Nas
expect to see the VVTi GX sometime in Janurary, at least thats when the VVTi 4Runner will be out according to Toyotas website

 

Thanks for the info Edge2.

I hope it still comes in December though

 

Thread is stuck since many are interested in the 05 GX.

 

As I have said in another thread, you should look at the 2005 GX brochure to see what options will be offered and when they will be available. As with the 2004 GX, not all options were available at the time the initial truck builds arrived at the dealerships. Based on that, you can place an order at your Lexus dealer of choice.

 

Does anyone if the 2005's will have HID'S?????

 

The new engine in the 2005 GX is most appealing. I will want even more if there is a sports package option (mentioned / speculated earlier) or even different rims.

 

Car & Driver just reported the following in their most recent issue as follows:

2005 Charting the Changes—Lexus

Lexus
October 2004

Toyota's luxury division is mostly standing pat for 2005, with changes ranging from inconsequential to minor. Apparently, Lexus doesn't need to keep up a barrage of new models since the ones it has have been setting record company sales month after month. The GX470 gets variable valve timing and a Sport package with the optional kinetic dynamic suspension system with variable hydraulic anti-roll-bar resistance. More interesting is the RX400h, which will be more powerful in four-wheel-drive form than in front-drive form, thanks to a second electric motor.

Unchanged: ES330, GS300/GS430, IS300/IS300 SportCross, LS430, SC430, LX470, RX330.
-------------
How can you NOT be intrigued by the additional HP and SPORTS PACKAGE? What is that? I have to wait until the 2005s come out (dealer says in December).

 

The Kinetic Suspension is unchanged for 2005, correct? Because that "variable hydraulic ant-roll bar resistance" seems described a bit differently than I've ever seen it.

 

Hey looknow12 - I'm not sure what else is new for 2005, since Lexus is taking so damn long to tell us. The only info I could find was initial reports from this great forum and also the recent Car & Driver article. We all will just have to wait and see.

 

Makes sense though... Lexus won't announce anything about the 05 GX until most inventory is cleared out.

To do otherwise on a hot selling SUV would be foolish.

 

You'll never see HID's in tall Lexus/Toyota SUVs. They're even having customer satisfaction issues with HIDs in RX330's that need to be aimed so low that they aren't giving enouph low beam projection.

Australia has HID in LX already, I just don't ever see it coming to the USA.

 

05 LX 470's are at dealerships now and they still only have 235hp. When will these increaces happen?

 

It's not happening in the LX this year. Only the GX (in the Lexus line up) gets the VVTi engine upgrade for 2005.

 

Actually,
it is my wife. Since I got my GS last year, she has been commenting about how smooth it is, and HINTS that she would like a LEXUS replacement for her 1997 Explorer V8. This is the only car she would even consider as a replacement for her beloved Explorer, which we bought new.

I actually considered a 2004 GX, but have heard so many complaints about the driveshaft vibrations that it scared me off. A preowned 2003 is out of the question. It seems that quite a few of the 2003 and 2004 GX's were plagued with this problem. Not too many people on the forums state their 03 /04 GX is trouble-free, and that is what I expect with a Lexus product.

I was always hesitant about buying the first year of anything, and I have been really suprised to find the 05 LS plagued with fuel pump and transmission problems. It really is considerably less than any other luxury car maker, but any problem with a Lexus is considered shocking, as they are so close to being perfect.

Bottom line is: I guess I wait until after December to get an 05, but I don't like standing in line fighting other people for a chance to be the first to get taken. There probably won't be much price negotiating on the 05 model for quite awhile, so after a bit, I'll step up to the plate and try to make the best deal I can.

 

This is pure speculation, but I am basing it on past examples. I believe it is customary for Lexus to "upgrade" the number when they make an engine change, therefor if I were a betting woman, ( which I am not) I would bet the GX will now be the 500. This could explain why Lexus was so reluctant to release press information and why they STILL have not updated their website for the GX when every other vehicle has been updated. Although in reality the GX is getting relatively minor tweaking, nonetheless Lexus is perfectly aware of the consumers who may not want the "old" model in favor of the "new", making it more difficult to sell remaining 04's.

I am also definitely suspicious about the noticeable absence of the GX in the new Lexus book (which I am sure you all have leafed through while waiting at the dealership.) I requested one and read the entire thing. They even mention the new Hybrid RX400-yet not a mention of the GX. (it is listed however, in the back in the vehicle directory) The entire book is about the evolution of Lexus and their models, to not mention the GX at all struck me as odd. Perhaps Lexus has realized it has its hands full with this model due to the large number of complaints in earlier builds.

Just curious. Like I stated earlier, I am no expert. Would appreciate your thoughts.