In my first week of LX470 ownership, never had a car this tall or bulky before. Just as a reminder I bought this at 220k miles for $6700 from the first owner, it has always been in the Bay Area. PPI was fine, no rust and mechanically sound. The interior was pretty dirty, but nothing a detail won't fix. NO maintenance records, bought on the basis of the carfax and lexus records, although basic maintenance seemed regular.
I think unlike a lot of people here, I got this car as a 'beater'; a replacement for my 05 Accord after the Accord was totaled and I $5000 for it. I was looking to use it to get another car for not too much more, where I wouldn't have to worry about banging up, and could run into the ground. I think I should have paused to consider the amount of maintenance a LC will require versus a sedan or a Honda Element. My main criteria were (1) enough vertical room to be able to sit in the cargo area, (2) a tailgate, and (3) quiet ride. The LX really only won out because of criteria #3, although obviously they are very different vehicles.
I love the powerful acceleration from a full stop, although the highway overtaking ability is poor (used to a hybrid Highlander). It's very quiet at speed (except for a third-party improperly installed windshield causing some wind noise). I took it for the some light offroading yesterday and had a huge grin on my face. The steering wheel is a bit stiffer than what I'm used to (again, a Highlander and a sedan). Used the tailgate to eat lunch with my daughter at the park today. She loves it, because it affords her a panoramic view from her carseat in the second row. Taking it for an oil change tomorrow, they are the local Toyota/Lexus experts and will do a basic inspection as well. What I really want to do know is what maintenance needs are pressing/highest priority, and what is the state of the front suspension. Will start working on baselining, starting with heater Ts and AHC fluid.
As for my questions:
1. How aggressively can you take turns in this thing? Relative risk of rollovers? I mean, it's an SUV and not a sedan, so what can it do? And what's the signal to back off? Tires squealing?
2. If the regular LC suspension is stiffer, does that mean there's even less body roll than the 'sport' setting on the AHC? Cause there's significant body roll even on 'sport' mode, and I wonder if it will improve if I change out the AHC fluid.
3. I have the transmission clunk/thud. If it turns out to be nothing more than driveline slack and lack of grease in the U joints/slip yoke, can I get rid myself of the feeling that I somehow have to baby it? Every time I hear/feel that clunk I get a little wary. It even happens if I let off the gas and coast.
4. Although generally quiet, it's very 'boomy' when going over certain kinds of bumps and cracks in the road. Is this something that can be improved with dynamat and carpet in the cargo area?
5. I use this as a daily driver where my commute is less than 2 miles - and I come home for lunch. Is it awful that I don't let it warm up?
I think unlike a lot of people here, I got this car as a 'beater'; a replacement for my 05 Accord after the Accord was totaled and I $5000 for it. I was looking to use it to get another car for not too much more, where I wouldn't have to worry about banging up, and could run into the ground. I think I should have paused to consider the amount of maintenance a LC will require versus a sedan or a Honda Element. My main criteria were (1) enough vertical room to be able to sit in the cargo area, (2) a tailgate, and (3) quiet ride. The LX really only won out because of criteria #3, although obviously they are very different vehicles.
I love the powerful acceleration from a full stop, although the highway overtaking ability is poor (used to a hybrid Highlander). It's very quiet at speed (except for a third-party improperly installed windshield causing some wind noise). I took it for the some light offroading yesterday and had a huge grin on my face. The steering wheel is a bit stiffer than what I'm used to (again, a Highlander and a sedan). Used the tailgate to eat lunch with my daughter at the park today. She loves it, because it affords her a panoramic view from her carseat in the second row. Taking it for an oil change tomorrow, they are the local Toyota/Lexus experts and will do a basic inspection as well. What I really want to do know is what maintenance needs are pressing/highest priority, and what is the state of the front suspension. Will start working on baselining, starting with heater Ts and AHC fluid.
As for my questions:
1. How aggressively can you take turns in this thing? Relative risk of rollovers? I mean, it's an SUV and not a sedan, so what can it do? And what's the signal to back off? Tires squealing?
2. If the regular LC suspension is stiffer, does that mean there's even less body roll than the 'sport' setting on the AHC? Cause there's significant body roll even on 'sport' mode, and I wonder if it will improve if I change out the AHC fluid.
3. I have the transmission clunk/thud. If it turns out to be nothing more than driveline slack and lack of grease in the U joints/slip yoke, can I get rid myself of the feeling that I somehow have to baby it? Every time I hear/feel that clunk I get a little wary. It even happens if I let off the gas and coast.
4. Although generally quiet, it's very 'boomy' when going over certain kinds of bumps and cracks in the road. Is this something that can be improved with dynamat and carpet in the cargo area?
5. I use this as a daily driver where my commute is less than 2 miles - and I come home for lunch. Is it awful that I don't let it warm up?
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