2000 Lexus LX470 LX from North America - Comments

The car stereo - Nakamechi- is a piece of junk. I love this car, but the problems with this stereo have soured me on this car brand and associated warranty service policies permanently. I paid $32,000 for this "used auto", and purchased an extended warranty from the LEXUS dealership. The entire service department has turned out to be a bunch of "uppity snobs". Once they have your money--forget it, they've got you; and customer satisfaction means nothing to them. Instead of replacing the unit, which started acting up @39,500 under the original manufacturer's warranty. Now, they offered to sell another "rebuilt" model from the dealership to resolve the problem (like they were doing me a favor). Why on earth would I want to buy a replica of a product with which I have had so much trouble?

I can go to Best Buy and purchase a more reliable product and have better customer service.

Do not buy a car from Lexus unless you enjoy throwing away money. The customer service from the dealership stinks. LEXUS Regional Office is of no help either, so don't count on the manufacturer to be any better.

I wouldn't say that the car is unreliable because of the car's audio player. This could have been replaced by another CD player. They are not out for people's money. In my opinion they have exceptional customer service standards and are very helpful.

Now hang on a minute...

You cannot call the whole car unreliable because of the stereo not working!

Did the car start every day? Did it steer, stop and ride safely?

I think you should have bought a stereo instead of a car, as this seems to be your highest priority!

I agree with the above comments in that an LX470 is an extremely reliable vehicle, though there are good and bad dealership experiences, even with Lexus. However, such experiences have always been positive in my dealings with Lexus, but the bad dealership experience can sour one on a vehicle, that's for certain. I'd replace it with an aftermarket from Crutchfield and then be on your way to a most enjoyable experience with a very capable SUV.

On the issue of unreliability... I think this guy is confusing Lexus with VW and Audi...

This is the most ignorant review I've ever read. How can you say the whole car is unrealiable, and blame Lexus for being a bad manufacturer, only because you're having trouble with your cd player? Please do us all a favour, sell you vehicle and buy an Audi. Please please do. You don't deserve to drive a Lexus.

How does a radio breaking make a car unreliable? I better go trade in my 2004 RX330 because the CD changer had to be replaced last year... makes it so unreliable. You need to get a clue! If your car left you stranded then yes its unreliable, but not because of a radio. My wifes 2001 S500 is unreliable because the whole computer failed while at a stop light. If you think Lexus is so unreliable just go buy a Mercedes, BMW, or Audi and youll change your mind after one trip to the dealer.

I have a 1999 LX470. I replaced the Nakamichi stereo with first an Alpine with DVD-Nav and XM, and then an Avic Z1. Why? A) I wanted GPS (DVD or hard drive, not 10 CD's) B) I wanted XM. Everything else was already there with the car; seating for 8, V8 power (albeit gas), amazing off road and very good on road performance, and service people who treat me like a friend. Now you may say, "Well, they've got your money and they know you're going to spend it there!" I have not purchased a Lexus since 1999. It has 215,170 miles on it as of parking it. The worst thing that can happen now is a suspension failure. That's right, 215,000+ miles on the original suspension, just about the only life-limited part on this car. I go out, I put the key in and turn it, and she starts right up. I drive her from Phoenix to Orlando via Memphis, then Orlando to Phoenix via New Orleans, and don't bat an eye. Re-flipping-liable car. I cannot kill it. So don't whine about your radio, dude, enjoy one of the mechanically best built cars on the planet. Just... suck it up at the gas station.

I have the Mark Levison stereo in mine. Best ever for a production car. Best vehicle. All vehicles need repairs, but if a stereo problem is all you have to worry about then buy an American car, and the only thing that will work might be the stereo.

Did you really just mark this car unreliable because of the stereo?

I have a 1999 LX470 with 135K miles. This is an exceptional vehicle. Lexus customer service is "second to none."

Hand on folks. Don't be so harsh to him! Probably all he wanted to mean is that after spending so much money why something very important for long drives would break down? He is right to some extent. However, he is wrong to say Lexus is a bad make. You don't have to be mechanically inclined to understand and realize the difference between Lexus/Toyota and the other import vehicles (excluding Honda though).

I am planning to get one in couple of months (either LX 470 or Land cruiser, same motors, but LX 470 has luxury settings inside).

October26, 2007.

I own a 2001 Lexus ES300, and it is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned. I bought it at 1 year old. It had 32,000 miles on it and now I have 95,000k. I have had it for 5 years and this car has never put me down. The only thing I have done to the car besides an oil change is breaks, and tires. So no one can tell me I didn't invest in a good vehicle. If you be good to it, it will be good to you. Please don't worry about the radio system, it's not that important to listen to music when driving as it is to get to where you are going safely.

My LX470 has 300,000km and I have never had a problem with it except for the fuel consumption. I recently got bogged in a dam on a property in Australia after slipping on clay and sliding in, the car was completely full of water right up to the steering wheel. I had to leave the car there over night until I could find someone with a 4X4 tractor from one of the other properties. We finally pulled it out the next day opened the door, let all the water out and it started first go, I then drove the car 1000km home and I am still driving the car 12 months later with no problems at all although the radio shorted out from the water, must be an unreliable car then.