Quantitative differences between LC AND LX ???

[BullElk]

Are there real life quantitative or qualitative differences between the mechanical build of LCs and LXs ??

Were all of the best tested engines and trannys filtered over to the Lexus assembly line, for instance?

 

[Manhattan]

Are there real life quantitative or qualitative differences between the mechanical build of LCs and LXs ??

Were all of the best tested engines and trannys filtered over to the Lexus assembly line, for instance?

"Were all of the best tested engines and trannys filtered over to the Lexus assembly line"

^That^ makes the question harder to answer... Yes, there are quantitative differences. No, those aren't the ones.

There's some good info in the stickies and on Slee's site

 

[BullElk]

I'm very familiar with the cosmetic differences. Just wondering about specific differences that may run deeper into the specific details that may warranted a separation at birth.

 

[Ramathorn15]

I highly doubt they

I'm very familiar with the cosmetic differences. Just wondering about specific differences that may run deeper into the specific details that may warranted a separation at birth.

Other than the cosmetic differences, I cant imagine there being any other differences. I don't think Toyota would send "seconds" to the LC line while the LX got "first". They likely have a standard quality test that applies equally to both the LC and LX and if its not within those specs, it doesn't get used in either.

 

[maxse01]

I know they must of put more vibration dampeners on the LX engine/trans, because the wife's 05 is noticeable smoother than my 04. Hers has higher miles too.

 

[feddomw]

The only "faulty" logic with that reasoning, is that the LX was not sold in EU and that all high-spec LC100's in the EU are LX's. Or so I am told.
The only difference I can imagine is the Mark Levinson system, but other than that I can't think of any other differences/options that the LX had but that LC100 did not.

My evidence is circumstantial though: in all pics on Mud of US LC100 rigs, I have never seen my interior, only on LX's. I have the wood/leather steering wheel as well as wood gear shifter and HI/LO gearing lever, and I have an LC100.

 

[Manhattan]

...Other than the cosmetic differences, I cant imagine there being any other differences.

Yes. Other than cosmetic differences, there are "real" differences... but NOT quality differences. For the answer to that mystery...

 

[2001LC]

LC the is king, plain and simple.

LX is a lady with lipstick that will raise you up then put you down depending on her mode with sweat sounds and a little extra padding I'm told.

They both came indiscriminately from the same maker.

 

[maxse01]

I own both guys, there are a TON of differences.

At least between my 04 LC and 05 LX, here they are:

Leather is softer on the LX, and on all surfaces that are rubber/plastic in the LC (doors/handles).
Headliner is suede in the LX and regular cloth in LC.
Rain sensing wiper in LX, not on LC. Rear wiper activates when put in reverse on LX if front wipers are on, LC does not.
Ambient lighting in LX not in LC.
Door handles are chrome and lit at night on the interior of the LX, not on LC.
Steering is variable rack in LX, regular in LC
Suspension is AHC (i know the later model LC's have this) in LX, can raise/lower and adjust ride plus load leveling, not in LC
Under vehicle lighting on LX, nothing on LC
LX has an audible beep for lock/unlock (unless mine is off and i don't know it), LC nothing
LX has auto dimmer exterior mirrors that also power fold, LC has neither
LX has in cabin filter for climate control, LC does not
LX can lower windows with the remote, LC cannot
I'm not an audiophile, so I don't really care. But the LX ML is superior to the LC JBL stereo.
That's all I can think of right now, but I think there might be more.

Now, those 13 things may not matter to anyone and if not that's cool. I just never knew how different they really were until I owned both. I have both window stickers...the LC was 60k and the LX was 66k. 10% more for all of the above seems like a bargain for me.

The difference in looks is subjective. I do prefer the look of the LC, but I wish a lot of the LX stuff was on the LC.

 

[Ramathorn15]

Yes. Other than cosmetic differences, there are "real" differences... but NOT quality differences. For the answer to that mystery...

I guess I should have been more specific. I realized there are cosmetic and feature differences like nicer leather, thicker glass, ML vs JBL, and others. I was more focused on pointing out that there are no purpose driven differences in quality between parts as the OP had asked.

 

[feddomw]

I guess I should have been more specific. I realized there are cosmetic and feature differences like nicer leather, thicker glass, ML vs JBL, and others. I was more focused on pointing out that there are no purpose driven differences in quality between parts as the OP had asked.

Which I wholly concur with, further evidenced by the fact that all so-called "LX exclusive" options as pointed out above, are LC options (or even standard) in other parts of the world than the US. Every option above except for Mark Levinson audio are on my current or previous EU-spec LC100.

 

[Nick T]

Early 100s are built by Araco, late 100s are built by Toyota Auto body, same plant but when Toyota bought Araco most of the 40yr veterans retired. So qualitative difference between early and late model 100s. LC200 are also made at the Taraha plant but all LX200 are still made at the old Araco (Toyota Auto Body) plant. Check vin for assembly plant. I 'think' all 100s should be 0 for the 11th digit and 4 for LX200 Araco .... 5 for LC200 Tahara. It could be reversed, I don't remember exactly. But qualitative difference with 200 series.

 

[SWUtah]

Early 100s are built by Araco, late 100s are built by Toyota Auto body, same plant but when Toyota bought Araco most of the 40yr veterans retired. So qualitative difference between early and late model 100s. LC200 are also made at the Taraha plant but all LX200 are still made at the old Araco (Toyota Auto Body) plant. Check vin for assembly plant. I 'think' all 100s should be 0 for the 11th digit and 4 for LX200 Araco .... 5 for LC200 Tahara. It could be reversed, I don't remember exactly. But qualitative difference with 200 series.

I would say 2004 would be the highest quality year based on the retirement issue (you had the old guys working with the new guys) But for a worker to make it to the LX/LC line they have to earn their way there. I've owned a 1999 LC and 2 - 2004 LX's and a 2005. All super high quality.