Considering spending $15-20K on a used version. Is this a good all-around vehicle? It seems reliable and luxurious but can tow whatever you need and can fit stuff inside.

It depends on what you want to do. For one thing while these suv labeled minivans can tow, the short wheelbase and not being a true truck don't make them very good tow vehicles for anything more than towing a small trailer.
From your other posts it seems your getting into outdoors type of things, do you really want to worry about cleaning mud off that $ leather and carpet.
I've owned/driven cars, suv's minivans, and trucks and I can say that the worst vehicles I've owned are minivans (which most of these mini and Luxury SUV's are) because they try to do too many things and end up not doing any well. The best vehicles I have owned are basic trucks, You don't have the extra maintenance that a front wheel drive needs and can be an SUV by throwing a cap on the back but still able to haul dirt/rocks/whatever in the bed without getting the carpet dirty. The old fashioned and simple body on frame has proven to be the most reliable. I typically run my trucks to 200k miles without issues.

This is just a fancy Toyota Land Cruiser, right? If so, it's a real truck and can go off-road. But it's very thirsty and swallows fuel like it's going out of style. IMHO, it would make a poor emergency vehicle. You'll be sitting on the shoulder out of gas while all those Prius owners drive by and wave.

I think if we've learned anything this year, it's that gas is hard to come by during mass evacuations. We have two SUVs now, but our next car will be likely be a hybrid. Hopefully by the 2nd or 3rd generation of hybrids, they'll have the kinks worked out.

What exactly is it that you want to tow?

Basically these are an up market 80 series Toyota Landcruiser.
Here in Australia the 80 series has proven a very rubust and reliable 4wd. Actually it is probably the most reliable. Even better than its replacement, the 100 series.
If you want fuel economy the diesel has proven the best. It has less power, but its power is in the lower rev range so you dont have to rev the guts out of it.
The V8 and 6 cylinder petrol models suck to fuel to much to make it of any use for a bug out. (In my opinion)

Here in Australia more Landcruisers are sold than in the US, so they suit our conditions. Have a look and see what sells where you are, and why they sell. Then look at what is the most reliable.
Then look at what suits you for your needs from the list.
I personally would be going for the Toyota over the Lexus.

Also you may find that one is better than the other, but the local backup is not as good. Pick the one with good backup.

They don't make it in a Diesel here. They really should make more diesels in the states.

Fitzoid,
Forget hybrids for a while. The technology really isn't here yet. Battery technology is the major hold up. Diesel really is a lot better. Lok at the Volkswagen Jetta, in manual it gets around 55mpg and has more power then any hybrid. Modern diesels are a lot better then most people think and will soon become more popular with the change to low sulfer diesel here in the states in 2006 and the interest in Biodiesel.

Ahh, I was thinking it was one of the overgrown minivans, I didn't know that they had any real trucks. I suppose I don't keep up enough on the overpriced Toyotas <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have little experience with Lexus vehicles but I am certain you will enjoy that vehicle very much. I personally would not buy a used Lexus with the intention of keeping it for many years due to the very high cost of maintenance & parts. There is probably nothing you can do yourself other than change the oil and very little your friendly neighbourhood mechanic can do either.

It’s such an upscale vehicle I wouldn’t want to muddy up the carpets!!!

Get a good US built pickup for all your off-road/towing/carrying needs. Cheap parts + maintenance & get fancy wheels to show off once in a while.

My 2 c

I disagree. The 80 series Landcruisers are very easy to work on, and as these are based on that series, so I can see no problem.
I do admit that I am not sure of your market over there, and what backup you have, but one of the reasons they are so popular over here is because they are so easy to fix and run. Thats why they use them 1000's of kilometers out in the middle of no where,through out central Australia.
I'm not a mechanic, but I get to work on friends 80 series Landcruisers, and I used to own an older model Landcruiser(and wish I never sold it) and I find them easy.

I confess my general ignorance about the truck but I would suspect the older the better. Technology makes our life simple only when it works. The new LX450 have full time 4wd active traction control (using the brakes), adaptive variable suspension, adjustable height control, electronically controlled transmission … As a rule, I am weary of fancy technology…

Actually the suspension would be scarey to fix on the edge of the track.
The full time 4wd and electronic transmission is standard Landcruiser, so they wouldnt worry me too much.
I would also learn to use it with the traction control turned off. That way if it fails, you still know how to drive it.

I would preffer a more basic model myself, but they are a very capable vehicle.