Gas Prices / Future of the GX470?
06-16-08, 11:52 AM
#31
Here's some excerpts from an old review when the GX first came out commenting on the "politely smaller" size of the GX:
Off-road Wizard
All-new Lexus GX 470 gets downright amazing when the pavement runs out
By Jerry Garrett
SPECIAL TO THE UNION-TRIBUNE
November 9, 2002
No, the Lexus GX 470 is not a gussied-up Toyota Sequoia. It's not even the same vehicle.
The GX 470 is an all-new offering – a third Lexus SUV that is supposed to compete with the BMW 4.4i and the Mercedes ML500 in an emerging "midsize luxury SUV" subcategory.
But don't be surprised if the GX 470, on sale this month, steals a few sales from the Sequoia. And don't be surprised if a few designers and engineers over at Lexus sneak a proud, self-satisfied smile over that.
The somewhat enormous (by Japanese standards) Sequoia was designed by Toyota's U.S. arm, which pushes for the autonomy to design its own super-sized vehicles such as the Sequoia SUV, Avalon sedan and Tundra pickup specifically to sate the gluttonous tastes of American buyers.
The GX 470 is the product of the company's Japanese facilities. On some level, you've got to believe the Sequoia's excesses perplex, if not offend, the conservative Japanese thinking that less is more.
The handsomely styled GX 470 is, then, the home-office thinking of how a well-proportioned SUV should look and be sized.
While the Sequoia blew away the constraints of size formerly imposed by Toyota's top-of-the-line Land Cruiser, the GX 470 is politely smaller by a couple of inches all around than the Lexus LX 470.
And that, in the Lexus way of thinking, gives the GX 470 permission to be more capable in other areas – such as agility, adaptability and overall ability........
All-new Lexus GX 470 gets downright amazing when the pavement runs out
By Jerry Garrett
SPECIAL TO THE UNION-TRIBUNE
November 9, 2002
No, the Lexus GX 470 is not a gussied-up Toyota Sequoia. It's not even the same vehicle.
The GX 470 is an all-new offering – a third Lexus SUV that is supposed to compete with the BMW 4.4i and the Mercedes ML500 in an emerging "midsize luxury SUV" subcategory.
But don't be surprised if the GX 470, on sale this month, steals a few sales from the Sequoia. And don't be surprised if a few designers and engineers over at Lexus sneak a proud, self-satisfied smile over that.
The somewhat enormous (by Japanese standards) Sequoia was designed by Toyota's U.S. arm, which pushes for the autonomy to design its own super-sized vehicles such as the Sequoia SUV, Avalon sedan and Tundra pickup specifically to sate the gluttonous tastes of American buyers.
The GX 470 is the product of the company's Japanese facilities. On some level, you've got to believe the Sequoia's excesses perplex, if not offend, the conservative Japanese thinking that less is more.
The handsomely styled GX 470 is, then, the home-office thinking of how a well-proportioned SUV should look and be sized.
While the Sequoia blew away the constraints of size formerly imposed by Toyota's top-of-the-line Land Cruiser, the GX 470 is politely smaller by a couple of inches all around than the Lexus LX 470.
And that, in the Lexus way of thinking, gives the GX 470 permission to be more capable in other areas – such as agility, adaptability and overall ability........
Last edited by GatorGreg; 06-16-08 at 11:55 AM.
06-16-08, 01:09 PM
#32
Remember, the GX is based on the 4runner, which is a midsize SUV...so, Gatorgreg is right in that the GX is the "perfect" size for most people's needs. I think that some people may feel that the GX is big inside because of it's efficient use of space.
Last edited by tigmd99; 06-16-08 at 01:20 PM.
06-16-08, 01:33 PM
#33
i never really liked suv's because as many of you have said, most never even see a gravel road, but some people do need them and the people who do, i think, find the gx a perfect fit, i know we do because we want to replace our lx with one(cheaper 
). But unlike amny other, we actually use our lx, long tripsinto canda in sick snow storms for hockey, snow in buffalo can be brutal and this thing is a beast. It tows are waverunners, and friends boats, use it carry around our riding mower to mow lawns 
easy cash money, and some beach houses including ours and our friends don't exactly have the golden brick road and aremade up of actually pretty tough muddy and sandy roads, along with that, our ski house is on an incline and i can tell you our es and rx have a very hard time getting up it with a lot of stuff. So as long as there are people who need the gx, or any other suv, they will still be there. Hell look at the station wagoin, not many people liked those either \and when we all thought the minivan would replace em, they are still being made today, so i guess we will have to wait and see
). But unlike amny other, we actually use our lx, long tripsinto canda in sick snow storms for hockey, snow in buffalo can be brutal and this thing is a beast. It tows are waverunners, and friends boats, use it carry around our riding mower to mow lawns easy cash money, and some beach houses including ours and our friends don't exactly have the golden brick road and aremade up of actually pretty tough muddy and sandy roads, along with that, our ski house is on an incline and i can tell you our es and rx have a very hard time getting up it with a lot of stuff. So as long as there are people who need the gx, or any other suv, they will still be there. Hell look at the station wagoin, not many people liked those either \and when we all thought the minivan would replace em, they are still being made today, so i guess we will have to wait and see
06-17-08, 08:25 AM
#35
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Although I do alot of commuting, I also need the room and hitch/towing. Therefore, I'm going to hold onto my GX until it's time for a new vehicle. Who knows what will be available in next 5 years or so. Hybrids or better may be more cost-effective to buy.
Interesting chart submitted by kutsyy. The price of gas increased 156% from 6/16/03-6/16/08. Following this trend, a gallon of gas will cost approx. $6.66 in another 5 years, when I'm ready for a new vehicle. That's about $120 to fill an eighteen gallon tank!
Interesting chart submitted by kutsyy. The price of gas increased 156% from 6/16/03-6/16/08. Following this trend, a gallon of gas will cost approx. $6.66 in another 5 years, when I'm ready for a new vehicle. That's about $120 to fill an eighteen gallon tank!
06-17-08, 09:14 AM
#36
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Everyone on this forum can wish all they want ... but if Lexus sells less than 10k units over the course of a year, you bet they will discontinue the line. Manufacturing is not a charity.
The GX is nothing more than a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado rebadged. The interior is the same except some the the front exterior. There are many markets in the world which are served by the Land Cruiser 120...this why they will never kill it....they will just scale down production.
Last edited by pagemaster; 06-17-08 at 09:21 AM.
08-06-08, 09:02 PM
#37
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Hopefully the GX will get the same feature in the redesign.
08-07-08, 10:57 AM
#38
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I recently traded in a 2005 Mustang GT for a 2004 GX470. Got a great buy at Carmax, by the way. 
Although my wife already has a Mercedes ML320, I also needed more room as we just had a baby and the sporty car thing wasn't going to work for me anymore...Car seat, stroller, diaper bag, etc., etc.
I commute 50 miles roundtrip (99% highway) each day for work, and with a lighter foot because of higher gas prices, I'm really not noticing a great difference in the amount I'm spending on gas. I've calculated my average mpg for the Lexus to be at 18.0 mpg on the nose and I was averaging 20.0 for the GT. So, for the major upgrade in luxury and roominess, I would take the GX any day.
Although my wife already has a Mercedes ML320, I also needed more room as we just had a baby and the sporty car thing wasn't going to work for me anymore...Car seat, stroller, diaper bag, etc., etc.
I commute 50 miles roundtrip (99% highway) each day for work, and with a lighter foot because of higher gas prices, I'm really not noticing a great difference in the amount I'm spending on gas. I've calculated my average mpg for the Lexus to be at 18.0 mpg on the nose and I was averaging 20.0 for the GT. So, for the major upgrade in luxury and roominess, I would take the GX any day.
08-08-08, 12:34 PM
#39
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I agree, I am looking at purchasing a used GX470 because after all my research this car seems to be the most fuel efficient non hybrid suv out there.
the navigators and escalades are getting like 12-13 miles a gallon. I can live with 18. That is almost what most minivans are giving anyways and those are 6 cylinder engines.
the navigators and escalades are getting like 12-13 miles a gallon. I can live with 18. That is almost what most minivans are giving anyways and those are 6 cylinder engines.
08-26-08, 11:48 PM
#40
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Gas prices will go down here soon. They have already gone down from $3.79 a gallon to $3.21 here in Houston. I think they should stay this way for a while. Most of the people I hear complain dont realize that the rest of the world pays double than what we pay. I hope that fear doesent proceed to make automakers create more ***** egg auto mobiles. i will cross my fingers. Their will be more efficient engines for 2010 or 11. This should help.
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