New Vehicle: RX350, GX460, GLE350

[Seattle206]

Buying a new vehicle in July for my dad now that he is officially retired. These are the 3 vehicles we've narrowed down to. All will be 2016-2017 models, whatever is available on the lots.

He's 63 and only uses his vehicles for pavement for driving friends and family around. He drives his cars to the ground so resell value doesn't apply here.

'16-'17 RX350, crossover unibody. Reliable, smooth, sharp design, and somewhat quick. It's the smallest of the 3 and sits 5. I associate them with women. $46-$50k

'16-'17 GLE350, unibody suv. Lots of cool gadgets, seats 5 I believe. It's a Benz so reliability is going to be iffy after the 4 year warranty. $60-$65k

'16 GX460. 7 seater BOF V8. Reliable and has the power to for passengers and towing if needed. Only bad thing is that its sucks gas, which isn't an issue really, and this is the year production year. $58-$60k.

Don't know much about these vehicles but these are the 3 he is interested in. I'm not too familiar with any of these 3 picks. My call because I will be paying for it! I'd just get him a new T4R LE but he wants some a bit more luxurious. Any thoughts?

 

[Mc1337sauce]

Of the three, I'd say the GX.

I daily drove an 09 RX350 for a while (I know, not the newest one), and I didn't find it particularly luxurious compared to other Lexus vehicles I've driven/ridden in - V6 was a bit noisy, road noise was more than I would have expected, ride wasn't exceptional, etc. I have had the same experience driving a friend's RX400h of the same generation.

I've not driven the GLE and I don't know much about Mercedes SUVs except for the G-class, but having owned Mercedes in the past, they are not particularly unreliable to the point of leaving you stranded, but do require more maintenance to function properly, and parts do cost a hell of a lot for certain items (that can be mitigated by purchasing the Bosch/German aftermarket equivalent, but is still something to be considered).

I've driven the GX470 and very briefly the 460, and I definitely like them a lot. Ride is stiffer than your typical luxury vehicle, but is much better than something like a 5th gen 4Runner IMO. They are definitely quieter than the RX in terms of road and engine noise, though I will say wind noise is a bit more due to the body height. The V8 is far smoother than the RX engine as well. This is by far the best of the three IMO, and if I were shopping for another SUV right now would be the only contender for me, behind the G-class.

 

[philsey]

Few thoughts, being well past retirement age, putting myself in Dad's shoes:

- I'd want reliability, long term reliability. Thus eliminating the Merc.

- I'd want to be in on the decision. Just because you think RX = 'girly' doesn't mean Dad will. Wholeheartedly agree on the two Toyotas, but I think Dad should drive the two. $.02.

BTW, good on ya for taking care of your Pops, and congrats on being 29 and successful enough to do this. Pops is proud.

EDIT: Me, I'd pick the 460 too. The new RX is way overstyled for my taste.

 

[jwkilgore]

The RX vs. the GX debate is all but the exact same argument as the Highlander vs. 4Runner debates. The Lexus vs Toyotas are mechanically twins, just the Lexus models have more upscale trim and extras... like the V8 in the GX but not the 4Runner .

My go-to response is that modern unibody vehicles are safer than BOF and are specifically designed for pavement use. You give up a lot to get the added cargo room, ride height, and towing capacity of the BOF models. Me personally, if I were in your shoes looking for a 100% pavement passenger vehicle based only on the specs you listed, a BOF wouldn't even be in consideration.

BUT, this isn't me, and it isn't even you. None of these would be of any interest to my dad... he's a Dodge diesel pickup with 5th-wheel hitch type of guy. That said, he does enjoy driving my mom's very fuel-efficient Nissan Rouge; specifically the good gas mileage part.

I know the giant bow on the new Lexus in the driveway is cute, but in reality you need to go with your dad to a dealer and have him test drive.

 

[Thai]

RX by a long shot: reliable, latest safety features, easy to drive/park, great visibility, good on gas, super quiet and luxurious (much more than past gens), and excellent resale value.

GX is good, but sucks gas, questionable crash safety (see 4runner offset crash test), and possibly lower resale value (much less people want it).

Forget Mercedes IMO. GLE is nice but reliability is a big issue. Cost of ownership is much higher.

 

[Seattle206]

Awesome, thanks of the advice fellas.

I know ultimately it's what he wants. He is a fan or Lexus and Mercedes. Most of his vehicle decisions are based on what his buddies say/have. His friend recently picked up a new GLS and saw how fancy it was so that's why wants to check out the Benz.

He's really likes the GX460 but as Thai appointed out, lower resell value and it is no longer in production and parts may be harder to come by down the road of ownership.

I think realistically, the RX would be the best choice. It is the #1 seller for Lexus and they are as common as any Camry/Corolla on the roads. It'll be a toss up for him and will come down to the drive and negotiations.

 

[Thai]

I think realistically, the RX would be the best choice. It is the #1 seller for Lexus and they are as common as any Camry/Corolla on the roads. It'll be a toss up for him and will come down to the drive and negotiations.

I don't have the numbers, but RX is probably the best selling luxury SUV on the planet.

 

[philsey]

His friend recently picked up a new GLS and saw how fancy it was so that's why wants to check out the Benz.

He's really likes the GX460 but as Thai appointed out, lower resell value and it is no longer in production and parts may be harder to come by down the road of ownership.

I should think that whatever logic that dismisses the GX based on resale, would apply to the MB twice over.

 

[Jaydub514]

RX - but make sure it's an F-Sport trim!

Looking for one in the near future for the wife, definitely wouldn't mind driving it around.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

His friend recently picked up a new GLS and saw how fancy it was so that's why wants to check out the Benz

The GLE is not as nice as the GLS, so I think a GLE would be a disappointment if this were a comparison of the two. The maintenance costs are high. Not nearly as reliable as the Toyota/Lexus. The GLE coupe should die a horrible death.

I vote Lexus GX460, because it can do more than an RX, but that's if your dad is into that kind of stuff. RX is pretty much one of the go-to luxury vehicles nowadays.

- MBZ employee of 8 years

 

[Seattle206]

So we ended up with a 2016 RX450H. The Lexus of Seattle had some specials for the 4th. Came to 60K OTD.