AustinHusk

Need some advice on what to do:
- 06 GX 470, 183,000 mi., and in very good shape. Interior is in really great shape - almost looks brand new! Minor hail damage that can be fixed.

Took it for a routine service and dealer tells me that:
- rear shock/suspension air bags need to be replaced (ride has been very rough esp. over bumps): $1400
- Front CV boots are leaking and need to be replaced: $1000
- Timing belt/water pump, etc need to be replaced as part of 183k service: $1700
Total $4100 approx.
They're wiling to disc. to $3500.

Vehicle was appraised at $6800 last yr.

My 17 yr. old daughter started driving last yr and is using it as her car.

What should I do? Spend the $3500 and hope the car goes another 3-4 yrs without any major issues (> $500 in repairs)?........... Is there something else that I should be aware of that could cost me $$$$ in the next 3-4 yrs?

Or should I just ditch it now and buy a used RX/NX... Highlander?

Organized Garage Status

Well, old cars will be old cars. If there's no more car notes, there's car repairs. It's just a matter of what would you rather go with at this point. From what I can tell, those parts the biggest maintenance issues with these trucks. And don't forget to do all fluids, ATF, gear oil, transfer case, engine oil, coolant, etc. If I were in your shoes, I'd spend the money on parts, do it yourself if you can, or chalk up the labor. Either way, these cars are seen to run way beyond 300k as long as you keep up with the basic maintenance.

ALAN553

chiph9

There's nothing special about the CV boots. The dealers aren't willing to put a "fix-a-boot" on there. But then, those things may not make it 3 years, and depending on how much grease was lost or dirt got in, you may need to/want to replace the axle. You can replace both axles for about $1000 at a 3rd party shop and be good for another 150k

Chip H.

ebradford

If it were me, I'd definitely keep it but I recommend that you find a local mechanic who is trustworthy and see what he (she) has to say. You are absolutely getting hosed by the dealer. I have a local guy who does all the work on our GXs. The older one is an '03 with just over 200k on the odometer. It's pretty long in the tooth but mechanically just fine, in spite of 10+ northeast winters. I'm in the same boat. We have a couple of kids approaching driving age in the next year, it's big, reliable, and safe.

1. Convert the air suspension to coil-over if you haven't already. It's a lot cheaper and easier to maintain. I think the conversion kit was about $400 plus the cost of new shocks and labor to do the swap.

2. Look at replacing the axles. I had them done not too long ago after the CV boots wore out.

3. The dreaded timing belt and water pump. No real way around this but you can get it done way cheaper than at the dealer. Most of the cost is in the labor in tearing down the engine. I paid my guy about $1000 if I remember correctly. But it's done and good to go for another 90K miles.

Shoot me a PM if you have any specific questions. It sounds like we are in a similar circumstance with the teenage driver. I feel your pain. haha.

IanB2

It's not that the dealer is hosing you, they just charge a higher labor rate and markup on parts than what you can get if you're willing to do some legwork yourself. It's the price you pay for their expertise and one stop shopping.

I agree you should convert to coils on the rear suspension, it's cheaper, and it put an end to the "what will break next" associated with the rear air suspension.

I'd replace both axles if it was me, keep the old ones around for spares if you want, they can be rebooted once off the truck if they haven't worn out due to low grease, but you don't know the condition till they are out, and that could lead to additional downtime.

The timing belt and waterpump should be done when they're due, check the radiator for signs of weeping/leaking as they do seem to be another failure point of the cooling system.

If well maintained, these are very reliable, very safe vehicles. If you can afford to keep gas in it, it's a great choice for a young driver, with you being in Texas though you really don't need something with full time AWD.

ebradford

In hindsight, "hosing" was the wrong term. I apologize for the mis-characterization. What I meant was that you will pay a premium for the work to get done if you have it done at the dealer vs. at an indy shop (or a Toyota dealer for that matter).

A Lexus dealer, realistically, isn't working any magic under there. Any competent mechanic can do these repairs for less than the dealer will charge you.

Good luck and let us know how it shakes out.

AustinHusk

Thanks all. Great info here.
So looks like it's an overwhelming keeper.
I was looking at L/Cert 2015-2017 RX 350's.... and the Toyota Highlander for my daughter (something beefy/safe/reliable)..... but all look like >$25,000 for something <20k miles.

SO at this point I'm favoring just going back to the dealer and asking for a better price on the repairs.

Also today when I went to pick it up from doing the basic 5k oil change I was told that the steering box is leaking fluid. Said it was very minor and could go another yr+..... $2500

chiph9

A replacement steering rack is $1200-1600, but again, this is something that any competent shop can change out so there's no real reason to pay dealer labor rates, unless the labor portion of the 12 month parts warranty is important to you (over the counter sales only get warranted for the part cost, not the labor)

https://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=798198&ukey_make=1082&ukey_model=15663&modelYear=2008&ukey_category=21754&ukey_driveLine=8091&ukey_trimLevel=19100

To get it out, I think a wheel hub has to be removed (don't quote me on this) so if you're going to do this, might as well get the CV axles done at the same time to save on the alignment cost afterward.

Edit:
What usually goes bad on a steering rack is the internal seal - get a flashlight and look at the boots on the end of the rack - if they're swollen because it's full of fluid, yeah it's time. Also check to see if the boots are torn (not sure how that could happen, but still...)

So far as fluid, I believe Lexus uses Dexron III transmission fluid in there. So nothing super special.

Chip H.

deeken

I couldn't imagine my parents giving me a 5,000 pound monster as a daily driver when I was 17, let alone my sister. I personally think this is way too much car for an inexperienced driver. But to each their own.

AustinHusk

Dude.... it's a 13 yr old "5,000 pound monster"..... that's PAID off..... and worth ~$7000....

Comprende?

deeken

No where in my post did I mention it's monetary value. There is no price for a child's safety. It's just a big car with a lot of power. Both my wife, sister and my mother felt like it was too big and like a bus. That's all. Capeesh?

IanB2

It's also far safer than a $800 tin can beater, if the kid is responsible then I don't see the issue.

chiph9

My high school car was a 1975 Chevy Impala. 2 tons with a 350 small block V8, rear wheel drive. No air bags, no ABS, crappy 70's tires. I don't think the shoulder belts even had inertia reels - you had to adjust the length manually for every driver.

The biggest problem OP will face is their child getting distracted by their cellphone.

Chip H.

ebradford

The teenager's cell phone, and all the other cell phones in the hands of the many idiots on the road. A girl rolled a Jeep into the woods across the street from our house last weekend. Thankfully, she was okay but the Liberty wound up on its side, sandwiched in between two large oak trees. Turns out that prior to taking out a row of mailboxes and careening off an embankment into the swamp, she was messing with her phone, going too fast and around a blind turn. Also thankfully, there was no one walking a dog, taking a run or riding a bike (all of which me or my family do along there).

I have zero problem putting my 16 year old into a 13 year old GX with 200k miles either. Big, safe, reliable, and paid for. Checks all the boxes for me.