lexus GX470 vs land rover LR3,LR4

[cirquare]

hi all
anyone drive GX470? is it good for offroad use?(just some death valley trail nothing too crazy)

I am going to get a new car next couple weeks but I have a hard time to decide between LR3 and GX470. both car are about same price but in the long run I feel gx470 may save me some money for repair. any thought?


thanks

 

[Pokey]

Toyotas----> Fairly legendary reliability and durability.

Landrovers---->well......lets just say they arent Landcruisers to be politically correct here.

Ford bought Landrover from BMW and is now selling Landrover to Tata (package deal with Jaguar) for about half of what it paid a few years ago (similar to how one buys a Landrover from the showroom and it becomes worth about half a few years later). BMW, Ford and now TATA all purchase the legendary marquis in hopes that they can be the ones to resurrect it from its fairly marred reputation and bring back the old Landrover charm. At some point- Tata will put Landrover on the auction block - and hopefully TOYOTA just buys it simply to put the Landrover badge on its forklifts and abandon the vehicles altogether. Unfortunately- Toyota forklifts are pretty darn reliable.....so im not sure if the Landrover name is such a good fit there.

 

[redthies]

Nice post Pokey!!! I often find myself lusting over Landrovers. Thankfully I regain my senses before any cash actually leaves my wallet!!!:sombrero:
Toyotas are the only way to go...

 

[pcampbell]

The GX is a nice vehicle and very capable. It actually won 4x4 of the year from Peterson's 4Wheel and Off Road in 2003 and 2004, if that means anything. I'd look for one with all the off road goodies like KDSS.

You can go as far as you want with one...

http://www.fourwheeler.com/projectbuild/129_0407_2004_lexus_gx470_customization/index.html

:drool:

Just like anything else, it's all related to your pocketbook. The GX has all the right stuff for a solid building platform though.

 

[Applejack]

I had an '05 LR3 for about 7 months, I only wished I could have gotten rid of it faster. I bought it used with no warranty. Boo! Never in my life has any vehicle given me more problems. I called it my Big Black Super Yugo.

 

[GYM]

Landrovers---->well......lets just say they arent Landcruisers to be politically correct here.

Ford bought Landrover from BMW and is now selling Landrover to Tata (package deal with Jaguar) for about half of what it paid a few years ago (similar to how one buys a Landrover from the showroom and it becomes worth about half a few years later). BMW, Ford and now TATA all purchase the legendary marquis in hopes that they can be the ones to resurrect it from its fairly marred reputation and bring back the old Landrover charm. At some point- Tata will put Landrover on the auction block - and hopefully TOYOTA just buys it simply to put the Landrover badge on its forklifts and abandon the vehicles altogether. Unfortunately- Toyota forklifts are pretty darn reliable.....so im not sure if the Landrover name is such a good fit there.

Thank you for the enlightening, unbiased review.

 

[Wareagle]

I'll try to speak as unbiasedly as I can. Land Rover's are normally designed, manufactured and marketed to be purpose built vehicles. It is my belief that their "purpose" is to provide maximum frustration and repair and maintenance expense.

On the other hand, over 50 years of Toyota automotive experience has culminated in the creation of the Lexus. It will be the finest vehicles ever built. Lexus will win the race because Lexus will do it right from the start.

 

[timmy!!!!!!!]

The way I see it is a 1997 LX450 will cost around 8k with 166k miles on it on the other hand a 1999 Discovery cost around 3k with a 101k miles. Now I do my own work etc... But still 5k dollars still pays for a bunch of repairs in my opinion plus mods.

 

[campinglab]

the lexus gx470 is the Land Cruiser 120 or Land Cruiser Prado overseas.

Darn capable truck. Not commonly build here in the US you can see some awesome purpose build units in Europe and Latin America used on everything from expedition travel to all out rallies.

I don't think the LR3 is even in the same segment really...

 

[ryguy]

Being a little toyota biased, I really like the lexus. That said I'd take the LR3. I worked for a l/r dealer when they first came out and they just look tough. I like the big plastic overfenders and their terrain specific traction control. Im not 100% on rovers reliability but thats mainly because of my freelander. I really like the interior of the LR3 as well, the seats are som comfortable.

 

[haven]

The GX470 is built on the same platform as last year's 4Runner.
I don't know when Lexus will get the updated chassis, but it's
bound to be soon. I expect Lexus to keep the V8, to distinguish
the GX470 (or GX460, with a new V8?) from the 4Runner, which
is available only with a V6 for 2010. It's unlikely that Lexus will
offer a Trail Edition.

I hope the new GX keeps its more conventional bodywork, and avoids
the 2010 4Runner's big square fender flares and pig snout radiator
surround.

Chip Haven

 

[Ruffin' It]

I've owned an Disco and a number of Toyota's. I loved my Rover, but I never trusted it. I maintained it with OCD regularity and the last year I owned it (sold with 72,000 miles), it took over $16,000 in repairs. That isn't a typeO and that isn't a total of all the repairs it needed. That is $16,000 in a 12 month period, including a brand new engine and then a rebuild on the brand new engine (yes, it failed with 1,500 miles on it - catastrophically). Rovers are wonderful and, if Toyota made them, I never would have sold mine. Older ones aren't nearly as bad, but they still aren't Toyotas.

Nice post Pokey!!! I often find myself lusting over Landrovers. Thankfully I regain my senses before any cash actually leaves my wallet!!!:sombrero:
Toyotas are the only way to go...

 

[Photog]

The GX is a very capable and dependable vehicle. Get one with the least bells and whistles, and it is still more luxo than the 4Runners.

In other countries they are sold as the Land Cruiser Prado, without a lot of the Lexus Luxo bits.

Most of the 4Runner / FJ suspension parts will fit on the GX. The airbag rear springs are the exception. There are ways around that too. 2-3" lift with simple OME springs/shocks, SpiderTrax spacers and a set of decent tires will take you through most of Death Valley, without any trouble.

From all the reading I have done, being a closet LR lover, the LR3 has never had any real offroad prowess. That ended with the Discovery I & II.

 

[adventurebuddies]

Just drive the two and you'll see. I went through the same questions a couple of years ago and drove the LR3 - it feels like a plastic kids toy compared to the GX470. From the quality perspective, there is no comparison, though the LR always "look" cooler. The GX has the most amazing suspenion. You can fly over washboard roads at 50mph like you're on a magic carpet. My wife once commented that the ride is so smooth that it almost takes the "offroad" out of offroading. The biggest challenge is that it has a lot of low hanging plastic that's expensive to replace if you get into rocks.

 

[Crikeymike]

LR3 = Independent front and rear suspension, I believe, but no upgrade options.

Prado is using a well tested frame and running gear, so it should give you better longevity overall.