JASP615

Hi Guys,

I have right now a 2006 GX 470 loaded w/ 54,000 miles on it and a warranty still left from Troy until the end of Aug 2013.

I was thinking of upgrading to a 2011 w/about 11,000 miles on it and I also believe it's loaded.

Can you give me your input? I have never bought used before but I'm tired of throwing money out the window for new.

The price of the 2011 is around 46,000 I have been out of the loop for a bit so I'm not sure if this is a great price or what I should aim for.

Mine is very clean with little wear and tear but in great shape with new tires and very clean inside. It does have a ding in the hood small. Back bumper would need to be painted with some scratches on it. Never in an accident but has been repainted on the door due to a large scratch from a cop. Long story LOL, What do you think my 2006 would be worth?

slvrboolet

What color is yours features etc? Go to edmunds and plug in your car info see what it sez. If you do get something new I'm looking for a gx so lmk.

RickC5

If you're looking at a 2011, would that be a GX460, or a LX? The reason I ask is that if the 2011 is a GX460, be sure to take it for a LONG test drive. The 460 is based on the 4Runner rather than the Prado, and is a radically different vehicle from your 470. At least that is what lots of posters claim--most don't care for it at all. You need to be the judge. The LX is a big step up from a GX in size and cost, but might be preferable.

06isDriver

yeah, I've talked to two owners of the GX460 that were GX470 owners and BOTH of them wished they had not traded in for the GX460

JASP615

Thanks Guys for the advice. I really do love my truck was just worried about the age and certain things going wrong with it. Like I said in the last 30 years I really haven't had a truck that was over 3 yrs old before trading it in and buy another. Prior to buy this I had an 03 Escalade and a 05 Escalade. The 05 only had 10,000 miles on it when we traded it in for the 06 GX,

The color is Savannah Metallic w/Ivory interior. I have used the all weather mats that were OEM from day one and the carpet ones are stored away. The carpet itself is still perfect.

The Truck has every option that was available in 2006 including Lexus Link, Chrome exhaust tip, rear spoiler and wheel locks.. There are new Michelin tires that were put on last year , New battery and new OEM rims. I detailed it today and realized that there is only 53,000 miles on it. It really is a great truck. I guess I will just wait and see what comes down the road.

I will check out Edmunds to see what it tells me.

rj4510

You have a loooooooooong way to go before things go wrong. Look at the problem reports for the GX and you'll see almost nothing. Check that against other brands and it may convince you to keep it. If you're tired of losing money on new, you're losing almost as much trading every 2 to 3 years. Dealers make between 3 & 5k per car, so you have the trade in loss of your car, plus the profit on the next one. IMHO Lexus really screwed up with the new GX 460. That car is not even close to the previous gen. Just my 2c.

JASP615

You're so right. No matter how good of a price I have gotten on the new trucks that we have purchased there is still the factor of depreciation within weeks of driving it off the lot if not almost instantly. Cost of the new truck and the lost value of the old.

The more I'm thinking about this I may just hold off for another couple of years. I may look into having my leather seats redone. They are not bad just a bit worn on the sides from sliding in and out of the truck. I have a small size worn mark (on the leather smaller than a dime on the steering wheel from my husband driving it. You really can't see it.) This is what is bothering me...LOL I know not that big of a deal, but like I said I like to keep them in perfect shape.

RickC5

Our '08 GX had a couple of worn spots on the steering wheel and another small spot on the driver's seat when we bought it. Like you, these worn spots bothered me at first, but now I don't even see them. Way too much trouble & cost to try to get them fixed IMHO. Anyway, we just drove our GX to Denver & back (500+ miles R/T) and both of us were pleasantly surprised at how well it drives and handles. We'll keep it for awhile.

rj4510

Just for a point of reference, my GX has 105K and my brother in laws 150K. I'm finally having goofiness with the rear suspension I have to figure out and he has had zero issues. Both are 03 models. If I have to do a complete suspension redo for 4K, it still ends up being a far more reliable car than most I've researched.

So far as leather imperfections, I'd recommend either covering them with quality sheepskins, if you like that look or leaving them as is. Not knocking any upholstery work, but you'll likely find the new leather will be far more fragile than the original, so you'll be back to the same place or worse in no time.

The other factor you have to consider with newer cars is how much the EPA is squeezing manufacturers. These requirements have added complexity to just about everything and companies have had to thin out and lighten up their cars to forcefully meet the standard. This is one huge contributor to why Toyota Motors had to abandon the rock solid 4.7 liter engine, which has been around for decades, for the new 4.6. Who knows how that engine will hold up. Most people don't know this, but Toyota has had a V8 at least since the 60s. The 400, 430 and 370 engines were all based on the old proven platform. The inline 6 I300 engine has also been around forever. Not so anymore and everything in the cars are new, lighter, and loaded with EPA standards.

I'm not advocating never upgrading. Just saying, these changes take time to prove themselves and you may give up a super reliable car for a serious pain in tha....

Rz500

Your leather can also be re-dyed. This is a DIY job or can be done professionally. Search "leatherique" on you tube for some examples. For the steering wheel, they can be dyed but I would suggest replacement if it really bothers you. The expensive part is the airbag which you will be able to retain. New or used steering wheels without an airbag can be easily sourced.

ROSCOGX470

Try Ebay for leather touch up kits. I used one that required your vin to color match perfectly. It came out nice.

JASP615

Thanks Guys, as always you all give good advice and something to think about. I think I will hold on to this truck a bit longer. This really is a rock solid truck. I have had a few things go wrong that were fixed and since that time I have not had any thing else happen. I am also going to look into the leather touch up kits. This may be just what it takes to make me happy...LOL

GadgetRick

Yes, hold onto it. I'm buying a GX with 103k miles. These things will run for quite some time with just a little TLC.