SouthernSS
Owner of Southern Style Speed
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2012
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- 8
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- 640
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- Baton Rouge, LA
- Website
- www.southernstylespeed.com
yeah, I'm, not concerned about the dash cracking in the least
Buying advice: 2001-2004 Cruiser, Sequoia or GX470
- Thread starter Nuttysquirrel
- Start date
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Neither am I. If you buy one with cracks or wear, sure, but if you bought a properly maintained on no worries.
- Thread starter
- #23
Still looking for the right LC but a Gx is now on my radar. I too can't stand the barn door but could live with it. I am still a bit leery of a lexus gx when I read about folks on this forum having to replace air suspension, radiators, cracked dashes, electrical issues etc well before 100k and transmission failures on 01-02 LC's. Maybe the the population sample is too small here and the issue wih these vehicles are anomalies rather than the norm. My point of reference though for the past 10 years has been a '93 VW eurovan that has 180k and needed nothing but sched. Maint. Granted it's time to put it to sleep. Love to hear opinions on what year Gx or LC they think is best for under 25k and problem spots to look for. Thanks for this discussion and feedback.
No dash problems here. Have a 2005.
People with problems go to forums so most people here that are not modding are fixing. GX is a great SUV. It's a Toyota for gods sake! 
SouthernSS
Owner of Southern Style Speed
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2012
- Threads
- 8
- Messages
- 640
- Location
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Website
- www.southernstylespeed.com
I'd agree, you never hear about the trucks that didnt have a single problem because their owners didnt have anything to complain about or fix.
With proper maintenance, I have no doubts our GX will last for a very long time.
With proper maintenance, I have no doubts our GX will last for a very long time.
Not a long term owner yet but our '07 CPO (bought at 40k miles) has been good so far. Prior to purchase:
1) one of the front turn signals had some corrosion issues causing bulb short/failure. Replaced under warranty @ 20k miles.
2) Shift clunk (driveline slip-yoke). Replaced driveshaft under warranty at 20k miles
3) Sunroof motor stripped gears. Replaced under warranty *despite* the cause being determined a fault of the PO -- basically s-loads of tree debris (leaves and pine needles) filling the tracks and stops
4) Front brakes replaced @ 35k, resurfaced rotors (which then promptly warped and were replaced under warranty)
That reads to me as:
1) mfg defect
2) known Toyota products problem
3) PO idiocy
4) duuuuuuhhh. ALWAYS just buy new rotors.
Everything else has been fine -- and considering the amount of tech in these trucks I'm impressed by that. Also, my other car is a BMW and spent nearly as much time in the shop from new to 80k miles as it did in my driveway. The GX is every bit as robust as our Gen-3 4Runner.
1) one of the front turn signals had some corrosion issues causing bulb short/failure. Replaced under warranty @ 20k miles.
2) Shift clunk (driveline slip-yoke). Replaced driveshaft under warranty at 20k miles
3) Sunroof motor stripped gears. Replaced under warranty *despite* the cause being determined a fault of the PO -- basically s-loads of tree debris (leaves and pine needles) filling the tracks and stops
4) Front brakes replaced @ 35k, resurfaced rotors (which then promptly warped and were replaced under warranty)
That reads to me as:
1) mfg defect
2) known Toyota products problem
3) PO idiocy
4) duuuuuuhhh. ALWAYS just buy new rotors.
Everything else has been fine -- and considering the amount of tech in these trucks I'm impressed by that. Also, my other car is a BMW and spent nearly as much time in the shop from new to 80k miles as it did in my driveway. The GX is every bit as robust as our Gen-3 4Runner.
Problem spots to look for? From what I've studied on '07-newer:
1) warped front rotors (cheap fix and they basically won't warp if you don't turn them)
2) driveshaft clunk (known TSB fix)
3) differential seep (very rare, but has happened. Easy to spot on PPI)
4) exhaust manifold cracks (basically an exhaust leak). Also very rare - find more cases on the V8 4Runner of same vintage but it's the same engine, so...
That's all I got.
One of the greatest things about buying these trucks is the price:value equation -- and also my assumption based on shopping them that 99% of GXs never saw any rougher duty than swallowing a bunch of shopping bags in the Nordstrom parking lot despite their capability.
1) warped front rotors (cheap fix and they basically won't warp if you don't turn them)
2) driveshaft clunk (known TSB fix)
3) differential seep (very rare, but has happened. Easy to spot on PPI)
4) exhaust manifold cracks (basically an exhaust leak). Also very rare - find more cases on the V8 4Runner of same vintage but it's the same engine, so...
That's all I got.
One of the greatest things about buying these trucks is the price:value equation -- and also my assumption based on shopping them that 99% of GXs never saw any rougher duty than swallowing a bunch of shopping bags in the Nordstrom parking lot despite their capability.
SouthernSS
Owner of Southern Style Speed
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2012
- Threads
- 8
- Messages
- 640
- Location
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Website
- www.southernstylespeed.com
+1 on that. It's a shame these trucks arent used nearly enough for what they were built.
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Why not a 4th gen 4runner? Also a 120 series, same v8 as GX or Cruiser. I just bought one and love it.
4th gens are great trucks but totally diff animal. Completely different cabin, ergonomics, ride, level of lux, yada yada. I wanted a 4th gen but wife said 'wood, nice leather, bigger cabin and Lexus badge please..."
