ADVocate

I guess I did not even pay attention to the mileage when I first got the car ... wow... that mileage sucks. :( But, I have about 10K on it now and for a while I have been getting 16-17 mixed driving and about 19-22 on highway. I have been driving heavier SUV's in the past and have altered my driving from my sports car days .... :whistles: IMO, the mileage is pretty decent considering what it could be. I know it seems a crime to drive an SUV as a commuter, but I sure do like the comfort zone ... :-)

I agree with you in that some complaints are a bit out of proportion. But, I guess that some people way issues far differently than I do. I have not had to use the child restraint system for the car seat. But, I have had others comment (on their own) on how they like the sensible layout of it. And even though I do like the truck, there are some little things that don't make sense to me (i.e. why does the the rear hatch have to be a door ???). But, than again, it is a sense of personal preferences and not legitimate faulty design .... :-) BTW, beware the FM/CD/DVD audio level change when switching between those sources on your stereo. The DVD audio is lower than the others. It's an ear killer ..... ;-)

As I understand it, this vehicle does qualify for that category. And it is based on the GVW, which adding options will not change. There was an issue for the 2003 being changed to the 5700 or something like that (and the recall for that misprint) from 6000 which annoyed quite a few people, understandably.

If I can use my GX as an example, I would say that whoever has the steering drift problem should have it looked at. I have had no such anomoly with my truck. In fact, it pretty much stays on track without a problem. I agree that the KDSS should not have any bearing on a tracking problem. It almost sounds like you have an alingment issue. This is by no means a LIGHT auto and other cars passing by it or a light wind should NOT effect it. If you live in an overly windy place, I would hazzard a guess as to say the high profile of the vehicle is probably more at issue. If the GX cannot work for you, than good luck on finding the auto that will. I have not had any major complaints, but there have been the minor ones (like storage space by driver, or 6-way power seat on passenger side, Navigation changes while driving). I know that what I bought certainly fits what my expectations where, and I have not found those serious design issues that others claim to have found. Oddly enough, it seems that most complaints seem to be an auto of this cost and calibre should behave better. Have you tried to drive something that was more frugal , or should I say, cheaper. Because, most of that other stuff (more inexpensive autos and trucks) do feel like just that .... cheaper! BTW, I have dealt with the Lemon Law in California, it is a pain the butt, but it does work and you can have your day in court.

I have to agree with EBROWN, in that I have not had any of the problems some people state here. And I look forward to it staying that way, I am sure Lexus would agree with that. :) But, as far as model year changes, "proceed with caution". Perhaps I have it wrong, when I was shopping around for the GX late last year, I found something very confusing. Did Lexus add some of the model year feature changes AFTER the release of the model year INTRO. Or where the new models delayed until late November with the 2004 being introduced at that time? I did not understand why Lexus did this, but it is annoying and probably upsetting to those who got "blind-sided" by the late intro of the new features. If my perception is wrong, I look forward to somebody correcting me.

I can appreciate your point of view concerning the heirarchy of where Lexus fits into Toyota manufacturing. But, to state that the parent manufacturer can't differentiate between their product lines is like comparing a Cadillac Seville to a Chevorlet Cavalier. True, Lexus is a Sub Company within Toyota, but the GX is not simply an optioned up 4Runner. The current models of 4Runner Limited and the GX, have almost all of the same features. But, they do not have ALL the same features. And I am sure there are features on the GX, that you could care less about. And there is also the level of hardware used that sets them apart ( i.e. do the 4runners use projector lamps for headlights?). There is more acoustic insulation in the GX over the 4runner. And I think the GX is taller in the passenger cabin for better head room. One of the features I REALLY miss is the higher seating position that Range Rover's have. It made long trips less annoying having your legs bent more comfortably at the knee than to have them stuck out with lower seating height. I think the GX also has higher seat bases than the 4Runner. Anyway, it is design changes that will make you like the differences between the 4Runner and the GX, or simply that you should get the 4Runner and save some money. At what level do you want your driving experience. Obviously, all features and options of the GX are NOT available on the 4Runner. With all that to consider, it is simply where you spend money that counts as your vote.

I think there have been quite a few posts in this forum regarding how some people think this truck should ride more like a sedan. And they are disappointed when it does not ride like some of the gentler lines of cars. But, if you took a look at any discussion in an actual 4x4 forum, you would notice the absence of those SUV's that you think ride so well. That seems to illuminate the fact that this is a truck for off-road use, which has lot's of accutrements, which it does surprisingly well. I did not drive the 4runner, since that was not an option in my mind. I have owned Range Rover's and driven the X5. I like the 470 for the price point. The Range Rover is truly a fine piece of work,on and off the road, but very maintenance intensive. For me, the X5 is not even an option for off-road, since it seems to be a very tall all-wheel drive sedan. For the KDDS option, if you only drove it around on the city streets, there would not be an observable difference. If you were to drive that on a curving mountain road or off-road, there is a HUGE difference. The Range Rover did not dampen the wash board road as well as the GX, but swayed like a whale in mountain road situations. The X5 has the same anti-sway features, but since that is NOT an off-road vehicle it would be hard to compare its' wheel travel over a river bed. For what I spent, I think the GX is great for a truck. It does not have the European appointments that set those vehicles apart (and of which I miss a few of), but it is a great truck. Obviously, these are my opinions, since what governs anyone's preferance is probably emotional in some way and not easily resolved. It comes down to what do you want to purchase, comfort or performance.

I have noticed the same thing. And I too asked them at my 1000 and 5000 miles service points if there is anything that can be done about it. I do not think that is the end of the story. There has got to be an attenuating setting in the Nav/Stereo/service software for such an input. Or perhaps it was just merely bad design. :chairshot: I would love to see a list of what is addressable in the service computer options when they plug into the 470's brain. But, for now I have trained myself to lower the audio before changing over. It SUCKS, but better that than replacing my speakers at some point. <_<

I checked out the reply from "denslexusgx470". It seems that the picture at that site was used "OUT of CONTEXT" by a different user. The picture owner posted a message later saying that his front wheel was on a snow bank and not all wheels were level. I have KDSS, and I don't have a leaning problem. There is an occasional noise from the system, which could be a cylinder resetting a level. But, that effect is minimal to the benefit of the system. Given all that I have seen of people posting comments, I would say that people have varying degrees of priority in what is acceptable and what isn't. After all, this is just a TRUCK isn't it. A very nice truck, but a truck nonetheless! 2004 GX470 "C" and working properly .... BTW, I have now used this in an serious off-road envirement. I have used RR's and X5's, but this thing had the best ride. That may change as it ages, but it was amazing!!!

I have to agree with GS400JON. The KDSS option really does change the handling of the truck. It is very similar to the X5. I think the shocks respond a little better on the X5, but there is NO body roll in turns. I have not used it off-road as yet to experience the increased wheel travel at low speeds, but the high speed movement is great.

I don't think this an air leak issue. If the other person's fix worked, than it is a gap issue of wind running over a turbulence point (i.e. blowing across a bottle opening). It could be a matter of the dealership adjusting the window trim. If they don't make it worse though. I do not have a wind issue, it could be you have one that needs to be adjusted.

If you don't mind my asking, where did you get the kit? It looks great on your GX.

I also was concerned about getting on option which had unverifiable feedback. I drive almost everyday, over mountain/canyon roads, and the only word to describe the control is AWESOME!!! When I first discovered that the body has almost NO perceptible tilt at speeds to ridiculous to state here, I could not help but smile. The handling is better than any Range Rover or X5 that I ever drove. The limitation on the towing, must be due to the active control of the suspension (shifting weights and stresses) that would probably break if exposed to that situation. Anyway, this control system is more than I expected it to be. You almost forget your in an SUV and not an M5. I hear that the new LR Discovery now has this same option. I am curious that they think of it on that side... still learning more about this beast ...

I wanted to comment on the "door swings the wrong way" comment. I too, had thought this was an odd way to locate the door on the back of the GX. The fact that the door hinges are against are on the curb side, thereby making the user stand on the street side to open the door. But, in reflecting on this issue, it struck me on how sensible this is. If you open the door and your vehicle is on a slant (which is usually the case if you are curbside) the door will not swing back into you. With the door opening on the curside, gravity will keep the door from swinging back in and catching you just were you do NOT want to be. If the door, did open on the other side, I guess there would be people complaining on this site about how the were injured when a passing car's gust of wind slammed the door onto them as they were stooping over. IMHO .... :)