nate579

iTrader: (4)

Hello Clubmembers, I am usually in the GS forum. Anyway, the Mrs and I is expecting our first child and she wants to get rid of the MB CLK and get a SUV. We had a list of about 6 vehicles to test drive. CarMax was the destination due to having everything in one place to test. The GX was not on the list. Anyway we test drove: Acura MDX, Lexus RX330, Infiniti FX, Subaru B9 the other 2 which interior was so terrible we didnt even start the engine. Hell can't remember what they were. She didn't like the rough ride of the Acura, Lexus RX to her was weak in acceleration but loved the interior and noise level. Infiniti she said was for men, very rough ride and very noisy. Subaru was to small but she loved it. She said none of the vehicles really "WOWed" her. Salesman mentioned the GX470 and she drove it. And fell in love with it. She actually said "WOW". Now we are currently looking for a 2004 or 2005. Anyway reading this forum I found that the toyota land cruiser is almost equal to the GX. Now here is the rub I can get a fully loaded (Nav/ML/DVD/TV) 04-05 here in DC area for between 39k-46k. All with less than 20k miles on them 2 with less than 10k. But toyota pre-owned Land Cruiser with mileage in the 20k-30k are running between 44k-50k. Am I missing something between the 2 vehicles. We will still hopefully wind up with the GX if we can find the colors we want but why the big difference in price between them. For example:
Toyota:
Certified Land Cruiser: 24, 867 with Nav- $50,898
Certified Land Cruiser: 20,973 with Nav- $44,995
Lexus:
2005 Certified GX470 6,360 with Nav/ML/DVD/Sport suspen./$46,880
2004 Certified GX470 17,886w Nav/ML/DVD/ 42,875

I mean can some one explain this to me?

Hope to be member GX owner in a week or so. Thanks for any input.

lexite

For that purpose compare LC with LX-470.

But if your wife likes the GX, prob there isn't a reason to get into LX. When I looked at the two, I could not find any compelling reason to go for LX instead of GX.

lonewolf69

Hi Nate,
The Land Cruiser is a bigger class vehicle than the GX. In fact , the LX470 is the Lexus Equivalent of the Toyota Land Cruiser, while the GX470 is the Lexus equivalent of the Prado (sold outside the US), or a close cousin of the 4 Runner...

The GX, 4Runner and Prado all share the same chassis... Now that we got that settled. The primary difference between the Land Cruiser and GX470 is SIZE. and performance.

Off roading the GX470 is a VERY VERY capable vehicle for this task! It was aptly name truck of the year two years running for 2004 and 2005, in 4X$ magazine. The Land Cruiser is just an even bigger and more capable off roader than the GX.

Personally I feel the "luxury" feeling is missing in the Land Cruiser when compared to the GX470, even with the FULL options on the Land Cruiser, it still feels like a Toyota and not a Lexus... (Hope this doesn't sound "snooty" but it just doesn't feel the same!!!)

Just sit down in the LX (land cruiser equivalent) and you'll see what I'm talking about... However, be forewarned that the LX does not come cheap! Stock LX runs low 60k and fully optioned the LX runs close to 70K.

I'm assuming that your comparing the two vehicles (different class) based on pricing structure but please do realize that you're comparing apples and oranges here...

Bottom line:

Land Cruiser - Excellent vehicle, for Off roading and the like, big ROBUST, strong, but design is 7 years old (??? Older) and is due for a new makeover next year, RUMOR says it's going to be based on the Seqouia to cut cost?) in the end it still still feels like a Toyota and not quite as luxurious.

GX470 - Excellent vehicle all around, but a little smaller version of the LX, major problems, REAR SWING door instead of lift gate, 3rd ROW seats are cramped and requires Velco STRAP to keep them in upright position, LX has the 3rd row seats in the "fixed" upright position without the STRAPS and isn't as cramped...

WHEW! Hope that was helpful to you?

-Alex

nate579

iTrader: (4)

Thank You for the response. I didn't realize that they were 2 different vehicles. I thought the Land Cruiser were equivalent to the GX. Well, that explains everything. Now, are the 3rd row seats removable? If so, easily?

antonio98

Hi Nate,

Yes, the 3rd row seats in the GX are easy to remove, and you can fold and stack them for convenient storage.

The Lexus or CarMax dealer should be able to demonstrate this for you.

GrdnRxR

Hi,

The rear seats come right out. It's very easy to remove them and store them in the house or garage.

mink92890

I believe the Sequoia is the toyota-like GX470
Hope that helps.

Mink92890

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

Not trying to discredit you mink, but the sequoia is a full-size suv. It's bigger than the LC/LX having more trunk space. Hence, it's much bigger than the GX.
The sequoia would be better for anyone who uses the 3rd AND need the trunk space as compared to the LX/LC.

Plus the GX gas is slightly better (15mpg) than the LX/LC (12mpg).

We have the GX mainly because my wife is petite and can drive it with no problem.

The worst thing I hate is seeing little women driving big suvs (even cars) and can't maneuver them- .......the 10 minute right turn, 10 tries to park and 10 tries to reverse
I don't think I want my wife driving like this. I had her test drive the LX and QX and she did not feel comfortable.

lonewolf69

Hi Mink,

GS3, posted the correct answer already... The Sequoia is NOTHING like the GX at all, I totally hated the way it handle, the way it felt, BUT I did like the SIZE!!! I know, I know you can have your cake and eat it too...

Trust me the GX and the Prado are the same vehicles, and they are both based on the same chasis of the 4Runner!

I really could use the Extra space though... *SIGH*



-Alex