GX 470 Purchase wisdom needed

[LockedYota]

Been searching tirelessly for a low mileage GX 470 for the wife and I... nailed down a few and would like some wisdom.

The big questions... Sport or non-Sport. I love the interior of the sport like everyone else, but I am unsure of the KDSS. If I plan on doing a small lift should I avoid Sports?

1- 2005 GX470 Sport (decent mileage ~ 130k) Horrid dash cracks but NO NAV!

2005 Lexus GX470 4WD FINANCING AVAILABLE


2- 2008 GX470 (121k miles) Non-Sport




3- 2009 GX 470 (99k miles) Non-Sport

Used Lexus GX 470 For Sale - CarGurus

 

[Tak555]

i bought mine back in november 2018... so assuming your BIGGEST considerations are overall condition, routine maintenance, and rust, the next thing for me SHOULD have been nav vs. non-nav. in retrospect, i wish i would have waited for one without nav. not being able to easily upgrade to modern technology is a big time PITA.

although i really like the look of sport, for me that would be pretty low on the priority list...

 

[Infinity00]

That last one has 5 previous owners with only 93K miles, no thank you!

 

[NomzMatter]

When looking for mine, I went with the best service history. Ended up with a 2007 with ~135K on it, timing belt/wp done on time, shocks/air bags replaced all around, dash recall performed, etc. You can look up service history through the lexus owners app with the VIN. From there, it would be preferences on sport/non-sport nav/non-nav. KDSS isn't awful, a lot of people have and actually enjoy it.

 

[NomzMatter]

The '05 has some pretty shady service history. The '09 has good service history through 2 owners and ~75K miles, but nothing after that. If it's changed three owners since then there's probably a reason. '08s on facebook and I can't get there while at work.

 

[JLee]

Non-nav Sport with the gray interior is the best possible interior combination IMO. It's beautiful.

KDSS is the opposite of awful -- it's magic. I won't buy a GX without it. That said, if I was going to build a truck with long travel suspension I would buy one without KDSS so I wouldn't have to remove it.

 

[PhilipJPhry]

I went through this same decision. I am not sure I made the right one, but here goes.

I was torn between a 2005 non-sport and a 2005 sport for ~$1500 more. I decided to get the non-sport for a few reasons.
1. I was buying this as a 3rd vehicle, and I just didn't want to spend a lot
2. Having never driven a sport, I don't know what I am missing by not getting one with KDSS
3. While the KDSS system seems to rarely have issues, I was shopping in the 165k mile range and if there is anything that needs to be repaired, it can't be done DIY and it's an expensive repair.
4. I actually prefer the non-sport interior. I love that it feels like mid-2000s old-man luxury. I have newer cars with more modern interiors, so I wanted something that felt like it's era.
5. The non-sport was a 2-owner car and I was buying it from the 2nd owner while the sport was a 6-owner car and I was buying from a dealer.

However, I do sometimes question my decision for the following reasons.
1. I bought the non-sport sight unseen and I've already spent another $2000 getting the non-sport up to a condition which I want, so it's reduced the price gap between the sport and the non-sport already.
2. From what I've read, you can lift a KDSS truck up to 3 inches. Anything more, or long travel, you would need to remove it. I don't think I will be doing anything more than a mild lift.
3. I've been driving the truck a lot more often that I expected, and I wonder how much less the KDSS truck would lean in turns. KDSS also offers better articulation.

That said, maintenance and condition is probably the most important thing. My truck did have a recent timing belt, alternator, radiator, and airbag replacement. Unfortunately it also ended up having a bunch of little things I wasn't happy with that probably didn't bother the previous owner. But who knows what was hidden in the Sport model I didn't see or end up buying as it's still for sale, months later: Used Lexus GX 470 For Sale - CarGurus

 

[JLee]

I went through this same decision. I am not sure I made the right one, but here goes.

I was torn between a 2005 non-sport and a 2005 sport for ~$1500 more. I decided to get the non-sport for a few reasons.
1. I was buying this as a 3rd vehicle, and I just didn't want to spend a lot
2. Having never driven a sport, I don't know what I am missing by not getting one with KDSS
3. While the KDSS system seems to rarely have issues, I was shopping in the 165k mile range and if there is anything that needs to be repaired, it can't be done DIY and it's an expensive repair.
4. I actually prefer the non-sport interior. I love that it feels like mid-2000s old-man luxury. I have newer cars with more modern interiors, so I wanted something that felt like it's era.
5. The non-sport was a 2-owner car and I was buying it from the 2nd owner while the sport was a 6-owner car and I was buying from a dealer.

However, I do sometimes question my decision for the following reasons.
1. I bought the non-sport sight unseen and I've already spent another $2000 getting the non-sport up to a condition which I want, so it's reduced the price gap between the sport and the non-sport already.
2. From what I've read, you can lift a KDSS truck up to 3 inches. Anything more, or long travel, you would need to remove it. I don't think I will be doing anything more than a mild lift.
3. I've been driving the truck a lot more often that I expected, and I wonder how much less the KDSS truck would lean in turns. KDSS also offers better articulation.

That said, maintenance and condition is probably the most important thing. My truck did have a recent timing belt, alternator, radiator, and airbag replacement. Unfortunately it also ended up having a bunch of little things I wasn't happy with that probably didn't bother the previous owner. But who knows what was hidden in the Sport model I didn't see or end up buying as it's still for sale, months later: Used Lexus GX 470 For Sale - CarGurus

That's the biggest reason I went with KDSS (twice). Unfortunately most of my miles are on pavement, so the superior on-road manners are nice.

It's also saved me money because if I didn't have KDSS, I'd have gone MetalTech long travel rear already

 

[LockedYota]

Man I appreciate all of the great feedback. I should have joined the board here years ago instead of being a lurker forever(although I only own Toyota pickups) not cruisers...

Anyway I am simply wanting as much longevity ahead out of the vehicle as possible as this will be a family daily/rig that we will keep until it’s well worn out...

We are going to look at a 2008 two owner tomorrow Non-sport with good maint. records... I’ll report back!

Thank you all for the help!!

 

[LockedYota]

The '05 has some pretty shady service history. The '09 has good service history through 2 owners and ~75K miles, but nothing after that. If it's changed three owners since then there's probably a reason. '08s on facebook and I can't get there while at work.

The 2005’s service history. Where’d you get that from? I contact guy to send me maintenance records and CarFax... still waiting for him to email me.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Re: The 2005’s service history. Where’d you get that from?

Lexus Owners web site: Lexus Owners Site | Lexus Drivers

Register and enter the VIN and will spit out all maintenance done at Lexus dealers.

 

[LockedYota]

Re: The 2005’s service history. Where’d you get that from?

Lexus Owners web site: Lexus Owners Site | Lexus Drivers

Register and enter the VIN and will spit out all maintenance done at Lexus dealers.

I thank you sir!!

 

[Breett]

You can get a quick free vehicle history report via these instructions

I looked at close to 40 options before I bought mine. Service history was the most important factor, I choose higher miles with better records over lower miles and without. Look for notes about people declining service from the Lexus records.

You can find KDSS without it being a Sport (look for the thick rear sway bar), I did notice the KDSS handled much better than the ones without.

I'm actually a fan of the Nav, upgraded the version and it's helped quite a bit when I'm out of cell range. Levinson system sounds great. Added a GROM bluetooth kit and programmed my phone to auto play Pandora when it makes connection with the car.

I found YourCarAngel's youtube channel a big help in what to look for.

 

[CarolinaGX]

use the Lexus owner site to find out about service history using VIN. I do not have KDSS but from what i understand, KDSS with mild lift is great. big lift or long travel, go with non-KDSS

 

[LockedYota]

The Lexus service history has helped tremendously!

The best yet.... check this out hahahaha

"SERVICE: DESCRIPTION: REPLACE A/C COMPRESSOR AND CLUTCH AS NEC ~|~C/S NAV SCREEN SAYS CK A/C AND DOES NOT BLOW COOL AIR ~|~ ~|~25438 ANIMAL CHEWED HARNESS 390 FOUND AC CLUTCH AND COMRESSOR HARNESSES EATEN UP BY ANIMAL. NEED AC COMPRESSOR AND CLUTCH + FLUSH & RECOVER 134A. WILL NEED TO REPAIR MAIN HRNESS. ITS NOT BADLY DAMAGED. NEEDS 25K SERVICE, NEEDS AC FILTER. "

 

[NomzMatter]

I thank you sir!!

Looks like someone already hooked you up with the Lexus Owner's site!

 

[LockedYota]

Running to look at this one at 5:00 today...


2008 Pearl/Ivory non-sport
3 owner but southern vehicle... water pump and timing belt already done. Decent service records... but not wonderful...

2008 Lexus GX470







Next one I will be going to look at...

2008 Pearl/Ivory non-sport
1 owner... great maintenance record... great condition... but called them and it will be $18,000 out the door -_-

Used Lexus GX 470 For Sale - CarGurus

Mileage: ​ 121,738​ Engine: ​ 4.7 liter V8​ Transmission: ​ 5-Speed Automatic​ Stock #: ​ 80161437​ Body Style: ​ SUV​ Exterior: ​ Blizzard Pearl​ Interior: ​ Ivory​ VIN: ​ JTJBT20X680161437​

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Timing belt and water pump are the most expensive. The rest is just basic maintenance like fluids, brake pads, rotors, and tires. I like the clear rear turn signal lenses on the 2008-09s, so I changed them on my 2003 for about $250 new.

The private sale at $15000 also requires you to pay sales taxes, right? So, it's not a $3000 difference. It's more like $2000 (which is the price of the car difference). At least that's how it works in California.

I bought my 2008 GX470 in a private sale for really cheap ($8000) and PO claimed that timing belt and water pump were done. Since the radiator had pink crust and signs of leaking, I ended up replacing the radiator, cap, thermostat, upper/lower hoses, drive belt, water pump, timing belt, etc. for about $1000 total (labor and parts). My mechanic said that PO didn't use Aisin water pump (some other 3rd party aftermarket water pump and timing belt that didn't look right.) Moreover, one of the water pump bolts was broken and stuck in place). Anyways, everything was restored to stock oem condition.

Later, I replaced the front and rear rotors and brake pads. It's about $500 to do it all. So, I would allocate $2000 to do all the maintenance on a not-so-well maintained rig (this is for brake pads, rotors, radiator, water pump, timing belt, transmission flush, diff flush, brake fluid flush, oil change, transfer case flush, etc.). This is what I call baselining the rig's maintenance.

So, this is why maintenance at the dealer is better than maintenance by an independent shop. At the dealer, they use Toyota oem parts. At independent shop, you don't know what you are getting. Fortunately, my indy mechanic only likes to use OEM parts and I know which parts are good, so I'm always researching and making sure I get good parts.

 

[LockedYota]

Running to look at this one at 5:00 today...


2008 Pearl/Ivory non-sport
3 owner but southern vehicle... water pump and timing belt already done. Decent service records... but not wonderful...

2008 Lexus GX470







Next one I will be going to look at...

2008 Pearl/Ivory non-sport
1 owner... great maintenance record... great condition... but called them and it will be $18,000 out the door -_-

Used Lexus GX 470 For Sale - CarGurus

​	​ ​ Mileage: ​ 121,738​ Engine: ​ 4.7 liter V8​ Transmission: ​ 5-Speed Automatic​ Stock #: ​ 80161437​ ​ Body Style: ​ SUV​ Exterior: ​ Blizzard Pearl​ Interior: ​ Ivory​ VIN: ​ JTJBT20X680161437​

So Friday the wife got home to our pet having seizures.. which ensued us going to the vet hospital. I had to cancel going to look a the first 2008 on the list. Called the guy Saturday and it sold apparently.


So the one in Raleigh (2nd on this list) is the only one around which I feel good about service history, altough not really the color combo we want at at the top end of our budget... seems this task of finding a well sorted decent GX 470 is going to take some time....

Any of ya'll have a lead on one sent it my way!!!

 

[Cooperd0g]

Sorry about your dog.