PHX ATC

I'm looking to replace (lease is up) my wife's 2006 Mercedes E350 in December of this year. I know it's early in the game, but she has already chosen her replacement (she hates her MB) as an LX470 between the years of 2003 and 2005.

I know there's very little difference between the 3 model years, but am curious as to what they were.

Also I'm curious if there are any known issues with any of the model years. Big issues and little issues (99% of Lexus issues are little).

Any help you owners have is way cool and much appreciated.

Thanks.

V8_Fan

Only things I can think of off hand:

1) Some of the '03's have a problem w/ the VGRS ECU. '03 was the first year the VGRS (variable gear ratio steering) was offered. The sympton is the steering wheel will be 5-10 degrees turned to the left when you're driving straight above 35mph. Mine was covered under the CPO warranty.

2) For the '04's, some Landcruisers (don't know about the LX) have a bad navi unit. Replacement cost is $5K, so make sure you have the factory lexus warranty if you get the '04.

3) Some of the rear cameras ('04-07) have failed. Some LC owners have replaced theirs w/ an eclipse unit.

4) Araco, which has built the landcruiser/LX for decades, stopped building them around 2004-2005 and Toyota autobody took over operations. There have been reports that the Toyota-assembled LX/LC's have more problems than the Araco ones. FYI, Araco was the builder of high-end luxury coaches in Japan. If it's made by Araco, you'll see the "Araco" sticker underneath the hood on the passenger side close to the hood hinge.

5) Make sure the driveshaft doesn't clunk when you stop/start at a stop light, and make sure there are no vibrations, especially in the steering, around freeway speed (at least 60mph). The LC/LX's haven't had any issues with vibration, but GX and V8 4runner have been plagued with them (and the clunking drive-shafts). The LX had the driveshaft re-designed in '03. Mine has yet to clunk (58K mi). If you get a clunk, the reported fix is to lube the driveshaft (do not overfill the center zerk!)

If it matters to you, '03 was the last year that the LX came with the ATF dipstick. It uses type T-IV ATF (Toyota and other brands make T-IV). From '04 on, all Toyotas and Lexus has no dipstick, uses Toyota brand WS ("world standard") ATF. You have to use the toyota brand, but it lasts like twice as long, but costs more. I got the '03 for the dipstick since I'm a DIY'er for the most part. At least the dipstick allows me to easily drain & fill the ATF.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Try the Lexus CPO Model Library which will tell you the difference between years

2003 (compared to 2002)
http://www.lexus.com/cpo/model_library/LX/2003.html
Standard Features:

- Revised grille and front bumper
- New headlamps
- Revised rear combination lamps
- Dual front, front side and side curtain airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)[1]
- 18-in wheels
- Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS)
- Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Redesigned combination center meter and center cluster
- Steering-wheel audio controls
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Tow-hitch receiver[2]
Optional Features:
- Lexus Night View[3]
- Lexus DVD Rear-Seat Entertainment System (RSES)
- Lexus Link[4]


2004
http://www.lexus.com/cpo/model_library/LX/2004.html
New For 2004

Optional Features:

- Bluetooth® [7] Technology

2005
http://www.lexus.com/cpo/model_library/LX/2005.html
no changes listed