ROBERT-A

Well, I finally got sick and tired of driving a so-called "Man's" truck posing as a luxury SUV, and traded the sucker in on a 2004 MDX. Couldn't be happier! I had to dress it up some, adding body side molding, fender flares, side steps, rear spoiler, wood grained dash and shift knob, and it almost looks as good as the GX. The kicker, at least for me, is that it rides like a luxury SUV should. Smooth and controlled over bumps, rises, and dips, and stable in the wind. 265 horsepower, 20 miles per gallon. We even got the MDX with the audio upgrade and DVD player, and it actually has an in-dash cd player with the upgrade, not just a changer. The rain sensing wipers work when it rains, and stop when it isn't raining. Michelin tires instead of Bridgestones. And, it has a functional third row seat, which recesses in the floor of the rear compartment. It is roomy enough for two adults, and doesn't block your view when it is down. Put 2000 frustrating miles on the GX, and only lost $1000 in the trade. I will say this, I really wanted the GX to work. It is a really classy looking vehicle, with some nice features, but the bob and weave ride and unstable driving conditions in the wind, along with a few manufacturing defects, just couldn't be overlooked. I know some of you may be offended by my comments, but these are my honest opinions. I plan on monitoring the GX over the next few years, to see if these problems were corrected. Good luck to all, Robert A.

Well, I took the GX to the Lexus service department, and they said everything was as it should be as far as alignment and suspension is concerned. If this is true, I cannot understand posts which favor the ride and handling of the GX over the MDX, the RX, or any other luxury SUV I have ever driven. As I stated earlier, the ride is either too bouncy or too stiff, depending on the setting. The vehicle leans in the corners, and is a chore to drive in moderately windy conditions. This is not a truck, it is, or at least I thought it was, a luxury SUV. Every other luxury SUV I have ever driven was close to a luxury sedan in ride and handling characteristics, not as good, but close. Mine is not. Some of the replies I have gotten have been from owners with KDSS equipped GX's. Maybe that is some of the difference, but I don't believe I should have to spend another two grand to get a vehicle that rides as good as an MDX. All things considerred, if I knew then what I know now, and the KDSS would make a substantial difference, I would have been glad to spend another two grand, for now I dread taking the vehcile out. I even asked my salesman about the KDSS suspension, and he said unless I plan to do offroading in the GX, I didn't need it. I try to like the GX, because this was really a financial stretch for us, but I am constantly reminded by the ride and handling what a poor decision I made. If I can trade the vehicle without taking too much of a beating, I will gladly take a drab MDX with superior horsepower, superior ride and handling, and a real third row seat. I could have gotten it to start with for $5200 less, with every bell and whistle they have to put on it. Interested in any genuine replies, Robert

We purchased a 2004 GX-470 last month, and have about 2000 miles on it. I read everything I could find on comparable SUV's, and test drove many. The RX-300 was a little small, The MDX was a little drab with a few important features missing. Now that I have had the vehicle this long, I can't believe I was impressed with the ride and handling! We only had a fifteen minute test drive, and bought the vehicle out of town, but to me it handles like a truck, not a luxury SUV. I feel I have to constantly correct the steering. Although it is very tight, it does not track well. The wind blows the vehicle all over the road. The suspension is very disappointing. No matter what setting it is on, it is either too bouncy, or too stiff. This is something I did not notice on the RX or the MDX. I still can't believe I didn't notice this from the beginning. Please let me know if anyone else feels the same.