08-17-2016, 09:30 PM
|
#1
|
Banned
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Palm Beach, FL
Posts: 1,388
|
|
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Palm Beach, FL
Posts: 1,388
|
GX470 vs 5th Gen
So I'm going to retire my 3rd Gen and pick up something that's a little more highway friendly. I was shopping for a 4th Gen with the V8, and realized the GX470 was much nicer and could be had for about the same money.
Now I'm seeing that some 5th Gens are down into my price range, and that has me intrigued. $30k is the absolute upper end for me, but I'd rather be under $25k. I can get a GX with under 100k miles for that price with no problem, but I'd like to have one with KDDS, and they're rare.
I'm not a huge fan of the looks of the GX, but they drive great. I won't be getting too crazy with the mods on either one of them, at least not for a couple of years. Either way I'll probably do a mild lift with some decent wheels and tires, and keep it comfortable because it's going to be doing a lot of highway duty.
What are your opinions on the three, and what options should I be looking for on a 5th gen? I had assumed they were out of my budget until today so I haven't done a lot of research yet.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-17-2016, 09:34 PM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 3,528
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 3,528
|
You are asking if you should buy a 5th Gen, in a sub-forum dedicated to 5th Gens...
Did you honestly think you were going to get any other answer other than you should buy a 5th Gen? Where you looking for an excuse to buy a 5th Gen?
I think you should buy a 5th Gen.
But on a more serious note...
Skip the KDSS, I would end up tearing that off anyways and opt for a real suspension. These things drive pretty nice as is too.
I own a 4th Gen right now, I love it, I love the 5th Gen too. Honestly you would probably be happy either way. The Lexus has a more luxury car feel with its interior, and if that important to you, go with that. I personally really like leather seats, its a big deal to me. I also wont own anything that isn't a 4x4. Just depends on what you need to float your own boat.
The V8 4th gens are pretty nice if you tow... so you should consider that factor too.
Last edited by Bumbo; 08-17-2016 at 09:38 PM.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-17-2016, 09:51 PM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Midland, MI
Age: 36
Posts: 1,983
Real Name: Charles
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Midland, MI
Age: 36
Posts: 1,983
Real Name: Charles
|
I can not help, they are all essentially the same platform so depending on price, condition, your preference on drivetrain and looks. I do not think you can go wrong with any of them.
__________________
2014 Trail Edition Premium, 285/70/R17 BFG KM2, RadFlo 2.5" Coilovers and Rear Shocks, 50qt ARB Fridge, OTRATTW Switches, BudBuilt Bumpout Sliders, Gobi Rack + Ladder / 40" Rigid E2 /Rotopax and MaxTrax mounted, ARB CKMTA12, 270amp Alternator, Southern Style Slimline Hybrid Front Bumper w/ Warn Zeon 10S and Front Fogs, Metal Oil Canister, Sound Deadening Insulation w/ Focal Front Speakers,Black Weather Tech mats and custom pin striping & dents (the trees & bushes did it for free)
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-17-2016, 09:53 PM
|
#4
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Coastal Ga
Posts: 118
Real Name: Scott
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Coastal Ga
Posts: 118
Real Name: Scott
|
My wife has a 2008 GX 470 and I have a 2013 TE 4RNR. The GX is hands down a smoother ride even with having 130,000 miles and the 4RNR has 45,000 miles. The GX is more refined and as a bonus has front and rear lockers but has the air ride suspension which is crap- def need to upgrade the suspension if youre going for a GX. Both are very capable 4WD platforms. Either vehicle is very reliable but the Lexus is more expensive to maintain. Sooooo, which one then? Drive a few and see what you like better. I don't think you'll make a wrong choice with either vehicle.
__________________
2013 4RNR Trail- TOYO Open Country 285's, Konig Six Shooter Graphite Gunmetal, Shrockworks Powder Coated Front Bumper, Ramsey 8000lb Winch, Shrockworks Skids (E/T/T), Radflow Front Coil Overs, Bilstein 1500 Rear, Front Diff Drop, Odyssey battery, Front/Rear Diff Breather (ARB), ARB Twin AC (engine mount with tank), sPod, OPOR Sliders and we'll see what is next
1999 SR5 4x4- Sold
2000 Tundra 4x4 Limited- Sold
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-17-2016, 09:59 PM
|
#5
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Las Vegas, Nv
Posts: 448
|
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Las Vegas, Nv
Posts: 448
|
I owned a GX470, a 4th Gen 4Runner that I traded for the GX, and now a fifth gen 4Runner.
The GX has some pluses and some bad minuses because of where I live. The interior is very nice. The gauges and instrumentation is not really dated even to today. It does have a tape deck! SCORE! The bad for me was the A/C. It sucked. I had it checked three times. I live in Las Vegas and it was almost unbearable. I only had 38K miles so it wasn't an age or mileage thing. The ducts that ran through the roof just cooked thus blowing hot air into the cab for an extended period of time. I also was not a fan of the wood. It was gaudy. Towed beautifully, the V8 and tranny was butter smooth. The running boards are low and removed makes the truck look a bit odd. For me the A/C was a deal breaker. Oh, and the side swing barn door isn't the best design at all. Especially with the Sea-Doos in tow. Useless.
I sold the 4th Gen for the GX. I wish I stayed in it really. V8 and tranny was the same. It felt more nimble. The interior was cheaper for sure. I just liked it better all around. The GX was a KILLER deal at $29K with 38K miles. Old man just selling it. Could not pass it up.
Now I drive a 5th gen TEP and love love it. It's slower and coming out of a Tundra it's taken some getting used to. It has a plethora of little things over the Tundra. For me, the 5th has fit the bill filling both ruggedness, refinement and fit and finish.
My advise? Buy any of the three with the least amount of miles, most records kept, and cleanest (well maintained inside and out). No matter which direction you decide out of those three you really can't go wrong.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-17-2016, 11:30 PM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Fruita, CO
Age: 43
Posts: 3,984
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Fruita, CO
Age: 43
Posts: 3,984
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buck208
The GX is more refined and as a bonus has front and rear lockers
|
Not unless you installed aftermarket ones.
GXs have a diff lock on the center torsen diff (like all 4th gens and 5th gen limiteds), which when locked, gives you the same thing as a part time 4wd. As far as I know, GXs have never been offered with axle differential locks, certainly not in the US.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-17-2016, 11:41 PM
|
#7
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: PA
Posts: 468
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: PA
Posts: 468
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by FourEyedWilly
The GX was a KILLER deal at $29K with 38K miles. Old man just selling it. Could not pass it up.
|
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-18-2016, 12:23 AM
|
#8
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 46
|
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 46
|
$25k could purchase a nice 100 series LC. Just sayin.
__________________
2021 T4R TRD ORP
2006 UZJ100 - Sold
2014 T4R TE - Sold
2007 Taco DCSB 4wd - Sold
1993 FZJ80 - Sold and very much missed
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-18-2016, 12:35 AM
|
#9
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,991
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,991
|
I think I would get the gx for the v8...
5th gen has more room and better electronics + option of rear locker and part time 4wd. 5th gen engine has similar HP to the v8 but tq curve is not near as good. 5th gen motor should require less maintenance (no timing belt....)
470 = v8 4th gen 4runner + nicer luxury features.
5th gen is starting to get decent aftermarket support. There is also some body parts for the 470, but the 5th should continue to grow with the size of the market here.
Can't really go wrong with any of them.
__________________
2011 SR5 4x4, Magnuson Supercharger, ICON ET coil overs, MT ICON LT rear, MT offset lower links, URD Y-Pipe, TC UCAs, Baja Rack, MT Sliders, RCI Aluminum skids, 4.56 gearing with ARB lockers front and rear. 305/70 Goodyear MTRs (34") on Konig Countersteer 17x8. Addicted front bumper, Custom undercover tube protection rear. LT font or SAS going on next.
1989 Hilux - 22RE, SAS, hydro assist, Full Exo cage, dual ultimate cases, RCVs, 529s w Detroit locker rear + ARB front, Diamond Axle, bead locks, 40s.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-18-2016, 01:22 AM
|
#10
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 172
|
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 172
|
I would go with a GX if it's mainly (or entirely) highway miles. But, I am not entirely sure if that generations came with air ride as standard. If so, that would be a deal breaker for me, unless you convert to a standard suspension. No matter how much I like my 5th gen, those GX's are definitely better on the road. Either way, whichever platform you go with, they'll all be robust for sure. Good luck with your purchase!
__________________
2016 Super White TEP w/KDSS
SSO, Gobi, Shrockworks, Rigid, OME, Bilstein, Rago, Level 8, Falken A/T3W LT
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-18-2016, 01:33 AM
|
#11
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 3,528
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 3,528
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeremy556
Not unless you installed aftermarket ones.
GXs have a diff lock on the center torsen diff (like all 4th gens and 5th gen limiteds), which when locked, gives you the same thing as a part time 4wd. As far as I know, GXs have never been offered with axle differential locks, certainly not in the US.
|
This was a really big one for me... I love that I can lock/unlock the transfer case on my 4th Gen SR5.
I really wanted a TE or Pro and didn't know they did away with it. Being able to unlock is a must have if you need 4WD on high traction surfaces or in the snow.
Heck, I even created a thread about it I thought it was such a big deal.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-18-2016, 01:33 AM
|
#12
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Rocky Mountain high...
Posts: 38
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Rocky Mountain high...
Posts: 38
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buck208
My wife has a 2008 GX 470 and I have a 2013 TE 4RNR. The GX is hands down a smoother ride even with having 130,000 miles and the 4RNR has 45,000 miles. The GX is more refined and as a bonus has front and rear lockers but has the air ride suspension which is crap- def need to upgrade the suspension if youre going for a GX. Both are very capable 4WD platforms. Either vehicle is very reliable but the Lexus is more expensive to maintain. Sooooo, which one then? Drive a few and see what you like better. I don't think you'll make a wrong choice with either vehicle.
|
^^ does not compute...
__________________
Dog
2016 4Runner Trail Premium w/ KDSS (classic silver) TRD rims
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-18-2016, 01:50 AM
|
#13
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 1,811
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 1,811
|
Those gx470's can be had for a steal. My buddy bought one from an old couple with 88k miles for $12k. They're more of a sleeper compared to the 4runner but just as capable. He runs front and rear bumpers, 33's and an arb out back. Definitley keep it in consideration, just shop around for a good deal.
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-18-2016, 02:29 AM
|
#14
|
|
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 1,811
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 1,811
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DKFTPNYC
I would go with a GX if it's mainly (or entirely) highway miles. But, I am not entirely sure if that generations came with air ride as standard. If so, that would be a deal breaker for me, unless you convert to a standard suspension. No matter how much I like my 5th gen, those GX's are definitely better on the road. Either way, whichever platform you go with, they'll all be robust for sure. Good luck with your purchase!
|
Regarding the rear air suspension, MetalTech has a rear coil conversion that my buddy used with success.
Lexus GX470 Rear Coil Conversion Kit Complete
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
08-18-2016, 02:54 AM
|
#15
|
|
Member
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: CO
Posts: 912
Real Name: Tom
|
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: CO
Posts: 912
Real Name: Tom
|
For $25k you could get a nice 100 series LC/LX.
__________________
2012 Trail (KDSS), Falken Wildpeak AT3W (E) / General AltiMAX Artic's, Level 8 MK6 (0), Pilot stubby, Max Liners
|
|
Reply With Quote
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
Thread |
Thread Starter |
Forum |
Replies |
Last Post |
GX470 as First Car
|
KrabbyKakes |
Lexus GX470/460 |
12 |
10-15-2016 07:07 PM |
04 gx470
|
lcbjr77 |
General Discussions |
7 |
07-31-2016 07:25 PM |
Wtb: 05+ gx470
|
wpsfan |
Lexus GX470/460 |
3 |
09-21-2015 09:02 PM |
GX470 to 4runner
|
rj4510 |
4th Gen T4Rs |
15 |
12-28-2011 10:12 AM |
|