Just purchased a 2009 GX470 with 80k miles.

One owner, full dealer service History, no accidents. Dealer is refinishing all 4 wheels, doing the rear wheel bearings, a “service” and the tb/wp.

Was eyeing GX460s, and didn’t plan on buying something this “old” but the car was too clean to turn down. For a NY car, the frame was shockingly clean. They’re doing a bunch of work, so won’t be ready until next weekend, but very excited. We had 2003 LX470 when I was young, and this GX brings back a lot of good memories because of how similar it is in terms of old Lexus quality. Picture is of the car in “as traded in condition”

 

Will they be doing the 1st timing belt service w/ water pump? That's due in 10kmi.
Any warranty from dealer?
Do the service records show what type of oil was used (synth vs std)? I have used nothing but Valvoline full-synth oil. That engine should be super clean, but with my 2006 being 225kmi+ the oil in the intake is one to watch for. The OEM PCV setup is faulty imho, and I just recently installed a catch can for PCV. I had to spend a lot of time cleaning out my intake and removing sludge from head intake ports. A little pre-emptive work is not a bad idea with that low mileage engine. I would also pencil in dropping trans pan for a new filter and pan gasket at 100kmi.

Has the radiator ever been replaced? The OEM ones were cracking due to stress point, so if that one is oem and has not failed yet, it might soon.

It's a great vehicle, just be prepared for the upcoming maintenance that will be needed. There's plenty of "GX fix items" in this forum that you'll be looking at in near future.

btw, what NY dealer was it?

 

I should have prefaced this with I have a bit of experience with Toyota/ Lexus. In addition the LX I took over toward the end of its time with us, I’ve had 2 4runners, 4 GSs, an ES, and an RX. In the Immediate family, we’ve had a few gens of just about every model. So I’ll say this, I’ve learned that the forums blow potential problems and preventative maintenance way out of proportion (think 996 IMS bearings, Toyota 3.0 engine sludge, etc.)

For example, I’m on the W126 forum as I have a 1991 560SEL with 17k miles. Internet mechanics say to change everything, the Mercedes Mechanic who works on it says throwing money down the drain.

Yes, like I mentioned

its dealer serviced so I assume STD, they didn’t require synthetic until 2012, and honestly, I’ve run most of my cars to nearly 200k all on STD. Doesn’t mean synthetic isn’t better, but I’m fine without it.

Never had PCV issues with the LX, and with no direct injection only So I won’t worry about carbon like on my old GS, so I’ll keep an eye out but I’ll just change valve every so often.

Trans, maybe we’ll see.

Ive noticed on forums that people tend to take preventative maintenance a little too far. IH8Mud too, for every guy who replaced every single thing, there were 15 lay people who never had a problem.

I’ve learned my lesson, no more replacing good parts for no reason other than the internet told me haha. When you add up all the little fixes that weren’t necessary, but done because they were “cheap” it’s truly mind boggling.

On the RX being traded in, everyone said to preemptively change the water pump and power steering rack because they will leak, in the 170k we had it since new, never happened, but people will throw 2k at it just because.

 

In my short ownership my 470 has been quite costly. Just did a full break job including new 460 calipers, rotors, pads and fluid. I also replaced the radiator cause it had a small leak and it had an electrical problem where the turn signals are stuck on, which ended up to be a relay problem. I also added a Bluetooth devise cause the stock radio setup is antiquated. But the rig has 165k on it and it drives impressively. The motor is super quiet and has a respectable punch to it no the trans shifts perfectly.

Get ready for a driveshaft clunk, leaking radiator and frozen brake pistons. My brakes lasted until 165k but guys have had the problem real early on.

 

Changing an old working part is usually for convenience, like changing cam and crank sensor when everything is off when doing timing belt and pump. You can't know the trans filter needs replacing unless you look at it, but at that point just replace it, usually done after X miles, etc

As for PCV, I am not saying the valve itself, they usually just get oily and not stuck. Look behind the throttle body inside the intake, any oil laying in the bottom of the intake? 1st signs of this issue will be inside the hose that connect PCV to the intake. If inside that hose is oily then good chances there's oil laying in bottom of the intake and perhaps the intake runners and head ports are a tad sludgy.

Fuel injectors are often never touched, but why? The vehicles around same year with same engine (2006 470 vs 2007 Tundra, both 2UZ-FE and almost identical systems) should basically wear & clog the same, give or take. The injectors I got were from 2007 Tundra w/ only 107kmi on it, and those injectors went out to be serviced, and their as-is service test came back horrible. I am not sure if this would be common or I just got a oddball set (the screens did not show any clog or extra dirt, etc), but in that poor state the engine still ran. I am thinking these 470's need some attention in the under-intake and injector areas at around 150kmi (pre-emptive maintenance). That 2nd air pump system is expensive if it goes south and goofs stuff up, and the injectors might need servicing. Noted here, I have not had my original injectors serviced so I don't know their actual state.

 

I just got my '06 GX on Tuesday - 126k miles. I'm pretty sure I'm in the same headspace as you - dealer did a lot of the main repairs, including timing belt and water pump, new brakes all the way around. I have noticed a slight clicking on startup - like a lifter noise, so that concerns me. Going to find a Toy/Lex specialty place for future maintenance. Congratulations!

 

Aged10 year old timing belts should be changed. The 4.7 will slap valves if it breaks. Mine had over 140,000 when I bought it with no history of ever been done. The kit and labor cost me about 700ish. While apart I did hoses, coolant, thermostat and serpentine. Bought it cheap enough so why not.
You can get top oils cheap on Amazon. I can do Castrol Edge High Mileage Synthetic with Purolator filters myself cheaper than most shops will charge to do Syn blends with basic filter.

 

Finally had a chance to pick it up, snow tires were home waiting for me.

already added a vaistech Bluetooth streaming audio unit, changed the low beams with LEDs and the license plate lights with LED. Put in the weather tech mats, and cleaned up the surface rust on the hitch and painted it.

Service shows both front calipers rotors and pads were changed 8k miles ago, as I stated already timing belt and water pump were changed buy the dealer as part of the deal