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We've owned a 2003 and 2005 GX 470. We live in Texas and drive back and forth to New Mexico 9 or 10 times a year. We've drive through very high winds and dust storms as we go through West Texas and New Mexico. The GX is very stable and holds the road without a problem. We've driven betwen 75 and 80 (on interstates with this speed limit) with no problem. We have a RX 350 AWD and notice very little difference between the two...both are stable on the road. Like any SUV, I'm sure a quick 90 degree turn could be a problem at high speed, but that's a problem with any vehicle and it should not happen. Also, we've driven on four wheel drive mountain roads in Colorado. It's very stable there too. Hope this helps. By the way, we will buy another one soon. We think it's a great SUV, but you pay the price for it. I just wish Lexus would go with the Michellin Cross Country tires (they are on our 2005) instead of the grocery store Dunlop AT20or Bridgestone HT tires.

I am considering the purchase of a Lexus RX 350 '08. I live in Houston and there are no hills here and I am not looking for off road capability. I understand the AWD is not for that purpose anyway. What I read is that it is mainly a safety consideration for wet or dangerous road conditions at best. I am leaning towards the AWD for that reason, but I have a question.

Are there any owners out there who can give me their recommendations for choosing the FWD or AWD option?

My salesperson tells me that 95% of RX's sold are FWD and that I will have to wait a while to get AWD if I want it. I have a feeling he is slightly biased since the color I want is only in FWD on his lot. I just want an honest opinion of what to go with. I tend to over engineer things that I don't need or are not significantly advantageous but just sound good. Am I crazy to want AWD in Houston?

I live in Austin and have owned 3 AWD Rx 300s, and an AWD Rx 350, and 2 GX 470s. We only buy AWD because they handle a lot better on wet highways and in the rain, mud, and especially snow. We've driven up Ski Mountains in heavy snow when you need either chains or 4x4 and it handles great!!! My wife has had 2 hydroplane incidents in heavy rain with FWDs and we've never had a problem with the AWD. Based on my experience, if money is not a problem, the AWD is a great option in an area that gets lots of rain or snow. Your salesman is right about the number of AWDs, but Lexus produces a lot less AWDs than 2WD and most of them go up north. You can usually find them in El Paso, Lubbock, and Albuquerque plus a few in Austin. Because there are not too many available, we’ve sold ours to people as far away as Colorado (it gives you other options) and they hold their value very well. Unless cost is a problem, I would choose AWD over FWD anytime!! By the way, with our 4 AWD RXs and 2 GX 470 AWD/ 4x4 our service has been no different than with a FWD. Actually, we've not had any special maintenance on the AWD.