cruzinZ

Currently looking at my future options. I'm interested in the 2005 or newer GX470. I would need a vehicle capable of towing a 4,500lb to 5,000lb boat.

I know that the newer GX460 would be a better vehicle for my wife as she would appreciate the interior better. I feel that the older GX470 would be just fine for me. This comes down to a cost issue as I'll be purchasing all vehicles and toys (boats) in cash.

Out of the two 470/460 which one would be better for towing? The only thing that concerns me is the AWD system. Under a heavy load it would be nice to have rear wheel drive. Anyone have issues with the rear air suspension prematurely wearing out due to towing?

What kind of transmission cooler is recomended? Anyone have experience with the installation?

IanB2

The GX460 should tow better due to the extra power and extra gear in the transmission. They are both full time AWD, and they both have rear air suspension, so no advantage either way there. I can't speak to the 460, but on the 470 the factory tow package includes a trans cooler.

Johnny Rad

When thinking about the 470 vs 460, these may or may not matter to you... this is by no means an exhaustive list.

Nicer, softer leather in the 460.

Push button start added to the 460. I find true keyless entry with push-button start/stop life-changing.

Ventilated seats added to the 460, but I haven't investigated if they're effective. Many ventilated seats aren't worth more than about two-bits.

The fold flat 3rd row seats actually make for a higher load floor in the rear at the tailgate. It's not "magic."

HP goes up in the 460, but so does weight. I don't recall if tq changed much. The 0-60 time modestly improves thanks to maybe the extra gear in the tranny.

Unsurprisingly, the newer 460 costs more than the older 470. The 470 is more than acceptable in terms of perf for a big-ish SUV and quiet cruising, but lacks some of the latest modern conveniences. I'm happy to keep my 470 for another bunch of years, but would buy a 470 if I was forced to choose between one or the other tomorrow if my 470 evaporated. Hope that makes sense!

Johnny Rad

With respect to the air susp, nobody - not even Toyota / Lexus - has mastered a reliable one in my opinion. Look to the GX, LX and LS forums here for evidence. That said, I'd much rather own an air susp mfg'd by them than anyone else.

I'm at ~70k mi on my '08 GX470 and it hasn't had any issues (knock on wood) aside from the couple of times (3?) where a re-start proved necessary. If and when my adjustable springs or rear bags wet the bed, I'll investigate: OEM, Bilsteins, Old Man Emu (OME) steel springs or similar, etc. Given the age of my truck and what I think its future holds in my garage, I'll let my wallet do the talking.

Also, for what it's worth, I don't tow.

Johnny Rad

DELETE.

Oops.

zippinbye

The all-cash approach certainly favors the GX 470. Just like any model-specific forum, you're likely to get a bias slant here, and likewise in the other direction on the 460 forum. I think it comes down to some very minor differences. Their general nature and capability is almost identical. The styling differences are obvious.

I know people that tow with both. Regardless of the transmission, some say they feel it down-shifts prematurely, given the abundance of low end torque. That's my sense in the 470 unladen going up freeway hills even - if was in charge I'd stay in top gear longer. The 460 has more gears to "hunt," so I'm not sure if that creates more nuisance or derives benefits. Regardless, these guys with V-8 I/O boats in the low 20 foot range have zero complaints towing. At least until I blow past them in my Cummins-powered truck on hills! Because I have that I don't bother towing with the GX, but I would not hesitate to use it for a primary tow vehicle up to 5000 pounds or so. My airbags gave 135,000 miles and no issues, although I expect problems anytime. Not sure that would be any different with towing. Airbag wear is more a product of repetitive movement and overall age I think, as opposed to increased load-carrying.

If my GX 470 was totaled tomorrow and I was sitting on a stack of cash, I'd still replace it with a GX 470. Maybe that's just experience and familiarity talking. But here's something I know for sure: a lot GX 470 owners say it's the best vehicle they've ever owned, and that includes a lot of people with unlimited budgets and some real "gear heads" who have driven virtually everything. In your shoes, I'd pick a number (20k?) and buy the newest, nicest, lowest mileage GX 470 I could find. And repeat said process with the boat. Affordability and function - done! BTW, my wife hated every SUV and truck I ever made her drive until the GX. Now I can't pry her out of it (lucky me; no car payments!). Good luck with you decision.

Jaysmith2k

I originally owned a 2004 GX470. Sold it in 2010 and bought an RX400h. I loved the RX but always regretted selling the GX. Fast forward to a month or so ago and I'm at Carmax looking at a 2010 GX460 or a 2011 MDX. As a Lexus lover I thought it would be a simple decision, but I preferred the MDX as did my wife. In driving the 460 something felt off. The steering felt loose and did not inspire confidence. The brakes were horrible, having to go to the floor to stop (this is a known issue, I thought it was a one off until I started reading about it). I spotted a 2007 GX470 on the lot, $10k less than the 460. Drove it and that was it. I'll drive this until the next gen of the GX. I'd buy another 470 before I would buy a 460. This is just my humble opinion.

cruzinZ

Thanks for all the responses. I know that the 470 is in leagues above the rest of the competiton. I have a friend who is a buyer at car max and has driven just about every vehicle imaginable. From his description in order to get a comparable ride quality you need to step up to high end MB automobiles. Even the mid range MB cars are not comparable to the ride quality of the GX470.

As for price i'm not sure price yet but I will judge the market when that time comes.

chiph9

Paying cash? I'd go with a VVTi equipped 470. Good amount of power, lower cargo floor than the 460, cheaper, just as reliable. And subjectively, I like the squared-off looks better.

Chip H.

sprocket

I tow 6,000lbs with my 2004 GX. I'm considering upgrading to a 2013 GX 460, but I'm a little concerned the base model does not have the air suspension or extra cooler. I'm also considering a Sequoia, although it isn't nearly as comfy as the GX.