Hi,
New here. I've lurked and taken notes - appreciatively - but never participated. Didn't think I should comment until I owned one. I finally became an owner this week and am super excited, but also a bit overwhelmed because this is by far the nicest vehicle I've ever owned in my life (way beyond anything I ever thought possible) and I bought a different model than I expected while admittedly, in haste, believing it was way too good of a deal to pass up . I spent a year researching GX460s and waiting for something to come up. My target year was the 2022-2023 because of the tech updates and I'm riding on the idea that 2023 is the end, that I'll keep this car as long as possible with the idea that these V8s are the last of a generation. We historically keep our cars minimum 10 years plus as long as they last that long, so that suggested we could also budget the newer models, although ideally staying in the Premium or Black Line price range. I had not researched a Luxury because I did not expect to want to purchase this vehicle because the price of a new luxury was way beyond my comfort level and did not think the marginal extras of a Luxury were worth the extra $10k in price on a new one v. Black Line.

Feel free to say otherwise, but I think what I bought was the best possible deal in a long time. I was able to pick up a used (9 months since put into production) 2022 Lux for $63k out the door. 21k miles. Dealer trade in came in that day. Seller apparently regular customer who turns over cars every year or two. Mostly if not all highway/commuting miles. Seller had it for a short time because they were waiting on a LX custom order that took a while to receive and needed a car in between. Fully maintained at the dealer with clean records. Certified by dealer as well. Came with minor door scratches on door and hood. Minor leather tear on drivers seat. Otherwise no body defects that I could identify. Certified inspection checklist reviewed as well. However I have no idea how reliable that is, but comes with extended warranty and 2 years free service to boot. Dealership has a great reputation too. Car also came with film, Ceramic package that the prior buyer put on.

This was $2k-$6k cheaper than I could find anywhere online for a comparable 2022 Lux. It was also a local dealer which I really like because they've been really great to me over the past year when I first started searching. It's also $3k cheaper than a new Nori Black Line that I was also looking at 200 miles away that was likely to be purchased if I didn't come across this one. But the comparison of the slightly used Lux v. the new Black Line seemed like a no brainer despite this one being slightly used with higher mileage in a short time frame. Given the carfax, dealer warranty and presumably good word of the dealer, I think this high mileage is probably fine.

Hopefully this was a good choice.

And so I'm wanting to really care for this car and wondered a few things:

1. I did not do any film ceramic interior packages. They offered it (not pushy at all about it) but the car already had it all installed from the previous owner and it was only 8-9 months old. So I didn't see/understand a good reason to pay for that other than apparently there's an extra warranty which seemed to be the primary benefit of the package. I still passed on that purchase of the warranty. Would you all have done the same? It was not cheap and I don't see the benefit if the material is already installed already?

2. I want to do winter wheels and tires next season for seasonal change outs. I live in a snowy climate. Super Dumb question: I should be able to put on 18's right even though the Lux are 19s? When I run discount tire search, discount will only bring up 19's but I can't imagine why the Lux would be any different than the other models? Assuming 18s are a good idea, thinking Nokian Hakkas with some type of Fuel-style wheel or of course welcome any other suggestions. I'll also search this forum for wheel and tire ideas too since I'm sure the discussion has been had many times.

3. I would like to have the minor tear on the seat repaired. Any suggestions on how to search for someone to do that? or should I use the dealer?

4. What should I watch for with the car that might suggest a possible problem? The car was only 8 months of use from the previous owner, but they seemed to clock in over 2k miles a month. I'm not overly concerned about that, but just wanting to stay on top of anything that might come up.

5. Any other good GX460 forums worth joining?

6. Anything else?

I'm excited to learn more from all of you. Thanks in advance!

 

Enjoy that 22 Lux. I certainly have enjoyed mine. I can answer your second question (partially) - yes, you can put 18s on your vehicle. I did that right after purchasing my GX. In South Texas, we don’t have the snow you have in WI - so, no need to buy them for everyday driving. There should be lots of info / thoughts / comments on this forum about wheels and tires.

If you plan on towing and your 22 didn’t come with an OEM hitch, you may want to decide on that purchase soon. No telling when Lexus might put a stop sale (again) on the OEM hitch or just stop manufacturing them due to the model change over for the ‘24 models.

I have just over 17K miles on my GX and it is now 1 year old. 2K miles per month shouldn’t be an issue for this vehicle. Download the Lexus app and setup your GX and check the maintenance records in the app.

Best

 

Thank you.

Yes, it actually came with the OEM Trailer hitch too. Which was another huge value-add.

I have the app downloaded too, however it just destroys the battery life on my android when it's running in the background, so I turned off auto notifications for now and keep the app closed when not needed.

 

This is exactly what I did, my Executive model (Canadian version) came with 19" wheels, I bought a set of OEM 18" wheels and mounted my winter tires on them (Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 studded). Any 18" aftermarket wheel will work, sized appropriately.

 

The 18”s are perfect fit. I swap the 19”s out the day I took delivery. Can’t say much about other things as I have only 950 miles on it although I owned a GX470 for many years.

In addition to the wheel swap, I added roof rail cross bars, Curt tow hitch, and fluid filmed the undercarriage(I am probably 70 miles south of you, rust proofing is a must for this vehicle’s longevity). If you have not done rust proofing, I recommend do it right away. That is probably the only thing that kills this vehicle prematurely.

 

Ya, the app is terrible, constantly searching for the vehicle. This is contrary to how connected vehicles using the mobile network should work. Maybe one day the app and communication with the vehicle will be improved. I have to force kill the app for it to stop searching for the vehicle.

 

Thank you.

For the cross bars, did you change the bars to elevated first? Mine are flush/low and wondered if I should change them out, go elevated and then add cross bars?

Is fluid film something I can do or do you find a shop to do that?

Side question on that: is it way too late to do something like that on a 10 year old vehicle? I have an older Suburban that's in great shape but I never know what to expect with the body over time.

 

It's utterly horrible. I searched ways to optimize it and it's still draining the battery.

I'm trying to figure out: why even keep the app on the phone if I don't plan to use the phone to start the car? Thinking of just removing it completely. Any downside to that?

 

I keep my app in "force stop" mode most of the time. I would keep the app, just make sure you have killed its process and its not running in the background. I use it sparingly when I am on long road trips or need to locate the car or to remote start. Other than that, there is no real need for it, unless you want the car to notify you for something like unlocked doors etc...

 

Congrats! Sounds like you made a good decision.

1. As an amateur DIY detailer who has done many of my friends' high end cars, I do not personally like the idea of interior ceramic coatings. Lexus leather is extremely tough and sealed at the factory. A quick wipe with a clean damp microfiber towel periodically is all you need.
2. Do you want winter wheels for traction or to keep your 3-season wheels pristine? IMO the GX is so capable in winter, a good M+S tire is all you need.
3. Find a local detailer or auto upholstery shop and get their recommendation.
4. There is a 99.99% probability you will have no issues. Change the engine oil every 5K miles, regardless of the 10K factory schedule. While Fluid Film has been mentioned, it is a nasty job and that stuff smells odd. Find your local Line-X dealer and have the Krown undercoating spray treatment done. If you do this from new each year...get this...Krown will guarantee no major rust on your car below the windows.
5. No idea
6. Exercise the center diff lock and 4LO on some gravel every month or so. Also, once it is out of warranty use only OEM parts!

enjoy it

 

Congratulations on your GX! I moved from a 4Runner to my GX about 2 weeks ago. I bought it with 5K miles on it, L/Certified, Premium with Sport package. Big difference over the 4Runner, but just as capable. I plan to hold off on mods for a couple of years until the suspension and tires wear down a bit. I do plan on adding a roof rack, so I'm shopping around for one that matches the GX's looks. In regard to the tear, look for an auto upholstery shop in your area.

 

I like the low profile rails so I did not change them. You can install crossbars on low profile rails and still have plenty of room under the bars.

You can fluid film (or rust proof with other products) your cars yourself, although pros might do it better. I do it myself. Some people get it done by pros and then maintain it themselves. It is never too late to rust proof. I see rust start to show up in year 12 on my gx470 but doing it for new vehicles is obviously better so I did it for my 2022 right after taking delivery.

 

I like the low profile rails too, but I read in some forums that some Thule boxes won't fit. I don't know how to confirm that, but are you able to put up a Thule/Yak box? My Thule I think needs at least three inches to install. It fits fine on my suburban, but that's raised. If can do the Thule Boxes, what rails did you buy? OEM or through aftermarket vendor?

Appreciate the tips on the Fluid Film as well.

 

Great tips! Thanks.

1. Yeah, not a fan of interior ceramic either. I plan to just maintain on my own as you describe.
2. Winter wheels for traction. It can get messy here. I put Blizzaks on my Suburban and I put Hakka's on my wife's old Touareg (which died this past year) and they are night and day v. three-seasons in Wisconsin.
3. There's a fabric guy in town I'm going to call. Thinking of having the car detailer who does work on my 92 Camaro put on a GTechniq Crystal Serum Ultra Ceramic package on the GX460 (and my wife's CX-9). This guy is certified GTechniq and super knowledgeable. Does amazing work. I trust his judgement. But any thoughts or feedback on doing this for the GX?
4. Thanks for the Krown tip. I will look into this. I don't necessarily want to do the Fluid Film myself and my detailer also told me that Fluid Film is good, but has to be regularly reapplied and because we live in Wisconsin, Fluid film will have the tendency to pick up a lot of grit and grime, especially in the winter. He's not opposed to rust proofing, but he mentioned if you at least wash the car every 2 weeks in the winter (which I do on all my cars), he said that itself goes a long way.
6. Actually I exercised the 4Lo when I test drove. My sense is the previous owner never used it. But it worked. I'll add both to my to do's monthly. And thanks for the OEM tip!

 

Ceramic is good for resisting some of the general road and bug grime. GTechniq appears to be good stuff. I like Gyeon personally. I would do it.