I like the LX, and considered one, but at 70 grand, it's overpriced, and not worth the money in my opinion. Even the lower Landcruiser is now well above 60k. The current designed has been the same sine 98/99, and I remeber the price was around 52 or 53k, but nothing that Lexus has done to this truck over the course of 4 years warrents a price increase of 15-17 grand. Lexus makes great products, and I remember reading that Lexus wanted to offer good quality, but not at German prices years ago, but it appears that have gone off their word, because soon Lexus products will rivil the germans. I hate to see the price increase when the newly designed 06 comes out. Lexus is trying to compete with Land Rover's Rang rover in terms of pricing. In the end Lexus will end up shooting themselves in the foot due to the need for the highest possiable profit margin.
Well I would have to disagree with you on this issue. The market has adjusted to the change in Lexus' price very well and people are still buying Lexus products left and right. If you remember in the model year 1990 when they introduced their LX400 and ES250 models and did undercut the Germans significantly but over time with building of distinct customer base, they have brought their prices alongside the Germans. You have to realize that they offer a genuinely decent and reliable product which results in superior bang for the almighty buck. You are being unjust in stereo-typing it as another japanese company that needs to price itself below the Germans to slip through our biases when they offer a better product. If anything, I say the Germans should be dropping their prices significantly to stay in the game. Their reliability has not kept up with their prices.
I think the LX is the best SUV ever made. However, I think the interior/exterior looks need a serious redesign like the fresh GX470. I also think the LX needs to be a larger SUV around 202-206" length.
Has anyone heard of any details on a totally redesigned LX?
I just drove the new Infinity QX56 SUV. I have to say it was a nice ride and $50,000. Not as smooth as the Lexus but faster. I am tempted to switch from my 470 (which I love-my 2nd one) for the cargo space. My question is does anyone know about the new redesign? Is it due in 2006? After seeing some of these other SUV's --ours seems a bit dated with the fold up seats, etc. I would rather hold on for the Lexus if it is coming fairly soon.
I just test drove the QX56 too, and I think it is aboslutely pathetic. I think it's loud, the RPM was at 4500 going 40 mph, the ride was rough as heck, the built quality was mediocre, I felt the gated shifter would break after a year or two, the exterior is totally ugly, the interior was almost as ugly, the amount of woodtrim was minimal for a "luxury" vehicle, the woodtrim+leather steering wheel looked cheap like the wood was glued to the leather and then the leather was wrapped around the plastic steering wheel at the dealer or something, that analog clock on the dash is a total joke, and that worthless Navigation system made me sick. The damn thing was not voice-activated or even touch-screen. It took the sales guy 15 minutes to figure out the thing and another 5 minutes to put in an address destination. That 3-D NAV is a joke since you really can't see crap with it. Heck, a $23,000 Honda Accord has a much better voice-activated and touch-screen NAV than the QX56. Come to think of it, a $23K 4-Cylinder Accord has a better leather steering wheel that actually looks like it belonged there.
IMO, the QX56 is not even in the same class as ANY Lexus vehicle. It's not even in the same universe.
The sales guy said, "The QX56 has the quietest and smoothest ride I've ever seen!" What a liar! It's a joke.
Even being outdated, the LX470 is 100 times better looking inside and out than that stinking QX56. What a joke.
Did you by any chance get off wrong side of the bed the day you test drove the Infiniti ? I myself tend to lean towards Lexus but your opinion towards the Infiniti is childish at best. There is no way Nissan is going to bring a $50K+ vehicle in the condition you describe. And what does sales person's level of knowledge about the NAV has to do with the product itself ? The poor guy is just making a living and that could have been his first day on the job. No, I don't particularly have a liking for the car sales profession just in case you are wondering about my bias. It is just about showing them the respect that you would expect if you were in their shoes.
If nothing else, please realize some people here could have spent their hard earned money for this Infiniti and it does not do justice to them to bad mouth their vehicle to that extent. Just my two cents.
Have you test driven the QX56? If not, then stay out of it.
That was my true gut feeling after driving this vehicle so if you don't like it, who the heck cares?
Did you happen to get off the wrong side of the bed TODAY? Calling someone "childish" just because they were honest enough about their driving experience is stupid at best.
Have you even used NAV before or even know what it is? I've used the Acura's NAV and the Lexus's NAV and they are extremely easy to use. Touch-screen makes it simple. With the QX56, you have to drag the cursor over each letter or number and click enter. This takes forever. If it takes that long for anyone to figure out a NAV system, it sucks.
I don't disrespect sales people as long as they are honest and know what the heck they are talking about. It's sad when I'm actually the guy telling the sales person about the correct features a vehicle has. It's ridiculous if I know more about the vehicle than the sales guy. I have friends who are car salesman, so I don't hate them, just in case you are wondering about my bias.
Perhaps you bought one of these peace of crap QX56. But that doesn't matter. I'm just speaking my mind about the VEHICLE itself, not any PERSON. If you disagree, then write your own test drive experience. Don't call people childish or accuse them of being disrespectful.
I think the QX56 is one of the ugliest peace of crap SUV. Then again, I think most SUVs are the ugliest peace of crap I've ever seen. That's just my test driving experience.
The next LX470 is supposed to be based on the Sequoia platform so it will be in that 202-206 size range. It will be very upscale from what I've been told.
Not surprised the Infiniti is rough riding given the FX models are harsh. But in general there is nothing out there that is as smooth as the Lexus SUV's. Once they spoil you with the great ride and extremely high build quality it's almost impossible to go anywhere else. Maybe a TLC - but that's staying in the family anyway. The Sequoia rides great as is - I can imagine that Lexus will make it as super refined as it gets.
Okay, I'll jump in here. I have driven the Sequoia, the LX 470 & the QX56. I was singularly unimpressed with the Sequoia from any standpoint. It's underpowered, the ride was ok, but not remarkable, and the appearance was typical Asian bland, inside & out. No question, it's a great truck, but it way missed the mark for me. The LX 470 OTOH, only missed the mark in appearance for me, I have never liked the styling of them, or the Land Cruiser, but the ride is exceptional, and the power adequate on that size of truck. The interior quality is amazing. Now, the Q was different in many ways; the ride and handling I thought quite good, the power is awesome, and the comfort for the driver at least, is great. The truck really fit me better than the other two, and it did impress me functionally. Unfortunately, it's ugly also, inside and out, and feels chintzy inside. Also, the "room" for such a big truck is really lacking in the second row, and the third row is a joke. Don't try putting an average sized American male in there, you'll need the jaws of life to get him out.
So, there you have it, my two cents. Hope I didn't insult anybody with my opinions. The Q came closer to pleasing me than anything so far, but it's not yet going to drive me out of my Navigator.
No - haven't seen any pix - but just like with the TLC - the Lexus engineering team will take over the design and development of the next gen platform that will then be shared with the Sequoia. It will not eminate from Toyota but from Lexus. This is what happened with the last re-design as Lexus took the reigns from Toyota and the result was a much plusher riding vehicle. The new TLC is far superior in ride quality than the previous gen TLC.
The LX will not get cheaper - it will likely stay the same and have upgrades that take it over $75k - upgrades that aren't available now. I'm still confused as to what happens to the TLC in all this. Does it become an entirely new vehicle, does it become the Sequoia and if so does the existing TLC and become a combo TLC/Lexus GX on a re-design. I've heard that the GX is only going to be tied to the Four Runner for the first model run. So maybe the GX elevates to the existing LX size when the new LX is built and that becomes shared with the TLC. Who knows but they definitely are raising the bar and the size of the LX from what I know.
On the same subject, I have heard comments from various sources about Toyota increasing the displacement of their V8 to 5.4 or there about to compete with Nissan and our local models. So the likely designation of new model will be VX540 etc.
They have had that update on their site about the 2006 for a long time. I would think that by now there has got to be some spy photos or something more concrete about this redesign. The LX is so long overdue. I admit it drives so nice, however, it is the same car since the V8 introduction with a few minor year over year improvements.
I am a current infiniti owner and love the brand and service they provide (current is a QX4). th eqx 4 is a great vehicle and we have used it fir everything without even one trip to the dealer...brakes, tires and batteries all once in over 85k miles. I have really tried to buy another infiniti and waited for the QX56. It is just not competitive with the LX...It is not up to par inside and there was some commenting earlier about interior quality...it is not that good...kind of like gold plated vs. solid gold. IMO the LX is solid gold. ok it's dated a bit...but who cares, it's a truck!....the outside of the QX was better than the inside. If i buy another infiniti it will be the FX45...All that said...i think it's LX time....get out the checkbook and hide from the wife!
I agree about the quality of the LX vs. QX. I was really looking forward to the test drive of the QX too because I think it has the interior room I wanted. But truck or no truck, it is suppose to be a Luxury Vehicle. Luxury to me means that it has extremely high quality, fit and finish, smooth, quiet, and beautiful to look at inside and out, but especially the inside since that's where I'll be when driving.
The LX is awesome in terms of quality and all that, except for the looks and size department IMO. If the LX had the size of the QX, looks of the GX, and all the LX features plus the new features from the LS430, it would be a masterpiece IMO.
I guess if it were "Sequoia-like", it should be at least 203" length. But the QX at around 207" is great for size IMO.
It is really the engine and the room..to both your points...that are the highlights...all my wife said when she saw it was "it looks like a weapon"....just wish it had a bit more quality on the inside...
All my wife said when I asked her about the QX56 was, "That is the ugliest piece of crap I've ever seen. Don't even look at anything other than the Lexus."
If motortrend is correct and the new lx will be an 06 model, any comments on the introduction being anything earlier than normal, or will it be another 17 or 18 months before it hits the showroom. my 99 has 90k miles, needs replacement
Yeah, it will probably be "forever" before we see anything about a new LX from Lexus. I wish they'd hurry the heck up and get us something new and fresh. It's ridiculous when the GX has more style and modern features than the LX. I mean the GX has 14 speakers vs. 10 on the LX's ML stereo. The GX has integrated antenna instead of that old mass antenna. Blah, blah, blah. The GX has a better looking front grille. The GX's interior looks much better.
Lexus seriously needs to replace the old LX ASAP. But do they listen? Heck, no.
i agree it is a low production model, but if i count correctly this is the 7th year of production, 1998? dont they normally refit at 8th year, but i guess there is no hard and fast rule.
In Massachusetts a violator "shall be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred nor more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not less than thirty days nor more than two years, or both."
Consumers guide had an excellent link on the next LS and below is a link on the LX - see the news section. Looks like this rumored VX becomes the next big SUV and the LX goes a completely different route.
which one do i get, are they really that different? money not being an issue. could i get a few responses. thank you i care about all the things the lx has but would love to save money. when and if i get the gx will i be sad?
You know how life is; you won't stop until you reach the top. Personally, I prefer the interior of the GX over the LX. But since the LX is top-of-the-line, it gets the best quality treatment. If you get the GX, I think you will keep on wondering if you should have paid a little more to get the LX. Thus, I think you should get the LX.
Once it's paid for, or you own it, you'll be glad you went for the best one. Otherwise, if you're like me, you'll envy an LX each time you see one. If you do now, you will then and the money you saved won't be of much satisfaction.
upon how up to snuff your mechanic is. The dealer clearly would know. Some columns have access panels where you can get in there and put some dielectric grease on the rotor, lubing the contact set in each track. Some don't though, and I think yours doesn't, and the wheel may have to come off. If so, you may as well have the contact set changed. Not a do it yourself job, for sure.
Just purchased a 01 LX with 34K miles. Got a few questions: 1. I'm taking it to the mechanic to check it out and get issues fixed while it's still under warranty. Any particular area to pay close attention to? 2. What's the best source for OEM acessories? 3. The car drives great until ~65mph, then it vibrates quite a bit, any ideas? 4. Any other online sources for LX related information?
1) Rotate tires front to back. If that changes the vibration dynamics at all, then you have idenfied the problem as either bad balancing, or a bad tire. Try balancing first, then replace them if that doesn't work.
2) If rotating the tires doesn't change anything, your drive line is probably the culprit. You may be able to get it trued, or it may have to be replaced if it's been hit and damaged. Doesn't take much to make it out of wack at that speed.
I am also experiencing a rough idle with vehicle in "drive" with foot on the brake while at a full stop such as at a traffic light. My LX(2003)idles between 600 and 800 RPM (fluctuates). Vibration seems worse at times and certainly not what one would expect from a Lexus. The vibration can be felt on the arm rest and thru the brake pedal and sometimes in the driver's sear. Dealer says it is normal but it seems excessive to me for a vehicle of this cost. Vibration only seems to occur when the vehicle is in "drive" and goes away in the "neutral" position. Vehicle drives great otherwise. This vehicle is brand new and this is my only complaint. Very annoying. Any Suggestions??
Do you have a lot of deer that jump onto the road without warning or will you go off-road? If so it will have some value. If not - I don't see much use for it.
That price looks real good and its a phenomenal truck from my past experience - probably the best on the road.
Does he have an LX470? I know he and Ballmer were big on the LS400's in the past. I also know that Steven Spielberg has the LX and I've seen James Gandolfini locally driving a black late model Landcruiser. In the fall Bon Jovi was shopping an LX470 at my dealership for his wife and I missed him as I took a GX470 out for a long drive.
Doesn't he drive an Escalade in the show? By the way I believe the home in the show is in West Caldwell NJ which is west of Newark. I'm still trying to figure out what NJ road bada bing is on. I thought it was Rt 46 or Rt 22 but I'm not sure. Powerful episode last Sunday and a big season finale is coming a week from Sunday.
Comments
Just my two cents.
I also think the LX needs to be a larger SUV around 202-206" length.
Has anyone heard of any details on a totally redesigned LX?
I think it's loud, the RPM was at 4500 going 40 mph, the ride was rough as heck, the built quality was mediocre, I felt the gated shifter would break after a year or two, the exterior is totally ugly, the interior was almost as ugly, the amount of woodtrim was minimal for a "luxury" vehicle, the woodtrim+leather steering wheel looked cheap like the wood was glued to the leather and then the leather was wrapped around the plastic steering wheel at the dealer or something, that analog clock on the dash is a total joke, and that worthless Navigation system made me sick. The damn thing was not voice-activated or even touch-screen. It took the sales guy 15 minutes to figure out the thing and another 5 minutes to put in an address destination. That 3-D NAV is a joke since you really can't see crap with it. Heck, a $23,000 Honda Accord has a much better voice-activated and touch-screen NAV than the QX56. Come to think of it, a $23K 4-Cylinder Accord has a better leather steering wheel that actually looks like it belonged there.
IMO, the QX56 is not even in the same class as ANY Lexus vehicle. It's not even in the same universe.
The sales guy said, "The QX56 has the quietest and smoothest ride I've ever seen!"
What a liar! It's a joke.
Even being outdated, the LX470 is 100 times better looking inside and out than that stinking QX56. What a joke.
If nothing else, please realize some people here could have spent their hard earned money for this Infiniti and it does not do justice to them to bad mouth their vehicle to that extent. Just my two cents.
Regards.
If not, then stay out of it.
That was my true gut feeling after driving this vehicle so if you don't like it, who the heck cares?
Did you happen to get off the wrong side of the bed TODAY? Calling someone "childish" just because they were honest enough about their driving experience is stupid at best.
Have you even used NAV before or even know what it is?
I've used the Acura's NAV and the Lexus's NAV and they are extremely easy to use. Touch-screen makes it simple. With the QX56, you have to drag the cursor over each letter or number and click enter. This takes forever. If it takes that long for anyone to figure out a NAV system, it sucks.
I don't disrespect sales people as long as they are honest and know what the heck they are talking about. It's sad when I'm actually the guy telling the sales person about the correct features a vehicle has. It's ridiculous if I know more about the vehicle than the sales guy. I have friends who are car salesman, so I don't hate them, just in case you are wondering about my bias.
Perhaps you bought one of these peace of crap QX56. But that doesn't matter. I'm just speaking my mind about the VEHICLE itself, not any PERSON. If you disagree, then write your own test drive experience. Don't call people childish or accuse them of being disrespectful.
I think the QX56 is one of the ugliest peace of crap SUV. Then again, I think most SUVs are the ugliest peace of crap I've ever seen.
That's just my test driving experience.
Thanks.
tidester, host
Not surprised the Infiniti is rough riding given the FX models are harsh. But in general there is nothing out there that is as smooth as the Lexus SUV's. Once they spoil you with the great ride and extremely high build quality it's almost impossible to go anywhere else. Maybe a TLC - but that's staying in the family anyway. The Sequoia rides great as is - I can imagine that Lexus will make it as super refined as it gets.
So, there you have it, my two cents. Hope I didn't insult anybody with my opinions. The Q came closer to pleasing me than anything so far, but it's not yet going to drive me out of my Navigator.
I wonder if it will retain the go-anywhere-true-SUV platform instead of the pavement-driving-only-Semi-SUV platform.
Have you seen any spy pics of the next LX?
The LX will not get cheaper - it will likely stay the same and have upgrades that take it over $75k - upgrades that aren't available now. I'm still confused as to what happens to the TLC in all this. Does it become an entirely new vehicle, does it become the Sequoia and if so does the existing TLC and become a combo TLC/Lexus GX on a re-design. I've heard that the GX is only going to be tied to the Four Runner for the first model run. So maybe the GX elevates to the existing LX size when the new LX is built and that becomes shared with the TLC. Who knows but they definitely are raising the bar and the size of the LX from what I know.
I guess Motor Trend is pretty reliable.
DT
I was really looking forward to the test drive of the QX too because I think it has the interior room I wanted. But truck or no truck, it is suppose to be a Luxury Vehicle. Luxury to me means that it has extremely high quality, fit and finish, smooth, quiet, and beautiful to look at inside and out, but especially the inside since that's where I'll be when driving.
The LX is awesome in terms of quality and all that, except for the looks and size department IMO.
If the LX had the size of the QX, looks of the GX, and all the LX features plus the new features from the LS430, it would be a masterpiece IMO.
I guess if it were "Sequoia-like", it should be at least 203" length. But the QX at around 207" is great for size IMO.
I wish they'd hurry the heck up and get us something new and fresh. It's ridiculous when the GX has more style and modern features than the LX.
I mean the GX has 14 speakers vs. 10 on the LX's ML stereo.
The GX has integrated antenna instead of that old mass antenna.
Blah, blah, blah.
The GX has a better looking front grille.
The GX's interior looks much better.
Lexus seriously needs to replace the old LX ASAP.
But do they listen? Heck, no.
The LX is a low production vehicle, and is currently only in it's 6th year of production.
Since it is a low production car, it is kind of assumed each generation will run past the average 5 year production run.
I like the LX's new interior better than Gx...more classy.
As for stereo system, i actually found the LX to sound better than GX.
Actually the LX470 came out in early 1998 as a 1999 model.
Is it really that easy to do such a thing? Wouldn't he eventually have to "fess" up -- especially since he has it LEASED?!?
Also, I wanted to advise him of how morally reprehensible and ILLEGAL it is to do that but I'm wondering what the penalties are for such a crime?
tidester, host
anyone----anyone---
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/- 37908
If you get the GX, I think you will keep on wondering if you should have paid a little more to get the LX.
Thus, I think you should get the LX.
steering wheel needs to come off?? should my mech. know this procedure?? my kingdom for more info if you have it
thanks for the info. will put my guy on it.
your help is very much appreciated
biffer
1. I'm taking it to the mechanic to check it out and get issues fixed while it's still under warranty. Any particular area to pay close attention to?
2. What's the best source for OEM acessories?
3. The car drives great until ~65mph, then it vibrates quite a bit, any ideas?
4. Any other online sources for LX related information?
TIA to all!!
Ming
2) If rotating the tires doesn't change anything, your drive line is probably the culprit. You may be able to get it trued, or it may have to be replaced if it's been hit and damaged. Doesn't take much to make it out of wack at that speed.
Please respond ASAP.
KC
That price looks real good and its a phenomenal truck from my past experience - probably the best on the road.