LX 570 or GX 460 (1 Viewer)

[scoobysnks]

I'm looking for some advice. I've been searching for a vehicle that my wife and I can build out into travel/overlanding rig. I am near retirement and so it would be a project car to keep me busy. This would not be a daily driver and it is just my wife, two large dogs, and myself. I am not mechanical so the work on the build out would be done by a shop that specializes in overlanding build outs. A lot of western states travel (we are in the Pacific Northwest), definitely want to go offroad, but nothing youtube worthy.

I've kind of settled on Tundras, Lexus LX 570's or GX 460's. There are two that we test drove yesterday:
1. A 2015 GX 460 Luxury with 68,000 miles - pretty good carfax report
2. A 2010 LX 570 with 142,000 miles - Carfax is not as good (no maintenance for the first 57, 000 miles reported?).

I would expect to keep the rig for at least 10 years.

The LX has upgraded wheels and new somewhat agrressive tires and looks awesome.

The GX is very clean and drives tight.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Angelo1]

Option 1 sounds good. I would never buy a vehicle without full service history regardless on how it looks from the outside. I personally don’t like Tundras. The GX is nice but I’m not a fan of the rear barn door. I will never buy an suv without a split tailgate, that’s how much I use it. Besides that, the GX is a great mid size suv.

 

[tacoduck]

Price on both?

I’m a fan of the 200 platform. Off the top of my head pros are:
Bigger engine
Ahc> air suspension
Split hatch>rear door
570 can run up to 35inch tires w little mods
lx570 is more exclusive.

the 570 is prob for sale sub $30k, so that leaves money for mods.

 

[grinchy]

Have you put the lx vin into the Lexus website? That will show all dealer service.

since you drive both go with the one you liked best.

the 200 is a different class from the 4Runner/gx/prado but they both have strengths.

 

[AnyMal]

IMO It really depends on the what mods you will be doing and how aggressive you will be wheeling.
Ive owned a LX470 (100), LX570 (200), and bought my sister a 2017 GX460 and have driven it quite a bit.
The GX is 1,000 lbs. lighter, smoother on road stock (although more bouncy) and a bit better on gas.

If you really want to lift the car by more than 2" I would go with the GX as you wont need to rip out the AHC (although i never would recommend doing that) since no one fully understands the system as I don't think anyones cracked the AHC ECU which is needed to set height modes and a host of other parameters that we cant adjust.
If you want to add substantial weight, by far the LX. That would limit you a bit on the trails in size and weight, but since you mentioned you wont be doing too much extreme off roading I think that may be a good fit. If you're planning on towing a lot, then LX again.

Happy to answer any questions you may have.


EDIT: Also the split hatch... and why on earth Lexus removed the roll down rear window on GX and flip out third windows on the LX no one knows. GOD WHY.

 

[scoobysnks]

Thank you for your replies. I realized after I posted that I didn't post the price. Both are listed for about the same of $35,000

 

[TeCKis300]

IMO It really depends on the what mods you will be doing and how aggressive you will be wheeling.
Ive owned a LX470 (100), LX570 (200), and bought my sister a 2017 GX460 and have driven it quite a bit.
The GX is 1,000 lbs. lighter, smoother on road stock (although more bouncy) and a bit better on gas.

If you really want to lift the car by more than 2" I would go with the GX as you wont need to rip out the AHC (although i never would recommend doing that) since no one fully understands the system as I don't think anyones cracked the AHC ECU which is needed to set height modes and a host of other parameters that we cant adjust.
If you want to add substantial weight, by far the LX. That would limit you a bit on the trails in size and weight, but since you mentioned you wont be doing too much extreme off roading I think that may be a good fit. If you're planning on towing a lot, then LX again.

Happy to answer any questions you may have.


EDIT: Also the split hatch... and why on earth Lexus removed the roll down rear window on GX and flip out third windows on the LX no one knows. GOD WHY.

I likewise agree with many of the points here. I've similarly had the LX470, LX570, and my parents still have their GX. The GX is a better fit for my retired parents as it's an easier, lighter weight SUV to drive. Even the sideways swing gate fits them better for several reasons: it's weightless, doesn't require bending over the tailgate with a long reach into the storage area.

Off-road, agreed that size can be a factor and advantage. There's tons of aftermarket support for that platform with more shops familiar with them (as it's also basically a 4runner underneath).

I have a different take on AHC as we know enough now to easily upgrade and augment its performance and capacities. Which is already stellar and up to just about any enthusiast pursuit to begin with. It can be an advantage for things like step in height with even 35s. Something my parents with bad knees appreciate when we go vacationing together. The rear airbag option on the GX can help a bit here too.

If the OP really doesn't need the incrementally larger size and capacity of the 200-series, the GX may be a better choice?

 

[nwfl4runner]

Not necessarily the info you are looking for, but that LX price is out of whack. 2010 LX570 with ~110k miles and clean records can be had under 30k, if that factors into your decision making process at all.

 

[MTKID]

I'd lean towards the GX by the description of your use. I think the smaller size may be enjoyed in the PNW and Western state forests and if you are going to have an overland shop do the build-out, it will probably be easier to have a large variety of options for the GX. If you thought you may ever tow, then the LX would be my pick. The AHC is better than the air ride, but my understanding is the GX is easier to swap to conventional suspension. Take this with a grain of salt, I only own an LX. However I have three kids and am a little obsessed with the true LC platform vs the Prado. If I had the budget, I'd pick up a 460 for my wife. I would love to apply my own build philosophy to a 460 w/ 35x10.5R17's

Probably can't go wrong with either.

 

[1world1love]

I'm looking for some advice. I've been searching for a vehicle that my wife and I can build out into travel/overlanding rig. I am near retirement and so it would be a project car to keep me busy. This would not be a daily driver and it is just my wife, two large dogs, and myself. I am not mechanical so the work on the build out would be done by a shop that specializes in overlanding build outs. A lot of western states travel (we are in the Pacific Northwest), definitely want to go offroad, but nothing youtube worthy.

I've kind of settled on Tundras, Lexus LX 570's or GX 460's. There are two that we test drove yesterday:
1. A 2015 GX 460 Luxury with 68,000 miles - pretty good carfax report
2. A 2010 LX 570 with 142,000 miles - Carfax is not as good (no maintenance for the first 57, 000 miles reported?).

I would expect to keep the rig for at least 10 years.

The LX has upgraded wheels and new somewhat agrressive tires and looks awesome.

The GX is very clean and drives tight.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Out of these two, and based on what you have said about your goals, I would go with the GX all day long. If you are not towing, the GX drivetrain will be fine. It is amazingly capable as is, but there is tons of aftermarket support and many excellent examples of fully built out overloading rigs based on the platform. The GX also seems better sized for two people and a couple of dogs. It will be comfortable, but also a little easier to manage from a size perspective. Also, it will get modestly better fuel efficiency.

 

[1world1love]

Thank you for your replies. I realized after I posted that I didn't post the price. Both are listed for about the same of $35,000

Outrageous for the LX. I paid that for my 2013 with 100k miles and meticulous service records.

 

[tbisaacs]

I have friends with GXs and they are super capable. Goldilocks in terms of size.

one thing I don’t like is even running a 33” tire is a commitment. BMC, right offset and castor. And you can’t fit a 33” in stock spare location.

 

[tbisaacs]

Outrageous for the LX. I paid that for my 2013 with 100k miles and meticulous service records.

You are out of the loop on prices right now.

 

[scoobysnks]

Again, thank all of you for your replies. It is really helpful to get out of my own head. I do have a pre-purchase inspection booked, but the shop is a week out. I've missed out on some vehicles already because of the delay. In your opinions would the GX be safe to purchase without the inspection?

 

[1world1love]

You are out of the loop on prices right now.

That is probably true. I haven't seen prices in a while.

 

[1world1love]

I have friends with GXs and they are super capable. Goldilocks in terms of size.

one thing I don’t like is even running a 33” tire is a commitment. BMC, right offset and castor. And you can’t fit a 33” in stock spare location.

It sounded like he is going to use a mod shop so I assume they will figure that out.

Surely somebody has figure out a mod to mount the spare on the barn door?

 

[MTKID]

Again, thank all of you for your replies. It is really helpful to get out of my own head. I do have a pre-purchase inspection booked, but the shop is a week out. I've missed out on some vehicles already because of the delay. In your opinions would the GX be safe to purchase without the inspection?

Depends on how thorough you think you can be yourself. Rust is my main turn-off. Then Carfax/Origin Story. Then take much more time than you think is needed to examine every square inch of it (EDIT: w/ flashlight!), press every button, check every feature, and fluid. Ask questions of any experienced auto friend you need to and I would feel fine without a Lexus dealer inspection. In fact, you could actually end up being more thorough than a dealer inspection

 

[1world1love]

Again, thank all of you for your replies. It is really helpful to get out of my own head. I do have a pre-purchase inspection booked, but the shop is a week out. I've missed out on some vehicles already because of the delay. In your opinions would the GX be safe to purchase without the inspection?

To each his own, but I don't think I would.

 

[tbisaacs]

It sounded like he is going to use a mod shop so I assume they will figure that out.

Surely somebody has figure out a mod to mount the spare on the barn door?

Yep

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www.jwoffroad.com

 

[tacoduck]

Again, thank all of you for your replies. It is really helpful to get out of my own head. I do have a pre-purchase inspection booked, but the shop is a week out. I've missed out on some vehicles already because of the delay. In your opinions would the GX be safe to purchase without the inspection?

I bought my lx570 last year without a ppi. If it’s a southern truck and is driven by the typical Lexus driver, then buy with confidence. A 10 year old truck would be a different story.