Wait for perfect GX, or just get one now? (1 Viewer)

[bahador]

Hello. First post. This forum has been a wealth of knowledge. Thank you.

I've decided to get a GX470. My dream GX would be as low mileage as possible (I've seen as low as 29k miles for sale), 2009, white exterior, beige interior, no KDSS, no nav, one owner, no accidents, and originally from California. Even if this exists, I know it's unlikely I'll find it. That being said, the range I'm looking for is:

- 2005-09 if no nav, otherwise 2007-09 if nav (I've read the 07+ screen is better)
- Light color interior and exterior
- Less than 100k miles, preferably as low as possible
- Not from a state/area that gets snow

My question is the following: Should I wait to find a GX that is as close to as possible to my dream GX, which I would have to pay a premium for ($18-24k as far as I can tell), or should I just get whatever I can find that is decent? For example, I currently have my eye on one that is 90 minutes away from me being sold by a used dealership, 2005 no nav and no KDSS, light gray in and out, 128k miles, asking $12k.

The last bit of relevant information that is worth mentioning is that I do plan on doing a lot of mods to it, but only bolt on mods. I do want to take it overlanding. I do not drive for my work commute, so it will only be used for weekends, appointments, and going on trips.

 

[CarolinaGX]

It seems like the 128k option checks almost all of your boxes except the less than 100k.

 

[bahador]

My immediate response would be that I've seen one or two that have sold recently for about $16-17k that had ~60k miles. Is saving $4-5k work the additional 60-80k miles of wear?

I just have a difficult time weighing these pros/cons, so I need to talk to other people in order to calibrate my assumptions/expectations.

 

[CarolinaGX]

That is very subjective, so only you can answer that. I paid $8800 for a southern truck with 160k and I love it. It is wonderful to work on, drives beautifully, and just simply works. 128k is just getting broken in for a Toyota. If you plan on modding it, $4-5k buys a lot of bolt-ons. If it has any rust, I would say wait for something better. I hate rust and it isn't worth the hassle.

 

[Lifted]

One thing to think about too in the 18-24k$ range—-if It gets wrecked, they don’t give gap insurance on cars that old (as far as I know). They will value the truck using the blue book which won’t show a value that high. Insurance pay out will not buy you another one like that. And you’ll still owe what wasn’t paid off. Check out the thread about zootechs “totalled” gx. The common consensus around here is that maintenance records are more important than miles. These things should rack up the miles just fine as long as maintained.

 

[bahador]

That is a very good point. Thank you.

 

[DSRTRDR]

I would not buy from a used car dealer. Period. Not that I haven't test driven their vehicles, but all of them had major problems that the dealer wasn't even disclosing when directly asked about them. Sleazebags.

Problems encountered: CEL light came on during test drive, dealer unwilling to check out ("we don't do this here - didn't it drive nice ? - see, nothing wrong with it" ). Aftermarket wheels that weren't compatible with the tires pressure sensing system, constant warning light on dash ("there's nothing wrong with this vehicle, we checked it all out" ). Obvious misfit between hood and body, plus overspray in the engine bay, also threw three dash warning lights right from the get-go ("this car was never in an accident - and I have never seen these lights before, probably old gas" ). I tested 3 GXs, to be exact, at two different used car dealers - we ultimately bought both of our GXs from private sellers.

You can check the service history of any Lexus on the Lexusdrivers.com website: Lexus Drivers

Is a perfectly documented service history a guarantee against future problems and costly repairs ? No: our golden one-owner GX DSRTGX) with 100% Lexus service has been our neediest vehicle ever, and the white GX (SWAMPGX) with unknown number of prior owners and missing service history for half it's life hasn't asked for much so far (of course, I jinxed it now ). So take your pick

 

[bahador]

My intention would be to arrange to get a pre purchase inspection at an independent shop if I end up buying from a used dealer.

 

[CarolinaGX]

definitely look up the VIN on teh lexus website for maintenance by Lexus before you go too far. Not all the work is listed in a Carfax or similar so it is a good practice to have both IMO.

 

[LivesAtThePump]

No point in waiting, prices are going up and up at a rapid rate regardless of mileage.

 

[z00t3ch]

Private sellers aren't necessarily safer than dealers. What matters in the end is the car itself and its history. I bought mine from a dealer in Parker, Colorado who drives down to Texas on a regular basis buying up Lexus SUV's with clean CarFax and verifiable dealership service records to sell where the snow flies and these trucks have a higher used value as a consequence. For me, knowing my truck was hand selected by a dealer meant it had already passed his scrutiny and was worthy of bidding on and shipping North. I bought it based on pics, CarFax, and online Lexus service records and had it shipped to Ohio and couldn't be happier with the truck or the buying experience.