Hello all,
First, I would like thank this community for the wealth of info they share on this forum.
I like sport cars, but always wanted to try offroading, overlanding to be specific.
I used this forum extensively in the last 4 months of research. I have considered 3rd and 4th gen 4runners, GX470, LX450, Lx470, not many LCs here in Canada.
For the price/value/style, I chose the LX470.
It is a 2003, 235km/146k miles, 5th owner.
Paid . Good/bad deal?
The PO told me he never took it offroad, but I was suspicious why no side steps and AT 10ply tires on the truck?! He said he never had the steps, and ATs for all season use (winter too).
I am not much of an SUV guy, prefer a coupe with a manual too, so will probably sell it after my overlanding trip all over North America this summer.
Bought the car as is without safety, took it to Lexus because I know from VIN# that there was an open recall on it since maybe 2010 for airbags, they fixed the handbreak for safety certification (not working yet). Other recall was on steering, but was done on time back then.
Issues and Maintenance:
** Timing Belt & Water Pump
Everyone is concerned about these, so I will start with them saying they were done on time, 145km at the dealership, so I am good for another 65km until 300km.
** A/C
Lexus advised compressor does not work, told them to leave it alone. Private mechanic said it could be freon or not enough pressure in the system. Will diagnose, but I dont use AC anyways in Canada so I dont care + MPG saving
** Steering Rack
Lexus informed me about small leak in the driver's side, not major, but "keep an eye on it" top it off if needed. They quoted me $2,500 CAD for new part. A private mechanic looked at it and said will contact a specialist to get his opinion.
** Tires
LX came with 275/70/18 10ply - 33.2" - which I like better than 285/65/18 for more ground clearance and less surface friction, however, they are TOYO AT2, which I do not see a lot of feedback on, unlike BFG KO2. The tires are 1.5yr old, and have lots of tread left so I will keep them for now, I dont want to waste money.
** AHC
It raises and lowers the LX just fine.
PO replaced fluid (he said he flushed it, but not sure) apparently for the first time in the history of the vehicle last year, 220km/137k miles. Fluid looks transparent with light pink colour in the reservoir.
It rides nice in highway, but rough in city with cracks/potholes.
Could be because of the 10ply tires
I can do an OME lift conversion, but think it is not necessary?! want vs need.
With 33.2" and 2" extra on H, the LX will have 14" of ground clearance, which I think is good enough?!
** Clunk Noise
When I turn the the wheel all the way to the left and start the car, there is a clunk noise.
Mechanic also tried it with heavy breaking while turning left, CLUNK!!
He said he will call the specialist to get his opinion.
** Spark Plugs
Lexus has no history of replacement. PO inspected them, but did not replace. At 235km, these are rated for 192km, so I picked 8 to replace. The driver side cylinders looked good according to the mechanic, and on the passenger side, 2 plugs had oil sludge around them. He said POs might have had "misfire" on one side and just replaced on side?!
8 plugs $120 CAD from Lexus (cheaper on Amazon), $80 CAD outside labour.
** Driveline Fluids
2003 was the last year with transmission stick, so easy to inspect it. PO told me he flushed all fluids 60km ago. Fluid looked beautiful red, not pinkish but not dark either, I think it should go 60km more no problem. Did not inspect diffs and t.case but I can assume they are good too?!
** Engine Oil
CanadianTire had 50% off Mobil-1 5-30 so I picked up 2 jugs and a filter from Lexus. I wish I knew CanadianTire had the Mobil-1 filter I would have bought it instead. Oil coming out looked good, but I changed it for peace of mind.
LC100/LX470 owners say Mobil-1 5-30 with OEM filter is good for 10k miles which is 16km, I plan to stick to 12km, which is 7.5k miles. I will do 16km if I use M1 filter next time?!
Having said that, the LX is 2003, never had any service records at the dealer until 2010 through 2013 by the 3rd owner. I am not sure why the 1st owner never serviced it at Lexus under warranty?!
Coming up is building a drawer/sleeping platform for the trip as I would rather sleep inside the cabin than outside for better protection + costs less than roof top tent + less drag/weight on the roof.
I am very excited about my trip. I wanna go to Dempster Highway, BlackBearPass, some Moab trails, wanted to try TransAmericaTrail but the trail is has too many miles of paved/dirt/farmland roads which does not seem that exciting to me.
I am thinking about the clunk + steering leak, hopefully nothing major,,,
Thank you!!
First, I would like thank this community for the wealth of info they share on this forum.
I like sport cars, but always wanted to try offroading, overlanding to be specific.
I used this forum extensively in the last 4 months of research. I have considered 3rd and 4th gen 4runners, GX470, LX450, Lx470, not many LCs here in Canada.
For the price/value/style, I chose the LX470.
It is a 2003, 235km/146k miles, 5th owner.
Paid . Good/bad deal?
The PO told me he never took it offroad, but I was suspicious why no side steps and AT 10ply tires on the truck?! He said he never had the steps, and ATs for all season use (winter too).
I am not much of an SUV guy, prefer a coupe with a manual too, so will probably sell it after my overlanding trip all over North America this summer.
Bought the car as is without safety, took it to Lexus because I know from VIN# that there was an open recall on it since maybe 2010 for airbags, they fixed the handbreak for safety certification (not working yet). Other recall was on steering, but was done on time back then.
Issues and Maintenance:
** Timing Belt & Water Pump
Everyone is concerned about these, so I will start with them saying they were done on time, 145km at the dealership, so I am good for another 65km until 300km.
** A/C
Lexus advised compressor does not work, told them to leave it alone. Private mechanic said it could be freon or not enough pressure in the system. Will diagnose, but I dont use AC anyways in Canada so I dont care + MPG saving
** Steering Rack
Lexus informed me about small leak in the driver's side, not major, but "keep an eye on it" top it off if needed. They quoted me $2,500 CAD for new part. A private mechanic looked at it and said will contact a specialist to get his opinion.
** Tires
LX came with 275/70/18 10ply - 33.2" - which I like better than 285/65/18 for more ground clearance and less surface friction, however, they are TOYO AT2, which I do not see a lot of feedback on, unlike BFG KO2. The tires are 1.5yr old, and have lots of tread left so I will keep them for now, I dont want to waste money.
** AHC
It raises and lowers the LX just fine.
PO replaced fluid (he said he flushed it, but not sure) apparently for the first time in the history of the vehicle last year, 220km/137k miles. Fluid looks transparent with light pink colour in the reservoir.
It rides nice in highway, but rough in city with cracks/potholes.
Could be because of the 10ply tires
I can do an OME lift conversion, but think it is not necessary?! want vs need.
With 33.2" and 2" extra on H, the LX will have 14" of ground clearance, which I think is good enough?!
** Clunk Noise
When I turn the the wheel all the way to the left and start the car, there is a clunk noise.
Mechanic also tried it with heavy breaking while turning left, CLUNK!!
He said he will call the specialist to get his opinion.
** Spark Plugs
Lexus has no history of replacement. PO inspected them, but did not replace. At 235km, these are rated for 192km, so I picked 8 to replace. The driver side cylinders looked good according to the mechanic, and on the passenger side, 2 plugs had oil sludge around them. He said POs might have had "misfire" on one side and just replaced on side?!
8 plugs $120 CAD from Lexus (cheaper on Amazon), $80 CAD outside labour.
** Driveline Fluids
2003 was the last year with transmission stick, so easy to inspect it. PO told me he flushed all fluids 60km ago. Fluid looked beautiful red, not pinkish but not dark either, I think it should go 60km more no problem. Did not inspect diffs and t.case but I can assume they are good too?!
** Engine Oil
CanadianTire had 50% off Mobil-1 5-30 so I picked up 2 jugs and a filter from Lexus. I wish I knew CanadianTire had the Mobil-1 filter I would have bought it instead. Oil coming out looked good, but I changed it for peace of mind.
LC100/LX470 owners say Mobil-1 5-30 with OEM filter is good for 10k miles which is 16km, I plan to stick to 12km, which is 7.5k miles. I will do 16km if I use M1 filter next time?!
Having said that, the LX is 2003, never had any service records at the dealer until 2010 through 2013 by the 3rd owner. I am not sure why the 1st owner never serviced it at Lexus under warranty?!
Coming up is building a drawer/sleeping platform for the trip as I would rather sleep inside the cabin than outside for better protection + costs less than roof top tent + less drag/weight on the roof.
I am very excited about my trip. I wanna go to Dempster Highway, BlackBearPass, some Moab trails, wanted to try TransAmericaTrail but the trail is has too many miles of paved/dirt/farmland roads which does not seem that exciting to me.
I am thinking about the clunk + steering leak, hopefully nothing major,,,
Thank you!!
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