So I am looking to trade in my 2015 Limited RWD with 64k miles for a 2016 GX460 with 80k miles and comfort package. I bought my 4runner for many reasons: the exceptional resale value, the cargo space(I had a small Cadilac SUV prior to the 4R), and the many features it offers. I am about to go on a 36 hr road trip and have been contemplating a trade for a GX460. If I was to get the GX460, my monthly payment would go down $100 and insurance would go up $52/mth, giving a grand total of $48/mth savings. The GX460 has a 3rd row, blind spot monitoring with rear traffic, a trailer hitch, heated and cooled seats, and 2nd row heated seats. I drive around 23k miles per year, so the comfort of a vehicle is definitely a factor in my decision. If you were in my position, what would you do? If I am going to buy the GX460, I have 1 week to do so before my trip. How is the resale value compared to a 4R limited? How is the ride and sound isolation compared to a 4R?

Personally I would never swap vehicles a week before a trip like that. No matter what you're swapping to. Too many unknowns.

Also, do you realize you are supposed to be running premium gas in the GX and the gas mileage will also be worse? There goes your extra $48 a month.

The premium gas is the main thing that has kept the GX or LX570 out of my driveway. They don’t hold their value as well as the 4runner and Landcruiser so they are easier to get and at a better “value”. Once upon a time when premium gas was only $.20-.30 a gallon more than regular it would have been worth it. Where I am it’s $1 difference....that’s $15-$20 a week difference in gas alone....over $1000 in gas a year. For me not worth it as I keep my vehicles usually for 10+ years so that’s another $10-15k premium on a vehicle that is already more expensive than their Toyota cousins over the life of one of my vehicles. I’d love the V8 but don’t need it at that cost.

I was not aware of the premium gas requirement. I am going to have to think on this some more.

It's not a requirement. It's a recommendation.

It doesn't have a turbo. You just won't get maximum performance out of the truck with cheap ass gas.

The LX develops 5hp more than the LC using the premium gas. When using premium gas in the LC you'll get the same 5hp boost, but the LC runs just dandy on regular - like the LC.

The premium thing is all for marketing.

I suspect the GX is the same.

We own both. The Lexus is much quieter, although some of that could be mitigated with aftermarket sound deafening. Overall the Lexus definitely has a higher quality interior and great ride, has both kdss and xreas.

My only gripe with the Lexus is the climate control.. there’s a lot of button pushing and screen navigating involved. Test them out to see what you think.

Lexus drops more in resale than the runner, but for those years it’s probably already taken the big hit. I vote Lexus if you like it, they’re super nice. Not our 460, but my buds 470. We wheel this thing hard and it’s never failed.

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I think you might be right. When I was looking at the 4Runner, I was going to roll $9k in negative equity. I made a spread sheet that can predict when you will be out of negative equity. It has predicted 100% correct so far. So I input the Lexus into the same sheet, it says another 6-12 months of negative if I buy it. I am going to call the dealership tomorrow. In comparison to the 4Runner, how would you rate the infotainment system, the leg room(front and rear), and the cargo space? Do you put premium gas in?

You guys are killing me. I’ve got the GX itch hard this week

Why the rush? Why put yourself on a 1 week timeline? By doing that you're going to rush your decision, pay too much for the GX, get too little on the 4Runner, and make poor financial choices. You're calculating monthly payments, insurance premiums to the dollar and it sounds like you still have negative equity in the 4Runner. Are you ready to build up more negative debt just because you want a GX460? Hate to sound like Uncle Dave but sounds like a dumb financial decision to me. Unless living paycheck to paycheck is okay with you. Whatever you do take your time to make your decision and do what you feel is right but don't rush a decision like this.

And....

The Lexus doesn't have a roll down window like the 4Runner! Plus, not a fan of that swing out rear door. Much rather have a lift gate.

The difference in legroom is negligible. The deal with the infotainment system is that you have to hit the climate button on the dash, then two touchscreen buttons, just to turn the AC on or off. I like how simplistic the 4Runner is; three knobs, dedicated AC button, all separate from the audio and navigation.

On the other hand, some would say the 4Runner's layout is outdated, so it really depends on what you value. I'd still suggest driving it and playing around with the systems to get a feel for it. We do run premium cause that's what's recommended per Lexus, averages ~16.5 mpg's in stock trim.

yes, rear window and rear door kills my interest

i just picked up a 2016 gx460 to go with my trdp and here are the biggest differences that i noticed in my 2 days of ownership:

GX - v8 torque, 6 speed transmission, keyless start (my 4r uses a keyed start), smart door unlock and lock, quieter cabin and ride, funky hvac controls (mix of buttons and touchscreen), no digital mph readout, has options to control door lock/unlock functions without techstream, rear door swings out instead of up, ceiling height is higher in the rear rows, 2nd and 3rd row vents are located in ceiling, better material quality but worse off plastic trim colors (i prefer black vs silver), multiple grab handles in front, second and third row, ventilated and heated front, heated second row seats, LED headlights/fogs and drl. the gx is also heavier but the engine and transmission combo overcomes it well.

I'd be curious to hear how the GX MPG is on a long all highway trip, because that's most of what I do for work being a manufacturers rep in the NE auto parts industry. Being in the NE I will sacrifice MPG for ground clearance and real 4wd, but only to a certain extent. I see 21 MPG or so on these types of trips in the T4R, at least when summer gas is around. Just wondering how the GX would compare there. I assume the 16.5MPG quoted above is likely mixed driving.