Looking To Purchase Gx 470 - Need Advice!

Curlyp · March 15, 2015

Hello Lexus Community,

Fist off, I am new to the forums and fairly new to Lexus. I am reaching out to the community for advice and recommendations.

My first Lexus I owned was a 1998 SC400 when I was in the military. I am looking to purchase my second Lexus; used, but new to me!

Currently, I own a 2014 BMW and 2014 VW. With our family growing and the need for more vehicle space, the GX 470 would suit the needs. I am seeking a used Lexus as it will help keep down the cost of one vehicle; limiting us to one new car payment for the time being. The plan is to trade in the VW and or sell it to basically break even (based on the appraised value, I have about $2,000 negative equity).

I have found four GX 470's I am interested in. The 2003 and 2004 does not have a back up cam, but the 2005 and 2006 do. I read some reviews that their have been improvements and features added in 2004 and above. I researched the vehicles maintenance records for each one. All maintenance has been documented and done at the Lexus dealer. The 2003 has not had the 90,000 miles maintenance serviced as it only has 82,000 (this will be my negotiating point with the dealer).

I have also read that some owners are able to get 200,000 + miles on their vehicle. With all that said, I am not sure which one to get or which one is the best deal (my first impression would be the 2003, but the 2004, 2005 and 2006 is newer with additional features and safety).

I would like some advice and your thoughts on the vehicles I am interested it. I have not seen them in person (yet - I am going to this week) as I would like some feedback. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read.

Below are the details of each:

Vehicle 1:

Year: 2003

Miles: 82,863

Owner: 1

Features: Navigation, 4X4, 4-Wheel ABS, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, 5-Speed A/T, 8 Cylinder Engine, AM/FM Stereo, Active Suspension System, Adjustable Steering Wheel, Air Suspension, Aluminum Wheels, Auto-Off Headlights, Auxiliary Pwr Outlet, Brake Assist, Cassette, Cruise Control, Daytime Running Lights, Driver Air Bag, Driver Illuminated Vanity Mirror, Driver Vanity Mirror, Dual Zone A/C, Electrochromic rearviewmirror, Fog Lamps, Front Floor Mats, Front Reading Lamps, Full Size Spare Tire, Gasoline Fuel, Heated Driver Seat, Heated Mirrors, Intermittent Wipers, Keyless Entry, Leather Seats, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel, Multi-CD hanger, Navigation, Pass-Through Rear Seat, Passenger Air Bag, Passenger Illuminated Visor Mirror, Passenger Vanity Mirror, Power Door Locks, Power Driver Mirror, Power Driver Seat, Power Passenger Seat, Power Steering, Power Windows, Premium Sound System, Privacy Glass, Rain Sensing Wipers, Rear Air, Rear Defrost, Rear Head Air Bag, Rear Seat Audio Controls, Running Boards, Seat Memory, Side Head Air Bag, Steering Wheel Controls, Sunroof, Third Row Seat, Tires - Front On/Off Road, Tires - Rear On/Off Road, Traction Control, Universal Garage Door Opener, Variable Speed Intermittent Wipers, Vehicle Anti-Theft System, and Woodgrain Interior Trim

Vehicle 2:

Year: 2006

Miles: 157,487

Owner: 2

Features:**Dual TV's for Entertainment**, **Great Service History**, **Mark Levinson Stereo**, **Navigation**, 11 Speakers, 17" x 7.5" Alloy Wheels, 3.72 Axle Ratio, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes, ABS brakes, AM/FM radio, Adaptive suspension, Air Conditioning, Auto tilt-away steering wheel, Auto-dimming Rear-View mirror, Auto-leveling suspension, Automatic temperature control, Back Up Camera, Brake assist, Bumpers: body-color, CD player, Cassette, Compass, Delay-off headlights, Driver door bin, Driver vanity mirror, Driver's Seat Mounted Armrest, Dual front impact airbags, Dual front side impact airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Front Bucket Seats, Front anti-roll bar, Front dual zone A/C, Front fog lights, Front reading lights, Front wheel independent suspension, Fully automatic headlights, Garage door transmitter: HomeLink, Genuine wood console insert, Genuine wood dashboard insert, Genuine wood door panel insert, Heated Front Bucket Seats, Heated door mirrors, Heated front seats, Illuminated entry, Illuminated running boards, Leather Seat Trim, Leather Shift ****, Leather steering wheel, Low tire pressure warning, Memory seat, Occupant sensing airbag, Outside temperature display, Overhead airbag, Overhead console, Panic alarm, Passenger door bin, Passenger seat mounted armrest, Passenger vanity mirror, Power door mirrors, Power driver seat, Power moonroof, Power passenger seat, Power steering, Power windows, Rain sensing wipers, Rear anti-roll bar, Rear audio controls, Rear seat center armrest, Rear window defroster, Rear window wiper, Remote keyless entry, Roof rack, Security system, Speed control, Speed-sensing steering, Splitfolding rear seat, Steering wheel memory, Steering wheel mounted audio controls, Tachometer, Telescoping steering wheel, Tilt steering wheel, Traction control, Trip computer, and Variably intermittent wipers

Vehicle 3:

Year: 2005

Miles: 136,089

Owner: 3

Features: Power Sunroof, Leather Upholstery, Navigation System, DVD Entertainment System, Alloy Wheels, Power Door Locks, Power Windows, Dual Power Seats, AM/FM Stereo Radio, Multi CD Player, Mark Levinson Sound System, Homelink System, Memory Seating, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control System, Air Conditioning, Telescopic Steering Wheel, Steering Wheel Audio Controls, Cruise Control, Rear Window Defroster, Rear Window Wiper, Dual Climate Control, Heated Seat(s), Dual Air Bags, Side Air Bag System, Curtain Air Bags, Auto Adjust Day/Night Mirror, Power Mirrors, Heated Outside Mirror(s), Sunroof Cover, Keyless Entry, Power Lumbar Seat(s), Child Safety Locks, Split Fold Down Rear Seats, Third Rear Seat, Rear Air Vent(s), Running Boards, Compass, 12 Volt Power Source, Back Up Camera, Power Steering, Auto Express Down Window, Cassette Player, Radial Tires, Elec. Steering Adjust., Gauge Cluster, Clock, Tachometer, Tilt Steering Wheel, Intermittent Wipers, Center Console, Dual Sport Mirrors, Center Arm Rest, Front Bucket Seats, Reclining Seats, Map Lights, and Tinted or Privacy Glass

Vehicle 4:

Year: 2004

Miles: 112,606

Owner: 2

Features:Navigation, 4WD/AWD, ABS Brakes, AM/FM Radio, Air Conditioning, Alloy Wheels, Automatic Headlights, Automatic Load-Leveling, CD Changer, CD Player, Cargo Area Cover, Cargo Area Tiedowns, Cargo Net, Cassette Player, Child Safety Door Locks, Cruise Control, Daytime Running Lights, Deep Tinted Glass, Driver Airbag, Driver Multi-Adjustable Power Seat, Electrochromic Interior Rearview Mirror, Electronic Brake Assistance, First Aid Kit, Fog Lights, Front Air Dam, Front Heated Seat, Front Power Lumbar Support, Front power Memory Seat, Front Side Airbag, Full Size Spare Tire, Genuine Wood Trim, Heated Exterior Mirror, Interval Wipers, Keyless Entry, Leather Seat, Leather Steering Wheel, Limited Slip Differential, Load Bearing Exterior Rack, Locking Differential, Manual Sunroof, Passenger Airbag, Passenger Multi-Adjustable Power Seat, Power Adjustable Exterior Mirror, Power Door Locks, Power Sunroof, Power Windows, Rain Sensing Wipers, Rear Window Defogger, Rear Wiper, Running Boards, Second Row Folding Seat, Second Row Sound Controls, Separate Driver/Front Passenger Climate Controls, Side Head Curtain Airbag, Skid Plate, Splash guards, Steering Wheel Mounted Controls, Subwoofer, Tachometer, Telescopic Steering Column, Tilt Steering, Tilt Steering Column, Tire Pressure Monitor, Traction Control, Trip Computer, Vehicle Anti-Theft, Vehicle Stability Control System