Went ahead and brought the GX470 yesterday. Silver Pine with
the gray interior. Has quite a few oprtion may not use but
when lot looking that is what happens. Nav Sys wanted and
the tow pkg. The rear DVD and 3 row seats were not a
big deal. It also has the rear spoiler and accessory pkg.

It does ride allot nicer than the limited and the all time
4 wheel drive takes some getting use to, hear a little more
drivetrain noise. But the features are worth it to me.

So have both now, going to give my mother the Limited
and sell her Santa Fe.

I had to decide between the two. The GX is just a little nicer overall. I love the GX.

TexGX
ATM '97

I don't have a GX470, but saw you two w/ your tamu class and just wanted to say... Gig'em! (I'm class of 96)

Kev

I went to the Lexus site. I could not tell from the pictures, but does the dashboard have volage, temp & oil pressure gauges with numbers on them? I really wish the 4runnner dash was informative.

Oh BTW really nice ride!

How is the inside room? More leg and head room?

Basic design as the 4runner but one can get a finer opinion when you have both side by side and can hop on one then the other multiple times instead of the remembering and going back and forth from lot to lot method.

thanks in advance.

No they don't. I drove a 2005 GX470 and it had the same guages that the 4Runner had except they were more vibrant and the speedomtere goes up to 130 mph.

So, they have the same running gear, V8 4x4, that is? If you buy the Lexus version then you're after a little more luxury than the Limited offers and are willing to pay the difference. But the SR5 should last as long and run as well...?

I've looked at both, and really wanted to like the Lexus, despite the price.

A few issues:

My husband has a back problem, and getting in and out of this vehicle was painful for him. I don't know if it was the height (we tried various adjustments) or the wide running boards - it just didn't work.

Nit picky - I hate the tiny armrests. My current 96 Explorer has a wide, comfortable console rest - not fancy, but I use it all the time. A couple of minutes on those little sharp armrests was very uncomfortable, and putting them back just leaves nothing in this model.

Back door opens like a fifth door, not a hatch - and the back window doesn't open at all. Very inconvenient, particularly for us soccer Moms (OK, field hockey and Girl Scouts). I like the rear window for quickly tossing stuff in, and the large hatch is a great rain barrier when open

If your Husband has back problems, then you probably should not own a SUV. Although Lexus does have some of the most comfortable seats on the market. The armrest, the barn door and the rear window is what everyone complains about the GX. The same complain I had when I first own it. I must admit, I am getting use to the armrest and the barn door. If you do a lot of parallel parking, the barn door can be a problem, but if you dont, the barn door is actually easier to operate. I still would like a power rear window like the 4runner, Lexus! are you hearing this?

The SUV is actually better for my husband's back and the hip/thigh problems I can get. Sitting in more chair like seat is a lot more comfortable than the cockpit of a sedan. If anything, a main drawback to the 4runner is that the seat is not SUV like enough - too low. I've tried raising it, but then it is like looking down over the hood (and my 6' tall husband wouldn't fit if he tried it). The Lexus is more like our 10 year old Explorer as far as the seats - which we consider a good thing.

We went back to the Lexus dealer to try out the big LX vehicle - bigger than I want, but maybe comfortable without the negatives. Big disappointment. The darn thing felt every bump and the steering wheel even vibrated.

So we went back and tried out the GX470 again. I really liked the ride. Hubby thinks he can get used to getting in, and I think I can live with the seat handles and back door. We spent the morning working on a price, and if they can find one we like soon we will probably get it.

Other disadvantages against the 4R - The sound system doesn't play mp3s, can't be CD loaded in dash with the Nav, there is no audio in plug for MP3 type player, and there seems to be only one 12V power plug with one 120V. Also, the towing receiver doesn't come with it and isn't even available from the factory. Strangely I had been hoping for these little improvements in my next SUV, but I did like the Lexus ride.

Andrea,
Are you sure about your other disadvantages in the 4Runner or did the salesman not know what he was talking about? First off, I believe it has been said on here that the CD load behind the Navi screen......it slides down and out allowing you to insert your CD.
Secondly, the new system has a audio input jack for any outside music source: ie.... IPOD, satellite radio, and MP3 player!
Third, you can get an extra cigarette plug up front near the ashtray for about $55. The 120v adapter plug is located inside of the center console. I have to agree with you about having only 2-3 12v outlets in the 4Runner........especially since none are hot when the truck is turn off.
Lastly, the hitch thing is a new clause for the 06 year. I think it was a ploy to hold down the market price while increasing Toyota company profits. All of the previous 4th generations (03-05) came from the factory with hitches installed. My 04 truck has a hitch but I've never used the darn thing yet.

Good luck on your choice as I can see that you have your hubby's medical condition to consider before buying.

F'runner-
I see that my post is very ambiguous!!!

I meant that these were disadvantages against the Lexus in favor of the 4Runner!

The 4Runner Limited V8, which is the model I would buy, still comes with the hitch standard. I understand it is optional in the other models - the Lexus people don't even want to talk about it - just say to have it added aftermarket.

I'm surprised that the power outlets don't remain hot when the engine is off - I thought that was only the case with the cigarette lighter outlet. I've been charging my cell phone overnight in my '96XLT Explorer 12V outlet for 10 years - just one more thing I will have to give up. Darn - the 96 Explorer is a terrific SUV - if they made one like it today I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Hitch standard only on the Limited? My SR5, which is the lowest in the model like came with a hitch and receiver, just no ball.

Larry-
I believe for 2006 the hitch is only standard for the V8 (maybe they figure you will buy a V8 if you tow?). I don't remember which models can have the V8 option.

I don't tow anything, but I would like to buy a receiver hitch 2 bike rack for my bicycle (and sometimes my daughter's). I currently use one that fits on the Explorer ball hitch (basically a hole in a low spot on the bumper, and you tighten it with a ball). That setup is pretty iffy, as it does loosen up and twist. I figure a square receiver hitch will be much stronger and was looking forward to a new setup.

I will miss the little low spot, as it gives me a leg up to climb on the bumper. As far as I can see, nobody has had that for years.

Not to talk you off the industry leading, well built Toyota 4Runner; but you seem to like your Ford Exploder an awful lot. Have you by any chance taken a look at the almost all new 2006 Ford Explorer? I know they are trying to catch up to to foreign quality SUV's, but I was just wondering what was your take on the midsize Ford.

I myself, like the industry leading 85.5 cubic foot of storage (75.5 ft for the 4Runner) with the seats folded but that isn't enough to sell me on a Ford (Fard). I owned a 302 V8 boss Mustang when I was 18-23 y/o and the thing gobbled gasoline. I owned a Taurus (Toy-r-us) way back in 1988 when it was hyped as the car of the year. What a piece of gunk...the Ford service department sux'd. That darn mechanical assembly of motorized metal started having malfunctioning parts left and right after about 3 years. I vowed to NEVER buy a Fard again!