Opinions on a particular GX470 please

[rommelrommel]

Hi, I'm a long time lurker and a lot of what I've read on this forum has pushed me towards the GX470. I am not a fan of Toyota interiors, want some legit offroad ability while still being as fun to drive as something in this class can be. Have test drove enough Denali/Yukon/etc to see how bad a 6-8 year old domestic is currently... every 06 or older I drove was a bucket of bolts. The 07/8/9's were a mixed bag. The few GX's I've found to drive were all tanks, even the 03's so I guess that says something.

Anyways, here's the one I have my eye on currently:

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...[]]&listingId=325651928&listingIndex=19&Log=0

Cliffs:

2005
Asking 21k
92000 miles
Appears to be KDSS/Sport package (I believe that the black trim = always sport package?)
Always an Oregon vehicle
2 owners, was reg to a corp for 1 year, then to 1 owner.
Is at the dealership that did at least some of the service, so seems local to the Portland area, hopefully little/no salt exposure.
Timing belt was done at 89000 miles
No accidents/decs (on carfax anyways)
Been on the lot for 8 months (bad sign or good negotiating tool?)

The only rub is, I live just across the border in Canada, so this is 5 hours away.

I want a sport/KDSS one, I want at least an 05 for the extra HP. I'm rocking a 300C SRT8 currently and most suv's drive like a hay wagon to me... but I found the 03/04's I've driven to be tolerable so I figure the extra HP and KDSS will help. Plus, I hate the light wood/light coloured interiors in the early years.

Anything I should ask specifically before I go that could rule it out? Anything that anyone sees that would be an issue? Thoughts on price? I was looking at a similar one in the summer that the dealer did a big song and dance about wanting to move really badly, and then his bottom line was 23k (which was/is retarded imo.)

 

[larsdennert]

Looks nice and clean and has the Nav. The only weak point I've found so far are the leather seats wear out faster than cloth interiors.

So you know, a Denali/Yukon is built on GM's full size platform not a mid size like that Blazer thingy they sell now.

The GX is built on Toyota's 120 mid size platform like the 4Runner and FJC. It is narrower than an LC, LX or Sequoia though I hear it has more leg room than a LC 100/80.

 

[rommelrommel]

Yeah, I was mainly looking at the newer yukons... the 07+ is pretty decent inside but they don't seem to age well at all.

Drove a 05 Sequoia Limited, it was alright but the interior just is awful (imo.)

I like the LC/LX 100's but they're like 10k more for the same year/mileage and they honestly do feel tighter inside in the first and second row.

I'm not too hung up on the midsize/fullsize thing, I would basically buy whatever I liked driving more. The third row for pinches would sure be nice but if I can't find a GX that I like I may have to give up the third row or real 4x4 to get something that I wouldn't mind putting some miles on.

 

[kashmir]

Are you going to build it up (replace AHC anyway)? Seems like the condition of the suspension will decide if you have to put extra money into it right after you get it.

I test drove ours and had a mobile mechanic guy check it out and we still ended up replacing struts and shocks +$2k

 

[rommelrommel]

Eventually I would be aiming at building it, but it would be a daily driver right now so I would hope to get some more miles out of the current setup. Every one that I've driven had AHC working... but I imagine they all fail eventually I guess.

 

[SouthernSS]

knock on wood, we've got 93k miles on our GX and the AHC is still working beautifully with no signs of problems.

 

[GXO]

I cut mine off, no problems with AHC at all! Plus, the control panel on the center console became a nice place for my backup/camping light and my stealth CB install

 

[ckkone]

Seems like a good deal, and yes you do want the KDSS and a 05+. To give you an idea I paid 20k for mine with 110k miles on it. Mine is a one owner with full Lexus service history, I probably could have found a little better deal but the history was important to me and I wanted black ext and int.

I can tell you the one you are looking at has full Lexus history as well...

1. go to - https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/my-lexus/home.do
2. Create an account
3. Enter vin for vehicle you want to buy
4. check the service history
5. delete vehicle

I'd say go for it!

 

[TexasJack]

I am also looking at buying a used GX470. Great vehicles with an excellent repair record. Highly recommended by consumer reports. I have an 80 series that I wheel in so I am only looking at this as a daily driver. While I could turn it into a very capable wheeler, it won't likely surpass my 80 and I already hae the 80 built out.

 

[SouthernSS]

we'll see how long you can hold out modding the GX