A Family Car - Lexus RX / Prado VX

kma on 18/10/2020 - 11:04
Last edited 18/10/2020 - 15:08

Hi all,
I posted the below topic on whirlpool a couple of days ago - posting it here as well to see what this lovely community thinks. More importantly I was after a poll, which of course is better here.

My company car is going in Feb and I'll get an allowance instead. We have two kids in car seats so space is already a bit cramped in our little Q3. (On a side note, I am never buying an Audi with my money! Only had it because it was free)
I am looking to upgrade to something bigger and more luxurious. My budget is 60k, but can stretch to 70k. Most likely it will be a novated lease. I do not mind second hand upto 3 years old. Very nervous about getting any Euro SUVs, but deep inside I do like the idea of a luxury badge sitting in my garage.

Lately I have been thinking about a couple of years old Lexus RX – I like the F sport models from front and sides but the back isn't the best. Interior is nice but feels slightly behind the Germans.
The other car that I have been thinking about is Prado VX. Its big, got decent looks, nice wheels than a standard GLX . Interior is not fantastic but can work. It's obviously not a 'luxury' brand, so loses a point there. I don't think we'll actually ever use it for off roading.
There are very obviously vehicles in two different classes, but sort of ticks the boxes for me.

I need your help in deciding What would be a good buy? I want good space, reliability, presence and relatively better resale at the end of the lease. Lease will likely be of 3 years. Happy to hear any other suggestions as well, but I do not want korean cars.

Many thanks
kma

Poll Options expired

  • 20
    Lexus RX (2 to 3 year old)
  • 5
    Prado VX (new)
  • 14
    Other - I have added my suggestion below.
Automotive 4WD Lexus Toyota

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2020 - 11:14

    Leasing and short term ownership, Lexus RX.

    Long term ownership and customisation, Prado.

    • kma on 18/10/2020 - 11:36

      Thank you! I normally keep the cars for 2 to 3 years max, so with that logic it will be an RX. Why do you say RX for short term though? Prados don't lose there value much, so short term for Prado would be ok too I suppose?

      • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2020 - 13:28
        +2

        Long term owners will eventually need to replace parts or may customise their vehicles (often extensively).

        Prados outsell the Lexus RX by a significant number and aftermarket manufacturers will likely make parts for the Prado (in fact, it is one of the easiest cars to find parts and mods for), and the Lexus RX owners will forever be asking, "do you make anything for my car?".

  • Muzeeb on 18/10/2020 - 11:24
    +1

    My budget is 60k, but can stretch to 70k. Most likely it will be a novated lease.

    Then keep it under 60k

    • kma on 18/10/2020 - 11:40

      Would be happy to :) it will put the Prado jn the used car list too .. the bad (or good) thing about Prados is that a year or so old are still selling for almost the price of new?

  • randomusername2017 on 18/10/2020 - 11:35
    +2

    I do like the idea of a luxury badge sitting in my garage.

    2015-18 Cayenne

    • kma on 18/10/2020 - 11:37

      Id love a Porsche, but wouldn't it depreciate a lot more by the time I sell it? I normally keep my cars between 2 to 3 years.

      • randomusername2017 on 18/10/2020 - 11:47
        +1

        Oh..

        There's a thread around here somewhere about high yield investment vehicles

        • kma on 18/10/2020 - 11:48
          +1

          lol I can assure you it's not mine :)

  • Dowhat on 18/10/2020 - 11:36
    +1

    Prado has more durability, better at holding value, more flexible in its use being a capable 4wd, and it's a fair bit bigger than the lexus. Room to move. In that price range you could quite easily pickup an Prado Altitude too, which I think will have the interior you are after.

    • kma on 18/10/2020 - 11:39

      I am not sure if we can get an Altitude now? My understanding is that the models go like this;
      GX
      GXL
      VX
      Kakadu

      • Dowhat on 18/10/2020 - 11:41

        Ahh yes sorry. Kakadu was what I was after. Forgot they'd changed their flagship. Surely a malady would fall in that range. Even if it was a demo

        • kma on 18/10/2020 - 11:45

          VX has got pretty much everything that a Kakadu does, and add the features that I won't use like crawl control and multi train select. The only think that would be useful for me would the more nicer suspension. It's a lot more on money thorough!

        • ol mate on 20/10/2020 - 06:51

          Kakadu has always been the flagship. The Altitude was a special edition released in 2012, 2013, 2014 (facelift 1 - with 1KD), 2015 (facelift 1 - with 1KD and flat tailgate) 2017 (facelift 1 - with 1GD).

          It was essentially a Kakadu interior with a GXL chassis (so no KDSS, 17" wheels from the GXL, etc). Since the latest facelift (facelift 2), they've removed the KDSS from the VX and haven't released another Altitude.

          Toyota used to release the special editions as they were running out models/doing facelifts, but seem to have stopped (they didn't do one to clear out the RAV4, Kluger, last one on the Prado and LC200 was 2017).

          With a budget of 70k, you'll struggle to buy a brand new VX (it might be doable if the car is in stock and the dealer is desperate) let alone a Kakadu in today's market

  • brendanm on 18/10/2020 - 11:41
    +4

    A proper 4wd that will never be used off-road or for towing is a fantastic idea.

    • randomusername2017 on 18/10/2020 - 11:44
      +12

      Never say never..

      Kerbs, roundabouts, median strips, nature strips..

      • Daabido on 18/10/2020 - 12:13
        +3

        Median strips to get into the turning lane is the most I see 4WDs being used for around here. That and to obstruct the view of everyone who doesn't drive a tank.

    • kma on 18/10/2020 - 11:46

      What would be your recommendation on the above criteria? :)

      • brendanm on 18/10/2020 - 14:41
        +5

        1) buying a car just for a badge is stupid
        2)buying a 4wd when you don't need 4wd is stupid.
        3) not buying a Korean car just because the badge isn't cool enough for you is stupid.

        Do you need an SUV? If so, why? Could you use a sedan, or a wagon? Do you value the interior? How it drives? Space?

        • whooah1979 on 18/10/2020 - 14:52

          OP buying something they don't want is silly.

          OP, go with an SUV if that is what you want.

          • brendanm on 18/10/2020 - 15:00

            @whooah1979: I never said not to get one. Likely the only reason they want one is the same reason they want a "luxury" badge, to look like everyone else.

            • whooah1979 on 18/10/2020 - 17:37
              +2

              @brendanm: OP have to buy a Skoda Kodiaq if they wanted to look like everyone else.

    • whooah1979 on 18/10/2020 - 12:49

      These are great for those pesky speed humps and dura-post in car parks.

  • apsilon on 18/10/2020 - 11:56

    I'm going to ignore your luxury badge requirement as I can't think of anything within your budget and I have a rule of never buy a used Euro so I'm going to say Rav4 Hybrid. Should be large enough to handle what you need for 2 kids, will be reliable, hold it's value relatively well, within your budget etc

    • kma on 18/10/2020 - 12:08

      I don't mind the new RAV4 actually. Would you prefer that over an RX or NX (being the same size and actually within the budget) for that matter?

      • apsilon on 18/10/2020 - 12:26

        I think I would. Both are still just Toyotos, a little more premium but the kids will take care of that in short order anyway so better off saving some money up front plus I think there'll be more demand for the Rav4 when it comes time to sell.

        • kma on 18/10/2020 - 12:33

          Good to know! I'd rather spend to buy something nicer within my budget. but yes the old thing that will make me reconsider that is th depreciation

      • ol mate on 20/10/2020 - 06:54

        The RAV4 is the same class as the NX, but the NX is based on the previous generation RAV4 hybrid so has older hybrid technology as well as the chassis itself.

  • Euphemistic on 18/10/2020 - 11:58
    +2

    Don’t buy a prado unless you want to use off road capability of tow a heavy load. Might as well get a kluger.

    • whooah1979 on 18/10/2020 - 12:52

      kluger

      3.5l petrol drinker.

      A 2.8l diesel is better for the wallet.

      • Euphemistic on 18/10/2020 - 13:06
        +1

        And a kluger is probably a lot cheaper to buy and maintain, which will buy a lot of fuel.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2020 - 12:56
      +1

      That's what the RX is based off.

      For me the Prado is a much better car, and isn't giving anything away in build quality or luxury in VX form. That being said, they are both very outdated inside (and mechanically), and the infotainment is a joke. They are both very reliable, but the Prado will not be cheap to run, having much more robust and expensive parts to replace (but if it's a novated lease you wont own it in 5 years, so that doesn't matter). For me, if I didn't need to go offroad, there are better softroaders in the class, like the X3 and Q5, and you can get decent new ones for the money you are talking. You'll get a lot more power, better economy and much more up to date electronics and infotainment. Reliability is unlikely to be an issue over the period of a lease (but I wouldn't own an Audi or BMW outside of the lease/warranty).

      • Euphemistic on 18/10/2020 - 13:05
        +2

        So rule out the Lexus as well. My point being, don’t buy a capable 4wd if you’ll never use it off road.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2020 - 13:06
          -1

          The Lexus isn't capable offroad. It's a Kluger in drag.

          • Euphemistic on 18/10/2020 - 13:09
            -1

            @[Deactivated]: Oh for crying out loud. Stop moving the goalposts.

            So is it based on a prado or a kluger or what?

            • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2020 - 13:11
              -1

              @Euphemistic: I'm not moving any goal posts. I think you've misinterpreted my response. But it's obviously not based on a Prado, it's considerably smaller in every dimension. The RX and the Kluger look pretty much the same.

      • kma on 18/10/2020 - 13:57

        Block-quote
        "Reliability is unlikely to be an issue over the period of a lease (but I wouldn't own an Audi or BMW outside of the lease/warranty"

        With the brand with better resale value, I'd buy them out from the lease and sell privately hopefully for a small profit. Prado will surely be better, Will an X3 get me that? I will not own and Audi as I stated in the original post.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2020 - 14:19
          +1

          Prado will be the best for resale but you’re getting a very different car. 10 years behind at best, but off-road capable.

      • ol mate on 20/10/2020 - 06:56
        +1

        Fwiw, Toyota fixed the infotainment- added AA/CP (as well as more power) as part of the 2021 update

  • moo on 18/10/2020 - 14:03
    +1

    I’d go for Kluger 2021 Hybrid. Looks awesome!

    • kma on 18/10/2020 - 14:48

      I have looked up some photos.. it's not very exciting for me.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/10/2020 - 15:32

        It’s strange that you’re looking at cars based on 10 year old tech and when there is a new option you’re rejecting it based purely on aesthetics. The 2021 Kruger is going to be a much better car than a 3 year old RX based off a 10 year old design.

      • sagrules on 19/10/2020 - 10:42

        what about Mazda CX-5

        • Euphemistic on 19/10/2020 - 13:19

          Not very big. Probably similar size to the Q3 which OP want to upsize from.

  • Randxyz123 on 18/10/2020 - 14:08
    +2

    Lexus.

    You get more for your money and it is basically a Toyota underneath so servicing is pretty reasonable.

    Buying a 2-3 year X3/X5 would also probably be ok because they are likely to have been looked after, serviced on time and still have some warranty left..

    If you buy through a dealer, you’d be buying cars from people who turn them over every 2-3 years.

    • kma on 18/10/2020 - 14:14

      I have owned multiple Lexus and a corolla Toyota in the past and Lexus does add an impressive package. But here in comparison Prado is a size above and much more capable.thsts where I an stuck as to what is a better buy.

      • brendanm on 18/10/2020 - 14:43
        -1

        Much more capable of what?

        • kma on 18/10/2020 - 14:46

          Of the stuff that I don't need but others might, hence the resale!

          • brendanm on 18/10/2020 - 15:01

            @kma: If you are only worried about resale then buy a Prado, hybrid Kluger when it comes out, or a hybrid RAV4. All will have exceptional resale.

            • kma on 18/10/2020 - 15:07

              @brendanm: Thanks brendanm. Resale is not the only criteria ( I have details in the original post), but it is one of them :)
              The new Kluger doesn't look all that exciting, RAV4 is a decent car though.

              • brendanm on 18/10/2020 - 15:16
                +1

                @kma: You haven't really given any idea what you actually want or need at all. I've read the op and can't figure out what or why you want these cars. The two you have randomly picked are in completely different segments, the only common theme being that they have 4 wheels.

                • kma on 18/10/2020 - 15:40

                  @brendanm: I think most people here can get enough information from the original post to vote. I sincerely thank you for your time for reading and responding to the post.

          • moo on 18/10/2020 - 15:10

            @kma: To be honest, it sounds like you have already made up your mind. This thread is no more than a validation that you’ve made the ‘right’ choice. Just go with your gut.

            • kma on 18/10/2020 - 15:25

              @moo: I definitely have the two cars I listed in mind :)

              • brendanm on 18/10/2020 - 15:33

                @kma: They definately are completely different cars.

                • kma on 18/10/2020 - 15:39

                  @brendanm: Completely agree & That's exactly what I have written in my original post :)

                  • brendanm on 18/10/2020 - 15:47

                    @kma: So if you don't know what you want, how would anyone else possibly suggest something?

          • Major Clod on 20/10/2020 - 06:29
            +2

            @kma: Buy what you need mate, not what others might. The Prado is a truck, sounds like a truck, and will drive like a truck. A monocoque SUV will be safer, more comfortable, and drive much nicer. You wouldn't live in a warehouse for 3 years because it might be "easier to sell" later on.

  • Presence on 18/10/2020 - 15:09
    +2

    Have you ever driven a Prado? They are a boat. And very slow.

    • kma on 18/10/2020 - 15:24

      No I haven't. I am driving it next weekend to check it out.

      • Presence on 18/10/2020 - 16:01
        +3

        Definitely do! They are a serious 4wd with lots of body roll! You've gotta take corners very carefully.

        That's not a bad thing if you're heading off road, but you might not want to compromise if you aren't.

  • Myone888 on 19/10/2020 - 08:16
    +2

    Try Merc GLC 200 Sports Edition Face Lifted. The dashboards and MBUX is fantastic, so versatile. Bargain hard with Mercedes and you will get a good price.

  • whitelie on 19/10/2020 - 08:26
    +1

    Don't get a 4wd if you're not taking it off road. Get an SUV but one bigger than what you had. Small SUV's don't work with 2 kid's seats in the back….it's like trying to cram them in to a hatch.
    Other option would be a wagon of some sort.

  • mini2 on 19/10/2020 - 08:30
    -1

    Get the RX, you've got the option to get a factory extended warranty before the 4th year ends and if it haven't exceeded 90k km? Just in case you're deciding to keep it a tad longer than expected you're still alright from a warranty perspective. No idea how much though.

    • kma on 19/10/2020 - 18:10

      I didn't know that, thank you. I'll keep that in mind.

  • brad1-8tsi on 19/10/2020 - 10:06

    just bopping about the suburbs and highway trips the Lexus.

    Also 2-3 years old has taken the big depreciation hit.

    • kma on 19/10/2020 - 18:09

      I agree. I am very much leaning towards the Lexus myself.

  • OzHunterNSW on 19/10/2020 - 10:27

    70k and buy you a decent Euro vehicle that would still be in warranty. The build quality and safety features would be the state of the art.
    Maintenance would only be service, oils, tyres, etc. Don't be scared off with the badge… All my vehicle have been Euro in nature. You would love it, your wife would love you, and the kids would respect you more.

    • SBOB on 19/10/2020 - 12:45
      +3

      and the kids would respect you more.

      I've clearly been raising my children with the wrong moral compass…..

    • kma on 19/10/2020 - 18:07

      Haha appreciate the advice OzHunter!

  • Series4Episode10 on 19/10/2020 - 10:29

    Any proven reliable option that cost of ownership and cost to buy are lower, even consider second hand, put your $ into your (hopefully) offset home loan so you have a buffer for bad times or money for safe investments, we as a society think we need the best of everything and have to have it now, yet things are going to be far harder soon, the above advice would have been what I would have suggested regardless of present circumstances, the only way for a PAYG slub to get ahead is to have equity in their home both as a backup and to draw against to invest.

  • jtc13 on 20/10/2020 - 06:59

    Kia Sorrento Platinum diesel - brand new within your budget. 7 year warranty so after your 3 year novated lease is attractive for resale as still has 4 year warranty left on it.

    I was in a very similar position 5 years ago and ended up with this car on lease… I have not resold it and bought it out at end of the lease. Love the car and have had zero problems.

  • coochiechic on 24/10/2020 - 10:19

    Drove a 2019 Prado for a few days as a hire car. Only had 20000 on the clock. It felt like a tractor and I was very very happy to get home to my 2020 Triton GLS Premium. I wasn't impressed with the Prado at all.

    • kma on 24/10/2020 - 16:50

      Thanks!

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