Pondering a 2003 GX 470 (1 Viewer)

[JayDoc]

So here's the deal...I've been casually looking at GX 460s anticipating downsizing from the DD sequoia when I came across a 2003 GX 470 w/ 68,xxx miles on it for $13,xxx. Carfax looks like the miles are legit, regular checkups at lexus dealers, no accidents, only 2 owners.

I wasn't looking at anything that old but the miles and the price caught my attention.

SO my questions to you guys would be; is that price reasonable or too good to be true? is it worth it to spend double the money for a car 10 years newer?

I would want to do some gentle mods - whether I went with the 470 or 460 - front/rear bumper, ~2 inch lift, shocks. It would be a daily driver with occ towing mild offroad duties.

I'd have to travel to get this truck so I'm gonna pro/con this thing to death before I get on a plane.

Any advise would be helpful.

 

[mwhisker]

Depending on where the truck has lived its life (rust belt or not) and solely based on mileagerice, I think its a great deal. Many trucks in CO, CA, etc with mileage like that are $~16k+.. I paid $14k for an '06 with 109k miles here in CO back in December from a dealer.

BUT without knowing its history, TB/WP status (age over mileage at this point), etc, its tough to judge. Go to drivers.lexus.com, add the vehicle VIN as your car and check out the Lexus service history on it. Should give you a good look beyond carfax.

 

[Lifted]

The 470 doesn’t have vented seats or a heated steering wheel and it may or may not have KDSS. If those things and the body styling are important then the 460 should be considered. Also the 460 won’t have a tape player That sounds like a good deal if it checks out.

 

[gornum]

That sounds like a great deal. Spend the money saved on lift tires and wheels. A couple of things: you can get a bluetooth adapter which connects to the head unit - takes 20 min to open up the dash and install. Its an amazing addon that brings the audio system up to date. Also, the 2003 does have heated seats and haven't felt like they needed to be vented.

 

[HVLA]

Wait. What bluetooth adapter are you talking about?

 

[Dharma Dude]

Wait. What bluetooth adapter are you talking about?

This is the one I bought: Amazon product ASIN B06XHM36FQTo install: you open the dash, unplug the CD player and plug in this unit. There are others that offer the same functionality.

 

[HVLA]

This is the one I bought: Amazon product ASIN B06XHM36FQTo install: you open the dash, unplug the CD player and plug in this unit. There are others that offer the same functionality.

Interesting.

 

[helocat]

I own both a 470 and a 460, both build very simular. The 470 is an 05 and has 209k on it and still drives very tight, you have to look at the odometer to know the miles. Key thing always boils down to how it's been cared for. Mine two owners with the last one having since less than 20k then selling it to me bone stock with 143k on it. All HW miles (120 miles per day to and from work) and she had Lexus take care of it. That truck become the Metal-tech 4x4 GX470. That spond the bumpers front and rear we build. (Devloped the airbag conversion kit yrs before as well as the bolt on sliders)

Thoughts:
The 03 and 04's do not have the VVTI engine and there is a noticeable difference (to me) between the early 470's and the latter 05+. At first, I just thought the customer's trucks I drove were just tired older trucks, but then realized it was the engine. However an 03' if well cared for and that low of miles would not stop me one bit just over the 15hp (on paper) difference.

GX460: Way more comfortable. The little features etc. all play into it. The seats are 2x more comfortable, yes AC in the seat is nice. CON/PRO its bigger. Great for packing more people and gear, not so great for tight trails.

On the trail: The 470 is a more capable trail truck since the body is more compact on the same basic frame AND the driver's seat provides much better visibility on the trails. Most of us are not taking the 460 on the Con just yet. (Give it time, heck it was 03' when the first GX470 ran the Con) So its not a huge thing but it is a bigger truck. Height, the 460 with the same lift and tires is taller for parking. (PITA for underground lots, dont fit in most. But the 470 can sqeak in quite a few)

Bottom line both are great trucks. A killer clean well cared for 470 would be a long performing truck and for sure leaves room in the budget for the build.

 

[JayDoc]

Thanks for that well thought out response. I'm leaning towards the 470 and scouring the car sale websites looking for the right one.

 

[gornum]

This is the Bluetooth adapter I bought:
"USA SPEC BT45-TOY Bluetooth Phone, Music & AUX Input Kit for Select 1998-2014 Toyota & Lexus Models"
This has been great, after over a year operating perfectly. Sound quality playing music is excellent.

A couple of quirks:
- It plugs into the input from the cd player to the head unit. Meaning you'll lose your cd functionality. My cd player already didn't work so no problem.
- Once you pair it with your phone, your phone will always pair with it when you get in your car. This means if you're on a call you'll suddenly transfer to the car audio once you get in.



from Amazon,
Amazon product ASIN B0178G5RRE

 

[Jackland]

We purchased a 2008 GX 470 with 101K from a non-lexus dealer in TN for $17K about a year ago, the rear airbags were replaced at that time, timing belt not done. I love the truck, and do prefer the exterior styling to the 460, but I must say it is not the most comfortable thing in the world. Our 2000 LC is much more comfortable. Drives me insane how the passenger seat in the 470 is so limited in adjustability. And the raised center console in the 460 that gives you an actual armrest would probably alone make me buy the 460 over the 470.

Having said all that though, you won't go wrong with either one.