Minago

Hello Everyone,


This is my first post, and I am a new member.


I am looking at buying the above mentioned model and year, 42K miles, 1 owner, all interval services done at Lexus with records, for $16K. Seems like a good deal, and the vehicle looks pristine in the pictures. Sold by dealer with excellent customer reviews.


I have never owned a Lexus but have read a lot on the GX. I have a few questions maybe you can help me with.


I get the feeling that the early GXs are reliable as long as you take care of them. Am I wrong on that one? I plan to keep it for as long as I can. Will it be a money pit?


Are the 3rd row seats functional for kids (putting them in and getting them out or are they useless as I have read some people to say)?


A GX owner recently told me that I can have almost everything serviced by Toyota mechanics rather than taking it to Lexus in order to save money. Is this true?

Is there anything I should watch out for with this vehicle or reason I should not buy this year and model?

Thank you for any insight or wisdom! Look forward to contributing as I believe I will end up buying a used GX at some point soon.

NTH

That's a great deal on such a low mileage truck. I'd get it if it has service records and everything checks out. Third row is acceptable for small kids. My daughter Is about 4'5" tall likes it back there on trips. Useless for adults.

BlackCat81

Exactly. I've had adults in my 3rd row, but only for short trips. Yes, Toyota can service it, it's essentially a 4th gen 4Runner, so 99.9% of drivetrain parts are identical. As with any vehicle that old, regardless of mileage, you're probably going to have an issue or two. I have an '03 with 147k on it, and I just drove it across the country and back. I've replaced the common stuff known to go wrong with these trucks. The radiator, air suspension, and front calipers. Other than that, it's been problem free. That's a hell of a deal on a truck with that mileage.

Minago

Thank you. Good to know about the radiator, air suspension, and front calipers. I'll check into those.


Also, I have been reading about the "clunk" issue and found this post as to the possible source of that problem:


"LEXUS GX470 2007 Technical Bulletin #00207
LEXUS GX470 2007 technical service bulletin was issued May 29, 2007.LEXUS GX470 2007 had a failed POWER TRAIN DRIVELINE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. REAR DRIVESHAFT/PROPELLER SHAFT CLUNK/THUMP NOISE. *KB .


Does anyone know if that indeed is the problem and how much that will cost me to fix if any vehicle I buy is infected with this?


Thanks again.
I intend to lift this Lex and perform a few modifications so it can be a family car and a bit of an off road toy for me.

ScatAdams

Sound like an awesome deal to me! Though it hasnt been officially confirmed, once you lift it the "clunk" should go away. Atleast thats what Ive seen around the forums and on my own truck.

Good luck!

BillitZky

For a 42Kmiles year 2003 at $16K sounds a good deal. What did the 1st owner drive for the truck, in-and-out of the garage? My GX is the first generation 2003 with 90Kmiles and in top shape, been with the regular 5kmiles service. And yes, the radiator, battery and tires are common consumables of this truck, plus cough $$$ during the 90kmiles service, timing belt replacement..

Minago

Thanks for your thoughts and all the information, everyone. Very helpful. I'll post a picture of my first Lex once I get it.

Morphyne

That is an extremely low mileage gx470. So you are getting a good deal. Two other things that will bean issue are the secondary air injection pump and the timing belt.

The timing belt should be replaced at 90k miles or 10 years so if yours hasn't been done expect to spend at least $1100 having that fixed, that is what I was quoted.

Other thing on these incredibly reliable cars is that the secondary air injection pump can go bad. it is an odd piece of BS put in these cars to keep from blowing your O2 sensors. just had mine replaced under a a purchase warranty claim so I don't know exactly how much it would cost but I can say it will be at least $1500.

If you are worried about this there is a big thread over at www.t4r.org that talks about this and a bypass that is non-stock and prevents the issue.

BlackCat81

The non VVTi trucks don't have secondary air pumps. And it has nothing to do with "blowing O2 sensors", it adds fresh air to the exhaust to add as a catalyst for unburned fuel and other hydrocarbons to make it more emissions friendly.

Morphyne

yup, you are right. I forgot. Nevermind.

John00

underside rust looks exactly the same as my '12 with about 100k now. all surface and nothing deep no pitting. my opinion is that its no big deal.
compare to prices for comparable vehicles, ive noticed that prices in my area for any suvs have gone up a lot in the last 8 months, so our past experiences beyond that time might not apply anymore.
look more at the front paint, all chipped indicating highway miles? or are those miles all stop and go city? youll be looking at the interior every time, so hows that? and of course take a nice long drive. how does the seat fit your body?
look for the common issues, the lean, the resonance causing vibrations, etc.

chiph9

No offense John - but this is a 4 year old thread.

Chip H.

John00

very strange. i wondered why the error box popped up, looks like when my browser reset it scrolled me down to the next related thread which happened to be this one.
thanks for the note otherwise i would not have known.
heck theres not even any pics of rust here

I was trying and thought i did reply to this
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...l#post10545097