Thinking about a 13-15 LX570. Am I crazy?

[997guy]

Hello new member here. I have been doing a fair amount of research. Currently own a 2017 XLT F150 3.5 ecoboost with about 122k miles. I have had the cam phasers changed once, IWE changed twice, driver side valve cover leak and some small other issues. 10 speed is very jerky and my plastic oil pan is leaking as well.

5 years ago I bought my wife a 17 RX350 which has about 103k miles now. It’s been awesome and has been the first Toyota/Lexus product I have owned and really put them on my radar.

Am I crazy thinking a 13-15 LX570 with about 100k miles is good deal? I don’t tow at all. Mostly use the bed of my F150 for house projects, landscaping etc? Maybe 10 times a year. The draw for me would be to drive this for about 10 more years. I can DIY most things such as brakes, suspension, spark plugs, most fluids besides maybe the transmission because it’s a pain. I just don’t trust my f150 to last me that long.

Side note the Car Care Nuts shop is 35 min from me so for large fixes I have a great mechanic near by.

 

[mceagle555]

I own a 2016 F150 2.7L with 103k miles and a 2008 LX570 with 180k miles.

The LX570 has less rattles and is my preferred daily driver. Both get within 1mpg of each other.

Look for a Southern LX570 and you'll be golden. You may want access to a trailer though.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I've got a '14 LX, which I've owned for 6 years. By and large it has been problem free and incredibly reliable.

But that said, I'm not sure I would own one if I didn't regularly tow. It's a big, heavy SUV, with significant body roll, nose dive on braking, and other cow-on-ice features. The tech is reliable, but dated. If you keep vehicles for 10+ years and don't care about having the latest and greatest, it might be a good option for you. If you do find yourself frequently getting "the itch" for something newer, or sportier-driving, then I'd think twice.

If you
- don't need the large interior room
- don't tow
- don't spend significant time off-road

... you might be better served with that same RX that your wife has. A small utility trailer will be needed for your home/landscaping work in any case, and both SUVs will handle it with ease.

 

[997guy]

I've got a '14 LX, which I've owned for 6 years. By and large it has been problem free and incredibly reliable.

But that said, I'm not sure I would own one if I didn't regularly tow. It's a big, heavy SUV, with significant body roll, nose dive on braking, and other cow-on-ice features. The tech is reliable, but dated. If you keep vehicles for 10+ years and don't care about having the latest and greatest, it might be a good option for you. If you do find yourself frequently getting "the itch" for something newer, or sportier-driving, then I'd think twice.

If you
- don't need the large interior room
- don't tow
- don't spend significant time off-road

... you might be better served with that same RX that your wife has. A small utility trailer will be needed for your home/landscaping work in any case, and both SUVs will handle it with ease.

I’m def not latest and greatest. Nice comfy seat, heated seats/wheel and a backup camera and I’m good lol. I own a 2010 Porsche 911 Manual so I got my sporty driving settled there. I can either rent a utility trailer or I have looked into the 4x8 harbor freight trailer that folds up. I’m a bit of land cruiser fanboy lately

 

[Heckraiser]

Not crazy to consider a LX, but I would suggest a GX might be a better fit if you don't tow heavier stuff. Same overall Lexus quality that you appreciate in your wife's RX, but cheaper to buy and maintain, a little easier on gas. @eatSleepWoof 's suggestion of another RX is not a bad one if you can get over the image of the car. To me, it's an old lady car (both my wife and daughter drive RX's and I give them both grief about their old lady cars ).

One word of caution since you're in Indiana: rust is the LX's number one arch-enemy. The AHC suspension system is susceptible to rust and when it starts corroding away, you're at risk of complicated and expensive repairs (unless you're an avid home mechanic). The system is perfectly reliable and honestly pretty awesome compared to traditional suspension if maintained and kept rust free.

 

[jlinc50]

I've got a '14 LX, which I've owned for 6 years. By and large it has been problem free and incredibly reliable.

But that said, I'm not sure I would own one if I didn't regularly tow. It's a big, heavy SUV, with significant body roll, nose dive on braking, and other cow-on-ice features. The tech is reliable, but dated. If you keep vehicles for 10+ years and don't care about having the latest and greatest, it might be a good option for you. If you do find yourself frequently getting "the itch" for something newer, or sportier-driving, then I'd think twice.

If you
- don't need the large interior room
- don't tow
- don't spend significant time off-road

... you might be better served with that same RX that your wife has. A small utility trailer will be needed for your home/landscaping work in any case, and both SUVs will handle it with ease.

I own a 2013 LX with 131k miles for the past 2 years. It’s a great vehicle so overbuild which unfortunately adds to weight and poor fuel economy but in my opinion worth it. I do my own maintenance mostly, such as all fluids, new suspension globes,and about to tackle the brake pads and rotors. I did hire out the water pump job last year but my excuse is I’m 74. Just a amazing vehicle which I hope to keep for several more years.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I’m def not latest and greatest. Nice comfy seat, heated seats/wheel and a backup camera and I’m good lol. I own a 2010 Porsche 911 Manual so I got my sporty driving settled there. I can either rent a utility trailer or I have looked into the 4x8 harbor freight trailer that folds up. I’m a bit of land cruiser fanboy lately

You'll find that quite a few of our members have 911s in their garages. You'll be in good company.

The LX has what I would consider to be all of the tech essentials, but little to none of the tech garbage that's so prevalent in modern vehicles. It's a very good, very modest middle ground.

As for that fold-up trailer, I have one. Mine's a 5x8 with a galvanized frame from a different manufacturer (Salter), but it's the exact same design. Note that to be even remotely useable, you'll need to add a plywood floor, which adds significant weight. Folding the trailer and lifting it up on to its casters can be quite difficult, and even risky. I gave up on doing that years ago, and have since added sidewalls to my trailer. All things considered, I wouldn't get one of these again, and instead opt for a trailer that has sidewalls and folding tailgate to begin with.

 

[32cls6speedmt]

Welcome @997guy. This is a great forum. I have family in northwest Indiana. So we travel there a few times a year.


I have a 13 lx with 175k miles. I would be concerned with rust up there with an lx.

I have been the car care shop for maintenance and you will not have to worry about someone servicing ahc. His pricing is very fair.

New suspension components make a big difference on the lx. I had new struts, mounts and gloves changed at 170k miles. Feels like a vehicle.

As long as you know ahead of time that the lx is a vehicle that does require maintenance then go for it.

 

[997guy]

Yearly Fluid Film would probably be part of my
Maintenance if I did buy a lx570. Sounds like I am not crazy. MPG doesn’t bother me much. I know im gonna get 14ish.

 

[tincan45]

I've had my 14 LX for 5 years and I still enjoy it. It's just the right balance between LC and the more modern LX. (2016+). I treat mine more like a truck than a luxury SUV and I think this mindset keeps me from looking at newer bells and whistles. Not sure we will ever see this build quality again. And if we do, it will likely be tied to "connected" systems with scheduled obsolescence.

 

[coleAK]

Not crazy to consider a LX, but I would suggest a GX might be a better fit if you don't tow heavier stuff. Same overall Lexus quality that you appreciate in your wife's RX, but cheaper to buy and maintain, a little easier on gas. @eatSleepWoof 's suggestion of another RX is not a bad one if you can get over the image of the car. To me, it's an old lady car (both my wife and daughter drive RX's and I give them both grief about their old lady cars ).

One word of caution since you're in Indiana: rust is the LX's number one arch-enemy. The AHC suspension system is susceptible to rust and when it starts corroding away, you're at risk of complicated and expensive repairs (unless you're an avid home mechanic). The system is perfectly reliable and honestly pretty awesome compared to traditional suspension if maintained and kept rust free.

I 2nd this. If you don’t tow I’d say consider a GX. If I didn’t tow a camper a ton I would have gotten a GX instead of my LX back in 2013.

 

[997guy]

How would you say how hard the maintenance is? Like to do the rear differential I had to literally take off the rear cover and grind down the RTV. The petcok on my radiator literally sprays coolant everywhere when I tried to drain it to do the coolant.

 

[DallasTide]

These trucks are easy to maintain. Transmission fluid included.

 

[plainjanefjc]

Hello new member here. I have been doing a fair amount of research. Currently own a 2017 XLT F150 3.5 ecoboost with about 122k miles. I have had the cam phasers changed once, IWE changed twice, driver side valve cover leak and some small other issues. 10 speed is very jerky and my plastic oil pan is leaking as well.

5 years ago I bought my wife a 17 RX350 which has about 103k miles now. It’s been awesome and has been the first Toyota/Lexus product I have owned and really put them on my radar.

Am I crazy thinking a 13-15 LX570 with about 100k miles is good deal? I don’t tow at all. Mostly use the bed of my F150 for house projects, landscaping etc? Maybe 10 times a year. The draw for me would be to drive this for about 10 more years. I can DIY most things such as brakes, suspension, spark plugs, most fluids besides maybe the transmission because it’s a pain. I just don’t trust my f150 to last me that long.

Side note the Car Care Nuts shop is 35 min from me so for large fixes I have a great mechanic near by.

Have the car care nut do an pre purchase inspection- avoid anything with rust

 

[rexington14]

Not crazy to consider a LX, but I would suggest a GX might be a better fit if you don't tow heavier stuff. Same overall Lexus quality that you appreciate in your wife's RX, but cheaper to buy and maintain, a little easier on gas. @eatSleepWoof 's suggestion of another RX is not a bad one if you can get over the image of the car. To me, it's an old lady car (both my wife and daughter drive RX's and I give them both grief about their old lady cars ).

One word of caution since you're in Indiana: rust is the LX's number one arch-enemy. The AHC suspension system is susceptible to rust and when it starts corroding away, you're at risk of complicated and expensive repairs (unless you're an avid home mechanic). The system is perfectly reliable and honestly pretty awesome compared to traditional suspension if maintained and kept rust free.

Eh, the image of the prior gen(s) GX and RX isn't really that different.

The RX350 is usually the better and more practical choice over the GX460. It's cheaper, has a better ride quality, easier to drive, better MPG, unleaded gas instead of premium, more comfortable especially the back seat, similar usable cargo area, the 2GR is more reliable, power rear hatch instead of ridiculous side opening door, etc.

So to go one step beyond the GX to justify the need for a LX can be a reach for many. But if you need the capabilites, or just plain want it anyways, go for it. Vehicles are bought all the time based on wants and not needs.

 

[urinalcake]

Fellow Hoosier here.

In a word: no. No, you're not crazy. Actually, it would be quite sensible. Without hesitation, I would get the LX or LC in place of the F150. Ecoboost engines of any size seem to be money pits beyond 125k miles (or sooner); they seem to be more German in their design and construction with all the plastic components that should be metal. Sounds like you seldomly use the pickup part of your truck. My brother has a small 5x10 utility trailer I borrow 3-4 times a year takes care of hauling big stuff. The LX has been simple and straightforward to maintain by a shade-tree mechanic - yours truly. Your proximity to The Car Care Nut is a huge bonus for the bigger jobs. I bought mine 4 years ago with 127k miles on it. Currently at trouble free 188k miles with basic maintenance. Only repair has been the timing cover oil leak that I paid a mechanic to tackle. Otherwise, typical maintenance: fluid changes, brake pads, and tire rotations. I have purchased two sets of tires: summer tires are 18" General Grabber ATX on Land Cruiser wheels and winter tires are 18" Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2 on Tundra wheels. They replace the small sidewall 20" OE wheels. Knowing rust is one of the few things that will kill these rigs, part of my maintenance routine is undercarriage cleaning and coating. Last weekend I applied new to me fluid film (Blaster Surface Shield). Time will tell how it survives winter schmootz. Small upgrades include LED headlamp and fog lamp bulbs along with proper skid plates to replace the rusty OE ones. Husky floor mats keep the interior tidy.

Definitely test drive one before buying, along with a pre-purchase inspection depending on your comfort level and aptitude. These are heavy rigs - about 600-700 lbs heavier than a similarly sized Tahoe or Expedition. They're not going to handle the pavement as well as your RX, but it is a 3-ton body-on-frame tank. Even with nearly 200k miles, mine is still rock solid feeling. Taller (33") all terrain summer tires means I won't be canyon carving because there is notable pitch and roll in the handling. But like many, I have another vehicle for the sporty driving. 15 mpg overall in mixed city/highway driving under my ownership.

All the above, and I can go climb a mountain with ease in absolute comfort like few other rigs can.

I don't regret buying my LX one iota.

 

[grinchy]

I don’t tow, but I did install a Tow controller. I figure if I ever need to tow a big trailer I’m all set.
Once you adjust to the crappy mileage I don’t see any downsides as a daily driver.
I’ve got mine modestly built and it is just fine in the large city I live in.
Comfy in town. Comfy on the freeway. Capable off road. What’s not to like?

 

[wanta100]

We have the same setup. I have a 2006 Carrera 4 and a 2015 LX. They are a perfect two car combo...

Knocked out 2,000 miles in the LX last week around Thanksgiving travel. ~15-17 mpg depending on pace, comfortable, and quiet. Get the GROM for carplay and leave it stock otherwise. I have slightly taller tires on it now, that's it. Notably, don't go crazy for the mods if the primary use is on-road. I used to have a '19LC that was a handful because it was too big/tall/heavy with aftermarket bits.

Just like with the 997 when compared with newer Porsche, I feel strongly that the newest Land Cruiser is not always the best. The 200 series is the best for my needs - and the 13-15LX is the sweet spot.

 

[Supra Turbo]

OP, you are crazy if you do not get a 13-15 LX570. But then again, Im thinking of selling my mint 31k mile LC for a '13-15 LX with 85k miles... so maybe I'm crazy. The more I look and think about it, I just prefer the LXs looks, AHC suspension, interior dash, tire chearence, etc.

 

[ryanCA]

will the reeal @Madtiger please stand up

his LC was so bad he sold it

he is the resident f150 troll

not only is it reliable, powers his house , but also cooks and cleans for him