100 Vs. Gx

[SR.GRINGO]

I hope this thread doesn't get deleted

So I know I have been asking a ton of questions but I am having trouble making up my mind. I am looking at 03+ LX or an 05+ gx. The gx is much newer technology. They will be used in Mexico in heavy traffic as well as driving to the U.S.--about 1,200 miles each way 2x per year. Big is better and the LX wins by about 600 pounds and it looks better. Which one will be better for driving at 80+?

GX
kinetic suspension option
hill decent/accent
vvti V8
projecter head lights waiting for hids
more head room--(i am 6'4)
around 20k or less(MILEAGE)

LX
bigger
around 35k(MILEAGE)
projecter low beams waiting for hids
heavier by 600 pounds
not as much head room(I fit fine in an LC)

 

[BMWSTOY]

They only thing that should be deleted is the Finger smilie.

Too me, there is no decision here - have you driven both? The GX is a 4Runner with a strange body that has blind spots and handles like its 10 feet in the air.

IMO: When I drive them, there is no comparison. Same with the Sequoia - the Land Cruiser is clearly the winner here. I am surprised that you can get a GX for 20K, but then I would rather settle for an older cruiser for the same money.

Bets of luck.

 

[uzj100]

100 series all the way.

GXs in Raleigh, NC are holding their value like gold. Very strange when you can get a 100 series, Lexus or Cruiser for the same or less money.

uzj100

 

[1loudLX]

if your wheels are properly balanced...you can cruise at 80+ for sure in a LX...especially the 03+ with the 5spd. I cruise at 100+ when the traffic permits...but i have wheel slightly off balance in the back which makes me nervous some times. I myself would rather a truck that is wider and not as tall for high speed highway cruising.

Also, ifyou get the LX, you have a much large range of things to do to it. You could put a ARB bumper on and have some nice offroad lights for those long dark mexican highways. Also, what year did they put the night vision in i forget. the GX doesnt have that right?

 

[LXPearl]

For the kind of driving you indicate, I would definitely pick the 100. The GX/4Rnr is fine for short trips (e.g. 300 miles), but neither compare to the LC/LX - which are comfortable and secure on short and long trips.

Whenever I took my 03 4Rnr on a trip, I found myself wishing I had taken the LC after about 3 hours. Being tall (6'2"), the seat in the GX/4Rnr does not provide adequate support for the thighs on long trips.

An 01 LC/LX will cruise comfortably at 80 mph. The LX with its AHC system is more comfy on gravel and dirt roads, as well as on variable road conditions. Also, a stock LX with its High AHC mode can perform admirably when encountering more challenging off road conditions.

While the GX is better configured than the 4Runner, I did not like the poor thigh support it had (same as 4R) and I did not like the side opening door in back. When I came back to the SUV fold, it was for a 100 all the way (2001 - 03). I have not regreatted it.

 

[dclee]

I agree with the folks here. For your intended purpose, IMHO, the 100 will be better.

The GX (with KDSS) probably holds the slight edge off-road (in stock vehicles), but that long wheelbase in the 100, and the awesome seats, make a really comfortable long-distance cruiser.

My $0.02,

 

[Brentbba]

Don't know much about the GX outside the obvious fact that it's sister is the 4runner. I personally like the styling of the GX, but that's a personal choice. I like the styling on the 100 as well, and the 80 above either. Again that's subjective personal preference.

Is there much difference in the mpg between the two? Is that a concern to you? You'll be putting on a lot of mileage, so it may figure in to your thinking above what you already stated.

 

[SINCITY100]

Considering the distance and type of conditions this trip entails, I also would say the 100/LX would be your better choice.


FUEL usage aside..... IMO, A "low key" 100 (for theft reasons) mildly equipped would be perfect for a safe and very, very comfortable drive. The beefier powertrain of the 100 would be a huge benefit if venturing off the beaten path while south of the border too. The GX is a nice ride, but I think there is really no comparison : )

I`d at least feel safer in the 100 on a journey as such...after all, you NEVER know what might be in your lane on the next curve.. Yikes !

 

[dclee]

Don't know much about the GX outside the obvious fact that it's sister is the 4runner. I personally like the styling of the GX, but that's a personal choice. I like the styling on the 100 as well, and the 80 above either. Again that's subjective personal preference.

Is there much difference in the mpg between the two? Is that a concern to you? You'll be putting on a lot of mileage, so it may figure in to your thinking above what you already stated.

The GX is actually styled like the Land Cruiser 90/120 series (Prado), which is sort of a light-duty Land Cruiser that's been sold in other markets since the 90's. In fact, it basically IS a 120 Series with some additional neat electronic gizmos. Main visual difference is the higher roofline on the GX. The 4Runner is actually the one with the strange body...

All in all a very capable truck from what I gather, and many say an even better wheeler than the 4Runner (mainly because of KDSS I think, which is actually a technology licensed from an Australian company).

The point about mileage is a good one. Our 100 Series is EPA-rated (FWIW) at 14/17 mpg. The GX is 15/19. Not a huge difference, but a difference nonetheless.

 

[SR.GRINGO]

So the numbers above are mileage numbers not what I expect the price to be. I was just pointing out that the 03 LX vs the 05 Gx are about the same price. I have driven both and the gx is more of a hotrod with the vvti. I have been pretty set on a LX or LC--just wanted to hear everybodies elses thoughts. Gas isn't a big deal becuase it is a tax dedcution for my business. I want this vehicle to be low key--with an arb bumper for added impact protection. Thanks for all of your thoughts they are much appreciated.

 

[LXPearl]

Yes, the GX is definitely better than the 4R and I would now pick it over a 4R if I had to choose between the two (in spite of the irritating (to me) rear door). I enjoyed taking the 4R on forest roads, etc. However, it could not hold a candle to the LC on a long trip. On the other hand, if I had not had an LC for comparison, a GX or 4R would have been great. On trips I would get about 16 mpg with the LC and about 18 with the 4.7L 4R (both on 87 gas).

 

[FirstToy]

I love the GX, I would not be unhappy with one that's for sure! The KDSS is amazing on road, it rides so well and planted. The only thing is KDSS is so rare, it is probably harder to find than the 'perfect 80 w/ factory lockers'.

The new 100's are gold too- I love them. But I wouldn't downplay the quality of the GX...

The one thing I like 100% over the 100 is the coilover front IFS. It is, imo, def. better than the 100's torsion bar IFS.

 

[dclee]

The one thing I like 100% over the 100 is the coilover front IFS. It is, imo, def. better than the 100's torsion bar IFS.

Word...

 

[Jim_Chow]

Why would the front coils be better than a t-bar? The coils sag over time, t-bar doesn't.

No way you'll find a 05 GX for $20K. It'll be more like $40K. New, they go for $50K. They look too top-heavy/unstable to me, there's little to no room behind the 3rd row seats, and the rear end and rear door look silly. Worst of all, you can't buy ANY real aftermarket bumpers; ARB makes none (only for the Prado, but the front quarter panel on the prado has a notch in it, GX doesn't), and no one even makes a steel bumper for the Prado. That was one big selling point for me on the 100 vs. the 4runner. Eventhough ARB has finally introduced a bullbar for the 4runner, there still is no rear bumper. The availability of aftermarket bumpers (Kaymar rear bar, ARB front eventhough you can only get the Sahara w/ the LX) was a big selling point for me. If you look at the thickness of the lower A-arms, you'll notice the 100 arms are like twice as thick as the GX/4runner A-arms. With the AHC, you can crank it up to sport and corner pretty dang well in the mountains w/ the 18" wheels without any suspension mods (feels like you have heavy-duty torsion bars/springs), then when the road straightens out, set it to comfort for a more cushy ride.

 

[SR.GRINGO]

Why would the front coils be better than a t-bar? The coils sag over time, t-bar doesn't.

No way you'll find a 05 GX for $20K. It'll be more like $40K. New, they go for $50K. They look too top-heavy/unstable to me, there's little to no room behind the 3rd row seats, and the rear end and rear door look silly. Worst of all, you can't buy ANY real aftermarket bumpers; ARB makes none (only for the Prado, but the front quarter panel on the prado has a notch in it, GX doesn't), and no one even makes a steel bumper for the Prado. That was one big selling point for me on the 100 vs. the 4runner. Eventhough ARB has finally introduced a bullbar for the 4runner, there still is no rear bumper. The availability of aftermarket bumpers (Kaymar rear bar, ARB front eventhough you can only get the Sahara w/ the LX) was a big selling point for me. If you look at the thickness of the lower A-arms, you'll notice the 100 arms are like twice as thick as the GX/4runner A-arms. With the AHC, you can crank it up to sport and corner pretty dang well in the mountains w/ the 18" wheels without any suspension mods (feels like you have heavy-duty torsion bars/springs), then when the road straightens out, set it to comfort for a more cushy ride.

I'm sold. Jim those numbers were mileage numbers.

Where is the best place to look for off lease vehicles?

 

[SC4Hundred]

I would pick the 100 as well

 

[1loudLX]

that the same SC4hundo from CL? Either way, welcome.

 

[SC4Hundred]

Yap

 

[Jim_Chow]

I'm sold. Jim those numbers were mileage numbers.

Where is the best place to look for off lease vehicles?

Well, when I bought my CPO, the fleet manager told me that the average customer there (Lexus of Tucson) trades his car in about every 2 yrs. About half are leased, half bought. Sometimes, the vehicle is used for a business (e.g., real estate agent) and the total lease mileage is met well before the term of the lease expires, so it's more economical to trade it in rather than pay the penalties). Others dump their vehicles before the warranty expires at 50K miles (and to avoid the 60K mi service fee of $2.4K at that dealership). For the bulk of the new car buyers, dealer maintenance cost is not a serious issue until 60K mi, plus one probably figures newer lexus cars are unlikely to have many problems.

The trade-in values change at 10K mi intervals (if you look on KBB), so if you trade in at, say, 49.9K mi, you'll get more $ than if you wait until 50K mi, and you really get hit bad at 60K mi. He also told me many owners just plain have a ton of disposable income and want to be seen in the latest body style. OTOH, toyota buyers tend to buy and hold on to a vehicle longer, so less turnover and selection of newer used vehicles (those 2-3 yrs old). If the vehicle isn't in good enough condition for the dealer to sell, it'll get unloaded. The CPO ones are supposed to be the best condition trade-in's and are required to have full lexus service records (you can have any dealer download the service rec's and where the vehicle was purchased given the VIN; I think this applies to the USA and Canada, not Mexico, though).

That said, used LX's in Arizona are rare. LA has a much larger selection. Southwest vehicles (no rust) will tend to cost more than those from other parts of the country. Although many of you would disagree with me, I would not buy a vehicle from anywhere where it snows and roads are salted, or where there's golf-ball sized hail, hurricanes, flooding, etc. There are just too many unknowns, plus corroded fasteners (from salt) will only cause headaches if you do any maintenance yourself in the future. That pretty much limits you to So. CA, AZ, & Vegas.

 

[Mark_in_Fresno]

Had one of each, now have two 100's

That's right. Bought an 05 GX 470 for my wife and I have an 04 Cruiser.... now we have two 04 Cruisers. Traded the GX straight across. GX is too small and rear access is a joke with the swinging rear door.... try it parked off camber if you disagree.