Vehicle Description
Wondering what became of the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser? It grew up and became the Lexus LX450, and this 1997 example is a fantastic example of just how durable these machines really are. With the same legendary off-roading prowess as the Land Cruiser, it's filled with leather and wood and luxury features that still make you feel like a million bucks.
The SUV craze was in high gear in 1997, and when Lexus needed a full-sized 4x4 to go toe-to-toe with the likes of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited and Range Rover, it needed to do nothing but reach into the Toyota inventory and pull out some Land Cruisers. Of course, being Lexus, it just wouldn't do to leave them basic, so they got a full makeover in the Lexus idiom including a rounder, more upscale-looking front fascia and two-tone paint schemes with lower body cladding to add to the butch look. The off-white and pewter color combination should be familiar, as it was the most popular choice on the LS-series sedans, and it, as much as anything, makes this easy to identify as a Lexus at a glance. For being nearly 20 years old, it remains in excellent condition thanks to quality workmanship at the factory and a recent professional buff job. There are, of course, a few signs of use and age, which is inevitable even on a Lexus, but overall the preservation is pretty impressive. You can tell this was not a vehicle used to its potential on the trails, it's just too clean.
The Lexus upgrades are very visible inside, where everything is wrapped in high-quality materials. Beautiful tan leather buckets look like they were borrowed from the top-of-the-line LS400, there's burled walnut trim everywhere you look, and the color combination is elegant and tasteful, not off-road functional. This is a truck that is right at home at the opera or out on the range. Big, round gauges give a clear look at the engine's vitals and every luxury feature available in 1997 was included, from automatic climate control to power windows, locks, seats, and mirrors, a sunroof, and cruise control, all of which seems to be working properly. There are some signs of use, of course, but the quality of the materials shines through. You also get an AM/FM/CD stereo system, although it's probably due for an upgrade because entertainment technology has come a long way in the last 20 years. On the other hand, with all that space in the well-upholstered cargo bay, just bring the entertainment with you.
Toyota's rugged and reliable six-cylinder Land Cruiser engine was punched out to 4.5 liters to move three tons of Lexus, and it's a good choice. It's smooth, torquey, and has already proven itself around the world as one of the most reliable machines ever built. It's very well maintained and just had nearly $10,000 in service work, so don't worry about the mileage. It starts easily and runs superbly, churning power through a 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission and a genuine 2-speed transfer case that makes this a real off-roader, not a poser. Other recent work includes new shocks and bearings, as well as a fresh set of BFGoodrich all-terrain radials on the original 5-spoke wheels, giving it a very beefy look.
There's a reason you don't see many of these for sale: the owners don't want to let them go. Combining the unbeatable go-anywhere abilities of the Land Cruiser with the luxury of a Lexus is a winning combination, even today. Call now!
