I am a Vietnam Era Vet. I am old enough to enjoy my toys. I own 3 very serious 4X4's. I built a 1996 Ford F250 4X4 entirely myself with all the bells and whistles. I have 2 third generation 4Runners. One is a 4X4 and I built it all myself. My triple lock Lexus LX450 is the absolute Q U E E N out of all of them. She is bone stock with over 500,000 miles and every time I drive her I am like a little boy looking at his first Playboy centerfold !!!!
Seriously!! A used car dealer in my area has tried to sell 2 of them at outrageously inflated prices! First one being a ‘96 with around 170k on the clock and was pretty “loved” with the scratched paint & worn out leather.. they wanted around $20k for it. 2nd one was the real doozy.. an ‘01 with really low miles, 45k I believe, and was in all fairness very well taken care of… those people seriously had it up for $50k big ones!!! That right there is certified pre-owned Lexus GX460 from this past decade, type of cash 😅
These were stupid cheap 10 years ago. Sold my 96 with 120k for $1000 because nobody wanted it(gas was also expensive at the time). I remember people used to complain the 80 series was unrefined, under powered, gas guzzling, and ugly. Then the shift towards retro cars started heating up and people realized the full potential of these land cruisers. Wish I kept it.
@@bmwmsport11 And that is how I got into Land Cruisers. Was around 08-09 when gas was stupid expensive for the time, and I remember triple locked clean California 94-97 80 series were $3-6k. And 98/1999 100 series with 100-120k miles were under $10-11k. Crazy now how a 98/99 100 series with 300k is $10-11k and clean 80s are impossible to find under $25k. Wish I had a time machine and could swap them all up in 2009 prices.
The Lexus LX450 I remember it was mentioned in the song Hypnotize by the Notorious BIG, and a neighbor of mine had one in the neighborhood I grew up in back in the late 90s, these are super rare today
Back in the 90’s The Notorious BIG actually owned a bright red 80’s series Toyota Land Cruiser similar to this LX450 in this video. It had a brush guard on the front. There is a famous photo of him standing in front of it that you can find on Google.
@@MitchQuintana it is told that he owned a gold LX and he never drove it but friend lil cease did. Unfortunately there is no photo of this car, he bought it 6/5 months before his death
In Australia I drove the diesel version. We towed a 6 wheel enclosed trailer all over the country in luxury. It had the fridge in the center console too!
@@kristians2704 I know this, but this is what these compete against back then it was the range rover that was the bar for luxury suv's so thats why I use that analogy.. Now basically everyone and their mother makes a luxury suv Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche ect cost close to or over 6 figures new, and within 5 years they're all a pile of junk that you can buy at any discount car lot for about what you would pay for a Toyota camry. These on the otherhand are still going and will be in 10 or even 15 years.
Would love to own one, and stick a 4.7L V8 engine and tranny from the 1st gen GX in it. As I have always loved the styling of this LX. For now, I'll keep my GX.
I remember as a young one when these came out, everyone including the FJ60 crowd saying these were mall-crawlers, mom-wagons, not an offroader, and shunning them. Same thing with the 100 series, same thing with the 200 series, and now same thing with the 300 series.
Those SUVs are very popular in Africa, particularly the 100 and 200 series. Occasionally you would even find some 70 and 105 series around. It's rare to find one being used as a mall crawler, and even then, it's usually just the 100 series. 200 series are extremely expensive, the 70 series is primarily used by military, and the 105 is pretty rare.
Still haunted by a one owner one near me that was selling for under $5k last year. I reached out within the hour of it being listed for sale, and that still wasn’t fast enough.
Most modern SUV are just pavement princesses with fully-kitted out interiors. They aren't going anywhere near off-roading because they simply CANNOT. Prettys sad, in my opinion..
@@christivie121 they certainly have the capability. The differential and traction management system on the LX570 is far superior to the LX450. However, you’re right about the owners not taking it off paved roads.
@@User.Joshua You're right! In terms of mechanical capabilities, they're certainly capable! However, most modern SUVS come out the factory with improper clearance, tires, wheels and undercarriage for a good off-roading experience! That's what I was implying but I phrased it wrong, my bad
I love Retro Reviews!!! I’m pretty sure this is the only review on youtube of this kind for the LX450. It’s crazy to think about the explosion of Luxury SUV’s that came after this.. the Navigator, Escalade, X5, ML, etc. I’m pretty sure Audi and Jag were the only ones late to the Lux Ute game..
God, that LS400 show in the beginning and the featured LX450 remind me of all the wonderful Lexus and Toyota products I saw everywhere while growing up and when they were nice & shiny new 😍 Remember my folks taking me along to the dealership while they were buying a new Previa.. first vehicle I came across in their showroom was a green Land Cruiser with the tan leather interior. I can recall how heavy those doors where while trying to open them and to this day, can smell that trucks brand-spanking new interior! I’ll forever be brand loyal to Toyota Motors, but I surely do miss this era of automotive engineering, design and quality ❤
Wow, I’ve heard that song so many times and never made the connection. I’m doubly embarrassed because he’s might favorite rapper and that’s my favorite car brand 😂.
@@DanielLopez-pu4hx Biggie loved Lexuses. In Big Poppa too, "Jump in the Rover and come over, tell your friends jump in the GS3, I got the chronic by the tree."
@@Altchannel2988 Yep, Toyota set out to make the fullsize Land Cruiser for 1981 (FJ60) a copy of the original Range Rover, after feeling threatened the big FJ50 (67-80) was being usurped by it. The ‘91 FJ80 was a more ambitious response in 1990, but after 1992, the Land Cruiser started having extreme price increases due to the Yen and the reality, many rich people were buying Land Cruisers in 1990-92 and customizing them like a Lexus. The need for a Lexus version became more apparent, when LS 400 and SC coupe customers would just buy a Range Rover instead in some cases, as the early J80s didn’t offer leather until the 1993 model year. As Toyota kept increasing the Land Cruiser price many thousands per year after 1992 as both a test of the market and Yen dollar fluctuations, sales kept jumping anyway! In 1991, Toyota despite a crashing Japanese economy, set out to make the Land Cruiser “better” than the Range Rover in every aspect they could and no longer just try to match it, by the many updates new for 1993, ordering the extremely ambitious 100-Series effort, and two Lexus versions. They knocked themselves out with 1995-96 J80 and J100 in 1998, but pretty much fell off after that. 1999 was the best LC sales year ever in USA. Toyota got carried away by the 2000s, when the innovation aspect started paling in comparison to others in the 2000s. When the Sequoia and GX came into play as discount alternatives in early 2000s, sales collapsed, with the updated Escalade & Navigator, QX56 Infiniti and MB GL-Class absolutely torpedoing it further to unsuspecting fickle buyers. The updates for 2003 were decent, but they were already forgotten in USA. Aside from that, checking for optional equipment of the time (1996) with inflation adjusted to today’s models, they definitely match up. People just don’t value them as much against the greater field of competitors.
Friend bought a TD Toyota Landcruiser from Japan (wrecked) and transfered it all into a '96 LX. Full paint job, interior re-do and some nice updates...beautiful and gets respectable mileage
Neighbor has a white 450. 367k miles later, still runs and drives like new. He's had some interior bits refreshed, but the truck has no rust, no smoke, and everything is still operational. They may be slow, but sometime slow wins the race.
The 1FZ-FE is a pretty solid engine, yes it's not a V8, a Turbo Diesel or anything of that sort but my J100 Land Cruiser is running just fine 22 years later. Can't say the same about some other cars from the era unfortunately.
Indeed - I only ever see 100s/470s in Chicagoland. Once driving, I pulled up next to another 450 and the other guy and I ended up talking for 15 minutes about our to-do lists.
@@LostandFoundTravel I'm roughly 45 minutes away from Comiskey, and I don't see any Land Cruisers except maybe the LX570 driven by someone who has no idea what they have. My 80 definitely gets a few necks broken when I drive past. Not a strong Land Cruiser community here unfortunately.
@@realAAron124agreed. I have a buddy that lives not too far away from me. Not only does he have a 96 80 series Land Cruiser, he’s also got an 06 LX470 and just treats it like a regular car. Sadly he’s not into Land Cruisers like I am 😞
Last of the "real" Land Cruisers, sporting a solid front axle plus an inline six engine. 96-97 Land Cruiser is the best of the best, the pinnacle of Toyota SUV's. This is probably the most rugged, dependable mass produced vehicle ever made. No wonder Lexus wanted to re badge it.
The big, luxury Cruiser would've always been a Lexus, if the brand existed in the 1960s. Stuff like the FJ40 or FJ70 would've been where the nameplate ended.
Okay, color me confused, but how was this considered a late arrival when it came YEARS before the Cadillac escalade, Lincoln navigator, BMW X5, Audi Q7, and even dropped a year earlier than Infiniti's QX4 or Mercedes-Benz's ML? If anything, it was AHEAD of most of its competitors, outside of the Range Rover, which was its only competitor at the time (sorry, no, I do not consider the Jeep Grand Wagoneer to be a competitor against this).
I wonder how much a 1996 LX450 would costs right now. I wouldn't mind having one right now. It would make a great family car, luxury car, and off-road vehicle.
@@ubiased23 Amen or maybe even 1997 if you want. Those are the only two major model years of A32. A32 was an early 1995 model year car in early 1994 (they say it was designed as a 1994 model) and got refreshed in October of 1996 as a ‘97 (new taillights, grille, etc) and A33 came in spring 1999.
These were always the cheaper option than buying a Land Cruiser. People still love the Toyota name so they were cheaper than the LC. Now a days with inflation everything is going up so I don't know if they are much of a deal anymore. I can tell ya one thing, this SUV probably is still driving the roads with ease today unless it was wrecked.
These were actually very similar in price to the LC’s back in ‘96 & ‘97. They’re the exact same rig as the Cruisers - basically identical. Nowadays just like the used 80’s series Land Cruisers they’re not cheap. There’s basically no price difference between a used 80’s series Land Cruiser and a Lexus LX450. Lexus only made these from 1996-‘97 and those two years are the most sought after for the 80’s series. And yeah, I wouldn’t doubt that it’s still driving today. My 1994 Land Cruiser still runs and drives like new - 27yrs and 235k miles later…
@@MitchQuintana First owner? If not, why did you choose the 1994 when 95-97s with more features exist? The luxury Land Cruiser experiment was first encouraged by buyers choosing the 60-Series as an upmarket alternative to the Grand Wagoneer and Range Rover. With the more upmarket J80, sales jumped a lot, especially after major updates in late 1992 and then early 1995 (these LXs began 11/95). Celebrities were already buying them, as the redesigned ‘91s were seen as stylish and now almost matched the RR in Country Club appeal. Toyota kept increasing the price significantly year to year, with the knowledge they were throwing the kitchen sink into the 100-Series as the 90s progressed (and peaked with that generation in broad appeal.) Plus, MB announcing a redesigned G-Wagen in 1991-93 (became M-Class instead) for Alabama , Toyota felt threatened and initiated 2.5 Lexus SUV programs (450, RX, and 470). 1999 was the best LC sales year in USA and 2000 held off any decline, but after that plummeted starting in 2001 (Sequoia?). As of the 2010s, Toyota I think realized that the luxury Land Cruiser (under Toyota badge) experiment has succeeded in rougher regions of the world, where it’s appreciated, but an utter failure in North/Western Europe and North America. It was removed from most of continental Europe in 2015 and USA in 2021. Canada since 1998. Per internal information, will only be brought back to USA when a business case for an aspirational FJ40 like reboot is made. 300-Series only makes sense as a Lexus going forward in North America, so it was dropped. Studying a replacement for 70-Series is only where it fits in.
@@jmin8400 No, I’m not the first owner of my 1994 LC. The later FZJ80’s don’t actually have that many features that mine doesn’t. The 1995-‘97 all have leather and power seats, the dashboard design is a bit different/more modern, and they’re OBDII. Aside from that and a few other minor things like cosmetics my 1994 is the same. I chose mine because it was the best/cleanest Cruiser I could find for sale in my area. I searched for two years to find the perfect Land Cruiser for me.
@@MitchQuintana I see, so just of because availability? Understandable. Nowadays I do like the 1993-94s, but have always favored the 1995-97 of course since back in the day. Toyota kept hinting at the LC as a luxury vehicle, but subtly up until the end of 1992 when leather became an option and the price climbed. The 1995s just made it way more obvious, plus the fact they have std airbags is another reason for me. Toyota I guess had to make room for the redesigned ‘96 4Runner and stave off competition. If they had actually kept the original dash 80, while adding airbags and OBDII, while using the newer flat dash in the LX 450 and perhaps clear taillights (as seen in aftermarket), would’ve made for greater differentiation. The problem I feel is that Toyota became too proud to offer the Land Cruiser in a more spartan package, because of the prestige of the name and fear of cannibalization by lower tier models (4Runner). It made it so redundant next to the LX.
@@jmin8400 Yes, because my 1994 Cruiser was the best one I could find in my price range. I wasn’t particular about the year - I knew I wanted a ‘93-‘97 though because of the 1FZFE engine. I actually like the 1993/‘94’s styling better than the later models. The TOYOTA grill instead of the sombrero logo is much better looking and I personally like the cloth manual seats better (less problems and condition issues to deal with), and I like the old/vintage style dashboard.
Back when Lexus had a strong image, you knew it was a Lexus coming down the highway, and that LS what a beauty (course it was based on a Mercedes design)
LS was an amalgamation of many designs, not a direct replica of a Mercedes design. There was E32 BMW, both W124+W126 Mercedes, and late 80s Toyota in it. I have seen the many proposals for the LS 400 and there was one from 1986 that looked exactly like a W126 S-Class. The final car in early 1987 thankfully was less derivative. Lexus has felt threatened since they lost sales domination in 2011, so they have changed their image.
That seems to be the norm in ALL the comment sections of the retro reviews lol. "I bet that ____ is still running today!' "It's been years since I've seen ____!" "I'd buy that ____ today instead of the new one!' 🙄😂
Only money makers could get these and with so many options in SUVs they were not everyone 1st choice...top sellers in my suburbs during 90s....Tahoe, rodeos, 4 runners, expeditions.then for rich it was Range Rover 4.6 and ml 320
I love how front end grilles were still in proportion to the rest of the car back then. What happened? They engulf the entire front of the vehicle now,. looks like a fish with its mouth wide open.
@Allen Tokyo Well understood, but simply because production has ended I imagine and supply being so constrained, this is the result. Supply and demand. BTW, I’m know you’re aware of that. I work for FMC and own a lot of 200 Series in international fleets, plus don’t expect the next LX to arrive in showrooms until next year.
Hardly anybody buys the LCs thats why Toyota stopped selling them in the US. Why buy a $90k Toyota when you can pay a little more and get a Lexus? More luxury and tech and a better warranty.
A new Land Cruiser is $76K while an Escalade is $64K on cars dot com. While a 2009 with less than150,000 miles the LC is $26K and a Escalade is $17K. A new LX570 3-row is $92K while a 2009 is $27K. So the LC drops $50K and the Escalade only drops $48K. Toyota LC is not luxurious and should not have that depreciation compared to another luxury marque.the LX is more like a luxury vehicle in it’s high depreciation of $65 in the last decade.
That 4.5L inline 6 was pretty underpowered though. That motor should've made at least 350hp. That 4 speed automatic is a turnoff for me in 1996. A 5 speed automatic would have been nice.
@@PANTYEATR1 That 4.5 1FZ is a pretty popular engine to modify in some parts of the Middle East. Similarly, Nisssan's 4.8L TB48 straight 6 are also notorious for it's modifiability and ability to easily go 1000+ hp.
$52k is steep for a vehicle that does 0-60 in 11 seconds and barely breaks double digit fuel economy, even if you're likely to get 300-500k miles out of it
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I'm leaving it all to Retro Review in my will
You talk about the SUV boom then, I just wrote about this now in South Africa. Sedan is dead here. Hope we get more EVs.
@@ruthun What a depressing landscape that must be.
I bet that Lexus lx450 is still running on the roads! Those SUVs are so dependable!!!
Almost as dependable as John Davis!
Sadly not true. My grandma rolled it after too many box wines in Aspen
And cost you over 15k grands.
Yes. I have one from 1960 BC
@@Benjamin06267485 sometimes when I’m lonely I will shave one leg so it feels like I’m sleeping with a woman 👩🏼 🛌
I would drive one of these today. It still looks gorgeous and luxurious.
I think this is the best looking generation of the Land Cruiser platform by far
@@MrTaxiRob in my opinion, that honour goes to the 100 series. But the 80 and 200 series are by no means ugly, though.
13 mpg, lol.
The absolute gold standard of reliability! Drove a 97 with 450k miles last week it drove like new I was not surprised at all
That’s epic!
I am a Vietnam Era Vet. I am old enough to enjoy my toys. I own 3 very serious 4X4's. I built a 1996 Ford F250 4X4 entirely myself with all the bells and whistles. I have 2 third generation 4Runners. One is a 4X4 and I built it all myself. My triple lock Lexus LX450 is the absolute Q U E E N out of all of them. She is bone stock with over 500,000 miles and every time I drive her I am like a little boy looking at his first Playboy centerfold !!!!
Love these. Shame the market for them is driving prices up to ridiculous levels
It's not only the market, but the greedy companies. No wonder why the Land Cruiser is no longer available in the US...
Seriously!!
A used car dealer in my area has tried to sell 2 of them at outrageously inflated prices! First one being a ‘96 with around 170k on the clock and was pretty “loved” with the scratched paint & worn out leather.. they wanted around $20k for it. 2nd one was the real doozy.. an ‘01 with really low miles, 45k I believe, and was in all fairness very well taken care of… those people seriously had it up for $50k big ones!!! That right there is certified pre-owned Lexus GX460 from this past decade, type of cash 😅
@@hugolafhugolaf Lexus LX450 is resistent and solid SUV
@@fernandorocha8459 And?
Just looked up the price of these and the ‘Toyota Tax ‘ is very real
These were stupid cheap 10 years ago. Sold my 96 with 120k for $1000 because nobody wanted it(gas was also expensive at the time). I remember people used to complain the 80 series was unrefined, under powered, gas guzzling, and ugly. Then the shift towards retro cars started heating up and people realized the full potential of these land cruisers. Wish I kept it.
And worth every penny
The Escalades from this day dissolved in the rain
@@bmwmsport11 And that is how I got into Land Cruisers. Was around 08-09 when gas was stupid expensive for the time, and I remember triple locked clean California 94-97 80 series were $3-6k. And 98/1999 100 series with 100-120k miles were under $10-11k. Crazy now how a 98/99 100 series with 300k is $10-11k and clean 80s are impossible to find under $25k. Wish I had a time machine and could swap them all up in 2009 prices.
Because of the price, I can only get a 2nd gen Dodge Ram with Cummins (Haha even Land Cruiser don’t have Cummins or Hino engine)
@@alpzerlaken they have a 1HZ and later a 1HD-FTE 4.2 litre 6 Cyl diesel engine but I don't think they ever offered them in North America
The Lexus LX450 I remember it was mentioned in the song Hypnotize by the Notorious BIG, and a neighbor of mine had one in the neighborhood I grew up in back in the late 90s, these are super rare today
Thinking exact same when I saw the title. "Lexus LX 4 and a half. Bulletproof glass, tints if I want some azz."
@@nls8520 right! My original comment did say a** but UA-cam deleted it lol
Back in the 90’s The Notorious BIG actually owned a bright red 80’s series Toyota Land Cruiser similar to this LX450 in this video. It had a brush guard on the front. There is a famous photo of him standing in front of it that you can find on Google.
@@MitchQuintana that’s a neat bit of trivia, cool sir
@@MitchQuintana it is told that he owned a gold LX and he never drove it but friend lil cease did. Unfortunately there is no photo of this car, he bought it 6/5 months before his death
Still looks epic.
That's my family SUV we bought in 98. Had it for almost 20 years before selling it. Great truck!
I love this Lexus LX 450 3.5V6 212hp, test 13mpg, EPA mileage 13city, 15highway wow
1:28 John: THE BIGGEST LEXUS IS NO RABBIT! LOL
In Australia I drove the diesel version. We towed a 6 wheel enclosed trailer all over the country in luxury. It had the fridge in the center console too!
These are still on the road today, land rovers from the same era are in the scrap yard, definitely a testimony to the build quality
land rover is a pretty low bar to compare for reliability
@@kristians2704 I know this, but this is what these compete against back then it was the range rover that was the bar for luxury suv's so thats why I use that analogy.. Now basically everyone and their mother makes a luxury suv Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche ect cost close to or over 6 figures new, and within 5 years they're all a pile of junk that you can buy at any discount car lot for about what you would pay for a Toyota camry. These on the otherhand are still going and will be in 10 or even 15 years.
MANY TOYOTA SEQUOIAS' STILL ON THE ROADS! GREAT! SUVS
@@captainamericaamerica8090 this is the landcruiser not sequoia completely different animal
@@jhomrich89 Me neighbours, have a seq! I wash it for spare change. It's got 660,000! Miles. It runs like new!
I'd love to own one of these
Beautiful the Lexus LX 450, comfortable SUV
Would love to own one, and stick a 4.7L V8 engine and tranny from the 1st gen GX in it. As I have always loved the styling of this LX.
For now, I'll keep my GX.
Why not go LX470?
@@nabahmadi5012 Because of the body styling. For me, the LX470 is a tad too big and not as good looking as this model.
@@Kiss__Kiss fair enough. It is a good looking brute. Especially those pumped up wheel arches.
@@nabahmadi5012 Exactly.. Cheers, Mate!
I remember as a young one when these came out, everyone including the FJ60 crowd saying these were mall-crawlers, mom-wagons, not an offroader, and shunning them. Same thing with the 100 series, same thing with the 200 series, and now same thing with the 300 series.
Those SUVs are very popular in Africa, particularly the 100 and 200 series. Occasionally you would even find some 70 and 105 series around. It's rare to find one being used as a mall crawler, and even then, it's usually just the 100 series. 200 series are extremely expensive, the 70 series is primarily used by military, and the 105 is pretty rare.
Still haunted by a one owner one near me that was selling for under $5k last year. I reached out within the hour of it being listed for sale, and that still wasn’t fast enough.
You gotta be the very first.
$5K for a 25 year old car is not worth it. Maybe $2-3K tops for something that’s a quarter century old.
@@lordmaster5522 you know nothing about the specialty market
@@lordmaster5522 book value on my 1999 Suburban LT is still over four grand
@@lordmaster5522 Just because of it's age? With your logic, the Porsche 964 should only cost $2-3k tops because it's over a quarter century old.
Looks so much better than the current LX.
Most modern SUV are just pavement princesses with fully-kitted out interiors. They aren't going anywhere near off-roading because they simply CANNOT. Prettys sad, in my opinion..
@@christivie121 they certainly have the capability. The differential and traction management system on the LX570 is far superior to the LX450. However, you’re right about the owners not taking it off paved roads.
@@User.Joshua You're right! In terms of mechanical capabilities, they're certainly capable! However, most modern SUVS come out the factory with improper clearance, tires, wheels and undercarriage for a good off-roading experience! That's what I was implying but I phrased it wrong, my bad
Gonna try to find a used one. That 90’s style is sooooo nice. It was so good even Biggie Smalls rapped about having one. Lol :D
The Lexus Land Cruiser!
I love Retro Reviews!!! I’m pretty sure this is the only review on youtube of this kind for the LX450.
It’s crazy to think about the explosion of Luxury SUV’s that came after this.. the Navigator, Escalade, X5, ML, etc. I’m pretty sure Audi and Jag were the only ones late to the Lux Ute game..
God, that LS400 show in the beginning and the featured LX450 remind me of all the wonderful Lexus and Toyota products I saw everywhere while growing up and when they were nice & shiny new 😍 Remember my folks taking me along to the dealership while they were buying a new Previa.. first vehicle I came across in their showroom was a green Land Cruiser with the tan leather interior. I can recall how heavy those doors where while trying to open them and to this day, can smell that trucks brand-spanking new interior! I’ll forever be brand loyal to Toyota Motors, but I surely do miss this era of automotive engineering, design and quality ❤
I just saw this same one on the road 5 minutes ago. Like the energizer bunny it just keeps going, going and going. You have to love these.
Everytime I hear "Lexus LX four and a half" I picture one of these
Frank White push the 6 or the Lexus LX four and a half...
Wow, I’ve heard that song so many times and never made the connection. I’m doubly embarrassed because he’s might favorite rapper and that’s my favorite car brand 😂.
@@DanielLopez-pu4hx Biggie loved Lexuses. In Big Poppa too, "Jump in the Rover and come over, tell your friends jump in the GS3, I got the chronic by the tree."
That's $90k in today's money!
And they still cost that
@@Altchannel2988 Yep, Toyota set out to make the fullsize Land Cruiser for 1981 (FJ60) a copy of the original Range Rover, after feeling threatened the big FJ50 (67-80) was being usurped by it.
The ‘91 FJ80 was a more ambitious response in 1990, but after 1992, the Land Cruiser started having extreme price increases due to the Yen and the reality, many rich people were buying Land Cruisers in 1990-92 and customizing them like a Lexus.
The need for a Lexus version became more apparent, when LS 400 and SC coupe customers would just buy a Range Rover instead in some cases, as the early J80s didn’t offer leather until the 1993 model year.
As Toyota kept increasing the Land Cruiser price many thousands per year after 1992 as both a test of the market and Yen dollar fluctuations, sales kept jumping anyway!
In 1991, Toyota despite a crashing Japanese economy, set out to make the Land Cruiser “better” than the Range Rover in every aspect they could and no longer just try to match it, by the many updates new for 1993, ordering the extremely ambitious 100-Series effort, and two Lexus versions.
They knocked themselves out with 1995-96 J80 and J100 in 1998, but pretty much fell off after that.
1999 was the best LC sales year ever in USA.
Toyota got carried away by the 2000s, when the innovation aspect started paling in comparison to others in the 2000s.
When the Sequoia and GX came into play as discount alternatives in early 2000s, sales collapsed, with the updated Escalade & Navigator, QX56 Infiniti and MB GL-Class absolutely torpedoing it further to unsuspecting fickle buyers.
The updates for 2003 were decent, but they were already forgotten in USA.
Aside from that, checking for optional equipment of the time (1996) with inflation adjusted to today’s models, they definitely match up. People just don’t value them as much against the greater field of competitors.
Crazy how it had front and rear diff locks, only the 300 based LX will get them again.
But the '96 and '97 80 series Lexus had a solid front axle along with the triple lock option so they became the iconic gold standard.
@@robertclark2714 Definitely the best for off-roading.
I love the style of this content, so nostalgic
Friend bought a TD Toyota Landcruiser from Japan (wrecked) and transfered it all into a '96 LX. Full paint job, interior re-do and some nice updates...beautiful and gets respectable mileage
A luxurious 80 series, my perfect 4wd!
This is the best SUV know to man kind. I have this Truck 1996, I LOVE THIS MODEL.
Man I wish I have one of those now! Between the land cruiser and that one! The resale value are off the roof!
All Land Cruises are going up in value in the United States. Solid investment.
All fullsize ICE SUVs are going up in value, because people believe that they'll be banned eventually
Lexus’s first SUV, rebadged Land Cruiser but better. I’d get this in a heartbeat. Will last forever. Range Rover from this time period? Not a chance
The only two at the top back then, 😉. So different today of course.
Neighbor has a white 450. 367k miles later, still runs and drives like new. He's had some interior bits refreshed, but the truck has no rust, no smoke, and everything is still operational. They may be slow, but sometime slow wins the race.
The 1FZ-FE is a pretty solid engine, yes it's not a V8, a Turbo Diesel or anything of that sort but my J100 Land Cruiser is running just fine 22 years later.
Can't say the same about some other cars from the era unfortunately.
Can’t ever go wrong with a dependable ass inline 6 tho!
2jz big brother, too bad it has a terrible mpg
We have over 500,000 miles on our LX450 and she is still a daily driver. We have 2 third generation 4runners but Elvira is still the QUEEN.
One of the best looking 4x4 wagons of all time... 3:15
The most rarest Lexus in the WORLD...
This still gets better fuel economy than the current LX 570, wow.
i mean the lx570 has almost twice the power though and if you can afford a 100k suv i'm sure fuel mileage dosen't mean anything to you
But that has a V8... and no mpg on that one is 14 city 16 highway a slight improvement but nobody is buying these for gas mileage anyway...
Mileage standards got more difficult. The numbers are not comparable.
@@ChrisN85420 it gas lots more room too. Full three' comfy rows
These things are rare now, it’s so hard to find these things out on the road same with the LX470
Indeed - I only ever see 100s/470s in Chicagoland. Once driving, I pulled up next to another 450 and the other guy and I ended up talking for 15 minutes about our to-do lists.
@@LostandFoundTravel I'm roughly 45 minutes away from Comiskey, and I don't see any Land Cruisers except maybe the LX570 driven by someone who has no idea what they have. My 80 definitely gets a few necks broken when I drive past. Not a strong Land Cruiser community here unfortunately.
@@realAAron124agreed. I have a buddy that lives not too far away from me. Not only does he have a 96 80 series Land Cruiser, he’s also got an 06 LX470 and just treats it like a regular car. Sadly he’s not into Land Cruisers like I am 😞
My parents still have theirs. The Mark Levinson sound system is fantastic and way ahead of its time. Reliability is 👍👌
ML wasn't available until 2000.
Wow $53k back in 1996 o.o !
Cool, I learned about a new Toyota engine, the FZ 4.5L I6. Time to watch videos of them being boosted to the moon.
Great review. 🙌🙌🙌
Last of the "real" Land Cruisers, sporting a solid front axle plus an inline six engine. 96-97 Land Cruiser is the best of the best, the pinnacle of Toyota SUV's. This is probably the most rugged, dependable mass produced vehicle ever made. No wonder Lexus wanted to re badge it.
The big, luxury Cruiser would've always been a Lexus, if the brand existed in the 1960s. Stuff like the FJ40 or FJ70 would've been where the nameplate ended.
That LS is so nice .
Okay, color me confused, but how was this considered a late arrival when it came YEARS before the Cadillac escalade, Lincoln navigator, BMW X5, Audi Q7, and even dropped a year earlier than Infiniti's QX4 or Mercedes-Benz's ML? If anything, it was AHEAD of most of its competitors, outside of the Range Rover, which was its only competitor at the time (sorry, no, I do not consider the Jeep Grand Wagoneer to be a competitor against this).
The 80 series is such a good truck, looks regal too in this Lexus trim. Sucks, that North America never got the Turbo Diesel Versions.
I wonder how much a 1996 LX450 would costs right now. I wouldn't mind having one right now. It would make a great family car, luxury car, and off-road vehicle.
The older LX's are great SUV's, but they just didn't offer too much over a Toyota Land Cruiser, other than the Lexus badging, of course.
V8 limited explorer was a much better choice then. Just as reliable, just as much luxury.
@@alb12345672 Or a Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ Limited/Orvis with the 318 V8.
@@alb12345672 this has front solid axle and optional front and rear lockers, big difference.
Handsome truck I'm finna get one soon I love em
A legend
At first I thought it was a police car but it was the Motorweek logo popping up behind the car :p
80 Series baby!
Can you show a video review of the 1996 nissan maxima?
They are not gonna have a review of that at all, because nothing changed that year.
@@jmin8400 so maybe I should ask for 1995 review then?
@@ubiased23 Amen or maybe even 1997 if you want. Those are the only two major model years of A32.
A32 was an early 1995 model year car in early 1994 (they say it was designed as a 1994 model) and got refreshed in October of 1996 as a ‘97 (new taillights, grille, etc) and A33 came in spring 1999.
These were always the cheaper option than buying a Land Cruiser. People still love the Toyota name so they were cheaper than the LC. Now a days with inflation everything is going up so I don't know if they are much of a deal anymore. I can tell ya one thing, this SUV probably is still driving the roads with ease today unless it was wrecked.
These were actually very similar in price to the LC’s back in ‘96 & ‘97. They’re the exact same rig as the Cruisers - basically identical. Nowadays just like the used 80’s series Land Cruisers they’re not cheap. There’s basically no price difference between a used 80’s series Land Cruiser and a Lexus LX450. Lexus only made these from 1996-‘97 and those two years are the most sought after for the 80’s series.
And yeah, I wouldn’t doubt that it’s still driving today. My 1994 Land Cruiser still runs and drives like new - 27yrs and 235k miles later…
@@MitchQuintana First owner? If not, why did you choose the 1994 when 95-97s with more features exist?
The luxury Land Cruiser experiment was first encouraged by buyers choosing the 60-Series as an upmarket alternative to the Grand Wagoneer and Range Rover.
With the more upmarket J80, sales jumped a lot, especially after major updates in late 1992 and then early 1995 (these LXs began 11/95).
Celebrities were already buying them, as the redesigned ‘91s were seen as stylish and now almost matched the RR in Country Club appeal.
Toyota kept increasing the price significantly year to year, with the knowledge they were throwing the kitchen sink into the 100-Series as the 90s progressed (and peaked with that generation in broad appeal.)
Plus, MB announcing a redesigned G-Wagen in 1991-93 (became M-Class instead) for Alabama , Toyota felt threatened and initiated 2.5 Lexus SUV programs (450, RX, and 470).
1999 was the best LC sales year in USA and 2000 held off any decline, but after that plummeted starting in 2001 (Sequoia?).
As of the 2010s, Toyota I think realized that the luxury Land Cruiser (under Toyota badge) experiment has succeeded in rougher regions of the world, where it’s appreciated, but an utter failure in North/Western Europe and North America.
It was removed from most of continental Europe in 2015 and USA in 2021. Canada since 1998. Per internal information, will only be brought back to USA when a business case for an aspirational FJ40 like reboot is made.
300-Series only makes sense as a Lexus going forward in North America, so it was dropped. Studying a replacement for 70-Series is only where it fits in.
@@jmin8400 No, I’m not the first owner of my 1994 LC. The later FZJ80’s don’t actually have that many features that mine doesn’t. The 1995-‘97 all have leather and power seats, the dashboard design is a bit different/more modern, and they’re OBDII. Aside from that and a few other minor things like cosmetics my 1994 is the same. I chose mine because it was the best/cleanest Cruiser I could find for sale in my area. I searched for two years to find the perfect Land Cruiser for me.
@@MitchQuintana I see, so just of because availability? Understandable. Nowadays I do like the 1993-94s, but have always favored the 1995-97 of course since back in the day.
Toyota kept hinting at the LC as a luxury vehicle, but subtly up until the end of 1992 when leather became an option and the price climbed.
The 1995s just made it way more obvious, plus the fact they have std airbags is another reason for me. Toyota I guess had to make room for the redesigned ‘96 4Runner and stave off competition.
If they had actually kept the original dash 80, while adding airbags and OBDII, while using the newer flat dash in the LX 450 and perhaps clear taillights (as seen in aftermarket), would’ve made for greater differentiation.
The problem I feel is that Toyota became too proud to offer the Land Cruiser in a more spartan package, because of the prestige of the name and fear of cannibalization by lower tier models (4Runner). It made it so redundant next to the LX.
@@jmin8400 Yes, because my 1994 Cruiser was the best one I could find in my price range. I wasn’t particular about the year - I knew I wanted a ‘93-‘97 though because of the 1FZFE engine.
I actually like the 1993/‘94’s styling better than the later models. The TOYOTA grill instead of the sombrero logo is much better looking and I personally like the cloth manual seats better (less problems and condition issues to deal with), and I like the old/vintage style dashboard.
Best vehicle ever made! The LC
Back when Lexus had a strong image, you knew it was a Lexus coming down the highway, and that LS what a beauty (course it was based on a Mercedes design)
LS was an amalgamation of many designs, not a direct replica of a Mercedes design. There was E32 BMW, both W124+W126 Mercedes, and late 80s Toyota in it.
I have seen the many proposals for the LS 400 and there was one from 1986 that looked exactly like a W126 S-Class. The final car in early 1987 thankfully was less derivative.
Lexus has felt threatened since they lost sales domination in 2011, so they have changed their image.
1:00 wow i though these had a V8 and only the previous generations had the I6,,, interesting
love the classy SUV box shape :(
My dad used too have 1996 LX450 but sadly it was totaled
94 Galant E50 pleeeeeeeeaase!
I have a 1997 v6 one dark green
Black wheels straight pipe
I want one of these! Look at that ground clearance. Now they make them with all these front spoilers ruining the approach angle!
Is this the first LX name first started with ?
Yes the original
@@baldeepjanda2798 yes then LX470 then LX570 and thank you 😊
When Daddy Doug became an adult
Video: Lexus
Comments: "...my neighbour have one with over 7.000.000.000 miles on it. Still runs like new"
That seems to be the norm in ALL the comment sections of the retro reviews lol.
"I bet that ____ is still running today!'
"It's been years since I've seen ____!"
"I'd buy that ____ today instead of the new one!'
🙄😂
@@drivedb7 and then theres always one guy saying how the car is super unreliable and bad
Thank You
Muito da hora sensacional parabéns 👏👏👏👏
Muito da hora amigo 👍
We need the 2000 Lincoln ls retro review pleasee
56k 25 years ago!?!? geeze!!!!
Only money makers could get these and with so many options in SUVs they were not everyone 1st choice...top sellers in my suburbs during 90s....Tahoe, rodeos, 4 runners, expeditions.then for rich it was Range Rover 4.6 and ml 320
Beautiful!
I miss my FZJ80! Had a 97 LX450
Subwoofer under the center console armrest 👍
Damn how much for 11 sec? Well at least it's super reliable.
Ya that is super slow. I wouldn't feel comfortable driving that on the highways now. But around town in a small town it would be nice
@@thomasnew8606 I go roughly 85-90 mph in 100 degree humidity with the AC on full blast, no problems.
I love how front end grilles were still in proportion to the rest of the car back then. What happened? They engulf the entire front of the vehicle now,. looks like a fish with its mouth wide open.
Frank White push the 6 or the Lexus LX 4 1/2
THE MOST VALUABLE LUXURY SUV ON THE🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Biggy agrees....
the rebadged landcruiser
Not Sure if this is an SUV or a luxiourious military tank!
Nowadays, Toyota is simply ripping people off by offering only the LX at a price premium and deleting the Land Cruiser from the lineup.
Yikes.
@Allen Tokyo Well understood, but simply because production has ended I imagine and supply being so constrained, this is the result.
Supply and demand. BTW, I’m know you’re aware of that. I work for FMC and own a lot of 200 Series in international fleets, plus don’t expect the next LX to arrive in showrooms until next year.
Hardly anybody buys the LCs thats why Toyota stopped selling them in the US. Why buy a $90k Toyota when you can pay a little more and get a Lexus? More luxury and tech and a better warranty.
@@andyleo8418 LX is still a ripoff. It is a LC at a price premium.
Ultimate zombie apocalypse car
The best of all time!! Real TOYOTA
You need a helmet when taking this thing 0-60?
In case you’re rear ended
Don't want to bang your head during the 0-60 induced nap.
A new Land Cruiser is $76K while an Escalade is $64K on cars dot com. While a 2009 with less than150,000 miles the LC is $26K and a Escalade is $17K. A new LX570 3-row is $92K while a 2009 is $27K.
So the LC drops $50K and the Escalade only drops $48K. Toyota LC is not luxurious and should not have that depreciation compared to another luxury marque.the LX is more like a luxury vehicle in it’s high depreciation of $65 in the last decade.
Get a life GM Lifer. You just never rest do you?
@@jmin8400 waiting for the new 3.5TT Toyota/Lexus SUVs to be popping motor and seizing engines in the cold!
whoa! 😳 4.5L straight 6! somebody swap that into a 240sx or a Supra....something. i didn't know a big inline 6 like that existed
That 4.5L inline 6 was pretty underpowered though. That motor should've made at least 350hp. That 4 speed automatic is a turnoff for me in 1996. A 5 speed automatic would have been nice.
@@moeschizlac I'm sure it could be modified to make 350hp or more... Possibly with OEM parts bin pieces.
@@PANTYEATR1 That 4.5 1FZ is a pretty popular engine to modify in some parts of the Middle East. Similarly, Nisssan's 4.8L TB48 straight 6 are also notorious for it's modifiability and ability to easily go 1000+ hp.
The Lexus lx450 it is a very reliable SUV and you still see them on the roads. When it came out, it was overpriced and underpowered.
2nd! Love the retro reviews
Imagine if Toyota had allowed the 1KZ to make it to the states??
I want they make it instead of LC76
$52k is steep for a vehicle that does 0-60 in 11 seconds and barely breaks double digit fuel economy, even if you're likely to get 300-500k miles out of it
This is not the Mitsubishi Cordia
What a Brick. What a Brute.
This press vehicle was involved in a murder.
These things had premature rotor and brake pad wear issues.
yep, too heavy for the size of the brakes. Kits are available to swap LC 100 series brakes in these
"wood"
Basically a Land Cruiser with Lexus badges. I would rather save $10K and just bought the 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser.
No suv like a landcruiser unless it’s a lx450
Land Cruiser...