LX 570 vs Landcruiser
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,634
Likes: 256
From: CA
I still miss the old Lexus Nakamichi sound system in my prior 2000 LX470......I remembered it had a 6 cd changer with a tape cassette player. No SAT and NO BLUETOOTH though.
I like a good audio system as much as the next guy. We're not talking about a comparison of Burmester or anything else. Simply stating that if one enjoys a good audio system, that the LX gets my vote over the LC. That said, I agree that the ML system may not sound the most exciting - at low volumes. I believe it really could benefit from a couple additional EQ profiles and a loudness setting. Where it does excel is in its faithful reproduction of sound as the audio engineer intended it, without coloration. Turn it up, and it really starts shining with its crystal clear balance.
Back in 2010, only the LS and LX had the Reference ML systems. I may be completely wrong today, and would believe the new RCF as one of the new halo cars would receive it. Better still that the whole lineup can option it.
Back in 2010, only the LS and LX had the Reference ML systems. I may be completely wrong today, and would believe the new RCF as one of the new halo cars would receive it. Better still that the whole lineup can option it.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 326
Likes: 37
From: TX
Oh man. Sorry to detract, but the Nakamichi was awesome in my 92 LS400. It blew away the factory Alpina and Blaupunkt from the Euro line up at the time. In any case, since the OP asked about an LX or LC, go with the LX. Life is to short to compare green vs. red apples, crunch verses soft ones. Test drive both, and pull the trigger. You can't go wrong.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 76
From: Tx
Working backwards with a budget of $30k, fully knowing you drive in the winter time and already have a minivan, I'd consider
Toyota Sequoia - while not as highly regarded as the vaunted LC/LX, it is roomier than the LC/LX with enough creature comforts. You can get one in the $20s
LC/LX - you'd find high mileage specimens, but as some can attest ensure you check the service history of a LX or get a PPI (pre purchase inspection) done as the AHC should be serviced every 30k miles; a member on here had a $3k repair on that. I would not let miles scare me.
Expedition - Decent, a sluggy-ish 5.4L Triton V8 but it's got the room and gives you enough $$$ for any repairs you may need. Purposeful.
Tahoe/Yukon - I would not discount these; a lot of limo companies use these and rack up 150k-200k miles consistently so reliability is decent...again not matching to a LC/LX level but decent. I see CPO 16 Yukon's in the low $40s so I'd imagine you can find decent mileage units around $30k.
Brand new 17 Chrysler Pacifica - given your kids loved the Town & Country, you can actually get a new Pacifica under $30k. It's growing on me.
Toyota Sequoia - while not as highly regarded as the vaunted LC/LX, it is roomier than the LC/LX with enough creature comforts. You can get one in the $20s
LC/LX - you'd find high mileage specimens, but as some can attest ensure you check the service history of a LX or get a PPI (pre purchase inspection) done as the AHC should be serviced every 30k miles; a member on here had a $3k repair on that. I would not let miles scare me.
Expedition - Decent, a sluggy-ish 5.4L Triton V8 but it's got the room and gives you enough $$$ for any repairs you may need. Purposeful.
Tahoe/Yukon - I would not discount these; a lot of limo companies use these and rack up 150k-200k miles consistently so reliability is decent...again not matching to a LC/LX level but decent. I see CPO 16 Yukon's in the low $40s so I'd imagine you can find decent mileage units around $30k.
Brand new 17 Chrysler Pacifica - given your kids loved the Town & Country, you can actually get a new Pacifica under $30k. It's growing on me.
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,634
Likes: 256
From: CA
Yes, even the CT200H can have the ML sound system.
I like a good audio system as much as the next guy. We're not talking about a comparison of Burmester or anything else. Simply stating that if one enjoys a good audio system, that the LX gets my vote over the LC. That said, I agree that the ML system may not sound the most exciting - at low volumes. I believe it really could benefit from a couple additional EQ profiles and a loudness setting. Where it does excel is in its faithful reproduction of sound as the audio engineer intended it, without coloration. Turn it up, and it really starts shining with its crystal clear balance.
Back in 2010, only the LS and LX had the Reference ML systems. I may be completely wrong today, and would believe the new RCF as one of the new halo cars would receive it. Better still that the whole lineup can option it.
Back in 2010, only the LS and LX had the Reference ML systems. I may be completely wrong today, and would believe the new RCF as one of the new halo cars would receive it. Better still that the whole lineup can option it.
Driver
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 144
Likes: 13
From: California
I see where the confusion is.
There's a distinction between Mark Levinson Reference and Mark Levinson Premium systems. Only two models get the ML Reference system - LS and LX. Everything else in the lineup gets the ML Premium system as an option.
‘Reference’ name referring to the fact that its sound reproduction matches that of a professional music studio monitoring desk. Which in some ways will glaringly show the shortcomings of a poorly mastered track. Unlike more typical systems or even premium systems from other brands, that will mask these shortcomings with EQ and tuning for "show" if you will.
Looks like this still holds true today - http://www.marklevinson.com/mark-lev...us.html#models
There's a distinction between Mark Levinson Reference and Mark Levinson Premium systems. Only two models get the ML Reference system - LS and LX. Everything else in the lineup gets the ML Premium system as an option.
‘Reference’ name referring to the fact that its sound reproduction matches that of a professional music studio monitoring desk. Which in some ways will glaringly show the shortcomings of a poorly mastered track. Unlike more typical systems or even premium systems from other brands, that will mask these shortcomings with EQ and tuning for "show" if you will.
Looks like this still holds true today - http://www.marklevinson.com/mark-lev...us.html#models
Last edited by TeCKis300; Jan 1, 2017 at 10:24 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 407
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, TX
LX... not even close if you want appointments such as leather, real wood, service experience, etc...
The LC will have very little leather and the wood is plastic. The LX will have leather console, almost full leather seats (yes, Lexus finally sold out) and I don't think I need to go into the service difference between a Lexus dealership and a Toyota dealership. It is about taste, but I know for me it was about the luxury feel and experience. That ad I couldn't find a Land Cruiser anywhere around here. Good luck. Either way, you get a kick *** car that isn't on every corner.
The LC will have very little leather and the wood is plastic. The LX will have leather console, almost full leather seats (yes, Lexus finally sold out) and I don't think I need to go into the service difference between a Lexus dealership and a Toyota dealership. It is about taste, but I know for me it was about the luxury feel and experience. That ad I couldn't find a Land Cruiser anywhere around here. Good luck. Either way, you get a kick *** car that isn't on every corner.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 407
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, TX
Working backwards with a budget of $30k, fully knowing you drive in the winter time and already have a minivan, I'd consider
Toyota Sequoia - while not as highly regarded as the vaunted LC/LX, it is roomier than the LC/LX with enough creature comforts. You can get one in the $20s
LC/LX - you'd find high mileage specimens, but as some can attest ensure you check the service history of a LX or get a PPI (pre purchase inspection) done as the AHC should be serviced every 30k miles; a member on here had a $3k repair on that. I would not let miles scare me.
Expedition - Decent, a sluggy-ish 5.4L Triton V8 but it's got the room and gives you enough $$$ for any repairs you may need. Purposeful.
Tahoe/Yukon - I would not discount these; a lot of limo companies use these and rack up 150k-200k miles consistently so reliability is decent...again not matching to a LC/LX level but decent. I see CPO 16 Yukon's in the low $40s so I'd imagine you can find decent mileage units around $30k.
Brand new 17 Chrysler Pacifica - given your kids loved the Town & Country, you can actually get a new Pacifica under $30k. It's growing on me.
Toyota Sequoia - while not as highly regarded as the vaunted LC/LX, it is roomier than the LC/LX with enough creature comforts. You can get one in the $20s
LC/LX - you'd find high mileage specimens, but as some can attest ensure you check the service history of a LX or get a PPI (pre purchase inspection) done as the AHC should be serviced every 30k miles; a member on here had a $3k repair on that. I would not let miles scare me.
Expedition - Decent, a sluggy-ish 5.4L Triton V8 but it's got the room and gives you enough $$$ for any repairs you may need. Purposeful.
Tahoe/Yukon - I would not discount these; a lot of limo companies use these and rack up 150k-200k miles consistently so reliability is decent...again not matching to a LC/LX level but decent. I see CPO 16 Yukon's in the low $40s so I'd imagine you can find decent mileage units around $30k.
Brand new 17 Chrysler Pacifica - given your kids loved the Town & Country, you can actually get a new Pacifica under $30k. It's growing on me.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 76
From: Tx
Probably the longest LX570 offroad video (scroll to about 5 minutes mark)
https://youtu.be/a3u1zS_gWeY
https://youtu.be/a3u1zS_gWeY
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 448
Likes: 114
From: GA
A thought on the LX vs Land Cruiser decision.. Since you start off with the information that you will be buying the vehicle to carry elderly adults as well as children, access and comfort seem to be a key point for you. You also seem to want style and status, otherwise a mini van type vehicle might be a better option.
People, particularly older people, find climbing into an SUV to be a bit of a challenge. For that reason alone, I'd choose the Lexus. Since it has height control, you can set it by the push of a button to kneel down closer to the ground whenever you shift into park. It really makes getting in and out much easier. The down side, of course, is the expense of repairs to the system should they be needed. From personal experience, repairing the AHC when it goes is a $2000-plus hit. In fact, if you read about the Lexus AHC, you'll find that a cheaper fix done by some is to convert the LX to LC suspension.
People, particularly older people, find climbing into an SUV to be a bit of a challenge. For that reason alone, I'd choose the Lexus. Since it has height control, you can set it by the push of a button to kneel down closer to the ground whenever you shift into park. It really makes getting in and out much easier. The down side, of course, is the expense of repairs to the system should they be needed. From personal experience, repairing the AHC when it goes is a $2000-plus hit. In fact, if you read about the Lexus AHC, you'll find that a cheaper fix done by some is to convert the LX to LC suspension.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 528
Likes: 101
From: NV
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 528
Likes: 101
From: NV
The big problem is the bumper and its approach angle. I don't take my LX on such difficult trails (I have amodified Jeep when I need) so I am O.K. now.
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 93
Likes: 9
From: VA
It' not LC/LX problem. It's just about tires. I suppose that everybody who wants to use LX off-road will change the tires and wheels first. You cannot do this with 21" wheels. I use 18" wheels from Land Cruiser with AT tires (Tundra 18" wheels with snow tires in winter). BTW, in Russia you can get LX with 18" wheels.
The big problem is the bumper and its approach angle. I don't take my LX on such difficult trails (I have amodified Jeep when I need) so I am O.K. now.
The big problem is the bumper and its approach angle. I don't take my LX on such difficult trails (I have amodified Jeep when I need) so I am O.K. now.