Lexus LX470 – Years to Avoid and Common Issues

I'm often asked the simple question - which years of a certain car you should avoid. This seemingly easy question has no correct answer, in most cases. The Lexus LX470 was a great car in 2000-2008 but most of these vehicles are about to die now. So, when it comes to buying a used Lexus LX470, it's not about the year you should avoid, it's about correct inspection to buy a car that still can go some miles.

You should avoid pre-2000 models of Lexus LX470 and also I wouldn't recommend buying the 2000 model. You better choose a younger vehicle with all its initial problems solved by Lexus. Also, pay attention to the condition and mileage of the car because even the best-year model with 300,000 miles on it is not worth your money.

Here's what I'm going to tell you today:

• Short overview of the LX470 model and its advantages.
• What years are really bad for the Lexus LX470?
• What are the common problems you should check for when buying this SUV?
• How many miles can the Lexus LX470 go?

Let's get started!

Key facts about the LX470 model

This SUV appeared on the American market in 1998 but started selling well in 2000. After that, the sales dropped a little, and up to 2008 (the year Lexus introduced the new generation of the LX), they sold from 50,000 to 70,000 of these vehicles in the US.

Within eight years of its sales history in the US, Lexus got two major updates - in 2002 and in 2005. They were facelifts but also with some changes to the technical side of the vehicle.

Overall, the LX470 has several important advantages:

• it's based on the wonderful Toyota Land Cruiser and takes the best of this model;
• this is a luxury vehicle, so even now it seems to have some comfort features that new cars don't always have;
• the only available engine in the model is the legendary Toyota 2UZ-FE V8 4.7L engine which is durable as hell;
• the vehicle has 4-speed or 5-speed (depending on the year) automatic transmissions which are both really reliable;
• the vehicle is tough and ready to go on any road, you won't spend a fortune on repair and maintenance.

So, these are the important advantages. But what about the years to avoid? Well, let's see.

What years should you avoid in the Lexus LX470?

I wouldn't buy the pre-2002 version of the LX470 just because it has a 4-speed transmission. This transmission is good but not economical. So, you will spend gallons of fuel just driving to the nearest supermarket and it's frustrating. Maybe, in 2000 nobody was thinking about it much. But now, with the current unstable prices for fuel, you shouldn't be so sure you will easily buy barrels of fuel weekly and won't suffer from this financially. The 5-speed transmission was introduced in 2002.

Also, if I had the choice, I would concentrate on the latest facelift that came out in 2005. In 2005, Lexus introduced VVT-i to the engine, added power, and also changed the appearance of the LX470. This sounds like fun because you get a more beautiful and a more powerful vehicle that works more efficiently and burns less fuel.

But if I had to choose between a low-mileage Lexus LX470 made in 2000 and a high-mileage 2006 model, I would certainly choose the older one. Mileage is much more important than age for these models.

What should you pay attention to when buying the Lexus LX470?

First of all, you should pay attention to such things:

• mileage - everything that is more than 200,000 miles is too much for this vehicle when you buy it used;
• rust - even though the LX470 is not known to be rusty, you should check the body because the car is very old and may have seen things in life;
• maintenance records - if the V8 engine wasn't serviced perfectly, I would never buy the LX470 because now it's a box with random problems;
• overall driving experience - test-drive the car before you make up your mind, if you hear any bad sounds, think twice because repairing the LX470 will cost you a fortune.

I would also pay attention to car accident records. Make sure the SUV was serviced annually and used only good Toyota-certified oil and parts. Many owners try to economize money and buy cheap parts which will affect the longevity of the vehicle. Check the last time the timing belt was changed - it should be done once every 60,000 miles or so.

How many miles will the Lexus LX470 last?

Well, this Lexus may last quite long if maintained correctly. But if you are buying a used car with 200,000 miles on it, you have a lottery ticket in your hands. It may last another 100,000 miles without major problems. But it may well last just 20,000 miles and ask for transmission replacement or expensive engine repair.

On average, the LX470 can last about 350,000 miles without serious repairs. Within this time, you will need to repair the transmission at least two times but the simple automatic transmission is not that expensive to repair. So, if you managed to find a good LX470 with low mileage and in perfect condition, this is a good purchase.

But don't forget you are going to cry every time you are at a gas station. This is just a fuel-drinking dragon!