Maybe adding a GX460 to the driveway (1 Viewer)

[patrickfinley]

Hey All,

I'm going to be looking at a series of 2012 and 2013 GX460's tomorrow. Some are base and some are premium. I'm currently an owner of a 100 and will potentially add this to the family.

1. Is there anything I should be looking out for?
2. Is the premium worth the extra cost - My only concern with the premium is the possible repair cost on the adjustable suspension and crawl control. How is it's reliability? I know on the older LX's the adjustable suspension had issues long term.
3. Is the premium worth the extra cost - How do you enjoy the other extra features?
4. Also, I will look at a few 2014's, but it seems like a big jump in price for just the revised grille. Is there anything else notable in the 2014's that I am missing?

Thank you,

Patrick

 

[patrickfinley]

Oh, one more. I'm going to be looking at one with the very light tan interior. How is that to keep clean? Does it get very dirty?

 

[LastPlace]

Here are a few responses to your questions. Someone else may respond with more input. I have 2016 but I'll try to respond in regards to the 2010-2013 GX years.

1. Secondary Air Injection failing for the 2010-2013 MYs. Lexus has decided to extend coverage on this issue.
Secondary Air Injection Warrenty Extension - 10 Yrs/150K Miles - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

2. There will be some extra maintenance with the air suspension. I don't have one with it, but it'll most likely be similar to the LX and previous gen GX most likely. Rubber parts degrade and will need replacing (not if, but when scenario). If you don't plan to off-road or lift, the air suspension will most likely have better on-road manners since you can adjust the settings.

3. Not too familiar with the premium of 2010-2013, but it's probably similar to the luxury of the 2014-current. Upgraded leather and power fold 3rd row, air suspension to name a few. I think the 2010-2013 had 2 trims whereas the 2014-current have 3 trims (base, premium and luxury). The luxury wasn't worth an extra 5-10k ontop of the premium trim (for me). Although I do regret not having a heated steering wheel.

4. I prefer the look of the 2014+ with the revised grille. It comes with LED headlamps and foglamps along with a slightly info-tainment system. It's slightly upgraded (graphics and looks), so don't get too excited. It's not really on par with the Germans in terms of eye candy and new features. The newer system gives HD Radio, traffic and weather at no additional cost. I don't think the older models did that.

It has been about a 1.5 years since I last researched these, but I think 14+ have the option of having Blind Spot monitoring whereas the older models didn't.

It says your from South Florida... If you're looking for a lighter interior to keep the car "cooler", you may want to look into getting ceramic tints all around (Front windshield, front sides, and all the back even though it has darker windows). It'll keep the a good portion of the heat out of the vehicle. I don't like lighter interiors, especially beige since it shows almost everything from dirt to blue jean dye transfer. Not sure if it is Lexus leather, but I remember seeing a lot of the beige interiors not holding up well at all. I prefer the black or the Sepia interior for the GX.

Be on the lookout for "flooded vehicles" from FL and TX. As you probably know, some areas got it pretty bad in S. Florida especially in the Keys from the hurricane this year.

Let me know if you have any questions, I'll try to answer them as best I can.

 

[LastPlace]

Forgot something...

A lot of us have had issues where the vehicle tends to pull to the right. Some say it's an alignment issue from the factory. Others had alignments done without any improvements. Does your GX go straight and is the steering wheel centered? - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

Find a windy day and take the vehicle out on a test drive. It's not as planted as I would like since it's narrow and tall instead of being wide and tall.

 

[patrickfinley]

Awesome, thank you for the feedback! Going to have a look at a few now, I'll let you know how it goes!

Here are a few responses to your questions. Someone else may respond with more input. I have 2016 but I'll try to respond in regards to the 2010-2013 GX years.

1. Secondary Air Injection failing for the 2010-2013 MYs. Lexus has decided to extend coverage on this issue.
Secondary Air Injection Warrenty Extension - 10 Yrs/150K Miles - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

2. There will be some extra maintenance with the air suspension. I don't have one with it, but it'll most likely be similar to the LX and previous gen GX most likely. Rubber parts degrade and will need replacing (not if, but when scenario). If you don't plan to off-road or lift, the air suspension will most likely have better on-road manners since you can adjust the settings.

3. Not too familiar with the premium of 2010-2013, but it's probably similar to the luxury of the 2014-current. Upgraded leather and power fold 3rd row, air suspension to name a few. I think the 2010-2013 had 2 trims whereas the 2014-current have 3 trims (base, premium and luxury). The luxury wasn't worth an extra 5-10k ontop of the premium trim (for me). Although I do regret not having a heated steering wheel.

4. I prefer the look of the 2014+ with the revised grille. It comes with LED headlamps and foglamps along with a slightly info-tainment system. It's slightly upgraded (graphics and looks), so don't get too excited. It's not really on par with the Germans in terms of eye candy and new features. The newer system gives HD Radio, traffic and weather at no additional cost. I don't think the older models did that.

It has been about a 1.5 years since I last researched these, but I think 14+ have the option of having Blind Spot monitoring whereas the older models didn't.

It says your from South Florida... If you're looking for a lighter interior to keep the car "cooler", you may want to look into getting ceramic tints all around (Front windshield, front sides, and all the back even though it has darker windows). It'll keep the a good portion of the heat out of the vehicle. I don't like lighter interiors, especially beige since it shows almost everything from dirt to blue jean dye transfer. Not sure if it is Lexus leather, but I remember seeing a lot of the beige interiors not holding up well at all. I prefer the black or the Sepia interior for the GX.

Be on the lookout for "flooded vehicles" from FL and TX. As you probably know, some areas got it pretty bad in S. Florida especially in the Keys from the hurricane this year.

Let me know if you have any questions, I'll try to answer them as best I can.

 

[patrickfinley]

Bummer, found a very nice 2012 Premium in Silver with Light Tan Ecru interior leather. The leather was super super clean inside and I was amazed. Just before signing the dotted line my daughter in the back seat started rubbing the side of the seat. It started PEELING. They had refurbished and repainted the leather seats to make it look so clean. It was a shoddy job just to get the vehicle out the door. Shame. I walked out at the last moment.