My wife and I test drove a 2016 Lexus GX460

[JulesMaximus]

We both really liked it. It would replace her Lexus ES350 which we leased almost 2 years ago. She works out of the house and does the carpool to school for our son and two of his friends so we're thinking an SUV might not be a bad choice (she absolutely will not drive a minivan). :wub:

It is quiet, very very comfortable and roomy. Engine is smooth and has enough power IMO. Plus, this thing can tow up to 7,000lbs with no trouble. Would be nice to just throw my mountain bike in the back and go instead of mounting the hitch rack on my Camry.

She liked the truck like ride and the fact that you can see over pretty much anything else on the road. Honestly, for a vehicle with a body on frame chassis it didn't ride like a truck. It was quite comfortable.

These things are very capable off-road too so I would take it camping or to the desert to go shooting. I could see a few trips out to the middle of nowhere to do some star gazing with my telescope too.

 

[echo4747]

We both really liked it. It would replace her Lexus ES350 which we leased almost 2 years ago. She works out of the house and does the carpool to school for our son and two of his friends so we're thinking an SUV might not be a bad choice (she absolutely will not drive a minivan). :wub:

It is quiet, very very comfortable and roomy. Engine is smooth and has enough power IMO. Plus, this thing can tow up to 7,000lbs with no trouble. Would be nice to just throw my mountain bike in the back and go instead of mounting the hitch rack on my Camry.

She liked the truck like ride and the fact that you can see over pretty much anything else on the road. Honestly, for a vehicle with a body on frame chassis it didn't ride like a truck. It was quite comfortable.

These things are very capable off-road too so I would take it camping or to the desert to go shooting. I could see a few trips out to the middle of nowhere to do some star gazing with my telescope too.

I really like the GX460 except the rear hatch. I do not like that it swings open (hinged on right side) It is very comfortable,luxurious, and a capable off roader

 

[LTC8K6]

Will you shut up about SUVs and pickup trucks if you buy one?

 

[Evilviking]

My wife and I were mini van haters too. Decided to test drive one and we never looked back. Nothing better for a family. So easy and comfortable....With that said, if your totally against looking at mini vans I would check out a new Pilot @ 30k and then ask yourself if the GX is really worth 20k more

 

[JulesMaximus]

Will you shut up about SUVs and pickup trucks if you buy one?

You don't need one... and I don't need a Mercedes with a big V8 engine either. But I want one. :sneaky:

 

[JulesMaximus]

My wife and I were mini van haters too. Decided to test drive one and we never looked back. Nothing better for a family. So easy and comfortable....With that said, if your totally against looking at mini vans I would check out a new Pilot @ 30k and then ask yourself if the GX is really worth 30k more

FTFY

The new Pilot looks more like a minivan than it does an SUV.

 

[NutBucket]

To be fair a $30k Pilot is pretty basic inside.

 

[RichieZ]

Will you shut up about SUVs and pickup trucks if you buy one?

yes that will give him more time to post about his ducati

 

[SSSnail]

I'd probably go with MDX if I was in the market for a large SUV.

 

[crashtech]

Is the GX460 that much nicer than a fully optioned 4Runner?

 

[mafia]

I'd get an LX570. Don't be cheap.

 

[leper84]

Is the GX460 that much nicer than a fully optioned 4Runner?

Yes, very much so. There isn't really any overlap like between a Suburban and an Escalade. Lexus is completely different.

 

[Imported]

Is the GX460 that much nicer than a fully optioned 4Runner?

I'm so tempted to get a 2016/2017 4Runner TRD Pro next year after my BMW lease is up.

 

[crashtech]

I'm so tempted to get a 2016/2017 4Runner TRD Pro next year after my BMW lease is up.

An optioned out 4Runner to me is plenty luxurious, they've come a long long way from their humble origins. But I guess for those who are used to being pampered, the Lexus might be the way to go.

 

[tortillasoup]

Does OP promise not to complain about gas prices if and when they do spike? BTW if the vehicle doesn't have a third row of seats, the "carpooling" argument is completely invalid because a Camry has the same person carrying capacity as this vehicle.

 

[XavierMace]

Does OP promise not to complain about gas prices if and when they do spike? BTW if the vehicle doesn't have a third row of seats, the "carpooling" argument is completely invalid because a Camry has the same person carrying capacity as this vehicle.

It might carry the same number of people, but the GX will do it far more comfortably. My 135i convertible technically seats 4. Doesn't mean it does it well.

 

[Yuriman]

It might carry the same number of people, but the GX will do it far more comfortably. My 135i convertible technically seats 4. Doesn't mean it does it well.

I doubt small (or even medium-sized) children are going to be complaining about headroom.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Does OP promise not to complain about gas prices if and when they do spike? BTW if the vehicle doesn't have a third row of seats, the "carpooling" argument is completely invalid because a Camry has the same person carrying capacity as this vehicle.

The GX does have third row seating.

When have I ever complained about gas prices? There's a reason I drive a hybrid, it pretty much makes me immune to caring about gas prices. No, this would be my wife's vehicle. The car she drives currently she averages about 18.8mpg according to the computer so 16-17mpg this thing gets really won't affect us very much.

 

[tortillasoup]

The GX does have third row seating.

When have I ever complained about gas prices? There's a reason I drive a hybrid, it pretty much makes me immune to caring about gas prices. No, this would be my wife's vehicle. The car she drives currently she averages about 18.8mpg according to the computer so 16-17mpg this thing gets really won't affect us very much.

why not buy a highlander hybrid?

 

[JulesMaximus]

why not buy a highlander hybrid?

Because Lexus makes it very convenient when she takes her car in for service by giving her a free loaner car. She is self-employed so waiting around for her car to be serviced is not something we're willing to compromise on.

We're used to that level of service so going back to a less service oriented manufacturer isn't an option.

For me it's fine because my office is about a mile away from my local Toyota dealer so I just drop it off and have one of their shuttles take me to work. The Toyota dealer is about 12 miles away from our home so this would not really work for my wife. She is meeting clients, handling escrows, meeting with home inspectors, showing property, dropping kids off at school etc. Her schedule is usually pretty full.

Besides, the Highlander hybrid would only decrease our monthly fuel expense by about $40/month based on her mileage and driving style.

 

[XavierMace]

I doubt small (or even medium-sized) children are going to be complaining about headroom.

I wasn't referring to headroom.

 

[tortillasoup]

Because Lexus makes it very convenient when she takes her car in for service by giving her a free loaner car. She is self-employed so waiting around for her car to be serviced is not something we're willing to compromise on.

Lol, my local Toyota Dealership offers free loaner car on service over maybe $300. The only way a Lexus dealership would offer a free loaner is if it's in the same ballpark of expense as well....which means that you're regularly getting hosed. I know this because I love to get free rentals so I can test out new vehicles. Frankly, the cost of a paid rental is like what, $20, $30? If her time is really that valuable, then ponying up for the rental should be no problem for her.

Remember, they're taking the money one way or the other. Buying a Lexus because you get free popcorn, coffee, waterbottles and rental is a perfect example of penny wise, pound foolish!!! Oil changes alone are about 2X or 3X the cost vs. a Toyota dealership. The day my dad told me he paid $120 for an oil change @ a Lexus dealership with CONVENTIONAL OIL was the day I promised to do the oil changes on his car from then on. A local Toyota dealership charges half as much (still a rip off) but if you paid $60, and $30 for the rental, that's still cheaper than getting a $120 oil change and a "free rental" from your Lexus dealership.

We're used to that level of service so going back to a less service oriented manufacturer isn't an option.

For me it's fine because my office is about a mile away from my local Toyota dealer so I just drop it off and have one of their shuttles take me to work. The Toyota dealer is about 12 miles away from our home so this would not really work for my wife. She is meeting clients, handling escrows, meeting with home inspectors, showing property, dropping kids off at school etc. Her schedule is usually pretty full.

Besides, the Highlander hybrid would only decrease our monthly fuel expense by about $40/month based on her mileage and driving style.

You're basing it off of today's fuel prices. What you're also not considering is the savings in maintenance costs as the Highlander hybrid is a significantly less expensive vehicle to operate than a GX. A Highlander Hybrid would save you probably about $10,000+ in costs over a GX over the life of the vehicle and no that's not exclusively based upon fuel savings.

 

[OutHouse]

The day my dad told me he paid $120 for an oil change @ a Lexus dealership with CONVENTIONAL OIL was the day I promised to do the oil changes on his car from then on.

Topside oil extractors rule. makes changing oil a snap and no more jackup up the car and screwing with drain plugs or a pan of used oil that no matter how careful you are still spill some of it.

https://youtu.be/wawzok1uzdE?t=30s

 

[tortillasoup]

Topside oil extractors rule. makes changing oil a snap and no more jackup up the car and screwing with drain plugs or a pan of used oil that no matter how careful you are still spill some of it.

https://youtu.be/wawzok1uzdE?t=30s

better than nothing but otherwise it leaves behind any grit that is sunk at the bottom of the oil pan.

 

[iamwiz82]

Lol, my local Toyota Dealership offers free loaner car on service over maybe $300. The only way a Lexus dealership would offer a free loaner is if it's in the same ballpark of expense as well....which means that you're regularly getting hosed. I know this because I love to get free rentals so I can test out new vehicles. Frankly, the cost of a paid rental is like what, $20, $30? If her time is really that valuable, then ponying up for the rental should be no problem for her.

Remember, they're taking the money one way or the other. Buying a Lexus because you get free popcorn, coffee, waterbottles and rental is a perfect example of penny wise, pound foolish!!! Oil changes alone are about 2X or 3X the cost vs. a Toyota dealership. The day my dad told me he paid $120 for an oil change @ a Lexus dealership with CONVENTIONAL OIL was the day I promised to do the oil changes on his car from then on. A local Toyota dealership charges half as much (still a rip off) but if you paid $60, and $30 for the rental, that's still cheaper than getting a $120 oil change and a "free rental" from your Lexus dealership.

You're basing it off of today's fuel prices. What you're also not considering is the savings in maintenance costs as the Highlander hybrid is a significantly less expensive vehicle to operate than a GX. A Highlander Hybrid would save you probably about $10,000+ in costs over a GX over the life of the vehicle and no that's not exclusively based upon fuel savings.

I don't understand why you are pimping a Highlander to someone who wants a Lexus. They are completely different experiences. Clearly your focus is on the cheapest way to get out of driving a car for its lifetime, whereas a Lexus or BMW or Audi driver has completely different expectations.