LS 430 or gx470
Driver
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 106
Likes: 3
From: Arizona
These are two very different cars. It all depends on what it is that you're looking for. Are you looking for comfort, room, 4wd etc? Either way Lexus' are great cars to own. You won't go wrong with either one.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
i will assume the obvious- that you don't need to haul a bunch of stuff around (otherwise you would only be considering an SUV).
i owned a 2004 GX and a 2004 LS at the same time (i still have the LS, ditched the GX 2 1/2 years ago for an LX570). there's really no comparison in the ride- the only edge the GX has is the visibility of the road given the height you're driving from. the LS is substantially quieter, especially at highway speeds. the GX is also a relatively "skinny" vehicle so when you may feel slightly cramped when having a passenger with you. the GX also feels pretty top heavy on the highway - the LS obviously doesn't suffer from that. LS will get way better gas mileage (GX used to average around 18 on the highway, LS gets around 26ish). i honestly don't miss much about the GX now that we have the LX.
there's a reason i can't part ways with my 2004 LS- had it for 8 1/2 years, just turned 240k on the odometer. it's a great car and still rides better than some brand new sedans.
i owned a 2004 GX and a 2004 LS at the same time (i still have the LS, ditched the GX 2 1/2 years ago for an LX570). there's really no comparison in the ride- the only edge the GX has is the visibility of the road given the height you're driving from. the LS is substantially quieter, especially at highway speeds. the GX is also a relatively "skinny" vehicle so when you may feel slightly cramped when having a passenger with you. the GX also feels pretty top heavy on the highway - the LS obviously doesn't suffer from that. LS will get way better gas mileage (GX used to average around 18 on the highway, LS gets around 26ish). i honestly don't miss much about the GX now that we have the LX.
there's a reason i can't part ways with my 2004 LS- had it for 8 1/2 years, just turned 240k on the odometer. it's a great car and still rides better than some brand new sedans.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Wisconsin
I'm guessing you've made your choice long ago but, i'm curious which one you picked. I was also deciding between the LS 430 and the GX 470 and went with the GX back in November of 2017. Now, I've decided to get a LS 430 as well! I've always wanted one and these forums only fuels my fire!
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Rookie
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 72
Likes: 5
From: Washington
Very different choices of rides.
Having owned many land cruiser based vehicles I can provide some insight on this.
The GX will not have as much room as the LS for passengers. (personal space wise)
Really the LX is the SUV version of the LS i'd akin the GX more to the SUV version of the GS or IS.
for comfortable long drives the LS wins hands down. Of course if you are ever going to leave the pavement then the GX is the clear winner or if you needed to tow something light, etc....
Its kind of hard compare the two as they are so different it depends what your needs are for the most part.
Right now I have the best of both worlds with a UL 430 and a 100 series land cruiser (sister to the LX470) My wife DD's the cruiser and we use it to escape to the mountains as well as off road it regularly. The LS doesn't get driven daily since I walk to work but for long drives on pavement we always take it over the cruiser.
The GX is the sister to the 4runner. Both of which are built off the Prado land cruiser platform. Basically the light duty version of the cruiser other markets get. Kind of like the FJ cruiser here.
Having owned many land cruiser based vehicles I can provide some insight on this.
The GX will not have as much room as the LS for passengers. (personal space wise)
Really the LX is the SUV version of the LS i'd akin the GX more to the SUV version of the GS or IS.
for comfortable long drives the LS wins hands down. Of course if you are ever going to leave the pavement then the GX is the clear winner or if you needed to tow something light, etc....
Its kind of hard compare the two as they are so different it depends what your needs are for the most part.
Right now I have the best of both worlds with a UL 430 and a 100 series land cruiser (sister to the LX470) My wife DD's the cruiser and we use it to escape to the mountains as well as off road it regularly. The LS doesn't get driven daily since I walk to work but for long drives on pavement we always take it over the cruiser.
The GX is the sister to the 4runner. Both of which are built off the Prado land cruiser platform. Basically the light duty version of the cruiser other markets get. Kind of like the FJ cruiser here.
Get the ls430 I was looking into buying a gx470 but i did not follow through because they have a problem with part of the frame rotting so that is something to look out for if you do look into purchasing a gx
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 244
From: Milwaukee, Wi
Buy them both and make the first LS470 with 4WD!
Kidding aside, as was stated, they are 2 very different vehicles, having in common ridiculous reliability, great looks and comfort.
Satchmo, where in Wisconsin are you?
Kidding aside, as was stated, they are 2 very different vehicles, having in common ridiculous reliability, great looks and comfort.
Satchmo, where in Wisconsin are you?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,563
Likes: 389
From: PA
Isn't the GX a Toyota Prado or something like that, thought I saw that here....I personally would rather have a car that was designed more for North America (meaning that car is not sold in the USA)....so maybe LS...I am thinking the LS is getting quite old, and there's a good chance little things here and there are or will break....might be time to up the game to a '13 LS460! But I do like Land Cruisers of all flavors and I understand they are not cheap, even going back to 2000 or so. Just gas guzzlers...
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
From: Wisconsin
I'm just south of Madison in Oregon. I see you are in Milwaukee area.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 273
Likes: 23
From: Indiana
The answer is both! GX for the wife and hauling the motorcycle across the country. LS for daily work commute.
GX runs regular gas. LS premium only, so take that into account.
Common issues on GX are: air suspension, shocks, cv boots, driveshaft, secondary air pump, cracking dashboard, alternator, brake calipers.
I have an 06 LS430 w/ 134k and an 05 GX470 w/ 214k. Both have been rock solid, but the GX had all of the above work performed before I bought it, luckily. Absolutely nothing but regular maintenance on the LS and I have owned three with up to 175k miles.
GX runs regular gas. LS premium only, so take that into account.
Common issues on GX are: air suspension, shocks, cv boots, driveshaft, secondary air pump, cracking dashboard, alternator, brake calipers.
I have an 06 LS430 w/ 134k and an 05 GX470 w/ 214k. Both have been rock solid, but the GX had all of the above work performed before I bought it, luckily. Absolutely nothing but regular maintenance on the LS and I have owned three with up to 175k miles.
Last edited by RushNatU; Feb 12, 2018 at 05:44 PM. Reason: Cant spell!
They are both fantastic cars. I own a 2005 LS430 and I've driven my step dad's 2009 GX470 quite a bit. I greatly prefer the LS430 as it rides smoother and has more interior space. The GX is a great car and the ride is pretty smooth for an SUV.
A better comparison would be an LX470 and the LS430. The LX470 is more luxurious than the GX but still just under the LS430. It's like owning an LS but as an SUV.
A better comparison would be an LX470 and the LS430. The LX470 is more luxurious than the GX but still just under the LS430. It's like owning an LS but as an SUV.
