I am looking at two GX470's, both 2004, one from a dealer for $19K and one from a private party for $13K. Both have 78k miles in excellent condition. I am buying this to replace, half heartedly, a 2004 Sequoia with 220k on it (but runs great even with peeling paint).

What "gotchas" should I be looking for.... apparently leaking radiators were an issue as were height sensors. Don't have any first hand knowledge if that is true. If you have suggestions one what to look for I would sincerely appreciate it.

As noted in the title... I am a newbie as I haven't actually bought either. My comparison vehicles would be the Sequoia, my 1999 4runner and I used to own a couple FJ60's.... so, no directly comparable vehicles.

Thank you !

 

DEFINITELY not the one for $19k. That's ridiculously overpriced.

Things to look for:
Leaking radiator
Leaking/torn CV boots
Leaking air suspension components
If it has nav, make sure none of the notoriously crappy Mark Levinson speakers aren't blown.
Make sure it doesn't have a driveshaft clunk when accelerating from a stop.

Use the VIN#'s and register at mylexus.com to check maintenance history.

 

Ok, leaking radiator should be easy to spot. Leaking/torn CV boots...I can assume a spray pattern of grease on the underside near the boot would be and indication. Leaking air suspension.... how does one check that? Any other potential issues ? Thanks !!!

 

Just went through a bundle of posts on the air suspension and what appears... to be a lot of issues with a lot of grumpy people shelling out $2000 for a fix. Is this overblown? Or....

 

"Leaking air suspension.... how does one check that? Any other potential issues ? Thanks !!!"


That's a good question lol. I would definitely check out the Lexus service history online and make sure that the air springs have not already been documented as leaking. The previous owner of my GX traded the vehicle in when they received the leaking spring diagnosis and I am sure a large repair estimate from the dealer. There was no exact time it took for my bags to deflate.. 2 hours this time, two days the next. It cost me $350 bucks and maybe an hour to repair though, so not a huge deal breaker IMO.


I agree with Blackcat though - 19K for an 04 is crazy.

 

Actually, it's $19,999 so it's even crazier at the dealer. For $12999 with the private party, given all other things being equal.... I could plan on $1200 for the timing belt and water pump, throw in brakes, fluid changes in the transmission and diffs, spark plugs... and still be under $15k. I just need to listen for drive train clunks and, I guess, air suspension that doesn't adjust or rides like a go-kart.

 

My advice would be to show up unannounced. If they know you're coming they can let the truck run and fill the airbags up if they're leaking. If it's been sitting there and looks like it's riding dirty, you know there's an issue. But for $19k it'll never sell, that's getting into low mileage 08-09 territory.

Also, the other one at $13k is a good deal IF the work you stated you were going to do after buying had already been done. My one owner 03 with all the services you mentioned already completed was less than $13k.

 

I paid 15K for a low mileage O4. NO NAV (my preference). But all the Lexus service history for Brakes, Timing Belt, no rust, ETC. 19K is way to much. GX's go for a lot more in Colorado then some states as well. 4 Runners cost even more. It's crazy here.

 

Definitely 13K would be a starting point, and negotiate after that for deferred maintenance.


For suspension air bag history, check Lexus as discussed. It really is an easy job (requires no tools other than a jack and lug wrench to remove the wheels).


A leaking bag may not be obvious. Listen for any air sounds when in H, N, or L, after shutting off the engine and crawling under the rear in each position.


If this is a Southern California car with 78K, that has been taken care of, I would not anticipate the air bags being an issue yet. You never know though. Genuine Lexus bags on Amazon are around 200 for both.


Only buy the truck if it has drilled and slotted rotors! (Joke)

 

LOL

 

Back in September '15 I paid about 17k for my '04 w/ 88k miles. Timing belt and water pump had recently been replaced. Dealer maintained, interior in great condition, new tires, nav w/ ML system. I felt like it was a great deal compared to other prices up here in the Seattle area. I'm originally from Sacramento so I would check around there also before I pulled the trigger. Ih8mud has a thread about how much we paid for our GXs and the price varies greatly between different regions.

Like others have suggested, the air suspension and radiator are key areas to look for. I had to replace my radiator recently and I didn't see any signs of leaks when I bought it. Turns out that a pinhole leak started right in the middle of the radiator and while running it would spray towards the engine and the fan would spray it up against the hood and it would fall all over my engine compartment. I kept thinking that the expansion tank was overflowing, but it was the little pinhole leak in the middle of the radiator. Took forever to find the source. When the timing belt and water pump are replaced, the radiator should really be replaced as well. I have read here that new water pumps can operate at higher pressure which places strain on the original radiator and can cause pinhole leaks. That is obviously exactly what happened to me. Luckily I can do a lot of work myself and was able to throw in a new radiator fairly easily.

For the air suspension I would test the height control to make sure if it moves up and down correctly. If the height control sensors are not working properly it is my understanding that you will not be able to switch between H, N, and L

I have found tons of useful information here that has already saved me lots of money. Good luck!

 

Funny thing. Mine had a new radiator, Installed by LEXUS in CA. It was NOT a OEM radiator. It had a leak at the transmission cooler line. I ended up fixing that. Lexus here looked at it and said "thats not one of ours". It was driving me nut because it had a removable nipple and the Lexus schematic did not show the parts I needed to find the washer to fix the leak. Never assume I guess. Lexus work does not alway get you Lexus parts. The same dealer did my brakes. Not well. They did not adjust the handbrake in the back and I had no handbrake. Fixed that myself as well. Who knows what rotors they used.

Joke.... Probably some Crap from Taiwan that is going to drive me nuts. I should go look at them, make sure they don't have holes in them...... end Joke

 

When checking the height of the air suspension, what are the correct stock heights, front and rear? Ground to center of wheel opening sheetmetal (or other viable measuring point). Three measurements? H N L ???

 

Each car is different so its going to be difficult to see which is which. You should articulate the air suspension several times, up and down and see how it reacts.

Check the front Struts to see if they are blown. Easy to tell actually, when you brake moderately the front will dive like a sunofa*****. The CV Axles will be an easy spot... Bring a small flashlight with you to look for greese spray.

Check the brakes out see if they are pulsating. You are right on the cusp of where you start having caliper issues. Check the tires. Not super important, but if they are only the second ones that they put on in 12 years, check for sidewall cracks.

Ask about fluid changes. See when the last time the brake fluid was changed. Radiator flushed, and if the car went in for a TSB like the driveshaft clunk.

Check the transfer case out. Put it through high and low. Take all assistances off. Lock the center dif in both high and low.

I wouldnt even consider that $19K car. Thats funny money territory.

 

I paid 12k two months ago for an 05 with 170k on it but had all maintenance issues done. Timing belt water pump at 150k, radiator, updated driveshaft, both sides new cv boots, height sensors, and air bags. I will need to do the shocks soon but thats it. Drove ones with 70-100k asking $15-16k and they had all kinds of issues. Wouldnt drive straight, clunking, loud air compressors, brake shimmy etc.