Considering purchasing a Lexus 470

We have a 2000 model Lexus and we tow a 20' Bushtracker. We purchased the Lexus about the time that we were given earnest assurances by the Toyota people that there wouldn’t be a turbo diesel in the 100 Series and they were sticking with the 6 cylinder petrol. We have done about 160,000km with no problems. Whilst everyone says the Lexus is just a tricked-up Landcruiser, the "extras" make it a very comfortable off-road vehicle and it's done everything and more that our previous Land Cruisers did.

We have towed the van over 25,000km and been very happy with performance. I wouldn't want to tow a 20' with any less wheelbase or any less power. The Lexus does the job adequately but obviously doesn't have the tow performance of an F250. It won't be the first rig over the hill when towing on steep grades. Having said that, we cruise on the bitumen at between 90 and 100km/hour.

We wanted to have a tow vehicle with greater flexibility as an all-rounder. When off road conditions are such that cruising at 100km/hour is not an option, then the Lexus comes in to its own. The ground clearance and wheelbase mean that the limiting factor in manoeuvring the Bushtracker is the length of the van, not the limitations of the tow vehicle.

Yes, it is thirsty. A 15,000km trip involving about 40% off road resulted in overall fuel consumption of 30L/100km. Sounds a lot at first, but we travelled with two other Turbo Diesel Cruisers, one of which was towing a van. When diesel fuel price variation and more frequent oil changes for the diesels were taken into consideration, we spent $500 more on fuel than the others over the entire trip.

I am currently investigating a bolt-on supercharger produced by Toyota Racing Development in the United States. With modified air intake and exhaust, they are claiming an additional 70KW (40%). Provided additional fuel consumption does not start to impact the effective driving range I can achieve with the three extra jerry cans on the draw bar, then this would make the Lexus my ultimate towing/off road vehicle.

I know at least two other BOGGERS tow with Lexus.

Hope this helps

Hello Birchy! Very nice vehicle!
There have been dozens, many dozens of Owners towing with Lexus.... Very nice luxury vehicle.... And Motley did a really wonderful job on his answer to you, very comprehensive and a good analysis on a great luxury vehicle. It was kind of him to take the time and give you such a comprehensive answer…. But I have a reservation that I would like to put to you, for your own good and consideration, but also for any Readers of this thread in the same situation. I sometimes think I should just keep my mouth shut, but if you were my Brother, this would be the answer I would give you; so why not do it now? I will take the risk, and try and do the right thing, OK?

Petrol is definitely more thirsty, and Motley figure of about 3 to 3.5 km per litre is about what I have heard. To put that in perspective, my 19 tonne rig of Mack 4x4 Dual Cab Horsetruck, with horses on board, tonne of fuel, tonne of water, tonne of tools, tack and feed and a 22’ van on the back, gets that fuel economy in Diesel… However, there is another critical point: In my opinion, it is just more dangerous in Outback travel as well... Not just for how close to the fire you park, or getting a Spinifex fire underneath, or getting in an accident; But also how you carry extra fuel.... I just think that Diesel suits the Outback better: Better mileage, and possibly better safety as a consideration.... Now I know petrol fans might disagree, and this is only my own opinion, not science, but I think a consideration. I for one am always uneasy around a petrol vehicle refuelling out of jerry cans or such in 40 degree weather when the explosive fumes are so thick it distorts your vision… And the smell of petrol fumes as it expands in the deserts and vents out.. I would not travel in the outback with petrol, or want to contemplate an accident or rolling a vehicle, I guess I am just a die hard diesel Fan…

A very good argument is that the new Diesels IFS Cruisers are computer run, and have the independent front suspension (IFS), and have their own weaknesses... But there is an alternative and this is an excerpt from my Posting on Tow Vehicle Choices, that you may or may not have read:

"I also do not like the trend in the new vehicles with computer run complex systems that cannot be rectified in the Bush.. For example-I know personally, I would like a 97 to early 2000 Toyota 80 Series or an a couple of year old GXL 100 Series for half the money, maybe even with extra equipment already on it; rather than all the fancy electronic run injectors and injection pumps of the new ones. The same goes for the other Brands. It seems as though the Company Engineers are designing the engines to take the maintenance out of the hands of the do it yourself people and make them dependent on the Dealerships for all service... Just a personal view, but maybe it is another option to consider for half the money... Especially if you are a handy sort of a person yourself.... It is what I did in getting a new Cruiser for my wife, I bought a 2000- 100 Series, aftermarket turbo and intercooler, and it was loaded with extras like long range tanks, diff locks, air compressor, and much more.. It has no engine electronics to run the injection pump, injectors, and controls; and (at the time only 2 years old) I think it is twice the vehicle as new, for half the money. It also has the tried and true solid front monobeam axle housing... Same comfort and power and looks as the new IFS Cruiser, but twice the reliability at half the cost."

This is an alternative to get the power of the new Turbo Cruiser, without the IFS and the electronic run injection pump and injectors, with the current body style, by adding an aftermarket Garrett Turbo and Intercooler... You end up with what I say in the article of "twice the reliability for half the money"... And really, fuel economy what it is, I think there is a very good case for Diesel, whether or not you perceive there to be a safety issue involved. The petrol will be thirsty and you have to consider possibly carrying jerry cans of fuel on the drawbar as there is no where else to carry it safely with the potential for a crack in the jerry can and explosive fuel...

All in all, it can come down to dollars, and if the Lexus was cheap enough, it saves a lot of money for fuel, and there is no cheaper long range tanks than four or five jerry can holders on the a-frame..... And the Lexus is a wonderful luxury vehicle, so I guess dollars is the deciding factor as that makes up for fuel economy. I just have serious reservations about petrol for long range travel in this great land of Oz…

Hope this analysis has been of a help..
Kind regards, stg at Bushtracker

I've read the "twice the reliability" comment in several posts now. The suggestion that the current TD Cruiser is proving to be an unreliable tow vehicle is a bit alarming for this TD owner who is planning to quit the city in the not-too-distant future.

Perhaps some of the owners of these vehicles can give us a run-down on the problems they are experiencing with their electronics and how (or if) they have been able to solve them while off the beaten track? Is it feasible to carry replacement electronics and if so, what sort of items?

After splendid service from two 80 series turbos we are up to 160,000 km on our second 100 Turbo, an auto, the first 100 Turbo manual having covered 320,000km. We do mainly country driving, a lot of it on gravel and most of it at high speed due to the ridiculous distances we have to cover. Oil and filter changes are generally done at 20,000 km or whenever we think of it. Our Caterpillar and John Deere tractors working in extreme conditions are on 250/500 hr oil/filter changes and we can't see why the Cruisers should be treated any differently. Have towed to Cape York, across the top and and just about everywhere else.
We have never experienced the slightest problem with suspensions, electronics, fuel systems or any other systems. Would never consider anything else!

I think I'm feeling a tad more relaxed. LOL. Just as a matter of interest, do the much-favoured F250s operate via electronics or is Ford one of the dinosaurs?

Don't be shy ;-) ... let's see it.

I understand your point of view regarding the older Toyotas. Is the same true of the Fords, ie, is it also a good option to go for an old one (F100?) and add bits to give it more grunt while retaining serviceability in the bush?

(Note that I'm trying real hard to avoid suggesting that that you might have a hidden agenda here, Steven, like getting customers to spend less on the tow vehicle so they have a bigger budget for a BT. LOL)

Michael

Trevor,
Not sure, but I think Kiwi fella is just having a bit of fun with it, although what he suggests is a good idea anyway! Why spend heaps on the vehicle that depreciates relatively quickly compared to the van?
Cheers
Matt

We have a 2004 100 series IFS TD. Only 30,000km at the moment so can't help on the longevity. My personal view on the electronics is that cars generally have undergone a quantum shift in the last decade or so, and have become dramatically more reliable without our really noticing.

Re the IFS failure: When ARB fitted our suspension upgrade they told us of a weak link in the suspension that needed a brace welded onto it, which Toyota have been denying is a weakness but which ARB had seen fail many times. It was a $50 fix or thereabouts, so we got them to weld the something onto the whatever it was (I paid very close attention as you can see!). Perhaps that is where the stories of the IFS failing have come from?

Matt

Trevor -- no ulterior motive. My suggestion was entirely tongue-in-cheek and nothing more than good-natured ribbing. Stay calm.

Matt -- can you find out the details of what was welded and why?

\Michael