Ok I need help with car buying. Is it the LandCruiser or the LX 470?

"404 Name Not Found" (404namenotfound)
05/15/2014 at 18:18 • Filed to: None

There are two cars at my local dealership. One is a 2002 LX 470, it has the older interior but it does have the air suspension and the wood covered interior. The other car is the Land Cruiser, a 2003 model with the updated interior, but does not have the air suspension. Both have been mall cruisers and Florida trippers. The LC is 2k more and has 15k miles less. Which one would you go for?

Probably will be doing little off roading, but not too much.

DISCUSSION (30)

Manuél Ferrari > 404 Name Not Found
05/15/2014 at 18:20

I think I would go LC

CRider > 404 Name Not Found
05/15/2014 at 18:20

Land Cruiser, more utilitarian and if that air suspension goes out you're looking at $$$ to fix it.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > 404 Name Not Found
05/15/2014 at 18:20

LC. Air suspension will break, and on a car like the LX470 (unless you've got munny) it will empty your bank account.

That said, a friend of mine has an LX470, and it is godly when it comes to comfort.

404 Name Not Found > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
05/15/2014 at 18:24

How much different is the ride of a LX and a LC? I do a lot of highway driving maybe the air suspension is worth it. Granted it's like 1k per wheel.

Doug DeMuro > 404 Name Not Found
05/15/2014 at 18:26

Land Cruiser....

The ride won't be any different.

404 Name Not Found > Doug DeMuro
05/15/2014 at 18:27

Really? This was my only concern. I do a lot of highway driving so I thought the LX would be better. But if that's the case, then I think I'll pick up the Landy.

Doug DeMuro > 404 Name Not Found
05/15/2014 at 18:35

My suggestion is take them both for a test drive. I have never found any actual perceptible differences in ride quality with air suspension. Automakers insist there's a difference, and that may be true, but it's not enough to justify the added cost. Especially because you'd add springs if it breaks anyway.

404 Name Not Found > Doug DeMuro
05/15/2014 at 18:38

I have driven both cars. But obviously you're in euphoria for most of the drive and it's hard to determine ride quality over a very short period of time.

dogisbadob > 404 Name Not Found
05/15/2014 at 18:38

I'd take the Lexus because there is more luxury and prestige associated with it. Then, when the air suspension fails, I'd convert it to regular suspension.

Doug DeMuro > 404 Name Not Found
05/15/2014 at 18:40

Yeah, agreed. Did you notice any big differences though? My view: if you can't NOTICE the difference, it's probably not worth the money (not as if you're paying extra — but the air spring on my Rover went out last week and replacement was $1,500). If there's a huge change, I'm all for it. But I suspect they'll be virtually identical.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > 404 Name Not Found
05/15/2014 at 18:41

I don't know, I've never been in an LC, but the LX is freaking amazing!

lone_liberal > 404 Name Not Found
05/15/2014 at 18:58

I'd go Land Cruiser. I would try to avoid air suspension in any and all cars.

BrownMiataDieselWagon > 404 Name Not Found
05/15/2014 at 20:17

I think fellow OPPOnaut HammerheadFistpunch knows quite a lot about these cars! I would ask for his opinion.

404 Name Not Found > Doug DeMuro
05/15/2014 at 22:14

Yeah you're right. I want to keep the vehicle for a long time and I don't want to shell out 1100 for each wheel . There was a little bit of difference but not too much to justify the older interior or the forgoing the sexy LC name.

syrgrad91 > 404 Name Not Found
05/15/2014 at 23:49

Get whichever one you prefer, because let's face it, you'll have to live with the thing every day. As for the air suspension, yes, it can be pricey to repair when it goes out (they all eventually do). However, by that time Arnott Industries will have released their air suspension kit to replace the factory air bags (it's still in development). If the LX kit is anything like the kit for the BMW X5 then you'll be good to go. Besides, Arnott's products typically carry a lifetime warranty, and you can't beat that with a stick. If you're really concerned about reliability then consider an aftermarket warranty. I've dealt with them at my shop and they can help make the cost of a pricey repair a little more palatable. Good luck!

doubleodirty > 404 Name Not Found
05/18/2014 at 13:27

Toyota Land Cruisers and Lexus LX470's are the same vehicle, the only difference is the way the body looks, Lexus has extra moldings and subtle differences here and there. Everything mechanically is exactly the same, the lexus doesn't have a different engine, suspension components or transmission, they both have independent front suspension for a smoother daily driver ride. And the air suspension was offered on both. How do I know? I own a Lexus LX450 and it's just a Land Cruiser with body moldings

404 Name Not Found > doubleodirty
05/18/2014 at 14:44

I drove the LC and it wasn't as smooth as the LX, on top of that the interior aged a little harder than the LX.

TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising) > 404 Name Not Found
05/19/2014 at 15:10

The answer is always Land Cruiser.

And yes, I have an 05.

TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising) > TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising)
05/19/2014 at 15:13

Additionally, how much are you looking to spend?

RW53104 > 404 Name Not Found
05/19/2014 at 15:15

LC. Lexus interiors are really nice, but air suspensions seems to just be trouble.

BenLikesCars > 404 Name Not Found
05/19/2014 at 22:19

Both cars are awesome. The LC can go over highway dividers without breaking a sweat. I presume the LX is at least similarly capable. (Am doing a superficial google proble on LSX470 air suspension reliability.) To hell with it, get the LC, less glamor but fewer potential nuisance down the line. And, you can rip off the running boards and import some JDM fabric seats with less guilt.

(I had been leaning towards the LX —reasonably priced suspension conversion kits?— until I started reading a tiny bit of what Lexus SUV people go through about the air suspension. Fwiw, see, http://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-firs… )

BenLikesCars > 404 Name Not Found
05/19/2014 at 22:23

According to stuff like this, http://www.clublexus.com/forums/lx470-a… LX470 air suspension —the source of the appealing smooth ride0— ends up being expensive to repair or somewhat expensive to convert, and with the latter, you're back to LC-quality ride anyhow.

iirc, the LC rides pretty damn nice anyhow. You can drive over some pretty vicious potholes and require visual confirmation for knowing that you did so.

404 Name Not Found > BenLikesCars
05/19/2014 at 23:24

I drove a LC and it was weird because the car rattled like a Toyota. I might have to drive a couple more to see if I can find a better example. The LX was virtually silent.

Junglejack > syrgrad91
05/20/2014 at 11:34

Considering they are the same vehicle (the LX is actually called the Land Cruiser Cygnus in Japan and maybe Russia), I would choose the one in the best condition.

The AHC Suspension offered in the LX was offered on Land Cruisers ROW and the system has proven quite robust. The AHC was actually offered on 2006-2007 Land Cruisers stateside as well, but has generally been a stepup option on the LX. If you check out IH8MUD (tremendous LC/LX and Toyota resource), you will see that there are scores of LX owners still using AHC 16 years on. Bottom line is with the very thorough durability testing preformed by Toyota for Land Cruiser is such that they would not have offered it in the first place if it was anywhere near as compromised as has been postulated here.

Moreover, it is relatively inexpensive to retrofit the conventional suspension offered in the LC with it costing around $500. Cheaper if you do the wrenching yourself. The leather quality in the LX is undeniably nicer and it also offers things like auto dimming mirrors, auto up/down windows, and other things never offered on the US spec 100 Series LC. In addition, the projector headlights offered in the LX offer much better visibility.

It was not for nothing that these trucks were chosen as the "Best Used Vehicle" recently in that Yahoo article. I have a 2000 LX and used to own a 2005 Land Cruiser and they really are great. Do get ready for 12 MPG if not having spent much time in one.

SALAD4WD > Junglejack
05/21/2014 at 16:28

Thank you for a well thought out and articulated answer, Junglejack.

404, it sounds like the 02 LX is pre-facelift, could you confirm?

Regardless, I agree, get the LX, it sounds like it is one year older but still lower priced than the LC. And rolling up to the Lexus service dept is an experience because they will bend over backwards for ya. Also loaners.

DWFMBA > 404 Name Not Found
05/22/2014 at 12:16

Metal springs > Air springs

Toyota badged > Lexus badged

themarcus > 404 Name Not Found
05/26/2014 at 08:05

The Land Cruiser but it is a very close call. I owned an '02 LX 470 and the air suspension failed. Thankfully it was fixed under warranty. I have also driven both models of LC with the standard suspension and I like the normal suspension just fine. I do prefer the looks of the older LX 470/LC versus the newer though. Either one is likely an excellent choice.

404 Name Not Found > SALAD4WD
05/26/2014 at 12:23

Yes the LX is the pre-facelift and that's one of the reasons that was pushing me towards the LC. I really want something with the newer interior.

404 Name Not Found > Junglejack
05/26/2014 at 12:23

Super good write up. Thanks!

OG_Jason_Lee > 404 Name Not Found
08/01/2014 at 12:42

I have had numerous of both and my wife drives an 03 LC right now. The LX you're looking at has the 4 speed transmission and the LC will have the 5-speed. The interior on the LC will be better because it will have the built in screen in the dash, the LX of that gen looks dated. If you like the wood you can always transplant it into the LC everything swaps over. If you go with the LC you can level it very easily by turning 2 bolts, AHC not as easy but can be done.