Input on purchasing dilemma (1 Viewer)

[Jminz]

2004 GX470
150k miles
Color Silver
No nav, DVD, or mark Levinson
Dash has been replaced
Sold from dealer
No record of tb/waterpump that I can find
9k plus tax

Vs

2008 GX470
200k miles
color Desert Sage
Nav, DVD, mark Levinson
No dash issues
owner has not done tb/WP during 5 years of ownership.
$8500 plus tax

 

[captainva]

I would go for the 08 if you want the NAV assuming that they are both in equal condition and knowing its going to be another $1000-1500 for a TB/WP

 

[Jminz]

I'm unsure about the desert sage color? Havent seen it in person. Hoping it grows on me.

Also not sure if I want to splurge for premium fuel.

 

[HomersCanyonero]

Go for 2008 and baseline it with wp/tb, new plugs, new belts, flush all fluids if needed.

2008 ML system is better than the version from 2004. It has the rear clear lenses. It has the upgraded drive shaft.

And some people really like the sage green

 

[HomersCanyonero]

And there’s two camps on the regular vs premium gas. I personally would put regular, but that’s me.

 

[captainva]

Go for 2008 and baseline it with wp/tb, new plugs, new belts, flush all fluids if needed.

2008 ML system is better than the version from 2004. It has the rear clear lenses. It has the upgraded drive shaft.

And some people really like the sage green

Some 08s (only the vehicles made in the later half of the year) have the upgraded drive shafts. Mine is an early 08 so it doesn't have the revised part

 

[CarolinaGX]

I would go '08 unless you want to avoid the interference motor and/or want to avoid the SAIC system. I have an '05 and I run 87 in mine and it runs just fine. With that said, I run premium when I go wheeling. Assuming the chassis' and interior are in the same condition.

 

[Jminz]

Some 08s (only the vehicles made in the later half of the year) have the upgraded drive shafts. Mine is an early 08 so it doesn't have the revised part

He said he's recently replaced the prop shaft to fix the clunk.

 

[Jminz]

I would go '08 unless you want to avoid the interference motor and/or want to avoid the SAIC system. I have an '05 and I run 87 in mine and it runs just fine. With that said, I run premium when I go wheeling. Assuming the chassis' and interior are in the same condition.

Are all 4.7s not interference engines?

 

[Jminz]

I talked to owner of 08 and got a bit more info. Brakes, tires are new. Last year he replaced the rear airbags. He sent me pics of the undercarriage and it's clean, no rust. He bought the car with 102k on it and it's now at 200k. Seems like he's been great at maintenance except for replacing timing belt and water pump. Lexus website shows water pump was changed last at 96k. The ONLY issues with truck are minimal wear on driver's seat and driver's arm rest.

 

[CarolinaGX]

No, the '03-04 engines are not interference motors. All have a timing belt, but the VVTi motors '05+ are interference motors hence the power gain. As long as the TB is taken care of, no worries.

 

[Jminz]

Pic of the 08

 

[drowzyGX]

08 seems like a great buy, IMO.

I can’t speak to the SAIC issues (have an ‘04) but there’s a wealth of info on this forum about them.

Definitely a prepurchase inspection if you’re strongly considering the car.

while non-nav is the far and away the easiest system to upgrade AV, the ‘08 has a much better screen than the 04. Good enough that you could get away with avoiding the non-nav conversion.

Good luck with whichever GX you snag. It’s a fun car, and one you’ll quickly fall in love with.

 

[Jminz]

I look forward to getting one. I sold my 06 v8 4runner a year ago and miss it everyday, so I'm familiar with the platform.

 

[ArBrnSnpr]

I'd go with the 08'.

I dig that color and it sounds like the owner is at least cognizant of maintenance. If an inspection supports that, then you end up with a newer, more powerful vehicle.

Newer obviously doesn't translate to less wear and tear in this situation as the older option has less miles. But it does mean less pre-service bulletin parts need to be replaced. Besides the driveshaft, yhe 04' will need a new diff mount too.

Get it and do the timing belt and pump and start modding it!

 

[Jminz]

I'd go with the 08'.

I dig that color and it sounds like the owner is at least cognizant of maintenance. If an inspection supports that, then you end up with a newer, more powerful vehicle.

Newer obviously doesn't translate to less wear and tear in this situation as the older option has less miles. But it does mean less pre-service bulletin parts need to be replaced. Besides the driveshaft, yhe 04' will need a new diff mount too.

Get it and do the timing belt and pump and start modding it!

He's firm on price at $8300. No mods for this rig for now. It will be the wife's daily. I've convinced her to get rid of her 09 Highlander to purchase it.

 

[drowzyGX]

yhe 04' will need a new diff mount too.

is it all ‘04s that need the new diff support?

I thought some folks on here with ‘04s had ordered the part, only to realize when they took off the one on their car, it was the same.

I wish Toyota would just release something with the specific manufacturing dates that need it, or let you do a VIN lookup. Don’t want to drop $100 or so on a part if don’t need it.

 

[Squirrelmaster]

is it all ‘04s that need the new diff support?

I thought some folks on here with ‘04s had ordered the part, only to realize when they took off the one on their car, it was the same.

I wish Toyota would just release something with the specific manufacturing dates that need it, or let you do a VIN lookup. Don’t want to drop $100 or so on a part if don’t need it.

In the case of my '04, the differential support had been replaced with the updated part by the previous owner. I suspect that scenario is what most people with '05 and older GXs that are finding when they find their support bracket is already the newer design - especially those who buy a GX that has a full dealer service history. The trick is that the history doesn't always itemize what was replaced, or at least mine didn't.

 

[drowzyGX]

got it. That makes sense. I want to see if I can get measurements of the replacement support, and then measure mine. Order it if mine is thinner.

 

[GXO]

They are all interference. The non vvti just have wider tolerances