Spoogie

Hi Dana and welcome to the LOC.

You sound like your that "rock & a hard place" that affects all car lovers. When is the best time to say good by to your first love and follow that siren call of that shiny new object.

I come from the side that tends to believe that after 8 good years, your GX470 has given you excellent service. Now she is starting to show the the results of those years. The folks that are good at and can do their own repairs, enjoy the fun of keeping their Lexus in top shape as their Lexus go's along.

If you are not "do it your selfer" but have a good mechanic, in my opinion, your still going to continue to have ongoin repairs as you go along.

In addition, as you've already found out. after 8 years, your market value has pretty much hit bottom. This has made your ability to negotiate a new car some what difficult. Having said that, given your current history, I would come down on the side of selling your GX either intrade, or as a trade in. Your best price will come from selling your self, but that can be a real hassle. Don't rule out the flexiblity of a lease.

Come back and let us know how things are progressing.

Paul

Thanks for your reply. I'm conflicted since it has been such a good suv. I'm going to drive it a while.

I bought my GX 470 new in 2006; it had 12 miles on it. The miles are mostly highway, and the car very well cared for. It drives like new, and the problems it has had are as follows:

Regular:

- tires

- brakes

- battery

- alternator

- radiator (after five years, right on schedule)

Unexpected

- every door lock actuator has failed at one time or another

The car is need of tires again, and I'm told these models need a transmission like clockwork at or near 175k miles. So wondering now if I should trade it in for something else: looking at a 2014 Acura MDX or a 2014 Toyota Highlander.

In addition to a $5k transmission, the car will need the timing belt and water pump completed again at 200-220k. It also needs a $750 bumper repair.

Discussing this with my local mechanic whom I trust, we've both decided the car is at the tipping point in terms of ownership. I can account for the upcoming known repairs, but what else might popup at this late age? This is rhetorical of course as nobody can know.

I've been offered $12,300 in trade. Very conflicted about trading it in and spending $43k on something else. It's especially difficult given that I've had few problems with it and know exactly where it's been.