi - River Rock Green / Dark Stone

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

The LC headlamps are no better than those in my Tacoma whereas the LX has ALOT better beam.

You knowyour stuff Tad, though I must say that the lights in my 2004 Taco aren't even close to my 2001 Cruiser. Don't know anything about the LX, though the Cruiser lights slam the Tacoma.

 

[tabraha]

You knowyour stuff Tad, though I must say that the lights in my 2004 Taco aren't even close to my 2001 Cruiser. Don't know anything about the LX, though the Cruiser lights slam the Tacoma.

I'll take your word for it on that one John. You've got both side-by-side like me and the LX! I remembered the threads that were talking about all of the JD bulb upgrades because folks weren't satisfied with the output just like the 80 lamps. Guess that could have been upgrading for the sake of upgrading and making a good thing better!

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I'll take your word for it on that one John. You've got both side-by-side like me and the LX! I remembered the threads that were talking about all of the JD bulb upgrades because folks weren't satisfied with the output just like the 80 lamps. Guess that could have been upgrading for the sake of upgrading and making a good thing better!

My 80 lamps do suckaroo!

 

[hoser]

Here's what you are need.

Btw, Are the 80 and the 100 JD bulbs, the same?

 

[Jim_Chow]

Although you can get HID bulb/ballast kits for both the 100 and LX, you'd probably get a better pattern w/ the LX since its headlamps are projector lamps. I believe on true HID vehicles, the HID beam projects straight ahead rather than relying on a reflector dish (can anyone confirm?). While one still can install an HID bulb kit w/ the 100's reflector lamps, the bulb isn't likely to be positioned in the correct spot to take advantage of all that light, causing it to spray all over (and ticking off other drivers...probably the reason why those HID kits were banned for on-road use!).

On the 80, if you're willing to shell out the $$$, you can get JDM four lamp kit ($1K in Japan, four equally-sized rectangular lamps) and replace them with Cibie or Hella e-codes for $40/ea. And if you rig them up illegally (eg, four H4 lamps), you can put a lot of wattage on the road and have a good pattern. I put Hella e-code H4's on my Toyota truck...that was like night and day! I then upgraded the harness...that didn't make as much of a difference, but it was still 40% brighter (measure w/ a photography meter that measures 10% differences).

 

[simmikie]

With the exception of the hydro-shobs, everytjing else is the same. Transmission,torsion bars, suspension,engine, etc.
Very hard for me to find the extra $11K !!

Where are you getting 11k? I specced out an LX and a comparably equipped LC and the difference was a little over $5k 65k for the LC and 70k for the LX.

 

[Jim_Chow]

The sound insulation in the body metal is probably better on the LX. Don't know about the LX vs LC, but the GX has thicker windshield glass over the 4runner and had its wipers redesigned, all to reduce wind noise. The Mark Levinson sound system should certainly be better than the one on the LC.

 

[tabraha]

The sound insulation in the body metal is probably better on the LX. Don't know about the LX vs LC, but the GX has thicker windshield glass over the 4runner and had its wipers redesigned, all to reduce wind noise. The Mark Levinson sound system should certainly be better than the one on the LC.

Supposedly the glass is thicker on the LX too (windshield only in this case as well); I've seen it mentioned in some older literature/articles on the web archives in the past. I'm having trouble finding anything this morning. (still sleepy I guess)

The wipers are definitely a different design than any toyota I've ever owned, big critters with an "aero package" on them. Lastly you are correct, not many stock vehicles period can touch the Levinson package.

 

[mtycruiser]

Where are you getting 11k? I specced out an LX and a comparably equipped LC and the difference was a little over $5k 65k for the LC and 70k for the LX.

Base price for a LC is supposed to be around $55, but you cn not find any for less than around $60-$62.
I have not seen an LX for less than $70-$73 at the dealer.
I did not make a detailed comparison of similarly spec'd trucks, my point is that even with more equipment, it's hard for me to justify the difference between a base LC and a base LX ( $10-$11K ??)

 

[Kanab]

Newbie statement/question
Seems like all of these vehicles are a compromise, some different but not really better than the others. The FZJ80 has kind of a rough sturdy luxury about it, then you can upgrade to the 100 series LC which is even sturdier and more luxury then the 80 series but it comes with more size and weight and then you can go further up the luxury scale with the LX. Being new to this site it seems like you guys know these vehicles top to bottom. Where do you see Toyota/Lexus taking this product in the future? More luxury or more off road function or both? Since one vehicle can't be expected to do it all and you guys have a passion for off road useage of these vehicles does it seem like Toyota/Lexus is going agains't your intended use of the LC/LX with this continued enhancement of the luxury of the vehicle versus the off road ability of the vehicle. I'm refering to the fact that the 4.7 V8 was upgraded in 2005 in the GX/4runner/Sequoia and not the LC/LX and the fact that KDDS and Xreas was added to the GX/4Runner and not added to the LC/LX? I plan on buying a LC/LX within the next 12 months, may hold off awhile since I am noticing that as gas prices go up the price of these economy vehicles is going down. I've looked/studied all of the other SUV's on the market and there is nothing at any price that can touch a LC/LX, not even close. I sure hope Toyota/Lexus does not abandon this vehicle line or try and make it a mall cruiser.

 

[tabraha]

Where do you see Toyota/Lexus taking this product in the future? More luxury or more off road function or both?

Kanab:

They will continue to go upmarket with Americanizing their SUV's. The LC/LX are slated to begin using the longer, less offroad friendly Sequoia frame in the near future (~2years). The 100's size is it's biggest enemy and growing to Sequioa proportions will only hurt it more. Will it still remain to be one of the preeminent luxury SUV's? Without a doubt.

 

[Kanab]

Where do you see Toyota/Lexus taking this product in the future? More luxury or more off road function or both?

Kanab:

They will continue to go upmarket with Americanizing their SUV's. The LC/LX are slated to begin using the longer, less offroad friendly Sequoia frame in the near future (~2years). The 100's size is it's biggest enemy and growing to Sequioa proportions will only hurt it more. Will it still remain to be one of the preeminent luxury SUV's? Without a doubt.

Thanks, I am looking at the 2003 model since I like the 5 speed transmission and the standard 17" wheels, I understand that no one makes any tires that are 18" that are much better then street tires. But their are good 17" tires available. Also the prices of the 2003's are now hitting in the high $30'sK, which seems like a great price for a 30-40K mile LC that now lists for $60K new. Kind of like the idea of someone else taking the major depreciation hit. I will keep reading all the great information you guys are putting up and hopefully find the right vehicle.

 

[Dandon]

Hi all.

Just for comparison purposes:
It seems that what we call a LC 100 in Europe is kind of an hybrid between your LC100 and LX470. The LX470 is not sold in Europe with that name, AFAIK. I bought my '99 UZJ100 (second hand with 112.000 km) in Germany, and it does have AHC, shocks adjustment, memory seats and wheel,etc. The leather alsolooks good enough for me I don't know about the stereo, because mine came with an aftermarket Blaupunkt.
In Spain, most 100's sold are the 4.2 liter 204HP diesel version (HDJ100). I guess the gasoline version UZJ100 gets less than 10% of the sales. Anyway, the 100 represents just a small part of the LC's sold. The real bestseller is the KDJ 120 (3-door) and 125 (5-door). Mostly with the 3.0 liter 166 HP diesel engine. I do't know how this model is called in the USA.

 

[Jim_Chow]

Hi all.

Just for comparison purposes:
It seems that what we call a LC 100 in Europe is kind of an hybrid between your LC100 and LX470. The LX470 is not sold in Europe with that name, AFAIK. I bought my '99 UZJ100 (second hand with 112.000 km) in Germany, and it does have AHC, shocks adjustment, memory seats and wheel,etc. The leather alsolooks good enough for me I don't know about the stereo, because mine came with an aftermarket Blaupunkt.
In Spain, most 100's sold are the 4.2 liter 204HP diesel version (HDJ100). I guess the gasoline version UZJ100 gets less than 10% of the sales. Anyway, the 100 represents just a small part of the LC's sold. The real bestseller is the KDJ 120 (3-door) and 125 (5-door). Mostly with the 3.0 liter 166 HP diesel engine. I do't know how this model is called in the USA.

You're referring to the LC Prado, which is only sold as the Lexus GX470 w/ V8. The 4runner is basically the same vehicle, but only comes w/ 4.0 liter v6 or 4.7 liter V8. No diesel option here.

 

[Filmpros]

Sure, I brought my Lexus LX-450 in to a Lexus dealer and they tried to rip me off ... telling me the vehicle needed all kinds of work it did not really need. I went to my trusted Toyota dealer the vey next day and they confirmed the Lexus dealer was full of crap. Not only that, the ONE (1) thing I let the Lexus dealer do, a front end alignment, was only half done....that's right...they never tighted the bolts holding my front end together.

So...is this what you mean by how you are treated at a Lexus dealership?

Rich

As some have already mentioned, there is a HUGE difference in the way a person is treated at a Lexus dealership as compared to a Toyota dealership.

I'd purchase a Lexus over a Toyota any day, if for no other reason this difference.

If you do not have another vehicle, the loaner car is great to have. Some Lexus dealerships get finicky about loaning them for non-warranty stuff...if this is the case with your dealership, have them check something covered by the warranty when you have it in for servicing.

...did I mention there's a HUGE difference in customer service? If not...let me stress that there is a HUGE difference

 

[calbo]

Dealerships, leather, and MSRP aside, I think an important difference between these two trucks is that it's easier to outfit a Cruiser with an ARB front. If I had gotten a Cruiser and not the LX that I currently own, I would have almost immediately installed an ARB bumper. No need to fret about the Sahara bar (is it ghey?, is it removable? is it too shiny?), and no need to worry about the AHC degrading over time because of the extra weight (unless you get a Cruiser with AHC).

Oh, and related to this is the fact that the LC's running boards aren't illuminated. It would be easier for me to part with my running boards if they didn't have the lights.

 

[Brit]

I have decided these things are like boats. You can't just have one. One doesn't do it all.

I have an LX470 and while I don't want to part with it I want a LC also. I don't need any more cars by any stretch of the imagination...but it would be nice to have one of each.

If I bought a Cruiser I would probably give in and sell the Rovers that I use off road and set the Cruiser up for that and drive the LX every day.

 

[fireball]

Came across this thread while searching through the FAQ section, but still have a few questions...

1. Is there any appreciable gas mileage difference b/w the LC and the LX? It sounds like the 2003 5 spd tranny might give a 1-2mpg real world increase.

2. can you run the AHC on HIGH all the time? Or would you just want to run 285/75/16s on NORMAL for most situations and run HIGH when off road?

3. If I do all the maintenance work myself, is it really more expensive to own a LX?

Our family of 4+large dog has outgrown our 99 4Runner and have been looking for a replacement. Thanks!

 

[OregonLC]

Came across this thread while searching through the FAQ section, but still have a few questions...

1. Is there any appreciable gas mileage difference b/w the LC and the LX? It sounds like the 2003 5 spd tranny might give a 1-2mpg real world increase.

2. can you run the AHC on HIGH all the time? Or would you just want to run 285/75/16s on NORMAL for most situations and run HIGH when off road?

3. If I do all the maintenance work myself, is it really more expensive to own a LX?

Our family of 4+large dog has outgrown our 99 4Runner and have been looking for a replacement. Thanks!

1) Maybe 1 MPG if nothing else is changed.
2) No. It automatically goes form lo or hi to normal at a certain speed. Slee does, however, make an override box.
3) AHC is the only system difference, everything else is the same. That said, AHC was an option on LC's and while NAV was an option on early LX's it was rare to not find it. Virtually every LC/LX 03+ has nav.