LX470 compare 1st gen GX470, which one as daily?

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Docboy

Docboy

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Curious to know if any members on here have owned both or had extensive driving in LX470 and GX470.

Originally looking at the 4th Gen 4Runner Limited, but not many on the market and good ones are usually sold very quickly. So I started looking at the 100 series, which is around the same price range. There is a 2003 and a 2005 LX470s at around 110k miles I'm considering.

Also a little bit above this price range are 2006-2009 GX470s.

Which one would you choose? I've driven a 2003 LX a couple of times, and it's like a tank. Roomy, comfy, awesome all around visibility. I like the roominess, the tail gate, the road presence, but not much power. Then I find out it only gets 12/15 mpg.... so now I'm entertaining GX. Seems a little smaller than a LX, better mpg, but not sure of the rear swing door. Haven't driven a GX yet, something to check out this weekend.

I'm certain this topic has been beaten to death. Wife has a RX330 as her DD, and that's her baby. Reliable as heck with 140k miles, will probably make it to 300k easily.

I'm looking for a new daily. I have an Acura TL 6MT to trade in, tired of the daily shifting. For shifting fun, I have a 911tt fwiw. Any thoughts/ideas, LX or GX?
 
I'd go for a 05 LX (5 speed). The GX will ride similarly and with same technical specs. There's more head room in the GX, but that god-awful swinging rear door is a joke. I don't know why they didn't copy the LX/LC rear gate. The MPG will be about the same or at least negligible.
Like you mentioned, the tailgate is awesome. I'm out climbing most weekends and i'm either using my LX or my Outback. The LX is by far the most versatile and really earns its paycheck with 4Lo quiet often.
 
I have a 06 Landcruiser and my wife drives a 04 GX. Both are great cars. I have extensive time in both cars and prefer the LC all day long. Seats are better. Roomier second row. Rear tailgate is awesome. Everything is just a little better. The GX is awesome and has over 200k miles and shows no signs of slowing down. I tried to buy her a new GX460 at the beginning of the year and she said I'd have to pry the 04 from her cold dead hands. The GX is a little peppier than the LC. The ride is not as "floaty" as the LC but she always keeps it in sport mode. MPGs are close. You can't go wrong with either but I'd go for a 100 even if you have to pony up a few extra bills.
 
owned all three and listing my 03' limited v8 currently, we don't need all three trucks. I personally love the GX & LC for the backdoor configuration. We are expecting our first kid and two large breed dogs with gear, so size of the 4runner is maxed out. In both other trucks there is still cubic space available and great performance still. You will not be disappointed unless you have the "itch" to own both or what if I owned the other.

4th gen - 14-17 mpg combined
Gx - 16-18 mpg combined
99' - 12-15 mpg combined

So I bought all three and getting rid of the one I don't like.
 
I've daily driven 2 (06 LX/04 4runner [V8 Limited 4x4]) of the 3, and had the 3rd (03 GX470) in the family.

My personal order of preference is LX, GX, 4runner.
 
The GX is a nice vehicle. I came close to buying a couple when I was getting frustrated trying to find an LC. Glad I held out- there's just something special about the 100.
 
I own both, I got them both new. I like them both but the LX is a much better option. It has a little more room and rides better. The GX swing door is a real pain. I find the gas mileage on both to be similar, they both drink gas.
 
The GX is a shockingly different vehicle from the LX. I've driven both extensively and while both are excellent, I vastly prefer the LX. The 2004 GX I've driven with the 5 speed and a bit less weight is appreciably peppier than the 2001 4 speed LX I daily. The GX does get a bit better gas mileage, nothing crazy, but enough to notice. However I've found the GX to have a much more squishy ride and a lot more body roll, particularly loaded down. And as everyone else has said, the swing door doesn't even hold a candle to the hatch and tailgate on the LX. It's not exactly annoying, but for an adventure rig I can't count how many things I've done on the LX tailgate. I wouldn't do without it. To me the GX seems more "luxury" thoroughbred as opposed to the LX which has strong adventure roots, but has been made even more comfortable. The LX is also just simply a more solid vehicle.

Overall, if you are after a bit more getup and go and will primarily use it as a pavement queen, the GX is a fantastic vehicle. Not my personal preference, but excellent. Overall, I've got to recommend the LX. Particularly with the 4 speed it's a pig, not doubt about it. But its solid, practical and dead nuts reliable. All of these can be said of the GX, but not quite to the same degree.
 
When I went looking for and LX or GX, I found the roominess of the LX and the tailgate the primary
reasons I wanted an LX. The GX is definitely easier to find. But, when I sat in the LX and then
in the GX, I noted a big preference in that wide console between the seats provided a lot of elbow room.

Never could like that swing door. If the GX had a similar tailgate as the LX or a lift up rear hatch, I just might
have purchased a GX. But, now that I own an LX, I really think I am more satisfied with it than any
vehicle I have ever purchased.

Do try to sit in and look over both the LX and GX at the same time.
 
I daily driver my 2000 lx with over 317xxx, ya it's a pig on gas but the tank like feeling going down the road just can't be beat.
 
I had an Isuzu Trooper for a long time prior to my '04 LC. It had the swing out doors. After having the LC with the split swingdown tailgate now, the swingout door alone would rule out the GX for me completely.
 
I own and have driven both extensively. Wife just decided to buy an allroad so her 08 GX was unused. I had a solid week of wondering if I would sell my 03 LC w/195k or take her 08 GX w/121k.
I am selling the GX, beautiful car and ride but the tailgate, always busy climate control, and future ML speaker issues have turned me away. Now I am going to buy new shocks and any other things the suspension needs on my LC and get ready for another 100k of reliable driving. For me, I think the LC is the best car I have ever owned! (BTW, I also have a 2013 911PDK, like the LC better!)
 
I realize it's been beat-like-a-drum, but, the tailgate on the GX sucks. it's a deal-breaker.

They're great rigs, but not LC / LX great.
 
I've never owned a GX, but I did own a 4th gen 4runner V8, and now a Land Cruiser. I personally wouldn't even think about the GX, first, as has been beaten to death, they have the inconvenient rear door setup, but also i just find them much less attractive. I loved the way my 4runner ran, definitely more powerful relative to the Cruiser (same drivetrain, less weight). I do like the confidence and overall comfort that the Cruiser inspires, and it has a little more of the luxury feel relative to the 4runner. So I guess I'd say get the 05 Cruiser and you won't regret it, or hold out for a nice V8 4Runner (preferably 06+ with the updates and VVTI), but don't think about the GX. And put a lift on whatever you get :)
 
teambell said:
I own and have driven both extensively. Wife just decided to buy an allroad so her 08 GX was unused. I had a solid week of wondering if I would sell my 03 LC w/195k or take her 08 GX w/121k.
I am selling the GX, beautiful car and ride but the tailgate, always busy climate control, and future ML speaker issues have turned me away. Now I am going to buy new shocks and any other things the suspension needs on my LC and get ready for another 100k of reliable driving. For me, I think the LC is the best car I have ever owned! (BTW, I also have a 2013 911PDK, like the LC better!)
Click to expand...

Looks like I'm in good company :) Which one is your DD, the LC or 911? Do you have the Sport Exhaust? Love that button!

Not sure where you guys/gals live, but for those with a LC/LX, do you find the bigger size an issue with city traffic and city parking? Thanks!
 
Docboy said:
Looks like I'm in good company :) Which one is your DD, the LC or 911? Do you have the Sport Exhaust? Love that button!

Not sure where you guys/gals live, but for those with a LC/LX, do you find the bigger size an issue with city traffic and city parking? Thanks!
Click to expand...


park in the rear of the lot or take two parking spaces, besides I need the exercise. If you can parallel park it, your good.

I live out in the country, I travel to the city seldom. When I do, people usually get out of my way. :steer:
 
Docboy said:
Looks like I'm in good company :) Which one is your DD, the LC or 911? Do you have the Sport Exhaust? Love that button!

Not sure where you guys/gals live, but for those with a LC/LX, do you find the bigger size an issue with city traffic and city parking? Thanks!
Click to expand...
9114S is DD, LC is my mountain trip, trail running carpool and snow vehicle.
 
chrisbruck said:
I had an Isuzu Trooper for a long time prior to my '04 LC. It had the swing out doors. After having the LC with the split swingdown tailgate now, the swingout door alone would rule out the GX for me completely.
Click to expand...

I still have my 2000 Isuzu Trooper. It has a split 70/30 rear door which is OK, better than the GX, not as nice as the LX/LC.
A mommy van rear lift hatch would be nice as it would provide a shelter when open.
 
GX470 was never sold here in Australia. We had the Land Cruiser Prado Grande. Which is almost the same. AHC and all. Except it did not have the 4.7. It had a 4.0 V6 or a 3.0TD.

It's a no brainer to me. The Big Daddy or the rig that is very good but not a 100 series. Something that the John Smith bought because he couldn't afford an LX or LC even though that is what he really wanted. He then spent the next 10 years pretending it was basically the same and he saved himself all that money.
 
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