mcmann

What do you think about the comfort - or lack of it - in the second row seats? I was very disappointed that Lexus made them flat, with very little cushioning. Then when you combine that with the fact that they're now 40-20-40 rather than the 60 - 40 in the GX470 design - they're extremely uncomfortable. And now they no longer fold down and flip up - you can only fold the back down and then they don't even lay flat, they're at an angle. I think that's why they reduced the amount of cushioning - so that they could fold. I was going to trade my '07 in on a new model but I'm really reconsidering. There are several negatives that I have to ponder - the cargo area has been significantly diminished, the floor of the cargo area is much higher due to the mechanics of the power folding third seat, they still have the rear door hinged on the wrong side, there's a lot more plastic in the interior, the front headlights are quite odd and the worst of all - it looks like a giant Highlander! And now my dealer tells me that they're not making the side doors with the extra molding detail like it shows on the Premium model. At least that molding strip added a little design to the vehicle. So I'm know looking into other brands - the Porsche Cayenne (new models due in July) or the X5.

Thanks for the information about the baffle. Oil consumption is normal - everything is normal except the slap. I will take the cylinder piston baffle print out with me and talk to the dealer. However I am also looking at trading it in on a new vehicle - maybe a 2010 GX. or LX. The Blue Book value is great, the car only has 20,000 miles and one year of full warranty left. But at this point I'd also like to tell my dealer he just lost a customer over this even though I know they don't care. I'm also looking at a MB GL, an ML and a BMW X5. How would a mechanic determine if the pistons are slapping or not? What test is performed? I did get their chief mechanic to say that the only solution would be a short block but he couldn't guarantee that would work. But I agree with everyone here - even if they are slapping that's not acceptable.

McMann ..they will not give up easily, take another car, and ask them to compare when there is that song playing from your engine and one that is'nt, Simple, Ask them to fix it, than telling stories of design. I think you are being taken for a ride, dont be soft, its your car, and it is you should be having the satisfaction than they convincing you of the design plot. Beat it !! I got absolutely no where with my Lexus dealer. I even spoke with the head of the dealership who claims that his new sedan has the same problem and that it's just something that happens with some vehicles with this specific engine. He assured me that it will not cause any harm. I even tried my backup plan - my company leases a new car every 3 years, the lease on this GX is up in April and I told him that because of the way they handled this we would look elsewhere for a new SUV. He didn't care.

Update on piston slap. Dropped the car off at Lexus of Cherry Hill NJ and the FTS (factory trained service technician) examined the car and found that "it's performing as designed." That is all they wrote on my service invoice. I thought it was interesting that there was no mention of the noise or it's cause. I called the head of the service department to ask about this and he commented that since the FTS says it's normal he can't do anything even if he wanted to. Tomorrow I'll call the dealer's customer relations contact and see if they will rewrite the service invoice - I would like to have more documentation for my records in case something else develops in the future. Luckily I still have a full year of warranty left.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I'm dropping off the car tomorrow night and the 'regional technical expert' is scheduled to examine the car on 12/10. I just called the Service Manager to alert him to this issue and our dissatisfaction with their excuses. This GX is my third Toyota (previous cars 2004 LX470 and a 2001 Sequioa) and the first to make this obnoxious knocking when you start the car. My lease is up in April and since I only have 20,000 miles we've decided to purchase it. But I'd have serious doubts about keeping it if they cannot correct the problem.

I always use Premium fuel. I have a Sunoco station nearby and purchase my gas there.

Thanks for the link to the other piston slap entries. I'll check them out. Actually I don't let the car idle that long. The 2 to 5 minutes was my test to see how long the noise lasted. And it's louder inn reverse than in park or forward. If I back out of my driveway it's significantly louder than if I drive out in forward. Thanks again- even if the Supreme Technical Expert from California deems this a normal noise next week I'm disappointed.

My 2007 GX 470 has 20,000 miles. Around 12,000 miles it started making what I called an engine knock when the car was first started and lasts between 2 to 5 minutes at idle. This only seems to happen after the car has been sitting overnight or parked for a day or two. It happens regardless of the outside temperature although it is louder when it's cold. The Lexus dealer yesterday said it was 'piston slap' and since it goes away after a few minutes it's a normal sound. He said it was the sound the piston makes as it goes up and down inside the aluminum tube and after it warms up it goes away. I asked if it was normal why didn't my other 2 Toyota SUV's ever make the sound (2001 Sequoia, 2004 LX 470)? He said some do, some don't. He also said some do it day one others after many years and some never do it at all. Does this sound like a reasonable explanation? Next week a technical specialist from California is scheduled to examine the car.

I have a GX470- don't even think about using the 3rd row on a regular basis. It's uncomfortable even for kids. My previous car was an LX 470- great car, but the third seating is still not great, even for kids. Before that I had a Sequoia- if you want a Toyota SUV this is the best of the 3 for 3rd row. Plus when you don't need it, the seats fold over and flip up giving you lots of storage.

The original poster has a 2008 GX. The TBS is for 2003 - 2006 cars. Was there a later versions of the TBS that covers newer models?

My 2007 does it too but to a lesser degree than yours. It started around 15,000 miles and it only does it for a few minutes when I first turn the car on in the morning and it is more noticeable when it's cold. What's odd though is it always happens when the car is in reverse but not always in drive. When I first start the car while in park it may not happen, but as soon as I put it in reverse it starts. By the time I buckle my seat belt, tune the radio, back down the driveway and into the street the knocking stops. I don't think it's ever returned during the day, even on really cold winter days. The dealer couldn't replicate even when I dropped the car off the night before and told them that a technician needed to start the car first in the morning and not the lot jockey. The next time it needs servicing I will drop it off the day before and tell the service technician that I will return in the morning because I want to be in the car when the technician starts it so that I can replicate the problem. I'll leave a note on the steering wheel too as a reminder.

Same thing happened to my 2007 GX 470. I checked the owner's manual and on my car it had to so with the interior dash light setting. My car has a dial on the dash to the left of the steering wheel- apparently I had turned it all the way on which then disabled the night mode. Check you owner's manual and see if it's the same feature.

You might want to consider entering a nearby address rather than your actual house number and street for security reasons. This is something my salesman mentioned while explaining the navigation system to me. Obviously you can locate your own home when you are in your own neighborhood, but you might not want everyone who has access to your vehicle to know your address. Here's the scenario he described. You and your spouse are out to dinner at a posh restaurant and the valet parks your Lexus. In seconds he can id your home while you are dining and pass that info on to his "associate" who then checks out your home. I know this might sound far fetched but in today's security conscious environment it's something to think about. It's also the reason our police department recommends not leaving your owner's card in the vehicle or leaving your house keys on your key ring when giving your keys and car to someone else to park.

I made the appt with my dealer for the 5000 service and I asked them about the 'clunk' . They seemed quite aware of the problem, although they referred to it as a 'thump.' But they won't order the parts until they verify my car has the problem. Could you please e mail me the lastest TSB also? That way I'll be fully prepared when I drop off my car. Thank you again.

After reading all 15 pages of notes here it's apparent my 2007 GX has the clunk too. It started shortly after I got it. I'm due for my 5000 service soon so I'll call the dealer tomorrow and see if he'll order the needed parts now. What's really annoying is that before I even ordered my GX I asked the service manager about the clunk and the high speed droning hum. He claimed the clunk had been remedied and would not be a problem on the 2007. I wonder if he believed that or was just lying. Actually - he's the guy I'll call tomorrow. I also noted on this forum that I should make sure they do raise the height when they perform the repair. Well I tried to do my homework before buying the car and I still have the clunk. Interesting that the car the dealer let me drive didn't have it. Thanks everyone for all their help.

Is it possible that there is another GX 470 that doesn't hiss when you break? - I've had my 2007 for 6 months and it doesn't hiss. I've even asked other members of the family to listen for it when they drive my car but so far no one has heard it. My car does exhibit another annoying trick - every now and then when stopped, with my foot on the brake, I feel what can best be described as a 'bump' almost like a little tap from another car. My previous LX 470 didn't do it. Anoyone else have this problem?

Dear raymsixsix - Please don't assume that I didn't research, touch, smell, sat, drove ..etc. the GX before buying it. The short seat issue was NOT a surprise. I was simply stating the fact that my husband doesn't feel he has adequate leg support. However, the GX is MY car. I bought it, I drive it, I LIKE it. He drives a Mercedes sedan that suits him perfectly. And while I enjoy being a passenger in his car, I really do not feel comfortable driving it. Again this is a seat issue. In order to reach the pedals I must pull the seat fairly far forward and I feel uncomfortably close to the dash and head liner. But that's his car. He bought what pleases him. We rarely drive each other's car so it's no big deal.

Thanks - I'll have to remind him of that when he sends the car payment this month - The GX certainly is less $$ than the LX. He drives a Mercedes S class so there's lots of leg support there.

Has anyone else checked the altimeter? I have a 2007 GX 470 and the reading varies from 450' above sea level to -150' below sea level. I always check it when I park in the same place next to my garage door. And since my house is relatively stable I wondered why there is such a large difference in the readings. The owner's manual simply states it will vary due to barometric pressure changes.

I think the color is really nice and I'm noticing a few cars of that color on the road - not just Lexus. I'm getting use to the GX - little by little and referencing the owners manual all the time. You and others are right - it does not drive like a truck. I'm happy! :) I'm a woman, 57 and 5'4". I've owned Suburbans, Tahoes, Sequoia's, an LX470 (my favorite) and now a 2007 GX 470. Most of the GX's around my area are driven by women. More men drive the LX 470, the BMW, Range Rover or 4 Runners. I think of the GX as a woman's car. But I guess it's because I've driven the big SUV's for so long. I hope you're enjoying yours now that you've had it for awhile.

I am not sure that I would argue with you at this point, and I shudder at the thought of getting rid of it....with 500 miles on it!! The truth of the matter is that she was concerned about the seat (front to back total movement that time) BEFORE we bought it, so we were a pen stroke away from buying a new Tahoe, when she said, lets go back and look at the Lexus and then bought it one hour later. So in essence she made the decision to buy the Lexus, not me. This new seat thing (no tilt) then came up on the first ride.... Thanks for the empathy! I think that I will just look out the left window when she is in the car! :cries: My husband is very unhappy with the seats on our 2007 GX 470. He thinks that the seat is too short and doesn't give adequate support to his legs. He's not tall (5' 10") but he misses the longer seat on the 2003 LX 470 that we traded in. I'm only 5'4 so it suite me fine. I do miss my LX thought. I wish I had kept it.

Thanks for the reassurance. I visited my Lexus dealer with some photocopies of these posts concerning the driveshaft and droning issues. He was well aware of the clunking problem and said it had been a nightmare for both dealer and customer but that it has been corrected. He called his service department about the droning and the service manager said he was unaware of the problem. He then told me that his wife has a 2006 GX and that it doesn't happen to his car. So I'll keep my fingers crossed that I'm one of the lucky ones. I just hope I don't regret giving my my LX470.

My new 2007 Gx is heading to port even as I type. Has Lexus fixed the 'clunking' driveshaft problems in the newest 2007? Have they discovered the cause of the 'humming drone' at 70 mph? The lease is up on my LX 470 (30,000 miles) and I'm concerned I will be unhappy with my new GX if these problems persist. Any advice?