Howdy,

I need a ranch vehicle that qualifies for the 6000GVW tax deduction, and am currently thinking of buying my 2003 GX at the end of the Lease (June 2007) for $28K to fulfill this need. I have googled and searched CL till the cows come home, but have only confirmed that their is a lot of contradictory information on whether my May 2003 build GX qualifies or not. As I know many of you went through the whole tag recall, were you able to qualify for the tax deduction. My door jam sticker lists the GVW at 6000.

BTW, I test drove a few 2004 Discovery's (they qualify), and was blown away at how god awful they were. I need something with serious off-road ability, an adult size back seat that is comfy, <$30K, and narrow enough to fit on the ranch's narrow coastal ranch roads (i.e, the Landcruiser, Sequoia are too big).

Appreciate any wisdom bestowed on this confused soul.

Martin

 

I researched this a LOT before I bought my 2004. The 2003's DO NOT qualify. Only the 2004 and newers do. Something about added weight to the 2004. I had a chance to pick up a 2003 for a good deal less at the time but had to go 2004 in order to get the deduction for my business. Unfortunately, I sold my beloved 2004 GX for a crappy Highlander Hybrid in August (hitting himself over the head until he looses concuisness)...

 

In further support of your views, I have a good friend who had a '04Discovery and it was an unmitigated POS. An absolute horrible ownership experience. Stay back 500 feet!

 

Thanks Bunka, appreciate it. Of course, that is what I did not want to hear, but I'll live. The buy option on my GX is only $28K, and it only has 33K miles on it after 4 years; so I think it is clearly worth more than the buy-out. Sad that I'm going to have to buy a stripped 2005-6 SR5 V8 4Runner for about the same money and give-up the GX because of one measily pound.

I really liked the Disco on paper, as the GX is effectively a vastly improved Japanese take-off; but was appalled how even low mileage CPOed examples were in appalling shape: Rear-view mirrors did not work, driver's seat was lose, various warning lights illuminated when I hit the brakes, shocks were absolutely shot etc. The steering wheel was also essentially in my lap and I could not see the top half of the guages. The dealer told me that 6'2" is the effective cut-off point for the Disco. Every one I sampled was certified, but had not even been vacummed. One even had kids toys still in compartments in the back seat and food crumbs everywhere-really gross. Its clear that the dealers will not put it through the 150 point CPO inspection until they actually sell the leather clad tractors. Most seemed destined for wholesale.