School me on the 120...

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gregnash

gregnash

Anal Retentive Analyst
10 Year
Joined
Nov 3, 2011
Threads
176
Messages
12,365
Location
Carson City, NV
Ok so I have been loving my 60 series ever since I picked her up in October last year. We have really become a Toyota family with the wife's 08 Highlander and now my 85 FJ60. However, the time has come that we are thinking of offloading the Highlander for something else.

Basically, with what the wife is wanting to do I am thinking something with a V8 so either the GX470 or LC 100series. This is due to the fact that we plan to pick up a small camper in the next couple years for camping with the dogs and would need something to pull it. Since our Highlander is the stock base model the towing capacity is 2k (if I remember correctly) with the non-factory towing package.

Now this will be a 90% onroad vehicle with only the very occasional trip in the dirt (really that I why I got my 60!) so modifications will be next to non-existent. Add to that the fact that my wife will be the main driver and is 5' tall on a good day and 120#, she will need something that she can easily get in and out of and see around.

So main criteria:
- power to pull a small camper (think hardsided shell like a small airstream)
- decent gas mileage
- luxury (we have heated leather seats already we want those but NAV is not a must)
- size (needs to be able to fit our 3 large lab mixes in the back easily but still cart the in-laws and siblings around when needed (no kids for us)
- AWD/4WD for the snow and ice months
- Price range up to about $40k (remember we have the Highlander to trade in that is in good condition but we want to keep our payments less thatn $400/mo if we can) and this will be the last "NEW" car we will own for quite some time

So with that said, I have pretty much come to the conclusion that the 100series may be to big for her (but will still find one and take it for a test drive) making the GX470 pretty much the optimal selection.
So what years should I be looking at?
Is there anything that I need to keep an eye out for?
What is a deal killer on a potential purchase?

We don't mind finding one outside of us (outside NV) and working with a dealership but would like to keep local to our Toyota dealership as they have really treated us well and have earned our business.
 
The "decent gas mileage" criteria pretty much eliminates any 100-series. Unless it's a really low priority.

I've done enough reading on the GX that I wouldn't consider anything below a 2007, due to the AUX port on the dash that is standard. The NAV got a significant upgrade in this year as well. The NAV in my ES is dated and pretty annoying to use, actually, I just use my phone now.

Deal breaker for me is a cracked dashboard. Honestly, it's one of the biggest reasons that I've held off, Lexus has really done a poor job of handling this problem that to me is an obvious product defect.

Big update in 2010, major interior change. Some find it ugly.

You might want to hop over to ClubLexus and read up on some of the posts there as well.
 
'06+ gained vvt-i that came with a bump in power, otherwise it's really just stereo/bluetooth/nav updates if that stuff matters to you. Don't expect great fuel economy from the GX either, we are averaging mid 13mpg with 32's on it. My wife is the primary driver, mixed city and highway.
 
Yeah the decent gas mileage is not a killer for us because we both live close to where we work and the majority of the spring/summer/fall we will ride our bikes. The only reason that I was looking at the older ones that did not have NAV built-in was because I figured I would replace the stereo with an aftermarket that offered aux/bluetooth/streaming/etc. on its own but if there is a significant reason to stay away from those older ones then I will.

Thanks for the info on clublexus I will go over and do some reading. This cruiser will remain completely stock except for the need for crossbars on the roofrack to support the paddleboard.

It will suck to lose the 20mpg+ hwy of the Highlander but I think in the long run something like this would serve us better.
 
The engine bump was '05 to vvt-i (better power and maybe fuel economy). Watch for timing belt/water pump at 90k and any radiator leak and brake caliper freeze. General service records can be had on Lexus website for any dealer work.
 
gracelex said:
The engine bump was '05 to vvt-i (better power and maybe fuel economy). Watch for timing belt/water pump at 90k and any radiator leak and brake caliper freeze. General service records can be had on Lexus website for any dealer work.
Click to expand...

You're right, the engine changes were in 05.
 
If you want to keep the price a little lower and still get most of the creature comforts, I would go with an 08-09 Limited 4Runner. We recently bought one for my wife and she loves it. They are a good bit cheaper than the GX of the same vintage. Even with the V8 and AWD she's getting 15-17 around town. The 100s won't even get close to that.
 
4Runner vs. GX can come down to the tailgate type. Liftgate vs. barn door. I'm not a fan of either, but I think I dislike the liftgate more.

Plus... once you've owned a Lexus, it's hard to step out of one. :grinpimp:
 
True. I went a different route. I got a VERY affordable '03 with perfect history, maintenance, and budgeted the build. I built my entire truck (with the cost of the truck included) for less than many are finding 07+ GXs. I have aftermarket everything, fully built, stereo covers nav, BT, etc aftermarket as well (and sounds better than stock by far).

Just a different opinion. I got mine with less than 100k on the clock with all service done. I did have the front caliper freeze/stick and try to kill me with ABS firing, but that was a quick fix.
 
After all of my research, im looking for a 2005 with kdss to replace the 80. 05 gets the Newer engine, price is reasonable for 80-90k miles, better mileage than the 80, nice riding, and no major reliability issues that i can find.
 
Bonner, are you really considering selling?
 
I have a stock '07 loaded and over 12k miles we've averaged 18.5mpg in 50/50 mixed driving. She drives it daily with a light foot and I drive it weekends like an a******. Hate the barn door but hated how cramped, tiny and plastic the 4runner Limited felt by comparison (and I'm a 4Runner guy).

The 100 gets most people 15.5mpg mixed driving. That was just too low for a DD and my family of three, though personally I think the 100 looks better. The premium on them was 12-15k, too.

The GX is a nice truck. We pull a heavy-ass Jayco Baja pop-top camper loaded to 4k lbs with it no problem. Hard to beat as a DD as it's a tidy handler, fits the parking lots well and is super comfy.

Got our GX last year (5 years old) as a Lexus CPO with 50k miles on it out the door no trade for just under $35k. Warranty to 100k miles / 3 years and it was a flawless example. That's California pricing, so I figure you're good for $7k less anywhere outside of this area.
 
I second everything he said --^. Also, the turning radius on the GX is excellent. Its very easy to park in tight spots....or maneuver through trails easily :)
 
You're right on...we got a super clean '07 'sport' package with 52k for $28k out the door last December. LOVE this truck. Just need tires & maybe some skids and we'll be good to go ;)

Makakio said:
Got our GX last year (5 years old) as a Lexus CPO with 50k miles on it out the door no trade for just under $35k. Warranty to 100k miles / 3 years and it was a flawless example. That's California pricing, so I figure you're good for $7k less anywhere outside of this area.
Click to expand...
 
Ok thanks for the info guys. I found a 2008 Base model for sale locally at the Lexus dealership for $33k with 55k on it. Planning to take the wife to test drive this week.
 
Sounds good, but get them to go lower. We bought our 2008 cpo with 62k for 30k two years ago.
 
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