Hi guys,
I'm wondering if I should stick with my current '01 RX (currently for sale in marketplace) and upgrade to the LX. Really the only reason I was thinking of an LX is for more room. But is that really the only advantage of upgrading to it. I hate to think that I'm losing options...as my RX has HIDs and they aren't available in the LX. So I'm having second thoughts since the RX has treated me so well. Any ideas?

 

Stick with it.

 

It really depends on what you need. If you absolutely need more room, then that's a no-brainer. The LX is a very luxurious SUV and while you'll be giving up some things from the RX you'll be gaining others as well.

 

I have had 2 RXs, a 1999 300 and a 2004 330. Also a 2003 GX that Lexus repurchased. The GX had a GVWR problem that caused me to lose out on the tax advantage, so I down graded to the RX.

If you like the ride of an RX, and who dose not, keep it or buy a 2004 with all the goodies. If you want the larger car, look at a 2004 GX. The GX is one nice product and comes with almost everything except the HID lights.

Good luck.

 

The reason why I excluded even mentioning the GX is because of all the issues (problems) people on the GX forum are consistently talking about.

 

I have had both cars. The big advantage of the LX is off road. If you need a vehicle that will go anywhere, I'd go with the LX. ON the other hand, the LX is much more top-heavy and feels more floaty when you drive it. Feels much more like a truck. If you like the RX, you probably will not like the LX. There is more room, however. At the time we had the LX, we had a Newfoundland (170 lbs.) that we were carrying around. Sad to say, she is gone, but I don't really miss the LX.

 

My comment isn't intended to be rude but.... if you ask me you're talking about apples and oranges.

The RX is an extremely accomplished on road SUV that can handle mild offroading without embarressing itself. The LX is an extremely accomplished off road SUV that can handle mild onroading without emabarressing itself.

Sure that's an oversimplification and not entirely fair to either vehicle but its also somewhat true.

The LX is a much, much bigger vehicle that feels and drives that way. It is about as capable an offroader as anyone short of the Croc Hunter (who usually drives a LandCruiser, BTW) could need. But its power to weigth ratio is terrible when compared to the RX, and it drives much more like a tank. On top of that you could probably buy two FWD RX's for the cost of one LX.

The RX is smoother on road, car based and drives more like a tall wagon. It can handle mile offroading but I wouldn't want to get one stuck in a mud bog. It can't hold as much gear as an LX and honestly, I don't think its as well built. But then, it shouldn't be when you consider the price point.

 

My wife and I are currently facing more or less the same choice. And things are pretty much as previous posters have stated. However, though much larger on the outside, the LX is actually not that much larger on the inside. It has more shoulder room because the sides of the greenhouse are much more vertical, but the only way to achieve more rear storage (than the RX) is to remove the third row seat entirely. Not that this is such a bad thing since it's not that great a place to be for very long, even for children.

Net result is that we'll probably go with the RX and save $20+K over the LX. But if I had significant offroad needs or if I was going to buy her something and keep it for 15 years, it'd be the LX hands down.

 

I don't think HID will be coming on the LX or GX soon...think it has to do with DOT regulations...could be wrong though?

Anyway, I agree with Da Hapa...apples and oranges. Two completely different automobiles...I like both, but after hearing not so good things from the dealer regarding the LX, I would go with the RX or GX. If you look closely, you'll see that the RX and GX almost have the same amount of room inside...the GX is packed with lot's of goodies that definitely fills up the car. If I am only going to drive around town...then it's RX...if I am more adventurous then GX.

At the end of the day, they are both Lexus and both very nice.

Just my two-cents...

 

The RX is really just a station wagon with a tall body. It is a nice car, but not an SUV and just a fancy stuff hauler. My wife likes ours as long I have to drive it.