Talk Me Out Of a 200

[Brandon966]

Honest opinion, if you don't offroad...there are better options. We are new to the 200 platform and it ticked all of our boxes but frankly, its lacking in some areas that has completely surprised us especially given the reputation across the world. Overall build quality is good, but I've certainly seen better. Interior space and storage is limited. Power is pretty lackluster (until I tuned it). There are several quirks that have made me shake my head a few times. Reliability is to be determined but the amount of stuff I've had to fix or replace already on a 140K mile well maintained 200 has surprised me so far.

We had a GX460 and it was about the same, slightly down on power/storage/room etc and had some silly overall features.

 

[gray rider]

Honest opinion, if you don't offroad...there are better options. We are new to the 200 platform and it ticked all of our boxes but frankly, its lacking in some areas that has completely surprised us especially given the reputation across the world. Overall build quality is good, but I've certainly seen better. Interior space and storage is limited. Power is pretty lackluster (until I tuned it). There are several quirks that have made me shake my head a few times. Reliability is to be determined but the amount of stuff I've had to fix or replace already on a 140K mile well maintained 200 has surprised me so far.

We had a GX460 and it was about the same, slightly down on power/storage/room etc and had some silly overall features.

0-60 at around 6.5 seconds is nothing to scoff at.....

 

[Brandon966]

0-60 at around 6.5 seconds is nothing to scoff at.....

If you mash the pedal all the way to the floor maybe, but just normal driving the lack of throttle response makes the platform feel lethargic.

Now after tuning however….holy cow. Makes it come alive.

 

[gray rider]

Roger that....

 

[Supra Turbo]

Some of you need to drive small displacement 4cyl or 6cyl with 76-84mm turbo tech from early 2000s.... to know what lack of throttle response really means.

I count my cars lag in calendar days after pushing the throttle... Makes the Land Cruiser seem electric with 4 X less power.

To the OP - do it. An LX seems perfect for you and your requirements.

 

[texag06ish]

Just came from a 2014 1794 4x4 Tundra to a 2020 Heritage.

My biggest complaints are there seems to be a small market for quality mods, interior storage is terrible and there is a lack of cup holders.

Other than that, it’s pretty much better than my Tundra in every other way.

 

[coleAK]

Since you keep vehicles for a long time and it sounds like ultra reliable is top of your list I vote for the cleanest, newest, lowest mile LX570 you can find.

The only thing I can say you should consider that not a lot of people mention is these things get dismal mpg, I average ~12 mpg and 8-9mpg towing my camper. I’m not getting rid of my 2013 LX I’ve had for going on 13 years but I drive it less and less every year. I paid $104 the other week to fill it up and for that I get just over 200 miles…. Also parts are more expensive and less common then the GM 1/2 ton platforms you have and mention.

 

[DallasTide]

Just imagine the glass case of emotion you’re going to experience every time you pull up to a red light next to the 200 that you actually wanted in the Yukon that you bought to save a little money. The money isn’t worth the torment!

If I had to make a case against the 200 it would be:
1. The interior tech in the Yukon is going to be better. 200 doesn’t come with CarPlay, camera quality is abysmal for the price point, AC controls are asinine.
2. Reliable =/= cheap to operate. MPG is probably the worst of any vehicle on the market. I spend about $5k a year on gas. The famous LC reliability comes with preventative maintenance and the parts aren’t exactly cheap. Much better than a German car but still a premium compared to the average Toyota. And this is all before the inevitable mod bug bites. Then it’s really off to the races.
3. The range on the 200 is actually pretty dumb. 12 mpg with a 24 gallon tank means less than 300 miles on a tank. This truck should come from the factory with a 35-40 gallon tank.

All that being said, the pros far out way the cons. As you mentioned, the short wheelbase is awesome in the city. Super maneuverable for its size. Off road capability is great. Build quality and reliability are top notch. One of the only SUVs with a tailgate. Etc etc. No other vehicle feels perfectly at home out on the trail with the jeeps, in the valet line with the range rovers, and on the interstate with the Suburbans.

Just do it! Your wife has already signed off!

 

[dms]

Once bitten there is no cure. I'll second the recommendations for the LX570. I often regret getting rid of mine for a LX600. As for my LC200, I doubt if I will ever get rid of it.

 

[Supra Turbo]

Just imagine the glass case of emotion you’re going to experience every time you pull up to a red light next to the 200 that you actually wanted in the Yukon that you bought to save a little money. The money isn’t worth the torment!

If I had to make a case against the 200 it would be:
1. The interior tech in the Yukon is going to be better. 200 doesn’t come with CarPlay, camera quality is abysmal for the price point, AC controls are asinine.
2. Reliable =/= cheap to operate. MPG is probably the worst of any vehicle on the market. I spend about $5k a year on gas. The famous LC reliability comes with preventative maintenance and the parts aren’t exactly cheap. Much better than a German car but still a premium compared to the average Toyota. And this is all before the inevitable mod bug bites. Then it’s really off to the races.
3. The range on the 200 is actually pretty dumb. 12 mpg with a 24 gallon tank means less than 300 miles on a tank. This truck should come from the factory with a 35-40 gallon tank.

All that being said, the pros far out way the cons. As you mentioned, the short wheelbase is awesome in the city. Super maneuverable for its size. Off road capability is great. Build quality and reliability are top notch. One of the only SUVs with a tailgate. Etc etc. No other vehicle feels perfectly at home out on the trail with the jeeps, in the valet line with the range rovers, and on the interstate with the Suburbans.

Just do it! Your wife has already signed off!

Not to pick your response apart, just a different viewpoint

1. Comparing apples to apples (MY to MY), the tech in a 2008 Land Cruiser (the first year of 200 series), IMO is about on on par with a 2008 Yukon. Neither had whatever this "CarPlay" thing is. Camera quality is not much different.

2. MPG is pretty bad, but definitely not the worst. When we shopped for our LC, there is only two other vehicles that we consider to be in the same class, an LX and G wagon. Both use premium fuel and the latter gets worse mpg, especially on the freeway.

 

[gray rider]

CarPlay is for girls......

 

[gray rider]

Or at least not for old guys......

 

[Zill]

Not to pick your response apart, just a different viewpoint

1. Comparing apples to apples (MY to MY), the tech in a 2008 Land Cruiser (the first year of 200 series), IMO is about on on par with a 2008 Yukon. Neither had whatever this "CarPlay" thing is. Camera quality is not much different.

2. MPG is pretty bad, but definitely not the worst. When we shopped for our LC, there is only two other vehicles that we consider to be in the same class, an LX and G wagon. Both use premium fuel and the latter gets worse mpg, especially on the freeway.

Who actually puts premium fuel in their LX? It’s a complete waste for daily driving.

 

[gray rider]

I do.

 

[gray rider]

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[Zill]

I do.

 

[TeCKis300]

Speak for your LC that only needs 87. The LX requires premium and definitely makes a difference in my use. Got stuck with 87 once in Death Valley as the only choice. Performance definitely fell off.

 

[MRego]

Speak for your LC that only needs 87. The LX requires premium and definitely makes a difference in my use. Got stuck with 87 once in Death Valley as the only choice. Performance definitely fell off.

Of course it does. I mean, why would Lexus recommend premium if it made no difference? How would Lexus benefit if the LX owners spent more at the pump?

 

[Zill]

Speak for your LC that only needs 87. The LX requires premium and definitely makes a difference in my use. Got stuck with 87 once in Death Valley as the only choice. Performance definitely fell off.

I have both an LC and LX.

Using premium with the LX still feels exactly the same for day to day driving. I can understand if you’re towing, but beyond that, it’s a complete waste for daily driving. Thus the whole LX requiring premium gas is a moot point. Most of the time, you’ll be running regular. Especially if it’s another $1 per gallon.

 

[TeCKis300]

I have both an LC and LX.

Using premium with the LX still feels exactly the same for day to day driving. I can understand if you’re towing, but beyond that, it’s a complete waste for daily driving. Thus the whole LX requiring premium gas is a moot point. Most of the time, you’ll be running regular. Especially if it’s another $1 per gallon.

I suspect I won't change your mind, but as a tuner in a previous life and working on engine development programs...

For the next person. This isn't just a feel thing in low load use. Modern engines have knock sensors. Calibration for different octanes have very real differences to riding the knock sensor (persistent low grade knock) versus the knock sensor acting as a rare mitigation to the unexpected lower grade fuel (little to no knock). There is no sensor that measures octane directly. It will find that boundary via persistent low grade knock, if it is tuned for higher octane fuels (i.e. LX570). Just as described in the manual.

Do what you will with gentle commuting. As one that is constantly between in town use and heavy weekend trip use, that low grade knock in gentle commuting may be real damage with sudden high load use. I don't want to be second guessing what I last filled with and delay a trip because I'm trying to save some bucks.