I don't know why Toyota is so ambiguous about this. Either the engine needs higher octane to prevent possible detonation, or it doesn't. My other cars explicitly say "Premium fuel only". No second guessing there. For the book to say one thing, and some Toyota literature to say another, is annoying. Given the cost of premium fuel and the gas mileage, the cost difference can really add up. Do you have a link to this Toyota literature?

 

Here is the link:

http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_li...id=2003gx470_s

Enjoy.

 

Thanks for the link.

 

You will spend $200-300 a year more for better fuel and we are talking about $50,000-$70,000 cars....And your worried about a couple of hundred dollars a year?

 

Earlier I posted very good highway driving mileage, about 19mpg.

My city driving estimates are coming in and I have been taking it somewhat easy and my city mileage is 14. This is based on resetting the trip display. I will get the mileage and do the math myself next fillup.

 

I am not arguing the use of better fuel. All of my cars require premium. My point is that if a car isn't setup for premium fuel, giving it premium fuel will do absolutely nothing (except cost you more money). The question that I was trying to get answered here was whether the GX470 had such a requirement or not. I now understand that the GX is in fact probably tuned for the higher octane and would probably retard under less than 91 octane. Other manufacturers, like Acura for example, make an emphatic statement that premium fuel is required. Toyota/Lexus's statement wasn't quite so emphatic, hence my question.

 

I did the math on the last tank of gas.

I drove from Los Angeles to Palm Springs and back. Started out at near sea level gradually climbed to 2500 feet and down to below sea level

Average miles per gallon was 16.72 which includes driving around town, average miles per hour on freeway was about 75. Used Costco premium unleaded (California gas which contained MTBE and I believe oxygenated)

 

my last trip, houston to port arthor
gas was from sams premum in college station
trip was from college station to houston, city driveing for a bit.. and then out to port aurthor the next day.. total tank fillup was ~ 30 and it went 310 miles trip computer estimated 17mpg and the cost was 1.49

 

Kash -

Which dealer did you use for the Lexus GX 470? Any deals?

 

westside lexus... it was a pretty much straight foward sell..

 

I'll always make the journey down to Houston to buy my Lexus. Lexus of Austin has great customer service, but they have very little selection when it comes to the more desired vehicles. Currently, the only GX they have is on the showroom floor and has a sold sticker under the windshield wiper. Good grief! I can only imagine how long the wait list is. However, need an ES? they have about 25 of the sitting on the lot, about 10 of them white at last count! <GRIN>

 

straight foward in the sence. i was on the waitng list for ever long since june i think.. and i was #40... they say now the list is up to march.. which isnt bad... ok nm its really bad... but yea they are willing to part with the demo model i think.. there were a couple chking it out.. same as mine.. when we took delivery of my car.. 1) i wouldnt buy that car because it smells 2) i drove it.. there for you dont want it.. 3) a bunch of other people drove it

order of importance of why you should get that vehicle 2,1,3...

god that was a fun test drive...

 

I'm averaging 18.6 which is maily highway (I live on Maine/New Hampshire border) actually an Island between the 2 states.

Plenty of vehicle availability in the area between dealers and all are pretty much loaded.

Car is not bad in the snow & ice but I would suggest if you drive in crap weather to get the spoiler.

 

I have 1500 miles on my GX and have filled the tank about 6 times. The trip computer says I am getting 17.5 mpg, but my wallet (miles divided by gallons) says its 14! Pretty consistent too.

I do a mix of highway/city and thought I would be doing better. Perhaps in the spring when the gas isn't oxygenated?

 

Just did a 5 day roundtrip from Maine to Daytona, FL.
Average MPG for the trip was 23.2 mpg on 2,980 miles.
Average speed for the trip was 52 mph.

I'm amazed at how the car performed, considering I went through horrendous rain, sleet ice & snow storms coming back up the east coast.

Encountered a 10 mile tail back accident on I495 in Massachusetts on the way back. Just went to the Nav system and punched in a request for a 25 mile detour.
System got me off the highway at an exit I was within 400 feet of. Detoured about 5 miles and lost about 10 mi8nutes instead of hours.

Got to love this vehicle!