4R to GX470 - How long did you deliberate!

[dwulffusa]

I am definitely one of those with permanent itchy feet to drive something different.
I have lusted after a LandCruiser for years and finally am in the position to buy something in the $40k+ range, so this morning I got onto autotrader again to see if there were any 06 low miler LandCruisers in the area. I found one about an hours drive away so went up and drove it.
I have to say I was disappointed - simply cannot justify $50k for a car that performs no better than my 4R - from roadholding to accelaration, braking, stability and imho the offroad ability is probably pretty equal - so you are paying for size and status. Granted it is essentially a 10year old design with minor improvements along the way, but it should be quieter and more together considering its sticker was close to $60k when new.

Also there was an 07 GX470, with very low miles and it didnt take much to get me behind the wheel of that, since it has also been on my list of desirable cars for years, being south african where we get it as the Prado VX. I was in love after the first mile. I have driven one before with a lexus dealer and must have been in a ho hum mood because I wasnt moved that time. Today it rocked my socks off, perhaps most of all because my Landcruiser dream had just been tarnished, and here was a vehicle with all the street cred, on and offroad, for less money, with more kit, less miles, and it goes about its business so well - smooth, refined and unflappable, and when you get on it, it goes and you feel the grunt, even under full throttle upshifts were buttery but precise without delay or surge. And it looks so good, inside and out. Not to mention the standard features on th GX like the adjustable suspension, memory seats, and alot of little little things that make a big difference, like a compass on the mirror, why is this not std on every car?

Its a 4R only a little better allround, like moving from good wine to really good wine.


To anyone who hasnt driven one, go and do it, but dont tell your 4R - mine sulked all the way home!

 

[Gromulus]

I am definitely one of those with permanent itchy feet to drive something different.
I have lusted after a LandCruiser for years and finally am in the position to buy something in the $40k+ range, so this morning I got onto autotrader again to see if there were any 06 low miler LandCruisers in the area. I found one about an hours drive away so went up and drove it.
I have to say I was disappointed - simply cannot justify $50k for a car that performs no better than my 4R - from roadholding to accelaration, braking, stability and imho the offroad ability is probably pretty equal - so you are paying for size and status. Granted it is essentially a 10year old design with minor improvements along the way, but it should be quieter and more together considering its sticker was close to $60k when new.

Also there was an 07 GX470, with very low miles and it didnt take much to get me behind the wheel of that, since it has also been on my list of desirable cars for years, being south african where we get it as the Prado VX. I was in love after the first mile. I have driven one before with a lexus dealer and must have been in a ho hum mood because I wasnt moved that time. Today it rocked my socks off, perhaps most of all because my Landcruiser dream had just been tarnished, and here was a vehicle with all the street cred, on and offroad, for less money, with more kit, less miles, and it goes about its business so well - smooth, refined and unflappable, and when you get on it, it goes and you feel the grunt, even under full throttle upshifts were buttery but precise without delay or surge. And it looks so good, inside and out. Not to mention the standard features on th GX like the adjustable suspension, memory seats, and alot of little little things that make a big difference, like a compass on the mirror, why is this not std on every car?

Its a 4R only a little better allround, like moving from good wine to really good wine.


To anyone who hasnt driven one, go and do it, but dont tell your 4R - mine sulked all the way home!

Back in 2004 I deliberated between the GX and 4Runner for some time. While I loved the interior of the GX and appreciated it's more open and spacious cockpit (goes with the higher ceiling height) and quieter ride, there were a few trade-offs in my mind:

1) Hated (and still do) the side opening barn door with non-opening glass window. I tow a small A-frame camper and do many outdoor activities. I would not want to deal with the side opening door (especially when towing) that provides no cover from the elements. A deal breaker in my eyes.

2) I drove several 4Runner iterations: V6, V8, with and w/o X-REAS and compared to the GX with and w/o KDSS. After several test drives the same day I came away with the distinct impression that the 4Runner with X-REAS handled better, tighter and with more control than the GX w/o KDSS. When I finally did find a GX with KDSS it did seem to handle better than base units - at least on road. GX models with KDSS are very rare in my area and come long with some every expensive options as part of the Sport Package. Almost every GX came with the very child size third row seats which I did not need or want.

3) Exterior appearance. Just my opinion, but I really like the masculine exterior appearance of the 4Runner more than the tall, tippy look of the GX. Again, the GX has a much nicer interior with higher grade leather so no comparison there.

4) Fold down rear seats. The 4Runner has rear seats that fold down flush with the cargo area. This is very useful to me when transporting cargo and especially when the wife and I go on our frequent all season "4Runner camping" trips. We can fold down the second row seats, roll-down the rear window and attach a velcro screen or my Explorer 2 rear hatch "tent" for enhanced ventilation. I could not do this as easily with the GX seats and side opening rear door. Of course the GX does have more foot and toe room in the second seat due to it's design.

5) Center console. I am in the minority here but I like the 4Runner's large front cupholders more than those in the GX. The center mounted low range shifter takes room away from the GX's center console space as well.

Of course I like my creature comforts like leather, heated seats, navigation system, back-up camera (very useful for towing!), Homelink, compass, etc . so I bought a Limited model with X-REAS. While somewhat over priced compared to a Sport model IMO, it was still much less expensive than a comparably equipped GX. A GX with the KDSS equipped Sport Package was even more. The Limted 4Runner has most or all the options I want and none of those I do not.

Not knocking the GX mind you, but for some people the 4Runner is a better fit. Change a few styling elements of the GX, get rid of the rear door design, and bring the price down a few grand and I may look at the GX again next time around.


I find it interesting that for the new TLC and LX570 models, Toyota is pairing KDSS with the LC and the X-REAS for the luxury LX model - just the opposite as the 4Runner and GX now. Of course it actually makes more sense since KDSS is a better off-road suspension and X-REAS better on road. I'd venture to say very few Lexus buyers are taking their vehicles off the tarmac.

 

[Boston_Runner]

You get use that side opening barn door pretty quick. I hated it at 1st too but have grown to like it. My 10 year old loves it. You can buy the GX now with the KDSS without the sport package but its still very hard to find. Exterior appearance, all subjective of course, the GX looks better from the front and the side but the 4runner looks better from the back. The GX seat can flip up as well, you do know that right. As far as the tent and the rear door, you are out of luck. Then again, you should sleep in a real tent if you are going camping, not in a car Top of the line GX is about $5000 more than the top of the line 4runner, not inculding Nav. You cannot really comapre the nav option between the 2 because the GX's nav comes with the Mark Levinson system, its one of the best OEM system on the market right now. Of course the 4runner is a better fit for some people, otherwise, Toyota / Lexus would not be offering both models.

 

[Gromulus]

Camping

You get use that side opening barn door pretty quick. I hated it at 1st too but have grown to like it. My 10 year old loves it. You can buy the GX now with the KDSS without the sport package but its still very hard to find. Exterior appearance, all subjective of course, the GX looks better from the front and the side but the 4runner looks better from the back. The GX seat can flip up as well, you do know that right. As far as the tent and the rear door, you are out of luck. Then again, you should sleep in a real tent if you are going camping, not in a car Top of the line GX is about $5000 more than the top of the line 4runner, not inculding Nav. You cannot really comapre the nav option between the 2 because the GX's nav comes with the Mark Levinson system, its one of the best OEM system on the market right now. Of course the 4runner is a better fit for some people, otherwise, Toyota / Lexus would not be offering both models.

Yes, I know all about tent camping. I own five and have been back packing and tent camping for almost forty years year round - including winter in my North Face VE-25. For a fast weekend away and in some remote areas it is much easier for just my wife and I to sleep in the 4Runner at times.

I don't think the rear seats in the GX fold flat to be level with the cargo area though. Correct me if I am wrong.

The side opening door looks like it would get in the way when trailering as well. I wonder how it would work with my Yakima Full-Swing bike rack.

The price differential for similarly equipped vehciles is more than 5K in my area. A fully loaded V8 Limited in my area has an MSRP pof $43,295. This includes NAV, sunroof, air suspension, and X-REAS. A base GX has an MSRP of $47,580, but this does not include NAV, back-up camera, or towing prep and receiver. A higher optioned GX has an MSRP of $52,698. This includes NAV, ML (as you indicated), third row (which I do not need or want), towing package, and towing receiver. I would guesstimate the NAV, back-up camera, and towing equipment to be valued at approximately $2500 - 3500, making the equivalent difference somewhere in the $7 - 8k range. In my area the KDSS only seems to come with the Sport Package which brings the MSRP to a $55,565 minimum.

Appearance and handling: as you say, to each his own.

It will be interesting to see how the GX and 4Runner differentiate themselves for the next generation. I find it interesting that the new TLC has KDSS whle the LX will have X-REAS, just the opposite of the 4Runner/GX today. Actually this makes more sense since I would thinka 4Runner and TLC owners would be more apt to venture off-road than GX and LX owners.

 

[Boston_Runner]

The 2nd row seats actually flips up after you fold them down for a flat cargo area. I just look in the internet for the 08 price difference again. The Gx's third row seat option went down in price from $1625 invoice in 07 vs $436 invoice in 08 and the spoiler is now standard in the 08 GX. Comparing loaded 4runner limited with air suspension and no nav which is $38400 invoice to the GX with 3rd row seats and no Nav, which is $41800 invoice. The diff is only $3400.