mcscott528

Looking to purchase one of these Lexus SUVs as my daily driver (~8 miles each way in city traffic) and occasionally tow my 4500# travel trailer (4-6x per year). I've found the following:

1. 2008 GX 470; 97k miles; needs timing belt replaced. $17K from private seller.
2. 2010 GX 460; 66k miles; $27.3K from dealer
3. 2009 LX 570; 122k miles; $27.5 from private seller.

The 2008 GX is appealing because it meets my needs and better fits in the budget. I hope I can negotiate some off the price since timing belt needs replacing.

The 2010 GX has unbelievably low miles for this age, but is a budget stretch.

The LX is in another class of it's own. The miles don't bother me, but not sure I "need" the full size anymore. I just sold my Ford Excursion since I don't tow 8000# anymore and primarily use vehicle as a DD. Also a budget stretch, but it appears to be a reasonably priced LX.

I've run the VINs through the Lexus website. All appear regularly maintained.

So I know it's highly subjective, but which one is the better deal given these limited facts and my intended use? I intend to hold onto the vehicle for 5+ years (my wife drives a 2003 Odyssey that we've had since 2004 and I drove my Excursion 5 years.)

mcscott528

I should add, the 2010 GX 460 does NOT have the towing package. I assume I can add the wiring and hitch. Is a transmission cooler critical or just something to monitor? Can one be added by a DIY mechanic (me)?

MX5NES350

Sounds like you kind of convinced yourself already with the 2008. A $10k price difference is HUGE and the timing belt can be replaced by a Toyota dealer or a local mechanic versus going to the Lexus dealer to get it done. These vehicles consistently rank at the top of the reliability scale and go for 200-300k miles without a hiccup and can take a beating.

Craigyyy

I shopped all three and settled on the 460.

Each choice was good but at the end of the day, the LX and cruiser were just too much money, and it was too difficult for me to find the right 470, and coupled with all of the various little problems that the 470 has, it pushed me to spend a little extra on a 460. While it's a reliable vehicle, and doesn't have any major issues, if you go to the 470 section it's littered with a page full of stickies on how to fix this and that. Also, at the time, 2008-9 470s were all too expensive and the 460 was a smaller premium. The timing belt was also a bit of a turnoff and was one more thing to look for while shopping. I'd rather just spend the extra money on the front end and not have to worry about it, even if I have to spend more total. When I found out my wife's car still has a timing belt, I knew we wouldn't be keeping her car long-term.

All of the 460s have KDSS if that is important to you. To find a 470 with KDSS you have to shop very hard, look at dozens and dozens of listings and be willing to travel very far. Interior on the 460 is a lot more modern and a little bit nicer in general. You also get slightly better fuel mileage for what that's worth.

Have you seen and driven each one yet? That would probably be the decider for me.

GoHuskers

For me it will be the LX570 but I know $$$ is always the subject. Maybe you can haggle it down to $25k?