2011 LE for 2014 GX

[philsey]

Thanks JJ -

I looked at the 460 before I bought the 4R. At the time the wife had a CRV with the barn door and I did not care for it, thus that was a turn off.

Didn't even get to a test drive due to the impudent know-it-all salesguy. Looked me straight in the eye and told me I was flat wrong about the 460 sharing ANYTHING with a 4Runner. I could afford the Lexus, but he talked down to me 'cause I was cross-shopping with a 4R. Grrr.

I'm test driving an LE Monday, we'll see how that goes...

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Things I have noted so far:

LED drl and low beams are amazing.
No a-trac which is a bummer
Crawl control in the top model only
KDSS is standard on all
DAC is also standard

Wife has plans to make it hers...

What makes you say it has no ATRAC? I know the 10-13 all came with ATRAC and Crawl was the option..No ATRAC really would be a bummer!

 

[limamike]

Things I have noted so far:

LED drl and low beams are amazing.
No a-trac which is a bummer
Crawl control in the top model only
KDSS is standard on all
DAC is also standard
Great smooth power and butter 6 speed - love it
It looks like the lunar lander at night with lights that light up running boards and entire bottom of truck
Lights in interior door handles and under each seat; everything is lit, and I know there have been complaints on this board about this
Michelin OEM is the first marginally acceptable tire I've gotten on a new car
Roof rack seems to force you to go lexus cross bars as my Thule have no chance of fitting
NuLuxe synthetic seating surfaces looks and feels great; time will tell...
Wife has plans to make it hers...

No ATRAC!? WTF?

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

No ATRAC!? WTF?

I just looked at the Lexus site. They all still come standard with A-Trac. So rejoice OP!

 

[JohnJerk]

I just looked at the Lexus site. They all still come standard with A-Trac. So rejoice OP!

I see that on lexus.com but the manual says Active TRAC for 4 low only works in vehicles equipped with Multi-terrain Select when Multi-terrain Select is switched on. I don't have MTS...

I guess I need to go into some snow in 4 low and see if I can get some traction control to kick in? Is that a reasonable test?

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

I see that on lexus.com but the manual says Active TRAC for 4 low only works in vehicles equipped with Multi-terrain Select when Multi-terrain Select is switched on. I don't have MTS...

I guess I need to go into some snow in 4 low and see if I can get some traction control to kick in? Is that a reasonable test?

Yep! ATRAC only works in 4low below like 5mph. I'm fairly certain you have it, because Toyota(Lexus) basically put it on all of their off road vehicles today. I would go out where you can get into 4low and mess around to see if you can get it to engage. Multi-trrrain select actually works with ATRAC and TRAC to allow more or less wheel spin depending on the situation and terrain surface. The only vehicles with multi-terrain select currently are the 4Runner Trail, LC, LX570 and the GX460 premium (as an option I believe). All of the other 4Runners and GX's still have ATRAC without having multi-terrain. Good on you for actually reading the manual, there may be another section where it contradicts it's self. Lol, vehicles are very complicated these days.

 

[limamike]

Yep! ATRAC only works in 4low below like 5mph. I'm fairly certain you have it, because Toyota(Lexus) basically put it on all of their off road vehicles today. On the 4Runner, the ATRAC button actually turns it off - basically for situations when you need wheel spin. If there were no button you would never really know it's there until you get into a situation where you need it. I would go out where you can get into 4low and mess around to see if you can get it to engage. Multi-trrrain select actually works with ATRAC and TRAC to allow more or less wheel spin depending on the situation and terrain surface. The only vehicles with multi-terrain select currently are the 4Runner Trail, LC, LX570 and the GX460 premium (as an option I believe). All of the other 4Runners and GX's still have ATRAC without having multi-terrain. Good on you for actually reading the manual, there may be another section where it contradicts it's self. Lol, vehicles are very complicated these days.

ATRAC button on the 4Runner turns ATRAC on, not off.

 

[gwcpa]

Does it ride better than an LE and if so, why? Spring rates softer, tires?

Congrats!

 

[Ryan1975]

What was trade in value?

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

ATRAC button on the 4Runner turns ATRAC on, not off.

Lol maby I need to reread my manual...again! Edited.

 

[diverscale]

Does it ride better than an LE and if so, why? Spring rates softer, tires?

Congrats!

would like to know this too. If the ride is softer, I would not consider it a "better" ride IMO, because I like stiffer, sportier rides (hence I like the 4R limited ride)

 

[JohnJerk]

Does it ride better than an LE and if so, why? Spring rates softer, tires?

Congrats!

It definitely doesn't get as rattled when it hits potholes and the like. The 4R would sometimes get pretty thrown by potholes and deep manhole covers and such. And the GX has a generally softer ride. After pushing the GX to corner at speed it feels good. Not worlds different overall but different. Taller side wall on the GX must be accountable for some of that and then it is KDSS on the GX vs. XREAS on the 4R. Buyers will have to test drive and push the vehicles in corners etc to see what drive characteristics they prefer.

 

[JohnJerk]

What was trade in value?

2011 LE with nav and 3rd row and 23k miles and sticker of $44.6k fetched a $32.5k trade. Started at a very disappointing $30.5k and had quite a slog to get to the end point. Cost of ownership of the LE was well under $300 per month which is just amazing. Working from home/low miles helps a lot.

 

[H&KRunner]

That's a bad arse truck. Congrats.

I stayed within the Toyota family too. They make the best trucks in the world IMHO.

2014 Land Cruiser drive-by clip - YouTube

badass truck. details? build log? thanks

 

[JohnJerk]

Drove the GX from Park City, UT to Crested Butte, CO for some snowmobiling with my brother. Just a fantastic trip.

 

[Lolrax]

would like to know this too. If the ride is softer, I would not consider it a "better" ride IMO, because I like stiffer, sportier rides (hence I like the 4R limited ride)

It depends on the GX you get. I have the auto adjusting air suspension and manually adjustable dampers and it can range from sporty with minimal body roll for highway driving to cloud mode in the city if I use the selector. My limited 4runner had a great ride, this car just feels so much more solid, almost like driving a bank vault in comparison to the light and loud 4Runner.

 

[JohnJerk]

It depends on the GX you get. I have the auto adjusting air suspension and manually adjustable dampers and it can range from sporty with minimal body roll for highway driving to cloud mode in the city if I use the selector. My limited bad a great ride, this car just feels so much more solid, almost like driving a bank vault in comparison to the light and loud 4Runner.

Very good point. My base model does not have that kind of tuning.

 

[JohnJerk]

 

[pacho]

well, I didnt realize till I googled the GX460 that there was a "little" class warfare comments about the Lexus commercials. here you go Sam Sparro -- Spread a Little Love [Official Music Video] - YouTube
I might consider the Lexus GX470 next time around(assuming its still around) maybe 5-8 years or so from now...I wish the 4runner commercials also had some dancing/prancing girls tossing coils, spacers, and shocks in the air
Russian review of the GX460 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFot8HjJxGk
here's some Russians comparing the 4runner and LandRover in snow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jqdmpJz-w8

The old: 2011 T4R Limited with nav and 3rd row
The new: 2014 GX 460 base with nav and f sport wheels

My limited was a sweet spot for fuel economy and comfort and purchase price, but the GX scratches a certain itch. I have now owned (all 4x4) a pickup, tacoma, sequoia, GX 470, T4r (2), FJ, GX 460. The FJ and 460 remain today. Merry Xmas all!