prwdmd

Within the next year my daily commute is likely going to increase to around 45 miles one-way. This means a lot of driving... I'm starting to wonder if a sedan like a GS350 would be a better long distance commuter. There are two main things on my mind: 1) the size and weight of the GX... it is rather cumbersome for zipping around traffic. Also 2) fuel economy... right now I'm spending $300-$400/month just on gas and that would increase when my commuting distance increases.

I love the GX and I'm trying to convince the wife to take it so we can still keep it in our (2-car) fleet. I've been looking a lot at the GS350. Does anyone else feel that the GX isn't good for long distance commuting and that a Lexus sedan would be a better suited vehicle?

RCsGX

Short and sweet....if youre worried about MPGs get a car.

ebradford

Agreed. We've actually been pretty happy with the GX & Prius combo. There's something to be said for driving around at 75mph while getting 46-47mpg (and on snow tires no less!). The Prius isn't at all interesting but it's effective. The GX is awesome for some things but mileage surely isn't one of them.

Matsui

If MPG is the primary concern, then a car is a better choice than GX.

Otherwise, it is really a personal choice as to what you like to drive.
I have a car for myself and GX for my wife or when we go with our daughter. While I love the GX, I would never prefer driving it when I'm by myself.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

gas is the main (big) problem. if you can get over it it's an ok dd

plunger

I'd get a cheap commuter car and keep the GX. You're going to put over 22k miles a year with that commute. Let a cheaper car take the abuse. GX needs new oil at 5k miles, thats every 2.5 months at that rate. Other manufactures are doing 7.5k-10k oil change intervals.

The cheap commuter car will pay for itself with the standard fuel, depreciation, maintenance, etc vs a luxury name plate.

prwdmd

As I said in my original post fuel economy is only part of my concern... another main issue is the handling of such a big truck for a long commute. There is a lot more play in the steering than your average vehicle... it takes a lot of small corrections to keep it going straight. Also if it's windy the tall GX is no fun to drive on the highway. I'm thinking a sedan would be generally more comfortable for the driver for longer distance...

RCsGX

If your GX takes alot of corrections to keep it going straight something is wrong with your tires and or suspension. My GX tracks straight as an arrow going 70mph+ and I have no problem driving it in Houston traffic. What do you need to dip in and out of lanes for if youre driving long distance?

It seems yuve already answered your own question. If want / need a zippy vehicle with good gas mileage then you need a car.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

not sure if i entirely agree with this, it's like saying all luxury / expensive cars should be for the weekends only. a cheap daily of course is going to cost less, but you are possibly losing the quietness, smoothness, power, handling, audio systems, electronics and conveniences, etc...

i have had quite a few luxury cars and they are all my daily drivers. yup for sure it costs more to drive those than say driving a camry every day, but that's the price i am ok to pay

but by the same concept isn't that a compact sport car goes even better on the road? i think you are getting into the area where you just see what's good for you. i have always been a driver so of course suv is not much of a driver car for me. coming from a m3, my s550 now feels like a boat. it's by no means a bad daily at all, far better than gx (in some sense), but again, what am i looking for?

the gx is not "as easy" to handle, but it's not hard to handle at all, it's not a very big car (my s550 is much longer). cross wind can be a problem and you have to decide in your area whether it makes sense. for me it's not a fighting game to drive the gx

2OnyxLexus

I'm in the same boat.

Nostics_RX

I'd get a quality small used car...like a Civic w/ manual transmission. Good mpg and still fun drive in and out of traffic. You still get to keep your GX for the weekend.

plunger

Yeah, you can get a new Civic or Corolla and beat the heck out of it and only lose $5k-10k value at the most after a handful of years.

How much depreciation would a Lexus with a lot of miles packed on lose in the same amount of time? A whole lot more, thats for sure.

cdew002

Not saying you're wrong, but by this logic, why even own a luxury car in the first place? You bought it because you liked the feeling you got while you were driving, right? Drive the wheels off, and when you kill it, buy another.

You only live once...

snhrph

Completely agree!!! I could not have said it better myself...

A very good friend of mine had a CL550. When the CL was barely broken in, he went out and bought an M6. When I asked him why he got another $100K+ car, he replied that he has two weaknesses: beautiful women and fast cars, and that he likes to indulge in both...