Anyone ever consider downsizing to 1st Gen GX/120?

[m3fan]

4 months in on 200 ownership and I'm starting to think this sucker is just too damn big. It's enormous and it doesn't hide its bulk well. Gas mileage is comical. You never lose sight of the giant hood bulges and A-pillars and the ride is so, so floaty. I don't recall the 100 series feeling this "big". Though it was also a big vehicle, it "drove smaller" FWIW.

Having previously owned a 4th Gen 4R V8 I'm finding myself yearning for that size vehicle again. That was a terrific V8 and yet that platform still had a truck frame and fairly modern appointments having run from 03-09. I never really looked at the GX from the same era before, but aside from that ridiculous side-swing door they seem REALLY nice, and the styling is actually not as polarizing as most modern Lexus designs. And attainable for less than half the price of a nice used 200. We're talking 15-20K for a really nice example. I certainly would not miss the payment on the 200.

My 200's CPO warranty is transferrable which should make it a really appealing used buy. I can't believe I'm thinking about this but it's starting to really make sense. Thoughts?

 

[TonyP]

No...

The swing-open door alone would make the GX horrendous to deal with.

 

[Ali M]

I wouldn’t daily drive my 200. It’s just not practical for the reasons you mentioned. For me I try my best to only use it for off-roading, road trips, skiing, etc. the GX definitely more nimble and feels more sporty in terms of handling but the savings on fuel is not that significant either. The ideal use for the 200 IMO is to have it a second vehicle for specialty trips and DD a vehicle that feels like a go cart (in and out of quickly and can be parked anywhere) and economical. That way you have more and more appreciation for the 200 when you drive it. A EV or hybrid would be my choice here for DD.

EDIT: did I mention that I am currently looking for a v8 4-door m3 for DD - we love to contradict ourselves here in this forum =) don’t we?

 

[m3fan]

I daily my E39 M5 all summer, generally, but I like to keep it out of the salt in the winter. I guess I should add that, ha.

 

[ckkone]

My wife drives a 06 GX470 with KDSS, gas mileage is similar to the 200. The thing I hate most about the GX is the lack of a center console arm rest, it also feels really dated inside compared to the 200. I daily my 200 and I love it, buying something else to drive daily and parking the 200 seems like a giant waste of money to me. The money I would save in fuel buying something else to daily would be eaten up in the cost of the vehicle, insurance and maintenance. I’d say if you don’t owe money on the 200 keep it and upgrade your suspension to get rid of the floaty feeling.

 

[DOCBG]

LC or LX? Both can be made to feel more stiff. If you live in a big city with lots of urban/small street driving then yes, probably feels too big. But for open roads and wide streets 200 is tough to beat. The build quality is much better than a GX, everything is just so solid while GX loosens up sooner. Although the 4.7 is a great motor and in my 80 series it is a blast to drive.

 

[TexAZ]

The GX470 is an amazing vehicle for quality and reliability, however, they are VERY dated. My wife drives and 03 and my parents drive an 05.
they still have cassette players!
the ride is nice, nimble, and smooth. doesn't have the get up and go that a 200 has.
if you are looking for landcruiser quality in a smaller package for driving around town, look at the GX460.

The side opening rear gate is less effort than a hatch and tailgate, for a grocery getter/dog hauler.

 

[SchobTime]

We have both (17 GX and 11 200), as stated above the GX is not that much better on fuel consumption. The stock GX is nice for parking garages and running around the city, etc. The 200 is the expedition/trail dog.

 

[texas]

I don't think the 200 is all that big, compared to all the pickups and Tahoes/Expeditions here in Texas.

 

[mcgaskins]

I went out of my way to buy a 200 specifically to DD, so I can’t relate. If you don’t like it, just sell it. No need to ask strangers on the internet to try to convince you what to do one way or the other. The GX is reliable and smaller and is basically a fancy 4th gen 4runner, so if you prefer that go for it.

 

[OregonLC]

The swing-open door alone would make the GX horrendous to deal with.

Or it would make it awesome! You have great access to the rear, no overhead clearance issues for 270 awnings, and platform from which to mount a fold-down table.

I know a lot of people like the LC split tailgate. I'm neutral on it. It does give a nice platform, but results in having to crawl up on it to get anything further back in and doesn't provide much in the way of weather protection for standing under. The 120 4R full hatch makes a great rain cover when open, though you could never get a 270 awning past it.

To the OP, the 120/150 GX are probably the most undervalued overlanding vehicles out there (although becoming more popular). Elsewhere in the world they're sold as Land Cruiser Prados. Great trucks. The 470 is very peppy with the 2UZ in stock form. And smaller trail presence makes them a bit more nimble than the 200 in tight stuff. If it weren't for needing to fit three kids across in the middle row I'd have one.

The 460 is just coming of age with regard to aftermarket support. MetalTech has some great product offerrings now for the pre-facelift 150s. The one downside to the 150 is how they store the 3rd row. There is no easy way to remove them if you want to do drawers. If you leave them in there's a bump up in height above the tailgate opening. Someone smart could probably fit a low CG watertank in that space with anchor points on top for drawers/gear.

 

[m3fan]

I went out of my way to buy a 200 specifically to DD, so I can’t relate. If you don’t like it, just sell it. No need to ask strangers on the internet to try to convince you what to do one way or the other. The GX is reliable and smaller and is basically a fancy 4th gen 4runner, so if you prefer that go for it.

Actually I think this is quite helpful input from all. I went out of my way for a 200 as well. It's been a long-time "dream" car. This winter may just be getting to me at this point. Sun was out and roads were dry today so I commuted in the M5 today. This "maybe I should downgrade" insanity seems to have possibly been temporary and fleeting.

 

[I6turbo]

Whether YOU would prefer something else is, of course, a decision only YOU can make for yourself. Or at least you SHOULD make it for yourself.

That said, I have both the GX 470 and LX 570, and I LOVE the GX 470 in several ways more than the LX 570. If I were doing a lot of highway miles, I'd take the 570. But for secondary streets and other miscellaneous use (which is how I live 95% of my driving life), the GX is perhaps my favorite vehicle I've owned (out of 46 in my lifetime). I've also driven hundreds of other vehicles (for work and pleasure/entertainment, all manner of high-end vehicles down to lower end stuff) and still the GX 470 is at the top of my list. IMO, it's the Goldilocks truck, and a high point of Toyota vehicles. To me, the newer platforms are losing their "Toyotaness" little by little, and becoming more and more like everything else. The 200 hasn't fully lost it yet, but in some ways the LX 570 lost some of it vs. the LX 470, and I wonder what the next generation will be like. The GX 460 (which I've driven several times) has lost it, IMO, and feels more like it belongs in the Nissan lineup, to the point that I can't find any interest in owning a 460 instead of the 470.

That's my experience and opinion. YMMV.

Here's another thread that's somewhat on the subject. You might find the comments from some long-time/serial LC owners interesting:
Why do you own a GX 470 instead of a 100 series LC or LX?

 

[ryanCA]

No.

I actually think my 200 is too small. I wish it was like cadilllac ESv and actually had cargo room behind third row

I am jealous of all my friends with ESV.

But I can’t get myself to buy garbage American vehicle

 

[FatHero]

Wife's DD is a GX460. I DD a 200 and a 100, splitting time between both. I sympathize with m3fan's original post - I really like the size of the 460. Drove a 470 recently and felt similar about it, except that I appreciated what I perceived as more torque on takeoff, the 460 seems to be a bit less responsive.

I'm getting older and back and knee injuries have taken some appreciation away for the sportier things we used to keep around (M5, M3, 911, etc) Plus when sitting in heavy traffic in a car all I do is stare at the backend of a pickup/SUV/minivan and wish I had an M1 Abrams.

So I love my cruisers, and don't want to get rid of them. Can't really justify another GX or 4runner, or any other vehicle for that matter. I toss around the idea of buying a used a 5 or 6 year old LS460 from time to time. Wife will probably kick me out if I ever do.

 

[I6turbo]

LC or LX? Both can be made to feel more stiff. If you live in a big city with lots of urban/small street driving then yes, probably feels too big. But for open roads and wide streets 200 is tough to beat. The build quality is much better than a GX, everything is just so solid while GX loosens up sooner. Although the 4.7 is a great motor and in my 80 series it is a blast to drive.

Have you owned a GX that "loosened" up? Mine has about 50% more miles than my 570 and feels just as tight and solid, and just the same as some low-mile 470 examples I've driven. And the 200 sheet metal is obviously thinner and less rugged, easily detectable with a gentle press or a thump on a body pannel, something that's obvious with the 200 series as compared to the 100 or 120 series trucks.

 

[I6turbo]

I'm getting older and back and knee injuries have taken some appreciation away for the sportier things we used to keep around (M5, M3, 911, etc) Plus when sitting in heavy traffic in a car all I do is stare at the backend of a pickup/SUV/minivan and wish I had an M1 Abrams.

So I love my cruisers, and don't want to get rid of them. Can't really justify another GX or 4runner, or any other vehicle for that matter. I toss around the idea of buying a used a 5 or 6 year old LS460 from time to time. Wife will probably kick me out if I ever do.

One of the things I like about the GX 470 vs the 460 and 570 is the tall passenger doors. They make it noticeably easier to get in and out of the truck without any caution over hitting your head on the door opening. No ducking required.

 

[TeCKis300]

I'm quite fond of the GX470 myself. I've had an '05 T4R V8 4x4, '06 LX570, and now the LX570. My parents still have their '06 GX470 which I've driven many many times.

Like I6turbo, it's just the right size for about any job. Unless you really need the additional cargo or tow capacity. As it's an 8-seater itself, only missing is some width and weight handling capacities of the 200-series. It's cabin is equally tall and possibly more airy than the 200. Without the additional bulk, it's quite a bit more agile than the 100/200 series brethren. It doesn't need it, but if you get the later vvti V8s, its downright fast for an SUV. In KDSS form, I believe it has THE plushest ride among all the Lexus SUVS I've had. Chalk it up to less unsprung mass.

More motivation - 2004 Lexus GX470 - Customization & Buildup - Four Wheeler Magazine

 

[ryanCA]

I toss around the idea of buying a used a 5 or 6 year old LS460 from time to time. .

We have a LS600hL, get one of those if you can. Sublime...

 

[marketShark]

I test drove a GX prior to my LC purchase. I could not get over the rear hatch opening sideways. I simply didn't prefer it. I think they are very nice riding vehicles however, I needed more room behind the second row for my lifestyle. Coming from a full sized, 4 door truck, I'm used to carrying an XL dog kennel, cooler, guns, and gear to the ranch. I actually with there was just a little more room behind the second row before the hatch door.
I also drive for work, and completely agree with having a "roadster" type car exclusively for that type of travel. Land Cruisers eat up the miles easily, but some days I'd love an LS or a smaller coupe for short day or overnight trips.