advice on buying a 2004 Gx470
10-05-11, 05:11 PM
#16
Have lived here for 58 years. The days of rusted out hulks are gone. Wash it, most car washes have an undercarriage spray. The cars of today are just not rusting like 30 years ago. Cars exposed to ocean saltwater have more problems that winter "salt"
10-05-11, 05:33 PM
#17
I've had my share of rusty cars, I made sure to craw under the GX before negotiating. I've gotten quite good at rust coating and prevention.
The 4 GXs I looked at all had some level of surface corrosion. With mine, it's most notable around the rear axle, rear pumpkin and up inside the bumper area where the body mounts are located. I really don't consider this "rust" but I have certainly seen much worse. All the suspension and steering components looked healthy, which is the biggest concern. You really never see substantial sheet metal rust on they body anymore.
I keep going back and forth over the color. I've never owned a 'gold' car... ok Dorado Gold Pearl ... I've read a few sites that said this was an undesirable color. I would have preferred one of the 'blue' hues, but I think the gold is better then the white and I've had too many silver cars.
The 4 GXs I looked at all had some level of surface corrosion. With mine, it's most notable around the rear axle, rear pumpkin and up inside the bumper area where the body mounts are located. I really don't consider this "rust" but I have certainly seen much worse. All the suspension and steering components looked healthy, which is the biggest concern. You really never see substantial sheet metal rust on they body anymore.
I keep going back and forth over the color. I've never owned a 'gold' car... ok Dorado Gold Pearl ... I've read a few sites that said this was an undesirable color. I would have preferred one of the 'blue' hues, but I think the gold is better then the white and I've had too many silver cars.
10-05-11, 06:12 PM
#18
I've had my share of rusty cars, I made sure to craw under the GX before negotiating. I've gotten quite good at rust coating and prevention.
The 4 GXs I looked at all had some level of surface corrosion. With mine, it's most notable around the rear axle, rear pumpkin and up inside the bumper area where the body mounts are located. I really don't consider this "rust" but I have certainly seen much worse. All the suspension and steering components looked healthy, which is the biggest concern. You really never see substantial sheet metal rust on they body anymore.
I keep going back and forth over the color. I've never owned a 'gold' car... ok Dorado Gold Pearl ... I've read a few sites that said this was an undesirable color. I would have preferred one of the 'blue' hues, but I think the gold is better then the white and I've had too many silver cars.
The 4 GXs I looked at all had some level of surface corrosion. With mine, it's most notable around the rear axle, rear pumpkin and up inside the bumper area where the body mounts are located. I really don't consider this "rust" but I have certainly seen much worse. All the suspension and steering components looked healthy, which is the biggest concern. You really never see substantial sheet metal rust on they body anymore.
I keep going back and forth over the color. I've never owned a 'gold' car... ok Dorado Gold Pearl ... I've read a few sites that said this was an undesirable color. I would have preferred one of the 'blue' hues, but I think the gold is better then the white and I've had too many silver cars.
10-05-11, 06:32 PM
#19
I've put a deposit, supposed to be picking it up tomorrow evening.
Other then the color, it ticks every box for me... mileage, price, options, condition, reputable seller. As well, the wife happens to really like the color, so I get alot of crazy looks when bringing this up.
I went and looked at a very similar GX at Lawrenceville Lexus today except it was Silver and Grey. I would have loved to buy it, listed at 21,995 (same as one at Tri County) but they wouldn't go lower then 21,450 on it. That alot of extra $$$ to get a marginally nicer color. Again with this vehicle the grey interior doesn't seem to age as well as the tan (fading,cracking,scuffs).
A 2005 Sport popped up on ebay recently with 90K for 19.9K -- That thing looks pretty dope but I really wanted to stay well below 90K miles. I have inquired regardless to see if the timing belt was changed, I am suspecting it has not. And then I would have to add shipping.
Other then the color, it ticks every box for me... mileage, price, options, condition, reputable seller. As well, the wife happens to really like the color, so I get alot of crazy looks when bringing this up.
I went and looked at a very similar GX at Lawrenceville Lexus today except it was Silver and Grey. I would have loved to buy it, listed at 21,995 (same as one at Tri County) but they wouldn't go lower then 21,450 on it. That alot of extra $$$ to get a marginally nicer color. Again with this vehicle the grey interior doesn't seem to age as well as the tan (fading,cracking,scuffs).
A 2005 Sport popped up on ebay recently with 90K for 19.9K -- That thing looks pretty dope but I really wanted to stay well below 90K miles. I have inquired regardless to see if the timing belt was changed, I am suspecting it has not. And then I would have to add shipping.
10-06-11, 07:50 AM
#20
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Perhaps (have not seen any reliable data), but what a buyer does not know is if the seller takes as good a care of his car as you and I do.
10-06-11, 11:18 AM
#21
True,my wife always tells me i am the best person in the world to buy a used car from..(she wants to come back in her next life as one of my toys) .LOL
10-06-11, 08:16 PM
#22
I got to Tri-County today around 4:30PM today and I didn't leave with the GX until 7:30PM -- 3 hours to close a cash deal arranged 4 days in advance-- IMO is poor. I got dropped off by a friend, so I was trapped, should have packed some supplies.
In the end, I drove away with the 'gold' Gx470. It report 19.1mpg on my 80 mile trip back home -- I'd be thrilled to continue averaging that on the highway. Fairly happy with the vehicle, I already have a long list of things to add... Too dark tonight to take some decent pictures but maybe tomorrow.
In the end, I drove away with the 'gold' Gx470. It report 19.1mpg on my 80 mile trip back home -- I'd be thrilled to continue averaging that on the highway. Fairly happy with the vehicle, I already have a long list of things to add... Too dark tonight to take some decent pictures but maybe tomorrow.
10-06-11, 08:18 PM
#23
Instructor
buy the truck already. It looks really nice. The GX looks great in any of the the colors. I touched up my gray drivers seat with leather dye/paint off of ebay and it looks great. You just swipe it on and rub it off and the dye sticks to the worn areas. The lights as mentioned above come out like new with Meguiars headlight restorer kit for $10. All of the GX wheels seem to pit, Use a chrome polish and wax and keep them protected to keep them from getting worse. If they bother you check craigslist or Ebay for replacements. i got a set of Sequoia chrome wheels for $400 delivered. Pull the trigger.
10-07-11, 03:52 AM
#24
I got to Tri-County today around 4:30PM today and I didn't leave with the GX until 7:30PM -- 3 hours to close a cash deal arranged 4 days in advance-- IMO is poor. I got dropped off by a friend, so I was trapped, should have packed some supplies.
In the end, I drove away with the 'gold' Gx470. It report 19.1mpg on my 80 mile trip back home -- I'd be thrilled to continue averaging that on the highway. Fairly happy with the vehicle, I already have a long list of things to add... Too dark tonight to take some decent pictures but maybe tomorrow.
In the end, I drove away with the 'gold' Gx470. It report 19.1mpg on my 80 mile trip back home -- I'd be thrilled to continue averaging that on the highway. Fairly happy with the vehicle, I already have a long list of things to add... Too dark tonight to take some decent pictures but maybe tomorrow.
10-07-11, 09:33 AM
#25
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Congrats on the new car, you are going to love it!
10-07-11, 07:07 PM
#28
Instructor
zolt3c,
truck looks awesome. It may be in your best interest to get a road force balance. i got mine at Town Fair tire including 4 wheel alignment for $99. That should solve your slight vibration. the wheels look good in the pictures
truck looks awesome. It may be in your best interest to get a road force balance. i got mine at Town Fair tire including 4 wheel alignment for $99. That should solve your slight vibration. the wheels look good in the pictures
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