6th Gen or Lexus GX550?

[thatoneguy]

I've ridden in the new Toyota and Lexus vehicles with the new 4-cylinder turbos and yes there is a difference, but my reason for the V6 over the 4 Cylinder is not the engine performance it is the cost on down the line for repairs. Turbo cost on repairs today are much more expensive than say the base engines without turbos. If you watch the videos on YouTube "the car care nut" you can see what he says about turbos and their increase in price to work on and engine maintenace will cost more to the owner of said vehicles. All you have to do is open the hood and look at the engine, what a tangled mess of tubes and wires, a lot of labor to get to something.

Yes, I am fully aware of Car Care Nut. He is not the bible of everything. We've got members like CutthroatSlam ignoring his "5k oil changes" mantra, going for 10k.... and putting 380k trouble-free miles on their engines.

It's not like the 4.0L is problem free. The various seal leaks are EXPENSIVE to fix, unless they're slow enough to just live with them. And two cylinder banks can often be busier than one with a turbo. "Look at all those hoses" is not the appropriate way to determine how costly something will be to repair, and more importantly, you know nothing about whether a repair will ever be necessary. It needs to be underlined for so many, that turbo technology is not stuck in the 1980s anymore. I've seen too many 300k mile ecoboost working trucks to fear refined technology. Everyone is welcome to their preconceived notions, but expect 6th gen owners to love their trucks and enjoy their likely trouble-free decades with them.

 

[trainman605]

Yes, I am fully aware of Car Care Nut. He is not the bible of everything. We've got members like CutthroatSlam ignoring his "5k oil changes" mantra, going for 10k.... and putting 380k trouble-free miles on their engines.

It's not like the 4.0L is problem free. The various seal leaks are EXPENSIVE to fix, unless they're slow enough to just live with them. And two cylinder banks can often be busier than one with a turbo. "Look at all those hoses" is not the appropriate way to determine how costly something will be to repair, and more importantly, you know nothing about whether a repair will ever be necessary. It needs to be underlined for so many, that turbo technology is not stuck in the 1980s anymore. I've seen too many 300k mile ecoboost working trucks to fear refined technology. Everyone is welcome to their preconceived notions, but expect 6th gen owners to love their trucks and enjoy their likely trouble-free decades with them.

I will say that for me the dislike of the 4-cylinder engines is probably just a personal thing and I do not have any test results by either Toyota, or outers that would sway my decision on this way of thinking. I will say here that I normally drive my vehicles for some five years and probably have only around 50,000 miles on them, so concerns for the 4-cyclender engine would really not come into play for me. My question is how does Honda still offer the V6 in several models without a turbo engine and can still meet the federal mandates on engines EPA regulations. I purchase my 2024 4-Runner because of the V6, if I would have waited for the 2025 4-Runner I would have purchased another Honda Ridgeline.

 

[15Limited]

I've had a nice chunk of change down on a black GX 550 Overtrail (base) since Black Friday, and I'm likely still 2 months from seeing it arrive at the dealership. We were near certain that the LC was going to be our next ride but optioned out the way we'd want, it was too close to the price of the base OT. I don't want the batteries, nor do I want a 4 cyl at that price point.

The all new 4R looks great, but it's still going to be near 60K they way we'd option it. I agree with a comment further above, why can't they just give us a nice naturally aspirated 6 cyl like Honda continues to do? Save the Turbos for the Lexus.

 

[trainman605]

I've had a nice chunk of change down on a black GX 550 Overtrail (base) since Black Friday, and I'm likely still 2 months from seeing it arrive at the dealership. We were near certain that the LC was going to be our next ride but optioned out the way we'd want, it was too close to the price of the base OT. I don't want the batteries, nor do I want a 4 cyl at that price point.

The all new 4R looks great, but it's still going to be near 60K they way we'd option it. I agree with a comment further above, why can't they just give us a nice naturally aspirated 6 cyl like Honda continues to do? Save the Turbos for the Lexus.

Your choice makes sense to me, good choice.

 

[thatoneguy]

I've had a nice chunk of change down on a black GX 550 Overtrail (base) since Black Friday, and I'm likely still 2 months from seeing it arrive at the dealership. We were near certain that the LC was going to be our next ride but optioned out the way we'd want, it was too close to the price of the base OT. I don't want the batteries, nor do I want a 4 cyl at that price point.

The all new 4R looks great, but it's still going to be near 60K they way we'd option it. I agree with a comment further above, why can't they just give us a nice naturally aspirated 6 cyl like Honda continues to do? Save the Turbos for the Lexus.

Well, if they say took the turbos off the 3.4L Tundra/GX/Sequoia motor, a motor which was designed for forced induction, they'd have a non-idealized 3.4L, basically creating another 3rd gen Tacoma, which was universally critiqued for poor engine performance.

The turbo four performs better in the real world than the previous 3.5L and 4.0L V6's. It is a global engine which drastically saves costs. It doesn't seem like they were interested in creating a next-gen larger N/A V6 to sell in several specific countries. They committed to a diesel 4 and a turbo gas 4 for 150+ countries.

In Honda's case, keeping the J-series V6 around forever results in the new soft-roader Passport doing no better on fuel than a 2025 4Runner nonhybrid on 33" tires, which is kind of ridiculous.

 

[15Limited]

Well, if they say took the turbos off the 3.4L Tundra/GX/Sequoia motor, a motor which was designed for forced induction, they'd have a non-idealized 3.4L, basically creating another 3rd gen Tacoma, which was universally critiqued for poor engine performance.

The turbo four performs better in the real world than the previous 3.5L and 4.0L V6's. It is a global engine which drastically saves costs. It doesn't seem like they were interested in creating a next-gen larger N/A V6 to sell in several specific countries. They committed to a diesel 4 and a turbo gas 4 for 150+ countries.

In Honda's case, keeping the J-series V6 around forever results in the new soft-roader Passport doing no better on fuel than a 2025 4Runner nonhybrid on 33" tires, which is kind of ridiculous.

I didn't say the naturally aspirated motor had to be a non-turbo version of the current 3.4 TT. And I realize that it doesn't make business sense for Toyota to have 1 larger displacement v6 engine that is only used in something like the 4Runner and LC. I can still not be happy about any of these decisions by Toyota.

The turbo 4 is not a better motor than the 3.5 and 4.0. Why? Because the turbo 4 will fail in some fashion much earlier than either of those. That means more to many of us that any other factor.

Say what you want about Honda's J-series motor, it's what those of us who appreciate a legendary Japanese v6, want in our vehicles. These engines are a foundation point for the reputation of Honda and Toyota have. These new turbo engines will be why that reputation takes a hit.

Yes, I know, the emissions constraints have led to all of this. It's a shame that the technology of the time can't seem to keep the 3.5 and/or 4.0 alive for those of use who still want it.

 

[thatoneguy]

I didn't say the naturally aspirated motor had to be a non-turbo version of the current 3.4 TT. And I realize that it doesn't make business sense for Toyota to have 1 larger displacement v6 engine that is only used in something like the 4Runner and LC. I can still not be happy about any of these decisions by Toyota.

The turbo 4 is not a better motor than the 3.5 and 4.0. Why? Because the turbo 4 will fail in some fashion much earlier than either of those. That means more to many of us that any other factor.

Say what you want about Honda's J-series motor, it's what those of us who appreciate a legendary Japanese v6, want in our vehicles. These engines are a foundation point for the reputation of Honda and Toyota have. These new turbo engines will be why that reputation takes a hit.

Yes, I know, the emissions constraints have led to all of this. It's a shame that the technology of the time can't seem to keep the 3.5 and/or 4.0 alive for those of use who still want it.

We'll certainly part ways here. In no world would I want the old 3.5L V6 Tacoma over the new 2.4L turbocharged models, I cannot stand how utterly godawful powertrain performance is in the third gen V6 Tacoma, either transmission. Not all of us have irrational unchecked turbo fear. I do not expect the new turbo motors to be any more problematic than the 3.5L was. I bet it won't have the costly oil leaks the 4.0L likes to have, either.

Old school guys are certainly welcomed to take their stand and never buy another new Toyota 4x4. Other people take their place. There were people in 2012 chirping that turbocharged pickups would be the death of Ford. More or less the opposite of that happened. It is entirely possible to design and build 500k mile turbo gas engines, it is not 1988--it just requires conscious effort on the part of the manufacturer. Toyota claims they took that effort with their "we commercial cycle tested it" line they tell everyone.

 

[15Limited]

We'll certainly part ways here. In no world would I want the old 3.5L V6 Tacoma over the new 2.4L turbocharged models, I cannot stand how utterly godawful powertrain performance is in the third gen V6 Tacoma, either transmission. Not all of us have irrational unchecked turbo fear. I do not expect the new turbo motors to be any more problematic than the 3.5L was. I bet it won't have the costly oil leaks the 4.0L likes to have, either.

Old school guys are certainly welcomed to take their stand and never buy another new Toyota 4x4. Other people take their place. There were people in 2012 chirping that turbocharged pickups would be the death of Ford. More or less the opposite of that happened. It is entirely possible to design and build 500k mile turbo gas engines, it is not 1988--it just requires conscious effort on the part of the manufacturer. Toyota claims they took that effort with their "we commercial cycle tested it" line they tell everyone.

Two comments, if I may:

-As I mentioned above, I have money down on a new GX550, just waiting for her to get here from Japan. I don't have irrational turbo fear, but the motor clearly already has a bad reputation as configured in the Tundra. I'd prefer a v8 option, but since it isn't available I'm putting my faith in Toyota to have fixed it or stand by their product if I have an issue. But hey, at least it's a v6. I don't want a 4 cyl at these price points!

-The Ford F150 Ecoboost 3.5 TT v6 is not a reliable engine, I would never own one without a warranty. Many eat timing chains, and often before 100K. Did Ford sell millions of them since 12? Sure, but how many Ford mechanics would recommend buying one, especially used? Few.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

I saw a GX500 on the road today and it looked really good. I dont like the roof rack thing but the rest of the truck was nice. I think they are very expensive however

FYI the Chevrolet Tahoe comes with a diesel for $995 more. Thats something to think about. It's not cheap either but I bet you could negotiate more on the GM than the Lexus.

 

[Titanpat57]

Two comments, if I may:

-As I mentioned above, I have money down on a new GX550, just waiting for her to get here from Japan. I don't have irrational turbo fear, but the motor clearly already has a bad reputation as configured in the Tundra. I'd prefer a v8 option, but since it isn't available I'm putting my faith in Toyota to have fixed it or stand by their product if I have an issue. But hey, at least it's a v6. I don't want a 4 cyl at these price points!

-The Ford F150 Ecoboost 3.5 TT v6 is not a reliable engine, I would never own one without a warranty. Many eat timing chains, and often before 100K. Did Ford sell millions of them since 12? Sure, but how many Ford mechanics would recommend buying one, especially used? Few.

The GX550 engine was produced in Japan...the Tudra engine was produced in Alabama I'm pretty sure. I couldn't be happier with my truck, the mods will come slowly, the War Department is keeping her eye on any mods:Cry::wtf::whipping2. It's hard to go through life without a winch I will say. I'm always running on Eco Mode to save some fuel, but have been averaging 18-19 mpg...with my built 4runner I was at 13-14..actually us8ng less gas in a month.

 

[phillyd2]

Congrats, Pat! It’s the exact same decision I would have made as well. Not even close. The LC looks nice but is ridiculous by every other matrix. I fear the 6th Gen is just doubling down on it.

My only gripe with the 550 is the damn low hanging plastic which really should have been done differently for the OT trims. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.