Searching for an LX470 - the internet is telling me to get a 570 (1 Viewer)

[usedname]

All kinds of claims such as faster, nimbler, quieter, better sound system. Owned a 470, never been in a 200 series.


I really don't like how they look - like a big daddy highlander. Also suspect that visibility is not as good, given what looks like a higher beltline. But with prices being what they are, I'm close to LX570 territory. If you tell me the it's more reliable, quieter, the suspension is as good or better, the sound system is as good or better, and all I'm losing is a little bit of visibility, then I might go that way. (Even though it's ugly, both inside and outside.)


Tell me mudders, is it true?

 

[jLB]

As someone that’s had at least one 100 series in the driveway for 20+ years, has bought them new and bought them used, admittedly is a fan of the platform, currently have more 100 series in the driveway than drivers in the household, and would add another to the stable, if the right one became available. I’ll admit that at this point, a 100 series is an enthusiast vehicle.

Any 100 series is going to be 16-25 years old, and no matter how meticulously maintained, is going to need some work. The LC/LX (100 series) has a reputation of being an overbuilt extremely reliable vehicle, and it is, but (in the US) it is a low volume, expensive, luxury vehicle, that needs maintenance, like any other vehicle.

While I do love my 100 series, they are missing many of the modern conveniences/safety features of a modern vehicle.

The 100 series was underpowered when it was new, and is even more so by modern standards, but it is darned reliable.

The front suspension is unique in the Toyota/Lexus family, and doesn’t share parts with other vehicles. With the limited sales volume, there are a few aftermarket options. If you’re looking to lift more than ~2”, or go larger than 33-34” tires, it’s probably not the right platform for you.

Prices on the 100 series went nuts during the pandemic, and I still see high mileage, low quality examples listed at ridiculous BaT prices.

You could view the 100 series as the perfect blend of DD/road-trip/off-roader, or the ugly duckling misfit of the LC/LX world.

I’ve test driven 200 series multiple times, and so far they just haven’t “clicked” for me (yet). They seem to have blah styling to me as well.

I’m not trading/selling any of my 100s, but I’ll probably add a 200 at some point.

Logic would probably lean 200-series, for some emotion will lean 100-series.

 

[BullElk]

Kind of in the same 100 series “boat” here although I’ve never even driven a 200 series. Speaking of comparing the 100 to the latest and greatest features of more modern vehicles, it is like when the iPhone 5s was IT, the last phone you’ll ever need. The hundy still is unless you just want to pay for a buncha stuff you don’t need.

To me, today, a modded 200 series is like a cool motorcross dirt bike…. better to look at, briefly, than to own and an iPhone 15 that really isn’t worth the price and upgrade.

 

[Coin]

Kind of in the same 100 series “boat” here although I’ve never even driven a 200 series. Speaking of comparing the 100 to the latest and greatest features of more modern vehicles, it is like when the iPhone 5s was IT, the last phone you’ll ever need. The hundy still is unless you just want to pay for a buncha stuff you don’t need.

To me, today, a modded 200 series is like a cool motorcross dirt bike…. better to look at, briefly, than to own and an iPhone 15 that really isn’t worth the price and upgrade.

Lol, I own a 100 series and an iphone 5! When something “just works”, why replace it.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Lol, I own a 100 series and an iphone 5! When something “just works”, why replace it.

#MeToo

 

[JunkCrzr89]

like a big daddy highlander. Also suspect that visibility is not as good, given what looks like a higher beltline.

Both true, from my experience.

faster, nimbler, quieter, better sound system

All true, from my experience.


I’ve driven a few 200s and they are substantially smoother, faster, quieter, etc. than any 100 I’ve been in. If you’re at the top end of 100 series prices, which are stupid, just get a 200.

 

[krice118]

Buy the 570 and don’t look back.
- 100 series owner

I’m too far down the $ rabbit hole to upgrade

 

[NE Snowman]

Feel like I'm in your spot. Here's about what I'd be willing to spend depending on condition and mileage, LC vs LX, etc.
100 = 03-05', 10-15k (cash...winner)
200 = 13', 30-40k (finance, not a big deal just a cheap ass)

100 = More $ at parts (assume lots of rubber + maint) its a 2uz....it wont stop.
200 = Hopefully not much $ early but I assume cam tower leak, valley coolant, water pump during my ownership, I'm not likely to sell. Biggest unreasonable concern I have with 3ur is the spring failure's grenade. Not common but I've seen a few when I look for them. I'd accept the unlikely chance it'd be me and I'd just have to replace it.

Clearly the 200 is an upgrade to the 100, I just don't know if I can justify the cost vs needs. Don't tow, don't offroad hard all I need is long pavement trips, deep snow, muddy jobsites, few washboard roads. I don't care for all the tech but I'm not against it.

 

[INTP]

I have a 2001 LC with 262k miles and a 13 LX570 with 90k miles.

The Cruiser has 2.5” OME lift, ARB front bumper, winch etc. I got it for my son when he was in High School, but he decided he would rather have a car payment instead. At the time, I liked that cruiser so much I went and got a 2008 200 Series LC.

I foolishly traded in the 08 for an 18 F250. My son got a job selling cars and wanted something new and I said the 100 series is mine, since I paid for it several times over.

After 4 years of regret over trading in my 08 LC, my daughter said go get the LX since they are cheaper and easier to find. So I brought home a 2013 LX 570 last March. Just about Everything is about perfect, for me, with this truck.

So now I have both a 100 and 200. The 100 is more of a wrenching hobby. I’m currently trying to fix all the rattles, of which it has many. But it runs and drives perfectly, when I’m in it it turns me into a bit of a hooligan. I would say that I like the way it drives better than any of the 200 series that I have owned. Also, the brakes are better than the 200.

I don’t know if this helps much, but if you are near Maryland you are welcome to drive either one, or both.

 

[dealmaker]

As someone that’s had at least one 100 series in the driveway for 20+ years, has bought them new and bought them used, admittedly is a fan of the platform, currently have more 100 series in the driveway than drivers in the household, and would add another to the stable, if the right one became available. I’ll admit that at this point, a 100 series is an enthusiast vehicle.

Any 100 series is going to be 16-25 years old, and no matter how meticulously maintained, is going to need some work. The LC/LX (100 series) has a reputation of being an overbuilt extremely reliable vehicle, and it is, but (in the US) it is a low volume, expensive, luxury vehicle, that needs maintenance, like any other vehicle.

While I do love my 100 series, they are missing many of the modern conveniences/safety features of a modern vehicle.

The 100 series was underpowered when it was new, and is even more so by modern standards, but it is darned reliable.

The front suspension is unique in the Toyota/Lexus family, and doesn’t share parts with other vehicles. With the limited sales volume, there are a few aftermarket options. If you’re looking to lift more than ~2”, or go larger than 33-34” tires, it’s probably not the right platform for you.

Prices on the 100 series went nuts during the pandemic, and I still see high mileage, low quality examples listed at ridiculous BaT prices.

You could view the 100 series as the perfect blend of DD/road-trip/off-roader, or the ugly duckling misfit of the LC/LX world.

I’ve test driven 200 series multiple times, and so far they just haven’t “clicked” for me (yet). They seem to have blah styling to me as well.

I’m not trading/selling any of my 100s, but I’ll probably add a 200 at some point.

Logic would probably lean 200-series, for some emotion will lean 100-series.

I could not have said it any better. IMO, plan to put away $250-500/month for the next handful of years to budget repair/replace things that are at/near end-of-life on a 16-25 yr old 100 series, as some of the repairs will be in the couple of thousand dollar range, each. If you get a 100 w/o VVTI and AHC you're ahead of the game economically, but losing out on the benefit of those features. In terms of cost savings, it will likely still make better economic sense than a 200 series. The updated safety and convenience features are a different issue though. In terms of infotainment, I've been super pleased using a $15 FM transmitter in a cigarette lighter port, bluetoothed to my cellphone, for my needs. The newer safety features are the one item that could be worth every penny of extra cost. Admittedly I haven't perused prices on 200s, but I personally wouldn't want to buy one more than a few yrs old and with <30k miles, as I tend to keep my vehicles 10+ years. I imagine far over $50k??

 

[usedname]

You guys are not helping with your well-reasoned posts!

Feel like I'm in your spot. Here's about what I'd be willing to spend depending on condition and mileage, LC vs LX, etc.
100 = 03-05', 10-15k (cash...winner)
200 = 13', 30-40k (finance, not a big deal just a cheap ass)

100 = More $ at parts (assume lots of rubber + maint) its a 2uz....it wont stop.
200 = Hopefully not much $ early but I assume cam tower leak, valley coolant, water pump during my ownership, I'm not likely to sell. Biggest unreasonable concern I have with 3ur is the spring failure's grenade. Not common but I've seen a few when I look for them. I'd accept the unlikely chance it'd be me and I'd just have to replace it.

Clearly the 200 is an upgrade to the 100, I just don't know if I can justify the cost vs needs. Don't tow, don't offroad hard all I need is long pavement trips, deep snow, muddy jobsites, few washboard roads. I don't care for all the tech but I'm not against it.

Alright, I went and scoured some sites and it looks like a decent 200/570 is in the $30k+ range... which I really wasn't willing to spend. Especially on an eyesore. So that might force me towards a sub-25k 470 anyway. The devil you know...

In addition, my use case is very similar to yours: DD, day trips, mild off road. Maybe cross country at some point. Safety is certainly a factor, but aside from that, I have no need for tech beyond bluetooth, and wish the LX470 didn't have a touch screen - but I'm not willing to give up ML and VVTi to get a non-touchscreen.

I guess I'd still take a slower, older car with better visibility. A bit wary of the work they will all require but I've been intimidated by working on motorcycles and cars in the past and just had to suck it up, it was never that bad.

 

[White Stripe]

200 series is significantly better than the 100. More power, and stronger components.

 

[jLB]

my use case is very similar to yours: DD, day trips, mild off road. Maybe cross country at some point. Safety is certainly a factor, but aside from that, I have no need for tech beyond bluetooth, and wish the LX470 didn't have a touch screen - but I'm not willing to give up ML and VVTi to get a non-touchscreen.

Note that factory Bluetooth is just for phone calls, and a design from the “flip phone” era.

My DD is VVTI, but I wouldn’t limit my search to only VVTI vehicles. I’d consider it nice to have, but it does come with some added complexity. I do prefer the 03+ models for the 5spd, but am also quite happy driving the old 99 LX470 too. If I were going to be putting a kid or spouse in the vehicle, I might lean 00+ for VSC/ATRAC, 01+ for LATCH, or 03+ looking for side curtain airbags.

 

[usedname]

Note that factory Bluetooth is just for phone calls, and a design from the “flip phone” era.

My DD is VVTI, but I wouldn’t limit my search to only VVTI vehicles. I’d consider it nice to have, but it does come with some added complexity. I do prefer the 03+ models for the 5spd, but am also quite happy driving the old 99 LX470 too. If I were going to be putting a kid or spouse in the vehicle, I might lean 00+ for VSC/ATRAC, 01+ for LATCH, or 03+ looking for side curtain airbags.

Hmm thanks, I guess I was looking for the 06+ because seems it might be slightly better on highways, and also I figured it can't hurt to have newer rubber, even if only by a couple of years.

Yup I know about the Bluetooth but that's easily added via aftermarket products, no? I did the same in my '04 LS430.

 

[dbleon]

part of the allure for the 100 was the relative simplicity ( compared to the new stuff) and the price.. if it’s between a 30$k 100 or a 35k$ 200 thants a no brainer. I would never have bought a 100 if it wasn’t cheap as dirt

That being said .. there is something about the 100 that is just .. right. My better half says it feels like a tank .. I agreee

 

[usedname]

part of the allure for the 100 was the relative simplicity ( compared to the new stuff) and the price.. if it’s between a 30$k 100 or a 35k$ 200 thants a no brainer. I would never have bought a 100 if it wasn’t cheap as dirt

That being said .. there is something about the 100 that is just .. right. My better half says it feels like a tank .. I agreee

My last one I bought for 6500 and sold for 7k ;_;

Still regretting it.

 

[jLB]

Hmm thanks, I guess I was looking for the 06+ because seems it might be slightly better on highways, and also I figured it can't hurt to have newer rubber, even if only by a couple of years.

Yup I know about the Bluetooth but that's easily added via aftermarket products, no? I did the same in my '04 LS430.

VVTI breathes a little better at the top of the RPM band, but it is not "transformative". VVTI vehicles add some complexities working on them, and a SAIS (secondary air injection system) that is prone to have issues/throw codes. There are "bypasses" available to deal with SAIS failure. Rubber will be shot on all of them, unless a previous owner has dealt with it.

Yes, Grom, VaisTech, USA-Spec, etc all have add-ons. Some replace voice/phone Bluetooth, some just do audio.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

99% of what the 200 can do, the 100 can do as well set aside creature comfort and tech. Had a 2011 GCC VX and an 05 HDFTE VX•R and now back on a US-spec LX06VVTi. My 05 had AHC same as my current 06 and my ‘11 was initially on Koni RAIDs (adjustable damping) with TD springs then eventually sold that and put on OME BP51s (I was a dealer of both brands) and the AHC still rides plush than the BP51, like a big yacht.

Personally, I like the seats of the 100 better than my 200. My 200 had firm seats and is very similar to how firm my 2019 RX450h F-Sport (and it is firm like sport seats). The 2016-present 200 series has 8-speed, my ‘11 had 6-speed and it responds quicker. The 8-speed was designed for “better” fuel efficiency. The 5.7’s power is just proportional to the added 800lbs of the 200. Driver viewing angles of the 200 I think is better than the 100, bigger windows. My 2 cents.

It’s still up to your personal preference at the end of the day.

 

[usedname]

Driver viewing angles of the 200 I think is better than the 100, bigger windows. My 2 cents.

Are you sure about that one? Haven't sat in a 200 but the 470 windows appear larger/taller from every angle, and all the pillars appear skinnier...

 

[newbielx470]

Safety-wise, isn't 2003+ 100 almost the same as any pre-2016 200? It seems 03+ 100 have all the essential safety features that pre-face lift 200 have. And the post face-lift 200's features aren't that useful anyway?