Thinking of buying a used GX470, any guidance
04-04-16, 10:27 AM
#16
I just joined the GX owner's club myself, having purchased a 2004 model with 118,000 miles from a fellow Club Lexus owner a little over a week ago.
The Carfax maintenance history was solid and complete, with all service work being done on time and at either a Lexus or Toyota dealer. It has the timing belt/water pump service done and while it's not perfect, I feel I got a great vehicle at a good price.
It needs a dash and I have called my local dealerships about it and am on the waiting list for that. It also needs both bottom door speakers replaced as they are distorting when music is played with any sort of bass. Based on the recommendation of another user here, I ordered a pair off of Amazon that looks like it should drop right in and cost me about $35, which is fantastic,
Driving around town this week I've heard a little bit of brake noise so I took it in to my local trusted tire and brake specialist this morning and the pads were down to 15% or so and they recommended replacement. I had both front pads and rotors replaced as well as the left caliper which had a stuck piston. Total cost was about $350 for all of it, so not too bad and now it stops quickly and quietly.
For a 2004 model vehicle, my GX drives nicely, is supremely comfortable and has a smooth and torque'y motor that is confidence inspiring. Like any vehicle, the GX's have some maintenance and repair items to look out for but by and large they seem to be very good, very reliable vehicles.
I hope to get a lot of use and many years out of mine.
The Carfax maintenance history was solid and complete, with all service work being done on time and at either a Lexus or Toyota dealer. It has the timing belt/water pump service done and while it's not perfect, I feel I got a great vehicle at a good price.
It needs a dash and I have called my local dealerships about it and am on the waiting list for that. It also needs both bottom door speakers replaced as they are distorting when music is played with any sort of bass. Based on the recommendation of another user here, I ordered a pair off of Amazon that looks like it should drop right in and cost me about $35, which is fantastic,
Driving around town this week I've heard a little bit of brake noise so I took it in to my local trusted tire and brake specialist this morning and the pads were down to 15% or so and they recommended replacement. I had both front pads and rotors replaced as well as the left caliper which had a stuck piston. Total cost was about $350 for all of it, so not too bad and now it stops quickly and quietly.
For a 2004 model vehicle, my GX drives nicely, is supremely comfortable and has a smooth and torque'y motor that is confidence inspiring. Like any vehicle, the GX's have some maintenance and repair items to look out for but by and large they seem to be very good, very reliable vehicles.
I hope to get a lot of use and many years out of mine.
04-04-16, 10:52 AM
#17
All paper work has been sent in to Lexus and approval was granted for repair. On waiting list with my local dealer :thumb up:
Just listed it on the for sale section ($19,300, will negotiate and possibly pay half of shipping costs)
Last edited by charleston; 05-12-16 at 02:02 PM.
04-04-16, 06:01 PM
#18
Lead Lap
If I were looking to buy a used first generation GX now, I think that, besides checking for things like the maintenance history of the vehicle, I'd be trying to find out something about how the vehicle has been used.
During the first few years after the GX was released, I would guess that there were very few people who were willing to abuse a new $50,000+ SUV. Now, when many are buying the GX as the second or third owners and at prices that might be well under $20,000, I'm confident in guessing that there are more who are subjecting them to more rugged use and, in some cases, abuse. Also, many of the 2nd and 3rd owners are hobbyists who have done lots of mods on the GX. While I'm sure that there are many who have a good amount of expertise in doing those mods, I'm also sure that there are many others who aren't as good at it, and I'm also confident in guessing that some of those less than expertly done mods end up being the cause of electrical and/or mechanical issues.
About a year ago and after several years of denying that there was a problem, Lexus did agree to replace cracked dashboards on the 1st Generation GX. I got a letter from Lexus quite a few months ago notifying me that, if the dashboard develops cracks, they will replace it with no charge for parts or labor.
Also note that, if you read through the threads here and elsewhere about cracked dashboards, the vast majority of those who have had the cracked dashboards are people who live in very warm climate areas, such as Florida, Texas, and Arizona. There are very few, if any, who have reported having had the issue from locations in the northern part of the US. I know that, when I asked the service manager at my dealer (Madison, Wisconsin) about the frequency of cracked dashboards on the 1st generation GX, he told me that they have not seen a single instance of one on any of GXs that were sold or serviced at the dealership.
During the first few years after the GX was released, I would guess that there were very few people who were willing to abuse a new $50,000+ SUV. Now, when many are buying the GX as the second or third owners and at prices that might be well under $20,000, I'm confident in guessing that there are more who are subjecting them to more rugged use and, in some cases, abuse. Also, many of the 2nd and 3rd owners are hobbyists who have done lots of mods on the GX. While I'm sure that there are many who have a good amount of expertise in doing those mods, I'm also sure that there are many others who aren't as good at it, and I'm also confident in guessing that some of those less than expertly done mods end up being the cause of electrical and/or mechanical issues.
Also note that, if you read through the threads here and elsewhere about cracked dashboards, the vast majority of those who have had the cracked dashboards are people who live in very warm climate areas, such as Florida, Texas, and Arizona. There are very few, if any, who have reported having had the issue from locations in the northern part of the US. I know that, when I asked the service manager at my dealer (Madison, Wisconsin) about the frequency of cracked dashboards on the 1st generation GX, he told me that they have not seen a single instance of one on any of GXs that were sold or serviced at the dealership.
04-04-16, 08:28 PM
#19
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We just picked ours up today, an 07 in Blizzard White, one owner. Bought this for my wife and i have my 05 LS430. Very happy with it, it feels "heavy and solid" like the LS430 does, I just love that Lexus feel.
We test drove an RX350 and wow that is absolutely nothing like the GX470. Not that i was expecting it to be . but we were considering the RX as an option to step her down from the Tahoe now that she didn;t need such a big vehicle any more, but one drive told us we needed to go GX or above to be comfortable. Hard to beat that V8. Nothing against the RX it is a great vehicle but the GX is a full blown truck whereas the RX is an all wheel drive crossover. Just food for thought in case you were considering downsizing to an RX. My hair rubbed the headliner in the RX passenger side and I am only 6 foot. Once again nothing against the RX. Just throwing in a comparison.
We test drove an RX350 and wow that is absolutely nothing like the GX470. Not that i was expecting it to be . but we were considering the RX as an option to step her down from the Tahoe now that she didn;t need such a big vehicle any more, but one drive told us we needed to go GX or above to be comfortable. Hard to beat that V8. Nothing against the RX it is a great vehicle but the GX is a full blown truck whereas the RX is an all wheel drive crossover. Just food for thought in case you were considering downsizing to an RX. My hair rubbed the headliner in the RX passenger side and I am only 6 foot. Once again nothing against the RX. Just throwing in a comparison.
04-04-16, 09:23 PM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Yeah I will look for number of owners, and I will also look for evidence of modding.
No interest in the RX, I've had them many times as loaners, they don't appeal to me.
No interest in the RX, I've had them many times as loaners, they don't appeal to me.
04-05-16, 06:28 AM
#21
Pole Position
Agree. The suspension is too stiff for an SUV - like some product planner said: "It must have a sporty ride".
The first one back in 1999 wasn't bad. The new ones are harsh.
Chip H.
The first one back in 1999 wasn't bad. The new ones are harsh.
Chip H.
04-05-16, 12:28 PM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I don't find the RX to have a stiff ride or a sporty ride in any way. Its a Camry platform...I think they ride quite well...
04-05-16, 06:09 PM
#23
We just picked ours up today, an 07 in Blizzard White, one owner. Bought this for my wife and i have my 05 LS430. Very happy with it, it feels "heavy and solid" like the LS430 does, I just love that Lexus feel.
We test drove an RX350 and wow that is absolutely nothing like the GX470. Not that i was expecting it to be . but we were considering the RX as an option to step her down from the Tahoe now that she didn;t need such a big vehicle any more, but one drive told us we needed to go GX or above to be comfortable. Hard to beat that V8. Nothing against the RX it is a great vehicle but the GX is a full blown truck whereas the RX is an all wheel drive crossover. Just food for thought in case you were considering downsizing to an RX. My hair rubbed the headliner in the RX passenger side and I am only 6 foot. Once again nothing against the RX. Just throwing in a comparison.
We test drove an RX350 and wow that is absolutely nothing like the GX470. Not that i was expecting it to be . but we were considering the RX as an option to step her down from the Tahoe now that she didn;t need such a big vehicle any more, but one drive told us we needed to go GX or above to be comfortable. Hard to beat that V8. Nothing against the RX it is a great vehicle but the GX is a full blown truck whereas the RX is an all wheel drive crossover. Just food for thought in case you were considering downsizing to an RX. My hair rubbed the headliner in the RX passenger side and I am only 6 foot. Once again nothing against the RX. Just throwing in a comparison.
06-26-16, 11:34 AM
#24
Seems to me a Lexus is no less expensive to maintain than a Land Rover product.
I'm deciding between a 07 RR and a 05-06 GX...both same price.
06-26-16, 11:44 AM
#25
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
The ride quality is better than that of the RX, more substantial, quieter, but not as solid as a Range Rover.
A Lexus is WAY cheaper to maintain than a Range Rover. I've known people that have had older Range Rovers around the year you're talking about, we're talking 10+ times more money to maintain that Range Rover. Theres a reason why the Range Rover is the same price as a 1-2 year older GX which originally cost $30,000 less.
Theres a shop here that specializes in them, there is a late model Range Rover being delivered almost every day on a flatbed.
A Lexus is WAY cheaper to maintain than a Range Rover. I've known people that have had older Range Rovers around the year you're talking about, we're talking 10+ times more money to maintain that Range Rover. Theres a reason why the Range Rover is the same price as a 1-2 year older GX which originally cost $30,000 less.
Theres a shop here that specializes in them, there is a late model Range Rover being delivered almost every day on a flatbed.
06-26-16, 01:26 PM
#26
The ride quality is better than that of the RX, more substantial, quieter, but not as solid as a Range Rover.
A Lexus is WAY cheaper to maintain than a Range Rover. I've known people that have had older Range Rovers around the year you're talking about, we're talking 10+ times more money to maintain that Range Rover. Theres a reason why the Range Rover is the same price as a 1-2 year older GX which originally cost $30,000 less.
Theres a shop here that specializes in them, there is a late model Range Rover being delivered almost every day on a flatbed.
A Lexus is WAY cheaper to maintain than a Range Rover. I've known people that have had older Range Rovers around the year you're talking about, we're talking 10+ times more money to maintain that Range Rover. Theres a reason why the Range Rover is the same price as a 1-2 year older GX which originally cost $30,000 less.
Theres a shop here that specializes in them, there is a late model Range Rover being delivered almost every day on a flatbed.
06-26-16, 01:51 PM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
it was never very long lol
You won't have that sort of issue remotely with a Lexus.
06-26-16, 02:13 PM
#28
Intermediate
As a former owner of a 2003 Range Rover, I can confirm the exorbitant cost of ownership. STEER CLEAR of RR. When I was an owner, I can remember hearing all the rationalizations of how the panache and comfort of a RR was worth all the $$$$ spent in constant repairs. In retrospect, no it was not. I spent 8-10 times more in 1.5 years of RR ownership than I have in 14 years of Land Cruiser ownership. And I'm hoping for good reliability with my newly purchased 2008 GX too.
06-26-16, 05:32 PM
#29
Pole Position
The Lexus as any truck requires the standard stuff at the expected mileage. Nothing unusually. The same is not reported for RR. I wanted a LR4 so bad. I just don't want to spend a lot of money or time on repairs. I did a basic upgrade in suspensions. It not LR 4 comfortable but plenty close enough for me.
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