UZJ100GXR

I Had the pleasure of driving a 1997 LX 450 few days ago, now it has been a while since i have driven an 80 series, a few years actually, and i was very impressed with it, even by today's standards.
The vehicle i drove had only 70 thousand miles so not even close to being broken in but i did not even hear one rattle.

AC, let me put it this way, ice cold would be putting it lightly.

Ride comfort....well Lexus was always known to have great ride comfort, especially back in the day. Let's not forget behind the Lexus badge this is really a Land Cruiser 80 series, which is considered by many has the holy grail of 4wd off road vehicles, so it really is a tank with a Lexus badge. Obviously no one is expecting LS400 levels of refinement but i must say the ride comfort was exceptional for a vehicle with a solid front axle and i think among the best if not the best riding solid front axle vehicles to date. Obviously the LX 470 was a huge improvement but that had independent front suspension which greatly improved ride comfort and stability and over all refinement.

Now this is not a detailed review of the vehicle, i am sure if mmarshal was with me he would have been able to give you a detailed analysis of the vehicle, so really i just want to say the LX 450 has a special place in my heart. It is an 80 series Land Cruiser and the first ever SUV offered by Lexus as well as the only SUV offered by Lexus to have solid front and rear axles .

I really enjoyed the test drive that i might actually end up buying it. I currently own a 2006 100 series Land Cruiser and a 2015 200 series Land Cruiser both of which i daily drive and enjoy very much. I always wanted to add an 80 series to my mini collection of Land Cruiser's and since it is highly unlikely i will find one as clean as this one around here any time soon, i think i might go for it. We also never got the LX 450 around here so it might turn a few heads.

What are you experiences with the LX 450?

chromedome

I've had some experience with fully loaded Toyota versions of these and you're right, they're like leather-lined tanks. They have strong diesel engines and a quiet and isolated ride even on rough timber tracks. Magical cars for such huge and heavy things.

CSTU93

It looks great! Buy it!!!

spwolf

built like a tank.

Toys4RJill

We have one, 376,000 miles now.

mmarshall

Sometimes i wonder why so many people bought Land Rovers and Range Rovers when the LX offered equal plushness/luxury/refinement, virtually as good of-road characteristics, and much better reliability, not to mention customer service. Perhaps, though capable, the LX just never had the same off-road image that Land Rover so carefully cultivated over the years.

chromedome

In North America maybe, but in most parts of Asia, Australia and the Middle East, it's Land Cruiser or nothing. They may not have the latest gadgets and styling but they're the vehicles to depend on when you're in the middle of nowhere and can't afford to break down.

Just look at the UN: they use mainly Land Cruisers or Nissan Patrols.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

I had a 2000 LX470 and man it drives so smooth I couldn't believe I was driving a full size SUV the first time. Still miss it after 10+years.

UZJ100GXR

The ride is also buttery smooth off road, even with off road shocks and coils it still rides like a dream from my experience.
LX is the true definition of off road luxury limo tank.

T0ked

iTrader: (2)

The engine in the 80 is so over engineered. There was a post awhile back with photos of parts off it... Amazing build quality.

pbm317

Series 80 has a special place in my heart. I was able to get my dad to buy a 94 Land Cruiser over a Previa that he was initially considering. I loved that thing. He upgraded to the 97 LX450. Up until last year we still had the the LX within the family. Definitely a tank of a vehicle. But after the 03 4Runner V8 and 06 GX470 we also had, the Series 80's just felt heavy and underpowered for day to day driving. Those series 80's were pretty bulletproof, and even had a TRD Supercharger available.

UZJ100GXR

I drove it again today, i think 90% this will be my next car. Got an inspection done and it was in much better condition than any local spec vehicle and even later models according to the inspection center....no vibrations, rattles, smooth drive, no rust. I think this is it, i will be an 80 series owner and have my own mini collection of Toyota tanks. I am going to test drive another one with even less miles, but as you know, less miles doesn't mean anything on a vehicle this old.

UZJ100GXR

And yes i actually do take them off road. Went out to explore some parts of the desert yesterday, had a Ford Raptor along, was pretty fun but he did have a bit of trouble on some of the tighter parts, but it is mainly open desert.Temp already hitting 100. LC is the only rig i can trust off road in isolated areas, especially in the hot season. My rig also blends in well with the terrain, so not everyone can see you

Stereorob

so what happened did you end up getting it? Lx450s are hard to find in any condition and pristine examples are virtually unobtainium at this point. howd this end up?

Aron9000

Buddy at work has the Lexus Land Cruiser like the one you are looking at. His has over 250k on it and runs like new, doesn't use any oil. Paint is starting to peel on the one fender though, and the driver's seat has some wear, but its pretty clean for being almost 20 years old. I rode in it once, I was amazed at how smooth and quiet it was, didn't rattle either.

I'd say you gotta buy it, looks like a cream puff. Does it have leather seats, or is that even a very common option over in the middle east? I know I'd rather have cloth when its that hot and dry, the leather would burn your bum if it sat in the sun. Plus I'd imagine it doesn't wear all that well with the hot, dry air and relentless sun.