Jimmy31

I think my dad told me once 30 years ago, never buy a used car with a tow ball.

So, I found a 2013 LX, but it has a tow ball and it's near a large body of water. I'll never find out whether or how much it was used. Car has 40k and it's certified from Lexus.

More background --

Looking to get a third car that I put ~8-10k a year on for ~10 years. Would like something very reliable that can handle lots of snowy driving.

I had a 1994 LS 400 that I loved. Gave it to a friend when it had 120k and he proceeded to put another 200k on it. This truck strangely (or not so strangely) reminds me of that one.

Looked at the Mercedes GL too -- but, I did't like it. And, not sure why they put e-class seats in a truck that big.

Looked at the GX as well -- could be convinced to get one but something about the LX just spoke to me...

Anyway -- advice appreciated regarding the concern I should or should not have regarding the truck having potentially been used to tow a boat.

Thx,
Jimmy

swfla

iTrader: (1)

It's conservatively rated for 7,000 lbs towing capacity which is a lot. How much towing could it have done in two years (2013) with boating season only 4 months out of the year and 4 weekends a month? You said the water is near by, so it'd be short distances as well. Any mountains in CT? Plus you get a 3 year warranty. You could strade it after the three years if it proves to have problems. Lexus is known for reliability. In my opinion, it's highly unlikely to be worn down from towing. Good luck whatever you decide.

grsams

Good points

swfla

iTrader: (1)

Another point, if someone needed a tow vehicle for work purposes, they'd choose a pick up truck or suburban type vehicle. The Lexus would likely be used in a recreational manner only, typically 1-2 weekends a month.
I was a fishing guide for many years. I towed an 18' boat with an RX330 (a much lighter vehicle) 70 miles round trip about 175 days a year. Never any problems.

ggebhardt

If you are looking for a larger SUV you will find that most have trailer receivers. Many are never used so I could not see that as a valid excuse to not buy a vehicle.

vshank

i wouldn't sweat it. we're in the market for a J200 for my wife but where we live in Dallas, it's easier to find a LX570 so been researching the differences and came across this recently:

A third of the frame's body mass is made from high-tensile steel, along with the entire B-pillar, and all three crossmembers are hydroformed steel. Like the Toyota Tundra the tow hitch is integrated into the frame.

so, as others have said, it's rated to 8,500lbs towing, the hitch isn't welded or bolted on, it's a part of the frame - so they all have it. it's pretty unlikely it was used for more than light recreational use.

I have a GX470 and it's got a hitch on it, and i have a ball that is pinned with a keyed lock, so it's just more of a pain to pull it off and put it back on the 6 times a year i use it to pull a small 4'x6' enclosed fiberglass trailer to tailgate. the trailer is so light i can lift and move it around my parking area myself so i doubt there's ANY damage to the vehicle. plus, it adds a little back-up or rear-ending protection to the plastic bumper on the GX.

swfla

iTrader: (1)

Hey Jimmy, what did you decide to do?

CBRDude

We have a 2009 LX that we bought as a CPO. It currently has 98K on it. It pulls great without any issues.

Skip the German stuff. We had a 2012 TDI, biggest PITA we ever owned. Pulled great, but very unreliable big time!

My wife has the LX and I have a Benz GL550. My factory tow package is nothing more than a hitch and wiring harness. No added anything. I had to buy an adapter to use the trailer as it hates the LED lights. You'll find that on most German SUV's which I don't get but it's an issue.

The GL hates every minute that the trailer is behind it. It's made for hauling down the interstate not towing.

Had a 2012 Honda Pilot between the VW and the Lexus. Nicely optioned. Very conservative styling!! Can only tow 5K and is on a unibody platform. It felt like I was being jerked all around the road.

The LX had not pulled a thing prior to it's CPO. The plastic rivets were still in place holding the cover on. All the LX's come with the receiver installed. I think the electrics were dealer installed and left in the back cargo area in a box. That's all located on the right side just under the bumper if it was installed.

It pulls great, not a problem ever. My only complaint is when you tow you have to store the cover. I have to remember to place it back on other wise it gets bounced around in the cargo hold or in the garage.

I'll buy another one hands down when this one dies! Lexus has an excellent CPO program. My only complaint with it is they are not competitive with other SUV's in the same category. The CPO process and the subsidized finance terms are all built into the cost. It's also a Lexus warranty and not a third party rip off policy. The warranty operates the same as if you had the full 4/50 except is lengthened.

My Benz has the CPO process. This is perhaps second to Lexus, but you really pay for it. Also buying a Benz out of warranty is like Russian Roulette with your pocket book! The terms for a non-CPO Benz are much higher at the bank, the term is also shorter too, . Ect...

M1911

My wife is on her second Mercedes C-class. We bought the extended warranty for each one. The first one had terrible reliability. Her 2010 has been pretty good, but it is my impression that reliability of the US-made Mercedes SUVs (ML, now GLE, and GL) are not as good. Either way, I won't own a Mercedes unless it is under warranty, whether the original warranty or the Mercedes extended warranty.

hankinid

I have a very good friend who's a tech support specialist with MBZ. He travels 3-4 days a week to dealers to assist them with problems that have them stumped. He notes on-going issues with electronics as a major hassle.

When I asked him about purchasing a Toyota v. MBZ, he just smiled and said "If it's out of warranty, I think you already know the answer".

Steve

markrivers

but even under warranty, the regular trips to the service center ( wasting hours and missing work) is simple unacceptable especially if you paid a premium for it.
I got a lot of those with my Range Rover HSE days

hankinid

Absolute.

My pal, the MBZ tech support guy, noted he lost count of the cars bought back by MBZ and replaced with new vehicles. All it takes is a sports celebrity driving into the dealer for the 4th or 5th time, complaining loudly to all that can hear about the big POS that MBZ can't fix. Incidents like that were not too uncommon.

CBRDude

Jimmy31,

I know what you're talking about.

Generally speaking, people do the dumbest stuff when they have a hitch installed. You have no idea what they did or how they used it.

In my case none of my vehicle were used for towing prior to buying. I made sure of that on the walk around.

Most of the time the tow vehicle is neglected big time. On the Mercedes boards there are nitwits towing 30 foot airstreams with the GLK350 or the GL350. Dumb, dumb and dumb!

I have a 2" receiver on my Honda CR-V. I can't tell you how many stupid people i see towing more than 1500 LBS with that set up. And they wonder why the transmission is shot!

wing

The LX tows awesome and I feel it is actually underrated for what it can do.

I pull a 7000lb car hauler often in the summer to races and it doesn't flinch.

Wandl

The LX (and LC) is so well overbuilt, it is manufactured to take the strains of regular towing. I wouldn't worry about it at all; worst case, have the dealer flush out the transmission fluid before the purchase.