SnoViking
Adventurer
I've been researching and looking at cars since early september. I have a 1999 4Runner which I absolutely love but it's just a tad too small for our growing family. (It's currently for sale BTW.... ). I looked at the 2014+ 4Runner and whilst I love the exterior the interior left a lot to be desired. Plus there was almost no point in buying a used 4Runner as they pretty much don't lose any value from new (a 2014 with 30k miles for $32k?..... Theyre $36k new........ ) I test drove a new 2016 trail 4Runner on three separate occasions and racked up almost 300 miles test driving it and liked it less each time. For the past 10 years I was sure my next car was going to be a new 4Runner. I'm still a little disappointed and sad at the interiors of the 5th gen 4Runners. So through all my research I came across the Lexus GX 470 and 460s. At first I was considering the 470 but didn't like the interior as much as the 460s. I did a bit more research and learned that the X460 is based on the Land Cruiser 150 (which is also what the 5th gen 4Runner is based on). It shares the same chassis and suspension as the 4Runner but is built much more plush inside (it's a Lexus after all). I looked and researched about 30 GX460s across the US and ended up finding one 4 miles (yup 4... ) from my house. It had a bit more miles than I wanted but it had meticulous service history and records and was in great overall condition. Plus it was the Peridot Mica (green) color I was looking for. Last month there were about 1200 GX460s for sale within my price range and had less than 60k miles..... only 2 of them were Peridot Mica. I have owned silver cars for the past 16 years and planned on buying another silver car. If you told me I would be in love with a green car 3 months ago I would have called you crazy! But I love the green. I picked up the GX last weekend and love it; even with a bit of a rough start (the battery was dead the next morning.... after they told me they put a brand new battery in it.... which the dealership didn't actually do....) I already had a Rhino Rack pioneer platform rack sitting in the basement waiting for it and a few other small items (replacement LED bulbs for any bulb that wasn't LED.) I'm planning on swapping over a few items from my 4Runner and adding a fewer nicer things. I plan on doing a very mild lift (1.5-2") and fairly conservative sized tires. Skid plates will probably be on the list (since it won't be raised much) and maybe some driving spot lights. I really like the factory running boards and have been talking/planning with a buddy about reinforcing/protecting the boards (aka "slim" sliders/plates under the running boards??)
The GX460 is a great size. It's not 200 series huge, nor did it command the resale price of what 200 series LCs are going for these days. The 4.6l engine paired with the 6 speed auto transmission runs great and over the past week of 50/50 city/highway driving has managed to produce 18.1 average MPGs. There's clearly not the accessory market of the 100 or 200 series trucks but with a bit of research you can find things that swap from the 5th gen 4Runners or things you can get imported from the Prado 150 overseas.
Adventure plan to follow.
The GX460 is a great size. It's not 200 series huge, nor did it command the resale price of what 200 series LCs are going for these days. The 4.6l engine paired with the 6 speed auto transmission runs great and over the past week of 50/50 city/highway driving has managed to produce 18.1 average MPGs. There's clearly not the accessory market of the 100 or 200 series trucks but with a bit of research you can find things that swap from the 5th gen 4Runners or things you can get imported from the Prado 150 overseas.
Adventure plan to follow.
Last edited:
