GX470 preferences when purchasing? (1 Viewer)

[gx470lurker]

Hi all,

Long time lurker here, decided I wanted to get some specific advice from you all as nobody really knows the GX470 better.

So, I'm in the market for a GX470. My ultimate goal is to have the car last as long as possible (I'll be driving about 12-15k miles a year and will not be offroading anytime soon). I was wondering which would be better on a $10-12k budget:

-2003-04 with 90k-120k miles or,
-2005-07 with 150k-180k miles

I want the 05+ engine, but haven't driven an 03-04, only an 07. For somebody who has driven both, is it a huge difference? A deal breaker for you?

Also, I know the reliability of these cars is outstanding. Is there a huge difference between a 470 with 100k miles vs 170k miles?

Also, my other preferences (which may be very hard to find) are as follows: non-nav, no tow hitch, single owner (with great service records of course). Anything else I am missing here when trying to get the most bang for my buck? If I'm not offroading, should I look for anything different?

Thank you in advance!

 

[sleepycruiser]

I would take a higher mileage that has maintenance records over a lower mileage with no records. Just my .02.

 

[Dclain87]

Here was my checklist....

Maintenance history
No nav
I wanted a color that would hide the peeling paint or scratches and blemishes. Silver was what I wanted and got.
Dash replaced, mine was on the list and replaced 2 months after I bought it. I wanted something under 140k miles, and found one near 110k miles. I got a good deal, but I looked for a while. I’ve had mine 2 years, paid 11.5 for an 05, single owner.

 

[IanB]

Why would you want no tow package? It would mean you'd have no external trans cooler, you can always pull the tow bar off if there's some reason you don't want it there.

Go drive an '03-04 and see if the power is sufficient for yourself, I'm confident you'll be more than happy with it in a chassis that weighs much less than a 100 series and gets the benefit of the 5 speed auto.

 

[Arailt]

No tow hitch might ensure nobody used the truck to tow. I thought they all came with the trans cooler though. Mine didn't come with a hitch, but I have the trans cooler. Maybe PO removed the hitch?

 

[JLee]

No tow hitch might ensure nobody used the truck to tow. I thought they all came with the trans cooler though. Mine didn't come with a hitch, but I have the trans cooler. Maybe PO removed the hitch?

Mine has a trans cooler and had no hitch, none of the three towing relays (two in the engine bay and the green box in the 3rd row area), and no wiring past the two plugs under the truck.

 

[IanB]

Interesting, I had always thought the trans cooler was part of the tow package. Our 5th gen 4Runner came with the tow hitch and trailer wiring, but no trans cooler, WTF Toyota?

 

[NH GX470]

They all have a trans cooler, I'd say go in with your eye's wide open. 4 Runners have outstanding reliability, I'd give GX a pretty good. Edit to say I love mine but buying a used one there are a buch of things to look at, Just google around as much as possible before you look, you'll get a good idea what to look for.

 

[Arailt]

Interesting, I had always thought the trans cooler was part of the tow package. Our 5th gen 4Runner came with the tow hitch and trailer wiring, but no trans cooler, WTF Toyota?

It’s the same way with the Tacoma. Only vehicles equipped with the factory tow package came with a trans cooler. If the Toyota branded accessory hitch was added as a dealer add-on, no cooler. I think they’re included on the GX regardless because Lexus.

 

[GXMac]

It’s the same way with the Tacoma. Only vehicles equipped with the factory tow package came with a trans cooler. If the Toyota branded accessory hitch was added as a dealer add-on, no cooler. I think they’re included on the GX regardless because Lexus.

I think it was a V8 thing- I'm not sure I've seen a V8 4runner without an external trans cooler. My GX never had a hitch receiver but did have the tow wiring receptacle.

 

[JAshley]

Here is one with low miles that I came across while searching. No affiliation, just looked at it last week before I bought another GX.

2009 Lexus GX470

 

[tlin]

I just checked and was glad to see that the item I was going to share is already in the FAQ. Well done Mudders!

Whether you're a current owner or are shopping, go register with the Lexus Driver's/Owner's site!

Once there, you can attach and remove as many VIN #'s to your account as you want. ALL OEM maintenance/service history records, overdue service and outstanding recalls are available to you for free. A vehicle that's been primarily dealer maintained will have a RICH history of work done thru proper channels. You can do this from your couch when shopping for a vehicle making narrowing down a pool of candidate vehicles much more efficient and help you buy with confidence. Due diligence is key....

 

[GXO]

Lexusgxor.com is also handy

 

[Bluetribal]

Two .com’s now that’s creative

 

[GXO]

Two .com’s now that’s creative

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[DSRTRDR]

I found the VIN search on Lexus Driver's quite helpful in our 3 recent Lexi purchases

more old-skool works, too: calling a Lexus Dealer Service Department - they will share the same information as on the website, but refer to the deferred maintenance items in more understandable language