GX550 Opinions from 80 Series Owners? (1 Viewer)

[cryorunner]

After I finally got a test drive in the GX550 OT+, I’m left unimpressed, and was hoping to get some feedback from other 80 Series owners about their feelings of the GX as a valid replacement for my aging LX450. Mud seemed like the best place to try, with lots of 80 owners, and LC enthusiasts adding the GX to their collections of older models.

After the test drive I’m left really torn about the GX, and now more panicked because I’ve already gotten a couple of calls from dealers with random GXs that suddenly became available when people back out, and worried my slot will eventually come up and I’ll have to make a decision quickly.

Here was my take:

- The GX didn’t feel that much more powerful than my LX450 with a supercharger on it (California car, so best I can do). Maybe the GX felt less punchy off the line but had more power when it spooled up, but nothing to really write home about or a $100k improvement.

- The GX didn’t feel as comfortable a ride as the LX (old OME 851/850 + N73/N74E on 33”s) on-road. It’s been so long I don’t remember why that suspension choice was made, but guess I remember being told it was almost too soft for the application, so maybe this is unfair to the GX.

- The GX (with roof rack) seemed even noisier than the old LX at speed. I know that roof rack noise is a known issue. But around here you need long drives to get to the dirt, so would rather have that part of the trip be comfortable and quiet.

- I’m also losing the front locker by going to the GX.

I’ve seen one poster here with both the 80 and 250 say that if he had to choose the 80 would be the one to stay. I can’t afford the space to keep both, and if I’m even thinking about needing to keep the 80, maybe the GX is the wrong choice. Only problem with the 80 is it’s getting old and harder to maintain, and doesn’t have the best highway manners to get to the trails.

For reference, mostly southwest desert and mountain exploring, nothing too crazy, but have definitely had to use the front locker a couple of times.

I really appreciate any input from people with experience in both, because maybe I’m off the mark here, and have very little time in the GX. Just very concerned now I’m making the wrong decision.

Also thanks to everyone posting in this GX550 / Land Cruiser 250 sub-forum for all the great information and keeping me busy during this long wait.

 

[SpillmanCruiser]

Hard to compare such different vehicles from different eras. I had no problems wheeling intermediate trails in the new GX. The road noise in the GX with factory roof rack is embarrasing. Other than that, the on-road behavior of the GX is far above the old 80.

 

[calokie]

I'm somewhat in the same scenario, however I'm going with the LC250. Will have to give up my 80 Series due to storage constraints. I figure ill be able to safety travel the entire North/South American continent for the next 150,000-200,000 miles worry free (not actually planning to) minus the rock crawling factor and with almost double the MPG and comfort. Other option is to dump a ton of money into my beloved gas guzzling 80, which also feels like a win/win scenario
If only my 80 had vented/heated seats, heated steering wheel and 21+MPG. True you will loose the front locker (for now) but gain MTS and other traction assist bots , Aftermarket world will eventually provide a front locker and or SAS option

 

[cryorunner]

Hard to compare such different vehicles from different eras. I had no problems wheeling intermediate trails in the new GX. The road noise in the GX with factory roof rack is embarrasing. Other than that, the on-road behavior of the GX is far above the old 80.

Thanks a lot for the input. I know it's definitely not an apples-to-oranges comparison, I just don't want to feel like I'm going backwards. On-road manners is one of the biggest downsides for the 80 unfortunately, so good to know that's improved. The GX rack noise I thought I heard was more of a low rumbling from the roof, if I was really hearing the right thing. If that persisted there's no way it's an upgrade, so good to know it's only temporary.

I figure ill be able to safety travel the entire North/South American continent for the next 150,000-200,000 miles worry free (not actually planning to) minus the rock crawling factor and with almost double the MPG and comfort. Other option is to dump a ton of money into my beloved gas guzzling 80, which also feels like a win/win scenario

My 80 let me down for the first time off-road last winter, and honestly hadn't trusted it for longer trips even before that, so it's definitely the worry-free miles I'm hoping for. Have a laundry list of longer trips I want to do. But in the long wait I'd already started dumping a ton of money in, doing some AC work and getting the transmission rebuilt. But it was the seat covers that really made the difference and left me wondering if I should keep it. After so many years of getting jabbed by the edges of foam and broken leather, the new seats are positively luxurious now - albeit without the ventilation of the GX, which did seem to work quite well.

 

[calokie]

Thanks a lot for the input. I know it's definitely not an apples-to-oranges comparison, I just don't want to feel like I'm going backwards. On-road manners is one of the biggest downsides for the 80 unfortunately, so good to know that's improved. The GX rack noise I thought I heard was more of a low rumbling from the roof, if I was really hearing the right thing. If that persisted there's no way it's an upgrade, so good to know it's only temporary.


My 80 let me down for the first time off-road last winter, and honestly hadn't trusted it for longer trips even before that, so it's definitely the worry-free miles I'm hoping for. Have a laundry list of longer trips I want to do. But in the long wait I'd already started dumping a ton of money in, doing some AC work and getting the transmission rebuilt. But it was the seat covers that really made the difference and left me wondering if I should keep it. After so many years of getting jabbed by the edges of foam and broken leather, the new seats are positively luxurious now - albeit without the ventilation of the GX, which did seem to work quite well.

What caused your 80 to strand you what failed?

 

[rgsiii]

I have only test driven a GX550 OT+. I was impressed in a bunch of aspects and was sort of surprised by some. My 80 is pretty highly modified and has some of the digital improvements and cup holders.
To me it was a comfortable drive. The wind noise of the roof rack was very noticeable. It handles well and I thought it had good acceleration, I sold my turbo’d LC a few year ago and don’t remember how it did. It is faster for sure than my regular 80.
The safety feature like blind spot indicators, adaptive cruise control and the beeping when you get close to something are plusses. The Apple play option and large screens are a great improvement over the standard 80. The USB/110 ports are a definite improvements as are cup holders.
I was surprised that it did not have a digital rear view mirror even as an option on the OT GX550’s.
The 80 series is getting long in the tooth. Parts are getting more difficult to find and some of the technology has passed it by. The 80 is a great vehicle and mine has done well for me. I find it hard to find people to service a 30 year old . On a trip, it could be an issue.
I think in a new production vehicle, this is the best option for me. Having gotten burned on a 2022 Tundra, I may wait a bit before buying in hopes of possible bugs getting worked out and a digital review mirror.

 

[Rednexus]

My usual default response....but....any reason a 2022-23 GX460 is not on the list? Nice old-school, totally sorted Toyota engineering and tech but low miles, and much cheaper than a new GX550. Or, perhaps a late-model 200 or LX570?

 

[calokie]

I have only test driven a GX550 OT+. I was impressed in a bunch of aspects and was sort of surprised by some. My 80 is pretty highly modified and has some of the digital improvements and cup holders.
To me it was a comfortable drive. The wind noise of the roof rack was very noticeable. It handles well and I thought it had good acceleration, I sold my turbo’d LC a few year ago and don’t remember how it did. It is faster for sure than my regular 80.
The safety feature like blind spot indicators, adaptive cruise control and the beeping when you get close to something are plusses. The Apple play option and large screens are a great improvement over the standard 80. The USB/110 ports are a definite improvements as are cup holders.
I was surprised that it did not have a digital rear view mirror even as an option on the OT GX550’s.
The 80 series is getting long in the tooth. Parts are getting more difficult to find and some of the technology has passed it by. The 80 is a great vehicle and mine has done well for me. I find it hard to find people to service a 30 year old . On a trip, it could be an issue.
I think in a new production vehicle, this is the best option for me. Having gotten burned on a 2022 Tundra, I may wait a bit before buying in hopes of possible bugs getting worked out and a digital review mirror.

That's strange the "top of the line" Lexus GX model wouldn't have the digital review mirror, maybe the video monitor/CPU space is at max capacity with the 360 camera view?

My usual default response....but....any reason a 2022-23 GX460 is not on the list? Nice old-school, totally sorted Toyota engineering and tech but low miles, and much cheaper than a new GX550. Or, perhaps a late-model 200 or LX570?

not to mention comparable MPG GX 550/460

 

[rgsiii]

That's strange the "top of the line" Lexus GX model wouldn't have the digital review mirror, maybe the video monitor/CPU space is at max capacity with the 360 camera view?

not to mention comparable MPG GX 550/460

The Overtrail+ is the top of the Overtrails. The GX 550 LUXURY+ is about 4K more and is the only GX550 that has the digital rear view mirror. This totally baffles me.

 

[haulin auss]

My usual default response....but....any reason a 2022-23 GX460 is not on the list? Nice old-school, totally sorted Toyota engineering and tech but low miles, and much cheaper than a new GX550. Or, perhaps a late-model 200 or LX570?

This x1000

We bought a 23 GX460 new and in hindsight it has proven to be one of the best bang-for-your-buck purchases ever. The key is really the 22/23 models with the updated dash & carplay, such a big difference.

I really like the 550, my primary two gripes are:
- Reliability concerns for the V35A aside, the fact that this very-complex, premium-octane-requiring engine pretty much gets the same MPG as the outgoing V8 is just dumb
- The base OT should have driver seat memory settings. Crazy to see this base feature going away on many trims.

 

[Rednexus]

2020-2022 GX460s with relatively low mileage can be hand in my neck of the woods for $40-50K. Given the GX550 cost, that leaves a ton of room for mods!

FWIW, I think a 550 could make an awesome rig once the VA35F and other system reliability issues are known. The 9000# towing capacity is insane for a midsized SUV that can wheel. But, I'd personally be hesitant to be an early-adopter on one. Maybe in a few years once the issues have been sorted out and the reliability is proven (so far with the Tundra, it is anything but proven).

 

[cryorunner]

What caused your 80 to strand you what failed?

One of the fusible links went bad and failed intermittently. Not a hard failure so it could be diagnosed easily, just enough to let you drive 60 miles into another county before killing the car once things warmed up. Had to get towed twice, because I thought I'd cured it and headed out confidently, but had only caught another unrelated issue which wasn't really causing any trouble at the time. Wrote up a thread about it, but probably doesn't provide any useful info compared to all the excellent info in the 80 tech section that lead me to start sniffing around there once I'd started tracing the intermittent power in that direction.

The 80 series is getting long in the tooth. Parts are getting more difficult to find and some of the technology has passed it by. The 80 is a great vehicle and mine has done well for me. I find it hard to find people to service a 30 year old . On a trip, it could be an issue.

Yeah this is what's finally getting to me. Already coming up against unobtainable parts, and the LC/Toyota specialist shop I've been going to around here refuses to work on them anymore for that reason - said they'd still grandfather me in for now.

My usual default response....but....any reason a 2022-23 GX460 is not on the list? Nice old-school, totally sorted Toyota engineering and tech but low miles, and much cheaper than a new GX550. Or, perhaps a late-model 200 or LX570?

This x1000

Yeah I even test drove a new one last year when I went down to put a deposit and they were giving discounts. I just was really underwhelmed by it. I know it's super solid and loved, but felt kind of gutless (I know that shouldn't matter, but on socal freeways it's kind of a pain) and just felt kind of small, more like a 4Runner or a Prado. Yes, yes, I see the multiple ironies in that inflammatory statement, no need to yell at me! Just from my view point it didn't feel like a replacement for the 80 at the time for my needs. But that's one of the reasons I'm asking opinions from 80 series owners here, because I'm now recognizing the disconnect of saying I'm looking at a buying one GX, but didn't like another GX.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

 

[alabamatacomaguy]

Sorry to jump on the 460 train with the others.
I daily drive a 2018 460 and have been very happy with it. My dad put 215k miles on his first 460 with just oil changes, tires and brake pads, he treated it like a pickup truck and now has a newer 22 year model. They are as dependable as anything up to and including a 200. I almost want to get a 2023 model for my wife but with her driving style I don’t think best .

Like others have said I would wait a few years if possible and let the issues get worked out. That’s my plan is to start looking at them seriously in mid/late 2026ish. By then everything will be known and worked out on the engine issues. I don’t know if Toyota has a real problem with these motors or an internet pr problem but it is concerning. Time will tell and Toyota seems to be doing what it can to take care of people.
I’m not an early adopter on things and when I do it usually bites me in the butt.

Maybe a low mileage 200 is something you would enjoy also.

 

[rgsiii]

Sorry to jump on the 460 train with the others.
I don’t know if Toyota has a real problem with these motors or an internet pr problem but it is concerning. Time will tell and Toyota seems to be doing what it can to take care of people.
Maybe a low mileage 200 is something you would enjoy also.

Having a 2022 Tundra, I can assure you the engine problem and other issues arebreal. A blown engine at 45K, with a RAV4 loaner for a month, multiple seat side panels broken and repaired at my cost, multiple recalls, plastic pieces coming off and such has left a bad taste in my mouth. Toyota customer service when I called was worse than useless.
The GX550 engine and the vehicle is 100% Japanese and may be better. I may look at a 460.

 

[Rednexus]

Yeah I even test drove a new one last year when I went down to put a deposit and they were giving discounts. I just was really underwhelmed by it. I know it's super solid and loved, but felt kind of gutless (I know that shouldn't matter, but on socal freeways it's kind of a pain) and just felt kind of small, more like a 4Runner or a Prado. Yes, yes, I see the multiple ironies in that inflammatory statement, no need to yell at me! Just from my view point it didn't feel like a replacement for the 80 at the time for my needs. But that's one of the reasons I'm asking opinions from 80 series owners here, because I'm now recognizing the disconnect of saying I'm looking at a buying one GX, but didn't like another GX.

Thanks again for everyone's input.

If you truly love the 80, get it frame-off restored and LS/6 speed swapped .

Or, 200/570 might check the boxes for size and power.

 

[dl819]

After I finally got a test drive in the GX550 OT+, I’m left unimpressed, and was hoping to get some feedback from other 80 Series owners about their feelings of the GX as a valid replacement for my aging LX450. Mud seemed like the best place to try, with lots of 80 owners, and LC enthusiasts adding the GX to their collections of older models.

Can you get one more year out of your LX450? I agree with others on giving Toyota time to sort out the 3.4 and any other first year issues that pop up.

I daily drove and worked out of a 62 and an 80 in the early 2000's. Then I spent a decade in crew cab 1/2 ton trucks. I looked at 100s several times when I was ready to get back in an SUV, but the driving experience never did it for me. I cross-shopped the GX470 each time and always thought it felt more like (my memories of) the 62/80. I eventually bought a GX470 in 2019 and it has been a fantastic vehicle for everything I do: long road trips (34 states), light off-roading and car camping (mountain bike trailheads and mild Colorado passes), occasional max GCWR trailer towing (work and kids' moves), and general family hauling.

It took me several years to really "connect" with the GX470 and I still remember the 80 as my favorite vehicle. That said, nostalgia aside, there is no way I would ever go back to daily driving an 80 series over the GX470.

I've also been underwhelmed by the occasional GX460 loaner, like I was underwhelmed by the 100 in comparison to my experience in the 80.

I say all that to say two things:
1. My GX470 is currently at 299K and I feel good about driving it for two more years before I'm forced to decide on a replacement.
2. If I had to replace the GX470 right now, I would most likely go with a GX460 and trust it also win me over in time. The 120/150 are great platforms for the US, but there was something magic about the 80 series.

Good luck!

 

[haulin auss]

...
Yeah I even test drove a new one last year when I went down to put a deposit and they were giving discounts. I just was really underwhelmed by it. I know it's super solid and loved, but felt kind of gutless (I know that shouldn't matter, but on socal freeways it's kind of a pain) and just felt kind of small, more like a 4Runner or a Prado. Yes, yes, I see the multiple ironies in that inflammatory statement, no need to yell at me! Just from my view point it didn't feel like a replacement for the 80 at the time for my needs. But that's one of the reasons I'm asking opinions from 80 series owners here, because I'm now recognizing the disconnect of saying I'm looking at a buying one GX, but didn't like another GX.
...

You're definitely all over the place with your comparison haha
- GX460 vs 200/570, I agree with the gutless feeling a bit. The 5.7 3UR is the perfect cruiser V8.
- GX460 vs 80, I can't agree with the gutless feeling at all. I'm a HUGE 1FZ fan but in stock form the 4.6 1UR has much more ample power for the weight of the vehicle.

In terms of size, that makes sense because its (essentially) the exact same frame as a 4R. It's about the same interior space as a 4R/100, smaller than a 200, but more space than a 80.

I have been (and continue) to daily drive my 80 with turbo 1FZ. We have two kids in car seats and two 50lb dogs and frequently commute to our beach house ~3 hours away with the whole crew and luggage. Both the 80 and the 460 are VERY packed with all of that inside. However, the sliding second row (captains chairs in our trim) in the 460 is a major differentiator.

In my experience, you're never going to "love" any replacement for a 80, they just aren't the same. I really love our 460 but the closest I've found for replacing the "love" I have for the 80 is a 200/570.

Having a 2022 Tundra, I can assure you the engine problem and other issues arebreal. A blown engine at 45K, with a RAV4 loaner for a month, multiple seat side panels broken and repaired at my cost, multiple recalls, plastic pieces coming off and such has left a bad taste in my mouth. Toyota customer service when I called was worse than useless.
The GX550 engine and the vehicle is 100% Japanese and may be better. I may look at a 460.

I'm certainly not denying the Tundra/Sequoia/600 engine issues are real, we just don't know if that issue is present at all in the 550. For all we know, they rectified the issue before the 550s started to roll off the line. Maybe not though! The LX600 (I think just 22-23 MYs) also had the recall so the 550 being built in Tahara vs the US shouldn't be a factor.

It's still to be seen just how bad the reliability issue is, but even ignoring that completely, I just don't understand why anyone would want an extremely complex TTV6 (compared to the outgoing 1UR) that requires premium when it only produces +1mpg and +50hp/lbft more. The towing numbers for the 550 are impressive but thats the only real reason I could see to justify it.



Obviously take all of that worth a grain of salt. I'm in a similar position as the OP so I've put too much thought into it. I've spent the last six months trying to figure out what my next vehicle will because I'd love to retire the 80 from daily duties completely but I'm really underwhelmed with all the new offerings. Nothing completely checks all the boxes. At this point, it's looking like a 200/570 is the way to go - mainly because it has the right interior size and engine.

 

[MRego]

I am going to be "that guy" and repeat what others have already said.

This: "In my experience, you're never going to "love" any replacement for a 80, they just aren't the same. I really love our 460 but the closest I've found for replacing the "love" I have for the 80 is a 200/570."

That is the right comparison to make. Compare a GX550/Prado with the 200 is just not apples to apples fair with the GX. To me you should compare the GX550 and Prado (not Land Cruiser) with the GX 460. Here is what makes sense to me:

80 compares to 100 compares to 200 compares to 300
GX460 compares to GX 470 compares to new GX550/Prado

Toyota played very well the marketing game by calling the new Prado - Land Cruiser in the US. Some people/journalists/car reviewers (rightly so frustrated with the fact that Toyota screwed us up by not bringing the 300 to the US) bought this and started to call it the "new Land Cruiser" and compare to the 200 series. Wrong. The "new Land Cruiser"/GX550 is in fact the "New Prado", which should compare to the "old Prado" or for the US - the GX models.

I am now ready for the stone-throwing exercise.

 

[haulin auss]

I am going to be "that guy" and repeat what others have already said.

This: "In my experience, you're never going to "love" any replacement for a 80, they just aren't the same. I really love our 460 but the closest I've found for replacing the "love" I have for the 80 is a 200/570."

That is the right comparison to make. Compare a GX550/Prado with the 200 is just not apples to apples fair with the GX. To me you should compare the GX550 and Prado (not Land Cruiser) with the GX 460. Here is what makes sense to me:

80 compares to 100 compares to 200 compares to 300
GX460 compares to GX 470 compares to new GX550/Prado

Toyota played very well the marketing game by calling the new Prado - Land Cruiser in the US. Some people/journalists/car reviewers (rightly so frustrated with the fact that Toyota screwed us up by not bringing the 300 to the US) bought this and started to call it the "new Land Cruiser" and compare to the 200 series. Wrong. The "new Land Cruiser"/GX550 is in fact the "New Prado", which should compare to the "old Prado" or for the US - the GX models.

I am now ready for the stone-throwing exercise.

I agree to a degree, but I think it's fair to compare across "family lines". At the end of the day these are all just people/cargo hauling widgets with four wheels.

My comment about the 200/570 being the closest replacement to my 80 is primarily due to the materials and technology used. NA engine, minimal sensors, hydraulic power steering, etc. To me, It has a lot of the same tactile feelings that the 80 has. The 460 shares a lot of these same traits which is why I really love it as well.

If I were looking to replace my 80 with something modern purely for off road use, then I would be ecstatic about the 1958 250. It's dimensionally very similar, there's a focus keeping tech to a minimum (physical hvac buttons, etc), and the electric PS coupled with the hybrid torque is going to make for a very capable truck.

Despite the realization that they probably won't work for my family needs, I really like the 250/550. I would prefer to get the GX primarily because our local Lexus dealership is absolutely stellar to work with, but have no interest in a TT engine with all its added complexity when it doesn't net decent MPG. I'm still on the fence about a 250 but the largest issue (for me) is the second row not being able to slide like the 200/570/460. If the 250 had the same interior room and sliding bench as the 200/570 then I'd probably already be driving one haha

Again, lots of 2 cents. Ain't worth s***

 

[Devils Paw 80]

On-road manners is one of the biggest downsides for the 80 unfortunately, so good to know that's improved. ..

My 80 drives great on road. Perhaps you could consider keeping the 80 and adding an economy car to the stable if there's room for two rigs at your place. Depends how much southwest desert exploring miles you accumulate per year I guess.