100 Vs. Gx

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Have both. Plenty of seat time in them. I prefer the seats and general ergonomics in the GX, third row seats are lousy (but the 100/LX isnt much better) so they came out straight away. Theres plenty of room in the GX when they're removed. They may look top heavy but they drive much more nimbly and dont feel nearly as heavy. GX Wheel base is 2" shorter - cant say Ive noticed much issue. I live in flatland so I rarely have issue with the rear door. If you need aftermarket Jim's right - but none of them are my trail trucks.

I find the GX is a better high speed traveler, but not by enough to matter. Even our '99 LC100 does fine - but noisier at 80. Its a preference issue - there isnt that much difference between the 3 when you compare them to most sedans. Last vacation to WVA took a CLS 55 down and the GX back - took the LX the year before. I cant say I prefer the trucks in the mountains - except with 3 young kids I need the space.

Drive both and see what you prefer. Overall I find myself driving the GX when I have a choice of the 3 - although my mind tells me the LX is king, my driving habits are proving that wrong.
 
Well the king doesnt have to do everything, thats why he has his slave GX to do the useless boring stuff...while the king gets to relax at home.

Honestly, its that rear door on the GX that bothers me so much.
 
I like the gx except for the width, the backdoor and the price. Feels very narrow compared to the 100.

uzj100
 
Jim I have to agree with you about only purchasing SW vehicles--although the NW isn't bad--Washington doesn't use salt. Texas has some good deals but I worry about getting a hurricane special. I am kicking around the idea a little bit of a new 06 LC with the vvti--any thoughts? We will keep the cruiser for around 10 years I figure. Does the 06 have projection head lights or that only for the LX?

So you guys convinced me no gx. Drove an Mdx today very nice, very fast but not a LC. The MDX would shine on the freeway but around town, and for the beach the LC dominates. So I have narrowed things down to an 03/04 LX vs. 06 LC.
 
no acura, come on you want to take a honda wheeling? Hah. The LX is the only one that gets projector headlights...none of the LCs have them. BUT they did redesign the front with a headlight/parking lights all in one housing instead of two like the 05 and older.
 
no acura, come on you want to take a honda wheeling? Hah. The LX is the only one that gets projector headlights...none of the LCs have them. BUT they did redesign the front with a headlight/parking lights all in one housing instead of two like the 05 and older.

So this means of one gets broken by a rock, you have to replace the entire unit at greater cost! There's a place in LA called illusion lighting that can retrofit a HID projector into practically any headlamp. Cost is over $1K, though...kind of steep. Plus you need to mail your headlamps there or buy a second pair for retail. It's silly that the '06 LC doesn't have projectors. Even the '06 4runner now has 'em.
 
So this means of one gets broken by a rock, you have to replace the entire unit at greater cost! There's a place in LA called illusion lighting that can retrofit a HID projector into practically any headlamp. Cost is over $1K, though...kind of steep. Plus you need to mail your headlamps there or buy a second pair for retail. It's silly that the '06 LC doesn't have projectors. Even the '06 4runner now has 'em.


The only reason to consider the 06 is for the vvti-- I suppose to be more practical buy an LX now--and in two or three years buy a used 06 LX..... I have an 80 to wheel--what ever we get I am pretty sure its not going to see more than a beach for a while. Illusion lighting looks like a neat shop--they grafted a led headlight from the Q45 into a tundra--I have no idea how this compares to hid..... Now that I have the green light to purchase it has been hard to pull the trigger:doh:
 
One thing interesting for me about the GX is it is about the same size as the 80. I am also a sucker for the projecter high/low beams. Not to mention the vvti. While looking for a used lx it is not much more for a new GX....:doh: Not sure if it will accept the 4Runner arb bar or not....


1997 Land Cruiser 4WD GX 470 Sport Utility
Standard Seating 5 5
Optional Seating 7 5
Front Headroom (in.) 40.30 40.20
Rear Headroom (in.) 39.70 40.00
Front Legroom (in.) 42.20 41.80
Rear Legroom (in.) 33.60 36.80
Front Shoulder Room (in.) 58.70 57.50
Rear Shoulder Room (in.) 58.70 57.40
Front Hip Room (in.) 59.50 55.10
Rear Hip Room (in.) 59.50 54.80
 
Have both. Plenty of seat time in them. I prefer the seats and general ergonomics in the GX, third row seats are lousy (but the 100/LX isnt much better) so they came out straight away. Theres plenty of room in the GX when they're removed. They may look top heavy but they drive much more nimbly and dont feel nearly as heavy. GX Wheel base is 2" shorter - cant say Ive noticed much issue. I live in flatland so I rarely have issue with the rear door. If you need aftermarket Jim's right - but none of them are my trail trucks.

I find the GX is a better high speed traveler, but not by enough to matter. Even our '99 LC100 does fine - but noisier at 80. Its a preference issue - there isnt that much difference between the 3 when you compare them to most sedans. Last vacation to WVA took a CLS 55 down and the GX back - took the LX the year before. I cant say I prefer the trucks in the mountains - except with 3 young kids I need the space.

Drive both and see what you prefer. Overall I find myself driving the GX when I have a choice of the 3 - although my mind tells me the LX is king, my driving habits are proving that wrong.


Double post- see response below.
 
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Have both. Plenty of seat time in them. I prefer the seats and general ergonomics in the GX, third row seats are lousy (but the 100/LX isnt much better) so they came out straight away. Theres plenty of room in the GX when they're removed. They may look top heavy but they drive much more nimbly and dont feel nearly as heavy. GX Wheel base is 2" shorter - cant say Ive noticed much issue. I live in flatland so I rarely have issue with the rear door. If you need aftermarket Jim's right - but none of them are my trail trucks.

I find the GX is a better high speed traveler, but not by enough to matter. Even our '99 LC100 does fine - but noisier at 80. Its a preference issue - there isnt that much difference between the 3 when you compare them to most sedans. Last vacation to WVA took a CLS 55 down and the GX back - took the LX the year before. I cant say I prefer the trucks in the mountains - except with 3 young kids I need the space.

Drive both and see what you prefer. Overall I find myself driving the GX when I have a choice of the 3 - although my mind tells me the LX is king, my driving habits are proving that wrong.


Also have both - wife drives the GX and I drive the LC. Overall, the GX is a bit more sporty, the VVTi really makes a difference in this car, less so in the LC. The interior is very quiet - just appears that Lexus goes the extra mile in terms of sound insullation and quality interior parts. The GX is also pretty fun to drive for shorter trips around town - little easier to get around in with shorter wheelbase/turning radius. Definitely does not drive as it appears (tall/narrow) - actually I think the back end design makes it appear taller than it is. For longer term commuting, I would opt for the LC with its much more comfy seating and overall ergonomics, plus its a classic. I have no real issues with the barn door, just don't take to a football game for tailgaiting - nightmare when it rains.
 
I agree that the GX/4R is more sporty and more "fun to drive" than the LC/LX. I preferred it for the short trips around town or on winding country roads. Although it looks tall, I thought it handled well in turns. It likely would be more sensitive to adding luggage on the roof. I also believe a shorter person than I could find the vehicle quite satisfactory, even on trips.

The LC/LX is a luxo cruiser and deceptive with its performance - so smooth and quiet that it seems slow - yet it is taking care of business getting on down the road. I like the room, comfort, upright seating, and visibility in the 100 over the GX/4R on long trips. While I appreciated the sportiness of the 4R, my wife never considered it a reasonable replacement for an LC/LX for in-town or for trips.
 
After having both, I would stay with my LX. The GX's front seat thigh support was too short and the seats were too firm.
The GX was definately quieter at highway speeds. The Gx could also cross 100 mph easier and remained more stable at those speeds.
Finally, my left knee had real issues with the GX's door skin protrusion for the window switches.
My $0.02.
 
Isnt the main difference between the GX and the LX is the GX has SFA while the LX is an IFS...they are both essentially 100 LCs with the LX being the luxury IFS version...;)
 
Isnt the main difference between the GX and the LX is the GX has SFA while the LX is an IFS...they are both essentially 100 LCs with the LX being the luxury IFS version...;)


You're thinking "GXL" like in South Africa. The Lexus GX470 in the U.S. is basically the 120 Series Prado in other countries. The Lexus LX470 is the fullsize 100 Series clone. IFS in both trucks.
 
Any one have real world gas mileage numbers for the gx470? Is it closer to 16 around town?

Thanks,

uzj100
 
When I researched buying the V8 4runner, the difference was about 1-2 mpg depending on driving style (4runner weighs about 800 lbs less than the 100, GX weighs about 200 lbs more than 4runner). I figured for that small of a difference, I'd rather have the extra space of the 100. The fuel economy is only noticeably better if you consider the 4Runner V6. Then we're talking like 18/21. It's also part-time 4wd. The way to improve fuel economy given a fixed weight is a lower displacement turbo diesel and go part-time 4WD. The prado w/ 3 liter I-4 TD gets more like 23/25 mpg vs 16/18 for the V8. My '86 4Runner I-4 DD still gets 22-23.5 mixed driving.
 
Thanks! I am actually attempting to get the 100 back and the boss (wife) mentioned the GX.

uzj100
 

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