48 Hours with a GX550 (1 Viewer)

[MRego]

I need help (or maybe some of you will say I'm fine and just coming to my senses). On Wednesday my 550 OT+ in the most beautiful shade known as Nori Green Pearl arrived and I took delivery by trading in my 200 Series. I just returned from the dealership having turned the GX back in and unwinding the deal. I just didn't find it worth the sum of it's parts. It's missing that dash of "extra" you would expect when stepping UP from a Toyota to a Lexus.

The build quality on these seems to be hit and miss. On mine the hood flutter was real and very evident, even cruising down city streets at 30mph. While I found the overall handling and driving dyamics to be a big improvement from the 200, the ride quality actually felt slightly worse. Hitting the same pot holes and bumps I regulary deal with in my neighborhood the 200 just soaked them up where as the 550 was a bit more jarring. The thickness of the double pane glass did not appear to be any thicker than the standard single pane glass in the rear doors. The Mark Levinson stereo is a huge dissapointment in audio quality as well. (Acutally preferred the JBL system in the 200 as it sounded less "tinny" on the mids and highs. The rear hitch was a problem for my 1UP bike rack as well, there is not enough room to lock the security pin in place. Along with other little QOL things I noticed like "oh where do I store my business cards and sunglasses?" In the 550 it's either going in the cool box or laying in the front seat. Door cards aren't big enough to hold even a typical 20oz water bottle. Wireless phone warmer, not much of a charger, etc. Also at the risk of sounding like a boomer I was not a fan of being forced to sign up for Toyota/Lexus connected services in order to use things like the remote start, lock/unlock, smart fob, and some of the other driver assist/roadside service/safety features they advertise. It was so nice to have Carplay again for a couple of days but everything else in the vehicle being locked to "guest mode" all because I don't want them harvesting and selling my driving habits, locations, etc was pretty off putting. They press you hard at the dealership to sign up for these things btw. Apparently the dealership and consequently, sales staff get scored negavtively if a customer doesn't register for these free trials. I know my data is already out there from being a Google customer and having previously been on FB, Twitter, etc but I just want to drive my effing car in peace and not be pestered to subscribe to something when one of those free trials runs out.

Anyhow hope everyone had a nice thanksgiving.

Wow, brother. I seem to remember you had a 200HE. Ufff...man you are lucky as f... to be doing business with such a nice dealer that would accept to unwind the deal like that. Glad you came to your senses. The excitement of the next new thing is a dangerous thing and the temptation is strong, especially to all of us here car enthusiasts. I almost fell into the same trap.

Little story: When I went to buy my CPO 200HE, they had parked it right next to a first edition "new land cruiser". The new car sales people saw me taking the HE and said: look, for about almost the same coin you can get this brand spanking "new land cruiser" with ten miles. Why would you choose this older one with 30k miles on it. I looked to the pre-owned sales guy I was working with and he was shaking his head. I just told the guy, Yeah, I am a bit crazy. By all means sell the "new land cruiser" to that smart guy coming through the doors now.

If you know, you know. Simple like that.

I am yet to drive an LX600. I have heard it is also a step down from the 200, but maybe a compromise if you are hellbent for carplay and the driver assist things. Oh and for carplay, I simply added a Beatsonic unit to my 200. Problem solved.

 

[Rednexus]

BOF as a commuter, you are brave. Personally any of the TNGA-K CUV products would be better suited for the job.

I have a 80-mile one-way commute into the city. Luckily I make it one day a week. 90% of the time, I take our hybrid TNGA-K CUV . It's certainly a highly-efficient, highly-effective commuter for that drive, ticking off 35+ mpg most days, and gets me there in safety and comfort, without even really a thought as to what I'm driving (besides the pleasure of seeing just how fuel-efficient of a vehicle it is).

The other 10% of the time I drive my ancient 120 platform. It's about 5X as much fun as I get to listen to V8 noises, enjoy how well my suspension performs, sit up high above traffic, and turn heads as it looks like nothing else on the road (can't say our TNGA-K has ever turned anyone's head at all). Sports car it is not, but it certainly makes the drive more enjoyable as I'm driving a unique vehicle I truly care about, rather than a highly efficient, safe, and refined TNGA-K appliance.

 

[Joshuak172]

I have a 80-mile one-way commute into the city. Luckily I make it one day a week. 90% of the time, I take our hybrid TNGA-K CUV . It's certainly a highly-efficient, highly-effective commuter for that drive, ticking off 35+ mpg most days, and gets me there in safety and comfort, without even really a thought as to what I'm driving (besides the pleasure of seeing just how fuel-efficient of a vehicle it is).

The other 10% of the time I drive my ancient 120 platform. It's about 5X as much fun as I get to listen to V8 noises, enjoy how well my suspension performs, sit up high above traffic, and turn heads as it looks like nothing else on the road (can't say our TNGA-K has ever turned anyone's head at all). Sports car it is not, but it certainly makes the drive more enjoyable as I'm driving a unique vehicle I truly care about, rather than a highly efficient, safe, and refined TNGA-K appliance.

Which one?

 

[Rednexus]

Highlander Hybrid

 

[OGBeno]

Highlander Hybrid

Great toaster. Love them.

 

[Rednexus]

Great toaster. Love them.

They are almost impossible to beat as a family hauler for reliability/MPG/refinement/etc. It has a cavernous engine bay with the N/A 2.5 and I think it will be very easy to work on in the future, when it eventually needs it. We plan to keep to 200K or more.

 

[hoot504]

They are almost impossible to beat as a family hauler for reliability/MPG/refinement/etc. It has a cavernous engine bay with the N/A 2.5 and I think it will be very easy to work on in the future, when it eventually needs it. We plan to keep to 200K or more.

You don’t have to justify it red. Americans have a very silly relationship with automobiles. It’s literally one of our primary means of signaling as consumers. Meanwhile most people can’t even max their 401k. I hope you drive that toaster into the ground at 500k miles.

I say this as someone who owns a GT3 but if you’ve ever heard the engine on one you’d give me a pass.

 

[Rednexus]

You don’t have to justify it red. Americans have a very silly relationship with automobiles. It’s literally one of our primary means of signaling as consumers. Meanwhile most people can’t even max their 401k. I hope you drive that toaster into the ground at 500k miles.

I say this as someone who owns a GT3 but if you’ve ever heard the engine on one you’d give me a pass.

Mrs. Rednexus will be sick of it by 200K. . It was a $50K rig, which gives me strategic cover for investments into my 470 .

TBH, we keep most of our vehicles for 8+ years, and I had my previous Subaru for 11. I don't get constantly getting into and out of new rides and being beholden to a perpetual car payment, which we go years at a time without having. I'd rather pay off debt or invest the money as opposed to getting stuck with an endless train of depreciating assets.

 

[Lou Gill]

I am so glad you wrote up your experience! I just couldn’t bring myself to buy the LC or 550….they just looked like a big step down from my 570. I ended up in a new QX80 and so far I am thrilled, old school V8 and a very classy interior, I missed the wood that Lexus would offer…..I guess we will see how it looks and drives at 100,000 miles.

 

[Specialeyes]

I am so glad you wrote up your experience! I just couldn’t bring myself to buy the LC or 550….they just looked like a big step down from my 570. I ended up in a new QX80 and so far I am thrilled, old school V8 and a very classy interior, I missed the wood that Lexus would offer…..I guess we will see how it looks and drives at 100,000 miles.

Truth be told I’d still like to have one but want to see them address things like the hood flutter and tighten up/improve some of the plastic bits. It seriously felt like the rear bumper cover was held on by a single push pin on either side, very flimsy. I imagine some of my other nitpicks such as the poor sounding stereo aren’t bound to change anytime soon.

Would also love some peace of mind that the engine is going to be ok. Obviously time will tell on that one. I had no problem taking the risk on a model year 24 due to it being a lease where I was getting cash back and would have been covered for at least the next 36 months via warranty.

 

[185]

While i understand cant judge a book by its cover, hyundai especially, i am truly amazed how gorgeous this is. Lexus take notes; Hyundai is putting on a masterclass on what can be done, if you want to compete on more then just being reliable.

 

[MRego]

Copying here from the other thread.

This weekend I was finally able to test drive an LX600 for the first time. I also sat on a GX (did not drive it - more on that later).

Let me start by saying, IMO there is absolutely no comparison between the LX and GX. I currently own a 200LCHE and the LX made me consider the trade. The 200HE is my dream car, but I felt the same great things I feel on the 200 in the LX with the added bonus of a much nimbler car and that engine humpf that sometimes I miss in the 200. I did feel sitting in a 6 figures car. Everything drum tight and the materials are simply superior to anything else in that price range. Say what you want about the LX engine with the production issues of the 2022 models, but it is a step up from the reliable V8. I did get the same "bank vault" feeling in the LX, but without the particularly heavy steering of the 200 and much less "boat-like" feeling in sharp turns.

The only thing I hate on the LX is the price tag. Still can't justify 6 figures for a car, so I am going to play the wait game and keep checking when the pre-owned 2023s dip below $100ks (some are already) closer to the low $90ks. I would hate to see my 200HE go, but a good deal on the LX gives me the (IMO) perfect modern road trip assist (lane center, stop and go ACC, etc) and off-road capabilities with the hefty that I love so much about the 200. I may get burned about the engine with the recall being extended to the 2023s, but the more the time passes, the less worries about this I feel. To me, Lexus/Toyo would have already identified issues with the 2023s and include them in the recall.

As to the GX, let's just say there is a reason why I did not even bother driving it. It is not even close to either the 200 or the LX600 in terms of...let's say...everything-except-price-tag. I much rather, ten times more, pay low $90ks on a lightly grocery getter LX than on a brand spanking new GX. In no way that is a replacement for a 200 series, but I will not raise "that" issue again.

 

[Specialeyes]

Copying here from the other thread.

This weekend I was finally able to test drive an LX600 for the first time. I also sat on a GX (did not drive it - more on that later).

Let me start by saying, IMO there is absolutely no comparison between the LX and GX. I currently own a 200LCHE and the LX made me consider the trade. The 200HE is my dream car, but I felt the same great things I feel on the 200 in the LX with the added bonus of a much nimbler car and that engine humpf that sometimes I miss in the 200. I did feel sitting in a 6 figures car. Everything drum tight and the materials are simply superior to anything else in that price range. Say what you want about the LX engine with the production issues of the 2022 models, but it is a step up from the reliable V8. I did get the same "bank vault" feeling in the LX, but without the particularly heavy steering of the 200 and much less "boat-like" feeling in sharp turns.

The only thing I hate on the LX is the price tag. Still can't justify 6 figures for a car, so I am going to play the wait game and keep checking when the pre-owned 2023s dip below $100ks (some are already) closer to the low $90ks. I would hate to see my 200HE go, but a good deal on the LX gives me the (IMO) perfect modern road trip assist (lane center, stop and go ACC, etc) and off-road capabilities with the hefty that I love so much about the 200. I may get burned about the engine with the recall being extended to the 2023s, but the more the time passes, the less worries about this I feel. To me, Lexus/Toyo would have already identified issues with the 2023s and include them in the recall.

As to the GX, let's just say there is a reason why I did not even bother driving it. It is not even close to either the 200 or the LX600 in terms of...let's say...everything-except-price-tag. I much rather, ten times more, pay low $90ks on a lightly grocery getter LX than on a brand spanking new GX. In no way that is a replacement for a 200 series, but I will not raise "that" issue again.

I felt exactly the same. The LX maintains that build quality and feel you come to expect from the previous 200/570, 100/470, etc. What disappoints me about the GX 550 is how it's pretty much the exact opposite of the LX now in terms of refinement and luxury. I felt like the previous gen GX's were basically 90% of their big brother LX/LC's at like half the price. Now with this new gen it's not even close in terms of what you get for the money.

 

[MRego]

I felt exactly the same. The LX maintains that build quality and feel you come to expect from the previous 200/570, 100/470, etc. What disappoints me about the GX 550 is how it's pretty much the exact opposite of the LX now in terms of refinement and luxury. I felt like the previous gen GX's were basically 90% of their big brother LX/LC's at like half the price. Now with this new gen it's not even close in terms of what you get for the money.

Right? Let's not even mention the "new Land Cruiser". What a joke.

 

[MeWantLC]

Funny how we humans are, I felt the opposite, with two test drives: came out disappointed for a 6 figure car... Not only the inside quality, but the two double screens layout which seems to me an afterthought.

Happy to hear that for you it check the boxes. .

As for the GX550, the engine is nice ... The rest, not so sure.

Still deciding what if any, to buy. .

Copying here from the other thread.

This weekend I was finally able to test drive an LX600 for the first time. I also sat on a GX (did not drive it - more on that later).

Let me start by saying, IMO there is absolutely no comparison between the LX and GX. I currently own a 200LCHE and the LX made me consider the trade. The 200HE is my dream car, but I felt the same great things I feel on the 200 in the LX with the added bonus of a much nimbler car and that engine humpf that sometimes I miss in the 200. I did feel sitting in a 6 figures car. Everything drum tight and the materials are simply superior to anything else in that price range. Say what you want about the LX engine with the production issues of the 2022 models, but it is a step up from the reliable V8. I did get the same "bank vault" feeling in the LX, but without the particularly heavy steering of the 200 and much less "boat-like" feeling in sharp turns.

The only thing I hate on the LX is the price tag. Still can't justify 6 figures for a car, so I am going to play the wait game and keep checking when the pre-owned 2023s dip below $100ks (some are already) closer to the low $90ks. I would hate to see my 200HE go, but a good deal on the LX gives me the (IMO) perfect modern road trip assist (lane center, stop and go ACC, etc) and off-road capabilities with the hefty that I love so much about the 200. I may get burned about the engine with the recall being extended to the 2023s, but the more the time passes, the less worries about this I feel. To me, Lexus/Toyo would have already identified issues with the 2023s and include them in the recall.

As to the GX, let's just say there is a reason why I did not even bother driving it. It is not even close to either the 200 or the LX600 in terms of...let's say...everything-except-price-tag. I much rather, ten times more, pay low $90ks on a lightly grocery getter LX than on a brand spanking new GX. In no way that is a replacement for a 200 series, but I will not raise "that" issue again.

 

[stiffarm]

I am so glad you wrote up your experience! I just couldn’t bring myself to buy the LC or 550….they just looked like a big step down from my 570. I ended up in a new QX80 and so far I am thrilled, old school V8 and a very classy interior, I missed the wood that Lexus would offer…..I guess we will see how it looks and drives at 100,000 miles.

That Nissan turbo V6 in the new 2025 QX 80(?) is more powerful than the Lexus V6.