I think they are good looking and super luxury. But how do I justify spending this extra $$. I'm talkin about a 2004 LX470 loaded with 30K miles and the certified warranty that covers everything for 6 years or 100K miles. So were talkin about full peace of mine for 100K miles. It's bigger and safer then my 4runner but it gets worse MPG with the same engine I have in my 4runner. So I'm talkin about bling for another $24K. Wish the 4runner wasn't so good it would make the decision easy. Is some luxury and bling worth the $$ or is this just a stupid idea??
Now can I justify this purchase?
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Mark86
Super Moderator
Still haven't made up your mind on a new vehicle? Just when you think you are convinced, a new idea comes along. I don't think it is worth extra $$ for the bling and some luxury. Keep in mind, you are still going to be purchasing a used vehicle. The LX470's are beautiful trucks, but you can probably find a brand new leftover 2005 Land Cruiser for that money. It may not have all of the goodies and luxury items as the Lexus, but it will still be brand new. If you are going to be putting down all that money for a truck, at least you will have the comfort of knowing you are the one to break in the engine and all of that. I don't know about everybody else, but when I see a fairly new model as a used car, I always wonder why the owner gave it up.
What I did when I was in your situation was I went on the lexus website and did a comparison. I thought they had the best comparison out of any website. After that, make a list of which options you really need and like in a vehicle and which ones are a waste to you. That should help ease your decision a little bit!
What I did when I was in your situation was I went on the lexus website and did a comparison. I thought they had the best comparison out of any website. After that, make a list of which options you really need and like in a vehicle and which ones are a waste to you. That should help ease your decision a little bit!
independent70
New member
I had the same thoughts about WHY the owner gave it up... but me and my dad were at BMW of ridgefield CT a very rich town (i HATE it) but we were lookign at some 5 and 7 series and this man comes in and is like heres my 2005 750li with 40000 miles can i trade it for the 2006 6 series?
some people just have wayyyy to much money and i guess they get sick of the look? bling factor? something... the BMW dealer has a lot of 04 and 05 3,5, and 7 series
also a aston martin and a G3 porsche... as i said ridgefield is wayyy to much money...
some people just have wayyyy to much money and i guess they get sick of the look? bling factor? something... the BMW dealer has a lot of 04 and 05 3,5, and 7 series
also a aston martin and a G3 porsche... as i said ridgefield is wayyy to much money...
That is a thought going thru most peoples mind, New car
why is it back.
I've traded car in a year. A Trans Am POS, 10,000 mi who
brought it brought trouble. Same with a Lincoln Navigator.
Now did buy a BMW 5 Series and within a year decided
wanted a Corvette, so I took what Chevy would give me
just to get rid of if. Who brought that car got a good one.
Like said a used is gamble but, you did say the LX was
coming with a long warranty
why is it back.
I've traded car in a year. A Trans Am POS, 10,000 mi who
brought it brought trouble. Same with a Lincoln Navigator.
Now did buy a BMW 5 Series and within a year decided
wanted a Corvette, so I took what Chevy would give me
just to get rid of if. Who brought that car got a good one.
Like said a used is gamble but, you did say the LX was
coming with a long warranty
sharp4runr
New member
Well, you did say that this other truck was going to be for your wife right? Well is your wife worth another 24K? 
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Thai
Elite Member
Seriously, Pitbull, if you're agonizing over this, then i would suggest that you go ahead and DO IT. Now, you may want to save some more $$ and get a BRAND NEW TLC or LX. (I would.)
Remember, 2006 may be the current TLC/LX last year before redesign. Spend some money and get the new V8 VVTi engine along with LED taillights (very cool thing)...basically, you justify it by saying that you got the latest and best TLC/LX470, rather than "settling" for something less like a used TLC/LX with old motor!!
Trust me, you will NEVER be satisfied until you do it. That's just life and human nature. I have been through this quite often...i have had a new vehicle every year since 2002. I am finally settled on what i have now........i think.
This thing will slowly eat at you...you won't be happy if you get anything less than TLC or LX. WATCH OUT...after getting a used TLC/LX, you may then kick yourself in the butt for not spending the extra $$ to get the NEW TLC/LX with the new enhancements! And then this cycle starts over again....
So, do yourself (and your wife) a favor, go out and get a NEW TLC or LX so that you can baby it from the very beginning ("i know everything about my baby since mile 1" is a good, satisfying feeling). Suck it up and buy one.
Is buying a car ever a logical or financially smart thing to do???!!! It wasn't in my case, but i am a happy person now. Peace of mind is priceless.
Good luck.
Remember, 2006 may be the current TLC/LX last year before redesign. Spend some money and get the new V8 VVTi engine along with LED taillights (very cool thing)...basically, you justify it by saying that you got the latest and best TLC/LX470, rather than "settling" for something less like a used TLC/LX with old motor!!
Trust me, you will NEVER be satisfied until you do it. That's just life and human nature. I have been through this quite often...i have had a new vehicle every year since 2002. I am finally settled on what i have now........i think.
This thing will slowly eat at you...you won't be happy if you get anything less than TLC or LX. WATCH OUT...after getting a used TLC/LX, you may then kick yourself in the butt for not spending the extra $$ to get the NEW TLC/LX with the new enhancements! And then this cycle starts over again....
So, do yourself (and your wife) a favor, go out and get a NEW TLC or LX so that you can baby it from the very beginning ("i know everything about my baby since mile 1" is a good, satisfying feeling). Suck it up and buy one.
Is buying a car ever a logical or financially smart thing to do???!!! It wasn't in my case, but i am a happy person now. Peace of mind is priceless.
Good luck.
Thai
Elite Member
Pitbull said:
Don't forget, MEMORY SEAT is worth it alone!!
In addition, Mark Levinson audio system is REALLY good. It doesn't have pounding bass, but it's just amazingly crystal clear! You will wonder why other car companies (including Toyota) can't make their system sound this good! IMO, it's probably the best audio system in a SUV (with the Range Rover's HK Logic 7 close behind it).Go for it....
2003_4Runner
New member
Pitbull,
Did you consider GX?. I am in the same boat as you are with GX. If I were to trade-in my 2003 4R and get GX (fully loaded), I need to spend additional $29K extra.
Lexus gave me demo GX for two days to try and my wife and myself we love it. But still hasn't decided...........!
Did you consider GX?. I am in the same boat as you are with GX. If I were to trade-in my 2003 4R and get GX (fully loaded), I need to spend additional $29K extra.
Lexus gave me demo GX for two days to try and my wife and myself we love it. But still hasn't decided...........!
2003_4Runner said:
I think the guys suggestion of a "new" end of year LC might be better than paying $50K for a used certified LX with 32K miles. I like the idea of knowing how the vehicle is cared for from new. I am moving to the SW part of Utah in a couple of months and it is high desert country and 3 hours north of Vegas. Might be better dealing in that area plus if I decide I want to keep the 4runner and we have decided we are keeping the wifes 350Z until it gets close to the warranty expiring I might find a older LC/LX that has lived in the dry desert conditions and get it as a third vehicle. Kind of playing with ideas right now. But everytime I drive the 4runner I keep thinking that it is everything I need and more and I would be stupid to dump another $25K into a little nicer ride and luxury, when I have the best engine, trans, frame, technology, and durablity sitting in my garage right now with the 4runner and I only have 24K miles on it and I've raised it right
boston_kevin
New member
Pitbull - There will always be something more tempting out there... Now it's an LX470, next thing will be that 50' Bertram yacht... j/k...
Honestly, you have to ask yourself is it worth it? Are you going to get $24k+ more enjoyment out of this vehicle vs the 4Runner (granted this will have a better resale in the future, but by how much?) You can pretty much guarantee that your maintenance costs will be double (special Lexus items/tools) and your fuel costs will be going up. If you are going to take it off road, do you really want to ding up an vehicle this expensive (no matter how careful you are, you will always get a ding or two off-roading eventually).
I'm not trying to talk you out of it, but think of a vehicle as disposable income. You will never get out of it what you put into it, and that is money you will get zero return on, however you may have a non-financial return (peace of mind, fun to drive, bling factor) that cannot be substituted by anything else (this was the factor with my boat).
Honestly, you have to ask yourself is it worth it? Are you going to get $24k+ more enjoyment out of this vehicle vs the 4Runner (granted this will have a better resale in the future, but by how much?) You can pretty much guarantee that your maintenance costs will be double (special Lexus items/tools) and your fuel costs will be going up. If you are going to take it off road, do you really want to ding up an vehicle this expensive (no matter how careful you are, you will always get a ding or two off-roading eventually).
I'm not trying to talk you out of it, but think of a vehicle as disposable income. You will never get out of it what you put into it, and that is money you will get zero return on, however you may have a non-financial return (peace of mind, fun to drive, bling factor) that cannot be substituted by anything else (this was the factor with my boat).
Bluto
New member
I don't know the differences between the 04 and 05 LX, but Lexus has a top pre-owned certified program and warranty.
If you are worried buying used, I'm sure the dealer would be happy to print all service records for the 04.
You can't beat the 6/100 warranty and Lexus service. Let someone else take the deprecation hit on a new LX. With current gas prices and time of year, you can probably work out a great deal.
If you really want the 05 upgrades, bargin on a new one, look for a demo, or wait a few months.
If you are worried buying used, I'm sure the dealer would be happy to print all service records for the 04.
You can't beat the 6/100 warranty and Lexus service. Let someone else take the deprecation hit on a new LX. With current gas prices and time of year, you can probably work out a great deal.
If you really want the 05 upgrades, bargin on a new one, look for a demo, or wait a few months.
L
Lime02sport
Guest
it shouldnt be rocket science, if you want it get if you dont then dont.
Bluto
New member
Thai said:
That is true for any used car. It may have driven it hard by the previous owner, the dealership, or other customers.
Saving $$$ buying used/demo has risk. I think a used/demo LX would have much less risk than say ... a Corvette? You just have to be careful when buying.
Thinking a Corvette demo would get the &^% beat out of it
well might be an obovious choice. But where I got mine,
you got a corvette salesman at the wheel or riding
shot gun and if they can get one off the used lot. Now
with trucks and other cars I have had the keys just
handed to me and say take it for a spin. Hummmm how
many spins has this car been on. One of the first things i
do is look at the odometer. If over a couple I ask if have
another one. Some even say they have been offer a
vehicle overnight. Many are salesmans use, well they
have rug rats and no tellin what all has be spilt in that
seat.
well might be an obovious choice. But where I got mine,
you got a corvette salesman at the wheel or riding
shot gun and if they can get one off the used lot. Now
with trucks and other cars I have had the keys just
handed to me and say take it for a spin. Hummmm how
many spins has this car been on. One of the first things i
do is look at the odometer. If over a couple I ask if have
another one. Some even say they have been offer a
vehicle overnight. Many are salesmans use, well they
have rug rats and no tellin what all has be spilt in that
seat.
