5th Gen or 07' GX 470

[Land Dog]

I have an 06' SR5 V6 4X4 with 64K. Looking at trading in for:
*2011 White SR5 4X4 V6 with Leather/3rd Row OR CERTIFIED
*2007 GX 470 with under 30K.
Both can be had for around $34-35K.

We put on 15K/year

GX Warranty: If I purchase a Certified GX with around 30k miles I am good for 3 years (Certified Lexus = 100K or 3 years, which ever comes first).

Toyota Warranty: New 4Runner 3 years 36K. Good for 2 1/2 years

Engines: The GX is V8 the 4Runner V6 but mileage will be close.
Visibility: GX is a little better and has better second row seating with more head room.
Third row: Folds down on the 4Runner GX is old school and hang down.
Resale in 3 years: 07' GX will have 75K miles 11' 4Runner 45K miles

Ride Quality Comparison: Can someone comment first hand

 

[mrdaugherty]

I was in the same place only I also looked hard at an '07 MB GL450. I ultimately went with the 5th gen Limited. All were excellent trucks with the MB maybe having a slight edge in ride, but who in Alabama can be seen off road in a MB....

Seriously I made my decision based on the fact I keep cars for a long time, my Acura was 10 years old. If didn't I might would have gone Lexus or MB since they both had already taken a good depreciation. I look at a GX with 75K miles as just getting broken in.. The flat 3rd row was also a consideration for me with 3 active kids we carry alot of crap.

Hope this helps

 

[Land Dog]

We looked at the MB GL450 this past weekend. .... I know, but my wife wanted to. So here is what we concluded.

Interesting look, Big, but seemed smaller inside and small opening in the rear of the vehicle to load stuff. Also, really high back end opening.

BIG Issue: 2007 with 32K miles. I am picky and look at stuff like door jams. Every single door has signs of paint bubbling around the caulked seam! Not sure if this has been discussed in MB forums but is a HUGE problem. It can never be resolved.

Back seat: sits much lower than the GX and 4Runner and wasn't that comfortable.

Ride: Felt like a station wagon not as smooth as the GX and not as Nimble as the 4Runner.

 

[mrdaugherty]

I hear you on the MB. I didn't notice the door jams on either one we looked at.

The 5th gen with 3rd row folded down is a higher rear deck, but you can't have your cake and eat it too. 90% of the time my 3rd id folded and covered by a husky liner, but it's nice to know its there when a kid needs a ride or something. Usually I only raise one at a time since both 3rd row seats up leaves next to no usable space in the rear.

Good luck and let us know what and how you decide.

 

[TTown]

Land Dog,

The question is what is important to you. Will you be towing anything? The Lexus will be quieter, have memory seats, have a nicer leather, loaner cars when you bring in for service etc.

If money is important, think how many years you plan to keep the car and book both vehicles out accordingly. Subtract that number from your estimated purchase price. One thing to realize services will be more expensive on the Lexus, however many Toyota dealerships will service your Lexus. The 60k service will be over $1000. Take all this into consideration to estimate your total vehicle cost of ownership.

Finally, which vehicle excites you the most.

I have owned 3 Lexus and can attest to their quality. Many Lexus owners are repeat buyers. I considered the GX 460 when looking at the 4Runner. In the end the 4Runner won out. I did give up some amenities, but love the look and feel of the 5th gen. 6 months later I don't regret my decision at all.

Just my 2 cents

 

[KVA]

I have both...though an '06 GX with KDSS, fully loaded.

GX - less room for driver, same cramped third row - though you can remove it completely, way more torque/power (actually respondes better then 4R), KDSS is "Key"...I would not want the GX without it. No Ipod integration, etc...little things...but you can add it as I did, zero problems.

4R - Wider, more driver room...i'm tall. Easier to get into/out of thrid row, V6 feels great for a V6...just not a V8, has lots of little features that are nice though GX is way more refined. Gas mielage is a little better in 4R.

Either is great...was looking at 2010 GX460 but could justify the $25K premium over the 4R LE...if you can get KDSS (and your not too tall), it's a great truck.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I hope the GX 3rd row seats aren't as cramped as the 2010-11 4R 3rd row seats. My gf's brother's new Rav 4 has more spacious 3rd row seats than the 4Runner. Out of all of Toyota's SUV's, I think 4R's have the worst 3rd row seats in terms of spacing.

Why would you buy a 4runner if you use the 3rd row a lot? The Sequoia makes a lot more sense in that case.

I'd probably go with the 2011 4runner in this case. I like the appearance more.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Haha that's a great point, I don't use 3rd row seating a lot, in fact, I didn't buy a 4R with the 3rd row seats =D. I was just complaining about how the Rav4/Highlander have better 3rd row seating options. IF the 4R had roomier 3rd row seats, I probably would've paid the thousand bucks extra to get them -- I'd use the third row while car pooling to go skiing, but I wouldn't subject any of my 4'+ tall buddies to a 4R 3rd row seat. Families may have different uses (e.g., kids).

I think that, generally, the size of the third row should be related to a concurrent decrease in MPG -- that is to say, larger cars have larger 3rd rows. If I went with a Sequoia, I'd have to win the lottery first in order to pay for the gas. The 4R was our family's first SUV. We'd been driving sedans (my brother has a Prius!) before this purchase.

That makes sense. You definitely pay the price for a roomy 3rd row. In my opinion there are only a few SUV's with decent 3rd rows.

 

[EVOL ARDNUT]

When will they put the 4.6 in the 4runner, oh when?

If price was comparable between a SEQUOIA (07 AND LATER) and a GX 460.............SEQUOIA with the 5.7 all the way!

I have the 5.7 IN MY tundra AND CAN ATTEST TO AWESOME power of the
I FORCE!

 

[Mark86]

We have an 07 GX and I have driven a 5th gen 4Runner loaner a few times. The pros of the 4Runner: handled better and brand new design. Cons: lacked power, wasn't thrilled with interior layout and quality.

07 GX pros: Lexus quality, V8, and interior is great to look at. Cons: old school design, lacking a lot of the newer features with regards to navi/voice control, very top heavy (without KDSS), rough ride for a Lexus vehicle.

Overall, they are both great vehicles. It all comes down to interior size and whether you want a new or used vehicle.

 

[luv2eat]

We looked at a '09 GX when we were shopping for a family SUV. The biggest turn off for us was the 3rd row. It was totally useless. Other than that, it is a nice SUV... luxurious with nice features, except for the rear hatch that swung out side ways. We ended up buying the GL450. The third row is comfortable even for a 6' person and it drives and rides almost as nice as a sports sedan. The 2 things I don't like about the GL are the "behind the times" Navi and unpredictable reliability. Although we love our GL, especially the wife, we will be replacing it after the warranty is up. Though both of them have "ok" off road capabilities, I would never take such a expensive car off roading.
As for the the 4Runner, I absolutely love it! It's rugged, practical, and fun to drive. I'm getting used to the V6 as I near the end of the break-in period. I could always use more power but then again, we could never have enough power..... uhr uhr uhr Personally, I think it has good power and decent gas mileage. It has good road manners and excellent off road characteristics as well. The third row is somewhat useful (for people 5'8" or shorter) unlike the previous year GX. So in the end, it's what you want to use it for. My .02.

 

[Land Dog]

Thanks for all the feedback... all the comments were great and pretty much what I concluded. I am not crazy about forking over another $18K when is all said and done with my trade for a 2011 4Runner/07 GX.

I think I will try to selling my 06' 4Runner outright and buy an 05 GX with under 70K for under $25k. Hoping I can to this for around $5K.