How to convince my buddy to purchase a GX460 over a QX80 (3 Viewers)

[offoradjunkie]

My friend is currently in the market for a new family vehicle. He has a wife and one child and is looking for a big, reliable SUV.
His complaints with the GX are the infotainment system, backup camera, and some more modern features that he could afford if he went with a newer QX80.
Of course, the LC immediately came to mind, and now I am trying to get him to consider a GX460.
I told him the reasons were mostly about reliability and capability, but I wanted to hear your thoughts on the matter.

 

[r2m]

The GX looks better!
Seriously, if he's looking to mod it at all, he may want to look at the huge range of aftermarket products: Guide to GX 460 Builds and Aftermarket Products
Even if he wants to keep it box-stock, Toyota/Lexus has such a HUGE community for every kind of repairs, fixes, mods, etc.
Before purchasing my GX, I was looking at Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes Benz M class. But since I was looking at building my third overlander, I was concerned about what options were available in the aftermarket world. Needless to say, there were hardly none.
Now, that's not to say there aren't any for the Nissan, but ask your friend these questions:

1. Which do you see more of on the trails (aside from Jeeps)?
2. Which do you see most often modified?
3. Which has the larger online community?

This should make it a no-brainer.

 

[krice118]

If there want bigger the QX wins…..

 

[diabetik81]

I'd happily drive a QX. They're good cars and comfortable as can be.

 

[Roody]

The QX is nice, no denying that. I've driven a few of them. The recent one with the TTV6 is really nice.

BUT-- And there's always a but--- the depreciation is like falling off a long, high cliff. And long-term there's just not as much of a likelihood of issue-free 150k+ mile life from the vehicle.

 

[Rednexus]

I convinced one of my buddies to get a GX460. He ultimately picked one because the 460 "checks all the boxes". That includes looks, ability to tow (he has a 5,000# boat), ability to haul both kids, reliability, luxury/comfort, aftermarket support, and it can wheel. There is literally no other vehicle that can do that other than a GX or LC200/LX570. A QX80 is IRS so the wheeling will be much diminished, and it has very little aftermarket support. He picked up a really nice 2020 GX460 for under $40K.

I've never driven a QX80 but I have driven lots of Armadas as rentals. To be honest, they are great rigs! They rip with the 400-hp VK56 V8 and get better MPG than a GX460 will. I put around 1,000 miles on one last year - driving it to MI and back - and frankly enjoyed it a lot. They'll also tow more and are bigger. If you buddy is just wanting a highway/town SUV or a tow rig, the QX/Armada platform is probably superior to a GX460 (not considering reliability/depreciation). BUT, there is no way I'd want to wheel in one as they are huge, the visibility sucks, and they have the aforementioned IRS.

 

[Acrad]

The ‘11+ QX (Nissan Patrols-made in Japan) I’ve always entertained… the first Gen models (US Made) before that not on my radar.

 

[Hiluxforever]

1.) Datsun is circling the drain.
2.) Can you get parts to service the transmission?
3.) Why get a BOF SUV if its IRS?

Its an odd cross shop from my POV. But I dont have kids and wouldn't tow with my own vehicle if I had to. I haven't had to in almost 20 years, so I would just go rent a 1 ton truck or van. Most of the towing I have done is with 1 ton service vans(company trucks).

 

[llm]

is he an off road junkie? sounds like a no brainer i’d he is. the complaints of the gx doesn’t make it sound like he is.

 

[Hiluxforever]

Yea, the GX is one of the best natural offroaders i have driven. ATRAC is so well integrated, lockers and other things are pushed to my long term want list.

With the KDSS, rhe GX platform just has great mechanical grip on and off road. If the offroad is superfluous, then there is a lot of weight on the GX that wouldnt benefit them as much as dedicated on road designs.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Lincoln Navigator

 

[MrTorgue]

A hot opinionated take incoming, brace yourselves.

Reliability vs Creature comforts. Pick one, because let's all be honest here, a Nissan product is not going to be a quality product, and this is a notorious fact And I say that as a former Nissan nut. You'll need to spend more time and money keeping it on the road than a GX. Yes it has a nicer looking interior, comfier seats, and a better infotainment system (pre-2021 GX) but you will notice the interior plastics are much more flimsy and mechanically it isn't even close to reliable long term. Plus the 4WD system of the GX is vastly superior and it literally can go almost anywhere with ZERO modifications. Change the tires and that only increases.

I get the feeling however based on the language of the OP's first post that his friend has already made up his mind. Some people want creature comforts and aesthetics over reliability and capability. This is why brands like Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Jaguar/LR/RR, Infiniti, Genesis, and Lincoln exist. No one wants a boring Lexus or Acura even though they are the best "premium" brands on the planet, they want a hideously unreliable luxury marquee chock full of creature comforts and a higher performance-oriented engine. It just is what it is and there is ample verifiable and anecdotal evidence to prove these points. When it comes down to it that is the choice one must make; reliability and capability vs features and engine power output (acceleration-oriented).

Now, having said all of this s***ting on the Infiniti let me be perfectly clear, I would in a nanosecond buy a gently used fairly new QX over the brand new LC/LX/GX with that god-awful twin turbo V6. And, for further information after 2024 the QX goes to a twin turbo V6 as well so meh, no thanks.

 

[Roody]

I convinced one of my buddies to get a GX460. He ultimately picked one because the 460 "checks all the boxes". That includes looks, ability to tow (he has a 5,000# boat), ability to haul both kids, reliability, luxury/comfort, aftermarket support, and it can wheel. There is literally no other vehicle that can do that other than a GX or LC200/LX570. A QX80 is IRS so the wheeling will be much diminished, and it has very little aftermarket support. He picked up a really nice 2020 GX460 for under $40K.

I've never driven a QX80 but I have driven lots of Armadas as rentals. To be honest, they are great rigs! They rip with the 400-hp VK56 V8 and get better MPG than a GX460 will. I put around 1,000 miles on one last year - driving it to MI and back - and frankly enjoyed it a lot. They'll also tow more and are bigger. If you buddy is just wanting a highway/town SUV or a tow rig, the QX/Armada platform is probably superior to a GX460 (not considering reliability/depreciation). BUT, there is no way I'd want to wheel in one as they are huge, the visibility sucks, and they have the aforementioned IRS.

I'll wager the LC250/GX550 ticks those boxes, but that's a sore subject around here (and probably another debate for another sub-forum).

A hot opinionated take incoming, brace yourselves.

Reliability vs Creature comforts. Pick one, because let's all be honest here, a Nissan product is not going to be a quality product, and this is a notorious fact And I say that as a former Nissan nut. You'll need to spend more time and money keeping it on the road than a GX. Yes it has a nicer looking interior, comfier seats, and a better infotainment system (pre-2021 GX) but you will notice the interior plastics are much more flimsy and mechanically it isn't even close to reliable long term. Plus the 4WD system of the GX is vastly superior and it literally can go almost anywhere with ZERO modifications. Change the tires and that only increases.

I get the feeling however based on the language of the OP's first post that his friend has already made up his mind. Some people want creature comforts and aesthetics over reliability and capability. This is why brands like Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Jaguar/LR/RR, Infiniti, Genesis, and Lincoln exist. No one wants a boring Lexus or Acura even though they are the best "premium" brands on the planet, they want a hideously unreliable luxury marquee chock full of creature comforts and a higher performance-oriented engine. It just is what it is and there is ample verifiable and anecdotal evidence to prove these points. When it comes down to it that is the choice one must make; reliability and capability vs features and engine power output (acceleration-oriented).

Now, having said all of this s***ting on the Infiniti let me be perfectly clear, I would in a nanosecond buy a gently used fairly new QX over the brand new LC/LX/GX with that god-awful twin turbo V6. And, for further information after 2024 the QX goes to a twin turbo V6 as well so meh, no thanks.

You can basically whittle the argument for a GX460 against any of its contemporaries down to what I put in bold.

 

[MrTorgue]

You can basically whittle the argument for a GX460 against any of its contemporaries down to what I put in bold.

I can get behind that. Because that is precisely the reason why I bought mine. That and before the coof ruined everything I paid $15k for mine.

 

[jdam]

Holy crap the new ones are expensive. As for the new engine, the VR series of engines are generally known to be reliable. We've had a few, and this one looks like a truckified version of the car motor present in the Q50 and also the current model Nissan Z.

 

[LC Lurker]

I sat in one of those new QX80s a few months back. It’s an insanely nice vehicle. If he’s not gonna go off-roading, then it’s probably gonna be hard to talk him down.

I wish Infiniti did make an off road version of it so I could take advantage of depreciation in 5-10 years

 

[Roody]

Holy crap the new ones are expensive. As for the new engine, the VR series of engines are generally known to be reliable. We've had a few, and this one looks like a truckified version of the car motor present in the Q50 and also the current model Nissan Z.

View attachment 3911688

The one I tested/reviewed last August had an MSRP of $112,590

 

[Acrad]

Depreciation is steep on those QXs so used is $$ smart

Aside from QX.. I think the only other cars that Infiniti/Nissan import to US from Japan are the Leaf, GTR, Z, and Ariya electric

I can’t really complain about my ‘07 G35X (AWD) (V36 Skyline sedan w/VQ35HR). Engine has had Toyota level reliability. No weeps, seeps, leaks, or noticeable oil use between oil changes. Purchased new 18 years ago.. either keep as a spare since might be worth $7-8K or sell off in 2 years.

 

[Rednexus]

I'll wager the LC250/GX550 ticks those boxes, but that's a sore subject around here (and probably another debate for another sub-forum).

That won't be settled for another decade . At that point we'll have 10+ years of real-world reliability data on the new platform and drivetrains. The 150 platform is very well proven at this point. I would also argue that the previous QX/Armada platform is also "known" at this point as it's been out for awhile, although I'm not personally familiar on the long-term problems they do or don't have.