Are you guys all using premium fuel in your Toyota vehicles with a 4.7 or 5.7 motor? That’s a huge factor too. I’m paying like $2.60/gal for 87 on my Toyota Sienna vs close to or over $4/gallon on the Lexus. That’s a massive difference.
The Perfect Second Vehicle?
- Thread starter willc
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My 100 gets 93.. Tundra gets 87.
I've been using 87 for 20 years in the hundys, not a single issue. I get my gas from Shell and BP and other top tier stations, not sure if that helps but yeah. 87 is fine per my experience.
Here's my POS 2006 Corolla that I've owned for 16+ years, and counting. (yeah there's a rear facing car seat in the back)
Spark plugs coming due so today I spent a couple hours also pulling the valve cover & intake manifold, cleaned both up and replaced the gaskets. TB and MAF cleaned as well. Probably would take closer to an entire weekend to do all this on a UZ.
Here's the best part though.
Nobody said they’re bad cars. But yeah compared to an LS it’s a POS lol. I’ve had plenty of V6 Toyota sedans and drove a few of the I4s over the last few decades (friends and coworkers) cars. Those 4cyl cars are just appliances to me. Zero character, loud, gutless, lots of vibration. If you’re on a budget then go for it. If you want an actual nice car to drive, a Corolla ain’t it.
I have read some debate and theories on various forums about this. The LX was “premium required” while the LC was not. The theory is that the LX used different ECU mapping to eek out higher power numbers.
But… could just be a marketing thing. Lux vehicle needs lux fuel.
I run Costco 92 and motor on. I can get better highway mileage on 91+ no ethanol, though.
OP what’s your budget? If you’re willing to spend a bit more coin then look for a ES300h. That way you get the best of both worlds, insane reliability, one of the best MPG you’ll get out of any Toyota product, great highway car, still luxurious to drive (they actually use sound insulation unlike most mid-tier Toyota products).
My brother works for Lexus. He’s been with them for probably going on two decades now. He swears by those hybrid ESs. I’ve heard him say countless times it’s the most trouble-free car he’s ever seen Lexus sell. He hates FWD cars (he’s a big gear head) but he likes the ES so much that he has a new one for a daily now.
My brother works for Lexus. He’s been with them for probably going on two decades now. He swears by those hybrid ESs. I’ve heard him say countless times it’s the most trouble-free car he’s ever seen Lexus sell. He hates FWD cars (he’s a big gear head) but he likes the ES so much that he has a new one for a daily now.
That’s what I’ve read too but FX has had multiple newer LX470s and if he said it’s been no issue I’ll take his word for it. I used to have a GS430 that has been my brothers winter beater car for the last several years, it’s one of those cars that’s so high up in mileage and so rotted that it’s not worth investing into. Long story short, he said he’s been using 87 in it for the past 3 years or so and it’s been completely trouble free. It has around 300k miles if it makes a difference.I have read some debate and theories on various forums about this. The LX was “premium required” while the LC was not. The theory is that the LX used different ECU mapping to eek out higher power numbers.
But… could just be a marketing thing. Lux vehicle needs lux fuel.
I run Costco 92 and motor on. I can get better highway mileage on 91+ no ethanol, though.
- Thread starter
- #71
Budget… idk 25-30k probably. Damn you and your practicality- the es 300h would really be ideal from a value standpoint. Could probably spend 15-17k, get 30+ mpg, probably pretty cheap insurance, easily tow around the baby… all around a great choice. No cool points like an LS430 though and not as much functionality as the pickup. I’ll kick the suggestion around though, thank you!
It's not as nice as my 100 either, and definitely not as nice as my wife's Lexus. But that's kind of the point. It's a spare/3rd vehicle that we've kept around. Having owned it forever and knowing the history is a bonus.
Anyways, I think "nice to drive" is towards the bottom of the list of things I'd look for in an extra vehicle. (Although rowing the gears in the corolla specifically makes it nice to drive - maybe that's not your thing though). I'd certainly put nice to drive behind purchase costs, repair costs, maintenance costs, operating costs, and of course reliability.
That said it seems OP is inclined to simply add another vehicle and is likely to spend more money than their 100 is even worth. So I think my views on an extra vehicle are completely misaligned.
- Thread starter
- #73
I have had these extra vehicles in the past and have been very grateful to them! For my 100, it’s probably worth 15-17k and I guess it’ll technically become the second vehicle. A very nice and amazing second vehicle!
One of my favorite second vehicles was a Honda fit that I owned years ago. It could do a lot and get 34mpg.
- Thread starter
- #74
Got a 3rd gen tundra as a rental today. Do not love the seats, small windows/windshield, wind noise… I need to drive a gen 2.5 again- This 3rd gen is just what they had- but if might scare me off of daily driving the truck. Not as comfortable as my 100, louder, etc. made me appreciate the build quality of the 100 series.
I’m starting to warm up to the idea of a 2013-2015 es350 or rx350 for $12-14k, and pouring more $$ into my 100 series. Maybe getting an old beater truck for as needed stuff. The in-laws would probably love to borrow the RX, they’re safe, reasonably fuel efficient. Not too cool or fun though, imho.
I’m starting to warm up to the idea of a 2013-2015 es350 or rx350 for $12-14k, and pouring more $$ into my 100 series. Maybe getting an old beater truck for as needed stuff. The in-laws would probably love to borrow the RX, they’re safe, reasonably fuel efficient. Not too cool or fun though, imho.
