bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

only a billion, huh? why do you say this? certainly it's MUCH more capable off road in crazy situations, but on the road? i like the RX better, although the RX isn't quite as luxurious inside.

agreed.

maybe you're influenced by consumer reports having previously called the vehicle unsafe or something like that? after which lexus changed the stability control program? or maybe your perception is unduly influenced by it's shape, because i certainly have zero concerns about being 'tipsy'. i drove a gx on an off road course even with all kinds of banks and dips and it's wonderful.

even a london bus is surprisingly unlikely to tip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2_T4WVnnFU

i agree it's likely to be a whole lot more durable, if someone treats either like crap or keeps it for 15 years.

Blackraven

Hmm..........

I think interior is okay-ish (though the steering wheel is a bit brutish)

However, when I look at the exterior





While it's not offensive, it's still makes me go to sleep (like that Toyota Avalon which is booooooooooooring as well)

It's too bad though because I've felt that the LX 570 still looks more dynamic (even if it is a bigger vehicle). The kind of dynamism that separates it from big bulk bricks like the Escalade or the Expedition.

With that GX 460, I've felt they've taken a step back compared to the predecessor. As I've said, it's not bad............but I feel they've taken things way too safe.

In short, it is a decent or okay Lexus SUV. However, I wouldn't even be caught in it nor would I ever shell out money to own one.

Two cents.........

P.S.
And man, with how boring this new GX 460 is, I can't believe that I would say this but that new Lexus RX350 is really starting to look damn refined imho.

mmarshall

I know that the Washington, DC is not the largest metropolitan area in physical size, though its suburban sprawl has gotten tremendous....somewhat like L.A.'s on a slightly smaller scale. But there is a LOT of money in the D.C. area, and, because of its vast suburban sprawl and the limted bus/subway network, a lot of people buy and drive private cars. That is also reflected in the large number of auto-dealerships here. No, we're not Los Angeles (yet), but the local auto market here can go up against (or beat) just about anyone else in the country, even NYC. The thing in NYC, despite its huge population, is that so many people there take cabs or public transit instead of private cars.

mmarshall

Maybe....hard to say. Part of it may (?) be a psychological thing with high, narrow vehicles, but I have, in fact, seen too many SUVs and minivans in my area lying on their sides or roof. In fact, not too long ago, on foot, I watched a 16-year-old kid flip a Ford Aerostar on its roof right in front of me. I went up to help, of course, and, fortunately, he was unhurt....he was well-belted-in.


Aren't the double-decker buses generally operated at quite-slow speeds? After all, they are often used as tour-buses....and you can't rush past the sights.



Local Toyota dealerships in my area sell used 4Runners (which, of course, the GX is derived from) with 175-180K miles on them.....and they often run a lot longer than that.

IS-SV

No and no, specifically not a majority in England. I've ridden in several at speed around corners and yes it's eye-opening as you would imagine.

(Yes, we discussed this before, with actual feedback for a change from those that actually rode in these)

spwolf

D4D is Toyota for Diesel with high pressure direct injection. All Toyota diesels carry this moniker.

3.0 1KD-FTV is Land Cruiser Prado 4cly engine, that now makes 190hp and 302lbft in latest update since 2010... it gets 35 MPG Imperial in Prado.

It is not fast, but it would probably easily get you real life 30mpg in US 4Runner.... but it is nowhere as fast as GR in 4Runner thats for sure.

It is quite reliable for an diesel too...

mmarshall

Thanks. I'll keep my part of the deal now.

mmarshall

Paul (bitkahuna), however, does have a point......one does not often hear of the double-decker busses actually flipping, despite the bean-pole center-of-gravity.

I may (?) have over-emphasized the GX's high, narrow stance, but vehicles like that traditionally make me nervous on hard cornering or sharp steering inputs, even with VSC. The Ford/Volvo Roll-Control VSC system, of course, provides even more protection, but (to my knowledge) it is not available on Lexus products

IS-SV

Yes, rerun and somewhat offtopic again, we've been over that.

Highest income metro areas (in order of income ranking):

1. San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose (7.2 million people)
2. Washington DC-MD-VA-WV (7.6 million people)
11. Chicago area (9.2 million people)
12. New York area (21.2 million people)
43. LA area (16.3 million people)

These areas all have vast suburban sprawl, limited mass transit available to the majority of people in sprawling land areas, huge number of new car dealerships, most people drive private cars. Sure the huge NYC is by far the largest truly dense urban city setting, but speculation about other stuff is just that, speculation.

IS-SV

Yes, I never saw a double-decker bus flopped over on its side in England.

Yes, casual perceptions are like that. I noticed you never made mention of the actual track dimensions versus the actual height dimension of the vehicle, because the actual ratio of these dimensions is not unusual in this class of SUV.

The main safety element of the Ford/Volvo Roll-Control is the stability control system, which is not unique to Ford. I have a SUV in my garage with the Ford/Volvo system.

mmarshall

In reviews, I usually don't actually type up the physical dimensions of the vehicles because I include the official manufacturer web-site at the top, which has that data and specs. I'll make mention of them, now and then, if I need to make a point.


True, the RCS includes VSC, but with additional sensors that detect body-roll. It just provides one more layer of protection.

LexBob2

I've never seen any information on the ranking of the actual largest new vehicle markets in the U.S. Certainly average incomes come into play, but regular folks buy new vehicles too, hence my thought that the more people in a given metro area, the more new vehicles are sold.

IS-SV

It's not a matter of typing up all the physical dimensions. It is a matter of referencing only the dimensions that are relevant to the point you are trying to make.

Something to seriously consider, especially if attempting to make a point about tippiness or whatever. In this case it would have been relevant (the facts). And without the facts, you saw how your comments on tippiness were not taken seriously, viewed as casual observations unsupported by facts.

IS-SV

Yes, that's why I don't encourage endless pontification and speculation on new vehicle market size in the US without facts.

You can see (middle of the road) LA's income rankings, but the sheer population in such a huge sprawling area obviously leads to actual reported new car sales in huge numbers, including those bought by regular folks. Your thoughts on sheer population size leading to vehicle sales has been proven in the US, since only a small percentage of population lives in a downtown New York setting.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

wow, i've never seen a one. the only car i saw flipped was a civic.

not at all. check out this double decker on a skid pad.

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=41745