GX 460 (Premium and Ultra Premium) Test Drive Review/Result

[Lolrax]

Hey all!

I wanted to take the time to write down my thoughts about the GX460 after I had a test drive just in case anyone was curious about looking at one.

So, for me the 4Runner is just not powerful enough, bottom line. There are lots of people that are satisfied with it, but I am disappointed by it and I have been troubled by it for some time. So the question was "Where can I get a V8 powered, body on frame, Japanese built SUV that isn't a monstrosity?" well, the only answer is basically the GX460.

I went to the dealership yesterday, and they had a fully loaded Ultra Premium (Adjustable air suspension, and damper adjustments). I also test drove a Premium model (base with Nav) Here are some thoughts on the key points:

Power:
It was definitely more powerful, but I was expecting way more from it. It was slightly quicker than the 4Runner and thats the most I could say about it. The thrum of the V8 was intoxicating though, you could really feel it pounding away which was cool.

However, the 6 speed transmission made for a much smoother overall experience and it was geared in a way that allowed me to gradually accelerate as opposed to stomping on the gas everytime I had to merge. On the highway my fuel economy average on the computer was better as a result as well.

Handling/Road Manners:
The Ultra Premium GX really shined here, the combination of KDSS and adjustable dampers made for an incredibly composed car. It was quiet on the highway and absorbed everything without even transmitting a sound to the cabin. Cornering was surprisingly flat too, very impressive and way more liveable for a city slicker.

Interestingly enough the lower Premium model was not quite as composed either in the corners or on rutted pavement. It was better than 4Runner but not better enough.

Interior:

The Ultra Premium was incredibly nice. The materials were unbelievable and it was so quiet inside. At about 95MPH (the salesman was getting a bit tense) on crappy freeway, we were speaking to eachother without even raising our voices a bit. It was really a bank vault like they say, super impressed.

Again, the Premium was just "okay" inside. This one had the base leather (I think its leatherette) and even the door panels and other things were covered by a different material (we joked it was sandpaper) than the Ultra Premium. The interior wasn't that quiet again either, we were guessing it was the suspension.

Exterior:

Let's be honest, its not the nicest car to look at. It has really grown on me, but compared to 4Runner its damn ugly and there is a reason these things don't sell much. They look like lunchboxes.

Making the deal:

I was ready to buy! I was there, it was a done deal as far as I was concerned. The GX mostly fixed my main problems with the 4Runner which were:

- Power
- Interior build quality/materials/ road noise
- Handling

*Canadian Pricing alert
The car had 57,000 Miles (87K) and was on sale for $49,850. I took the dealer all the way down the line, they appraised my trade in ($37,000) and....offered me a discount of $1000! Yes...a thousand bucks.

I explained that the GX is one of the least popular cars on the road, and that a bit more goodwill would take me over the line. The answer was no, then I explained that the new GX is $5000 less on MSRP for 2014, and the answer was "$1000 bucks off or you can leave" so I left. Not good enough for a 2010.

I don't know how I feel about it all. Was the GX nice enough for me to justify making the switch? The bottom line is, "no, unless you're getting a killer deal".
When my killer deal arrives I will make the move, the 4Runner is a heck of a lot of quality truck for the price and I'm just not that desperate.

 

[Sungod]

I have actually been looking at making this switch myself. It is really a shame that the Land Cruiser has reached the realm of ridiculous in terms of price. For the price you were quoted, new is probably a better option. It is impressive that they hold their value.

 

[Ol'Blue]

Nice review. I'm guessing that the salesman was pist because you eat his profit on the deal, and that is why there was no sale.

Blue

 

[KVA]

Good review - I am looking at getting a new one (to replace my 470) as the the interior has way more room than the prior version - though I wish it had a bit more. Something between the LX (Land Cruiser), Sequoia and the GX would be great...just not going to happen. At least the front seat is now more comfortable than the 470 - I'm 6'4" and I cannot drive long distance in the GX - it kills my legs. 4Runner is great unless you need to sit behind me.

 

[LandCruiser]

The 470 looks a bit awkward, but starts to get sexy once you butch it up with lifts and armor...

The 460 is all manner of fugly, sort of like I'd imagine Hillary Clinton's fupa to look like.

 

[Lolrax]

Good review - I am looking at getting a new one (to replace my 470) as the the interior has way more room than the prior version - though I wish it had a bit more. Something between the LX (Land Cruiser), Sequoia and the GX would be great...just not going to happen. At least the front seat is now more comfortable than the 470 - I'm 6'4" and I cannot drive long distance in the GX - it kills my legs. 4Runner is great unless you need to sit behind me.

Yeah! Just slightly bigger than the GX, whatever replaces it will be bigger but sadly it will likely be unibody.

Really pay attention to the on/off button for the radio on the GX, it basically sits at knee level and for a tall person I guarantee you will turn it on and off. Bad design there, a minor gripe though.

Edit: The perfect SUV would be the dimensions of the last gen Sequoia (maybe a bit shorter) with the 5.7L V8 and modern bluetooth/nav/interior. Thats my dream come true.

 

[Sungod]

My other GX gripe is the swinging rear door. A hatch or split tailgate/hatch design would have been better. I can only imagine the door ding it would get from swinging in the wind.

 

[KVA]

Thanks.

I love the 470 but the interior room sucks. Though I would never get a GX without KDSS as the one's without sway in wind...

Mine has KDSS and it handles great, has dampening...just need smaller kids...lol

 

[eddiebx]

I explained that the GX is one of the least popular cars on the road, and that a bit more goodwill would take me over the line. The answer was no, then I explained that the new GX is $5000 less on MSRP for 2014, and the answer was "$1000 bucks off or you can leave" so I left. Not good enough for a 2010.

Did the sales person literally say that? Maybe I'm just easily irritable or a rude consumer, but I would've done more than just leave. I'd made it a point to speak to their manager about that kind of comment, and explain to them exactly why they lost the sale (and that you were ready to purchase, to add more fuel to the fire, lol).

Thanks for the detailed review, it's interesting to read this from a 5th gen LE owner's perspective, since you can really see how the luxuriousness stacks up against one another

 

[Lolrax]

Did the sales person literally say that? Maybe I'm just easily irritable or a rude consumer, but I would've done more than just leave. I'd made it a point to speak to their manager about that kind of comment, and explain to them exactly why they lost the sale (and that you were ready to purchase, to add more fuel to the fire, lol).

Thanks for the detailed review, it's interesting to read this from a 5th gen LE owner's perspective, since you can really see how the luxuriousness stacks up against one another

The tone was equivalent to that, maybe he didn't think I was serious about making a deal, I just don't know. I can appreciate I wasn't a typical buyer looking to buy it outright or on a 2 year financing term, but I was ready to make a deal and I guess the margins weren't quite right.

 

[JayceeP]

*Canadian Pricing alert
The car had 57,000 Miles (87K) and was on sale for $49,850. I took the dealer all the way down the line, they appraised my trade in ($37,000) and....offered me a discount of $1000! Yes...a thousand bucks.

Did you look stateside to compare prices? To me that just seems like a lot of money for a vehicle with close to 100,000km on it. Alberta prices are definitely inflated. When I bought my new '12 Ltd back in March, out west they were going for 48-49k with 20,000+km. Could have picked up a new '13 for that. Mind you, you have no provincial sales tax... Which could be an even bigger advantage if you imported. Google Seattle Lexus and check their used inventory. They have a few in stock... Though I don't think they have the Ultra Premium package you are describing but probably your closest major US city?

Wish I could get a GX . Life is tough.

 

[Lolrax]

Did you look stateside to compare prices? To me that just seems like a lot of money for a vehicle with close to 100,000km on it. Alberta prices are definitely inflated. When I bought my new '12 Ltd back in March, out west they were going for 48-49k with 20,000+km. Could have picked up a new '13 for that. Mind you, you have no provincial sales tax... Which could be an even bigger advantage if you imported. Google Seattle Lexus and check their used inventory. They have a few in stock... Though I don't think they have the Ultra Premium package you are describing but probably your closest major US city?

Wish I could get a GX . Life is tough.

It's just that I need to finance it which makes me unable to buy a US car, because the deals down there are definitely better.

These are seriously "first world problems" for sure :redface:

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The 470 looks a bit awkward, but starts to get sexy once you butch it up with lifts and armor...

The 460 is all manner of fugly, sort of like I'd imagine Hillary Clinton's fupa to look like.

I haven't seen a modded GX470 I really took a shining to... most if not all sport that god awful looking ARB bumper...

 

[JayceeP]

It's just that I need to finance it which makes me unable to buy a US car, because the deals down there are definitely better.

These are seriously "first world problems" for sure :redface:

The financing piece does cause a hiccup and makes the trade in route more appealing. One option is to try and get a line of credit from your bank and after you sell your 4R, use the LOC as your source of funds for the US vehicle. Of course that depends in what interest rate you can get and also crunching the numbers to see if paying "cash" with the LOC is cheaper than financing via dealer.

 

[Lolrax]

The financing piece does cause a hiccup and makes the trade in route more appealing. One option is to try and get a line of credit from your bank and after you sell your 4R, use the LOC as your source of funds for the US vehicle. Of course that depends in what interest rate you can get and also crunching the numbers to see if paying "cash" with the LOC is cheaper than financing via dealer.

Thats a great idea, the prices are so much better. You then submit yourself to the fact that your car is basically un-trade-able in Canada though. My parents have a couple of mid 2000s cars just sitting around in the driveway because they aren't selling for much privately and dealerships are raking them over the coals on trade-ins due to the fact they are US vehicles. Dealerships have really done a great job of stigmatizing US cars.

 

[Lolrax]

Thread update:

The dealership came back to me and decided to meet my price!

Picking up the car tomorrow, and will follow up with pics:guitar2:

 

[NoDak]

grats, those are super nice, but a tad more than i need since the kids are about to start college.

cant wait to see the pics

had the same issue of trying to pick up a 2013 lexus gs350 awd. wouldnt budge on the trade in so i walked.

2 weeks later they called and said we can meet you at your numbers. i said i moved on and decided on a 2014 4runner.

 

[JayceeP]

For some reason when I saw that guitar emoticon that song by Jim Jones played thru my head... BALLIN'.

 

[NorthWest 4R]

:nicethread:

Congrats, That GX should go nicely with you're shoe protectors :der:

 

[seahaul]

Hey, I just sold mine! I really loved the GX but its way too nice to take anywhere except on the highway and its way too capable to not, so I made the decision to sell while it was still worth something and go back to a more simple 4Runner that costs a lot less to maintain and I no longer have to wear shoe protectors!!