1998 LX470 or 2005 GX470 help

[gary j sbraccia]

Was about to get a 99 LX470 with 130k. Found out many problems. Looking at a 98 LX470 153k good shape. same owner since 20k miles for $10k or a 2005 super condition with 176K miles timing belt just done at 170K . GX for $8400.

Want to put OME suspension kit and a few other things. Which is the better deal? Main concern is, does the GX470 have the same AHC system with all the hydraulic fluid that needs to be taken out first before installing new kit?

Any advice is appreciated. Can't wait to get either of these and start buliding an offroad rig.

 

[Mauser]

I have a 98 lx470 and my wife has a 2005 non kdss gx470. The ahc on the gx is air, and only on the rear. It is pretty much a 4runner underneath. It is nice to drive, and has more power than my lx, but I would rather have the lx. I think 10 grand is a good deal if everything checks out. Mine is almost to 280000 and I expect it to go a lot longer. I dont worry about rust here in NM though.

 

[Pyrenees]

This may not be relevant to your needs/plans, but I'll share anyway. I drove GXs and LXs before I bought my LX. The GX was nice and I would never suggest not to buy a 120 platform. However, there was just something about the 100 series that was far more appealing to me. Maybe it's the slightly better outward visibility, maybe it's how it looks... I can't put my finger on it. I just simply loved the 100 LC/LX every time I got inside one (even when they were worn beyond what I'd want to buy). That sold me on the choice between the two.

 

[gary j sbraccia]

I have a 98 lx470 and my wife has a 2005 non kdss gx470. The ahc on the gx is air, and only on the rear. It is pretty much a 4runner underneath. It is nice to drive, and has more power than my lx, but I would rather have the lx. I think 10 grand is a good deal if everything checks out. Mine is almost to 280000 and I expect it to go a lot longer. I dont worry about rust here in NM though.

Thanks
I am leaning toward the GX since it is newer and less crap to take off to install a new suspension. Plus I like that it is a little smaller but same engine.

 

[trdcorolla]

I had a 2004 4Runner V8 before my 2001 LX470, the 4Runner was a rocket compared to the LX.

 

[KraziAzn]

Thanks
I am leaning toward the GX since it is newer and less crap to take off to install a new suspension. Plus I like that it is a little smaller but same engine.

I have 2000 LC, and my bro have a 2003 GX. If you're planning to make it a daily, the GX 100000%. More power, easier to negotiate into a parking spot, dual zone climate control and it is super quiet inside the cabin.

But if you're planning on wheeling / overlanding, the 100 series is a better platform to build off of. Better angles, higher ground clearance, built to withstand third world conditions.

 

[krice118]

Tailgate vs. swing door.......

I had a 05 Rav4 and I do not miss the swing door at all

 

[white_lx]

We have had a 2000 LX for 13 years. Recently bought a 2008 GX as well because the SOH is not a fan of the 'farm tractor' driving style of the LX. The GX handles much more like a car or smaller SUV.

After one month of owning the GX, I think that the LX is better built. It feels more solid. But the GX is probably already more solid than most vehicles. Control arms etc are definitely a size smaller compared to the LX.

But if I had to commute in city / busy traffic every day, I think I'd pick the GX. If I could only pick one, it would be the LX.

I'm wondering if the '06-'07 VVTi LX's drive more like the GX, which had VVTi from 2005. Don't know, because I've never driven one.

 

[gary j sbraccia]

We have had a 2000 LX for 13 years. Recently bought a 2008 GX as well because the SOH is not a fan of the 'farm tractor' driving style of the LX. The GX handles much more like a car or smaller SUV.

After one month of owning the GX, I think that the LX is better built. It feels more solid. But the GX is probably already more solid than most vehicles. Control arms etc are definitely a size smaller compared to the LX.

But if I had to commute in city / busy traffic every day, I think I'd pick the GX. If I could only pick one, it would be the LX.

I'm wondering if the '06-'07 VVTi LX's drive more like the GX, which had VVTi from 2005. Don't know, because I've never driven one.

Thx for the info. I am leaning toward the GX because of size, and mainly easier to change suspension myself. Plus the 4.7 V8.

 

[white_lx]

Thx for the info. I am leaning toward the GX because of size, and mainly easier to change suspension myself. Plus the 4.7 V8.

They both have the same 2UZ-FE 4.7 V8 engine. The '05 GX will have VVTi, the '98 LX will not. Plus the LX has a 4-speed transmission. The GX has a 5-speed transmission.

The 2nd row seats of the LX are more comfortable. Not sure about the 3rd row seats. Don't use them too often.

Check the front calipers on the GX before you buy. They are notorious for seized front calipers. And check the A/C and check for manifold leaks.

 

[Pyrenees]

They both have the same 2UZ-FE 4.7 V8 engine. The '05 GX will have VVTi, the '98 LX will not. Plus the LX has a 4-speed transmission. The GX has a 5-speed transmission.

The 2nd row seats of the LX are more comfortable. Not sure about the 3rd row seats. Don't use them too often.

Check the front calipers on the GX before you buy. They are notorious for seized front calipers. And check the A/C and check for manifold leaks.

I drove a VVTi/5spd drivetrain and it is definitely WAY more peppy than the non-VVTi/4spd "snail" drivetrain. I still chose the 100-series snail chassis. If you plan to do cut and thrust driving Boston style, by all means get the VVTi/5spd, hands down. If you have a lazy ass 7-mile commute like me, eh, doesn't matter as much.

A big thing to consider is whether or not you ever want to replace the stereo. If that's important to you, put down your beer and get ready to go down a rabbit hole. In short, if you want to replace the stereo you need a GX470 non-nav or a LC/LX 100 series platform pre-2003. In the pre-2003 category, you really should get a non-nav if you can.

 

[EZDog]

I simply do not fit in a GX or 4runner and I am not all that huge but do have long arms & legs so for me this was a simple choice once I drove a 100 series truck.

There is really no comparison and my sister has a GX so I have driven it on trips and never been comfortable in it or in my 08 4runner.

Pretty big feature to me.

 

[CLEcruiser]

If it has kdss, that complicates alot of things with aftermarket suspension. More so than ahc does

 

[FxFormat]

GX looks like a shoe, and is a soccer mom SUV


You want that legendary offroad status of the Hundy

 

[KraziAzn]

GX looks like a shoe, and is a soccer mom SUV


You want that legendary offroad status of the Hundy

LOL i never noticed that it looks like a shoe before. Now thats all I'm gonna see

 

[implayaz9]

GX looks like a shoe, and is a soccer mom SUV


You want that legendary offroad status of the Hundy

HAHAHAHA. True story

 

[sammybones]

The GX is an excellent choice, if you have a vagina

 

[saucebox]

I had a 2004 4Runner V8 before my 2001 LX470, the 4Runner was a rocket compared to the LX.

100% true.

Tailgate vs. swing door.......

I had a 05 Rav4 and I do not miss the swing door at all

Swing door is worst door, no matter which direction it swings from. I missed having a tailgate every single time I needed something out of the back of my 4Runner. (But the rear window in a 4Runner is pretty great, not sure if the shoe car has it)

 

[greasem0nkey86]

(But the rear window in a 4Runner is pretty great, not sure if the shoe car has it)

Car shoe (GX470)doesn't have a retracting rear window, but the newer car shoe (GX460) can swing up to open the rear window.

I sat in both GX and LX before buying my LX

Seats is more comfortable in the LX, GX seats are more firm
GX is much peppier and maneuverable
Not a fan of swinging rear doors (had a older Rav4 that had a swinging door)
3rd row windows on the LX have a motor on them to open while the GX has manual latches

 

[MuseChaser]

I never really thought twice about the tailgate of the LX before buying it; I was up in the air between an LX/LC and a 4R/GX, myself. Last vehicle I had w/ a tailgate was a '93 Range Rover County LWB. Now that I have a vehicle with a tailgate again, I remember why I LOVED having one so much. It's a HUGE point in favor of the LX/LC.

Pluses of the 4R/GX - Slightly better gas mileage, better acceleration.
Pluses of LX/LC - Virtually everything else.

I had my choices to pull the trigger narrowed down to an '05 LX470 w/ 135K on it for $14.5K, or an '07 4R Limited w/ 113K on it for $15.9K. After lengthy test drives, there was NO doubt which one I wanted to spend time in, especially a LOT of time. I'm not one for the "Luxury Limo" lifestyle... I like to drive, feel the road, and like simple cars w/out a lot of bells and whistles. That would seem to fly in the face of my decision to buy the LX, but it was all about the driving experience. It just feels like an EXTREMELY serious piece of machinery, while the 4R just felt like a good utilitarian vehicle. Plus... because tailgate...