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4th gen 4Runner vs. Lexus GX470

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by RomaniGypsy, Dec 1, 2017.

  1. Dec 1, 2017 at 7:38 PM
    #1
    RomaniGypsy

    RomaniGypsy [OP] New Member

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    Okay y'all, I hope I didn't just bust out a whole Tundra-load of sacrilege, but on a whim, I decided to check out the Lexus GX470 since it is essentially a 4Runner with a different body (or is it?!).

    Today my wife and I looked at a 2005 GX470. We've looked at two 4Runners in the same generation (2006 and 2007). So here are the questions I have developed:

    1) Does the 4Runner have reclining rear seats? (Man, would they be nice, for the purposes we would have for the car. The GX470 had reclining rear seats. The '06 4Runner we saw today did not. Online it says that they were offered... so were they an option?) And for that matter does the GX470 always have reclining rear seats?

    2) The GX470 has full-time 4WD while the 4Runner seems to carry that only as an option. Is that a desirable thing when nearly all of your miles will be driven on pavement?

    3) The GX470 has a manual-shift transfer case while the 4Runner has an electronically-controlled transfer case. The way I see it, the electronic transfer case is just one more thing that could break at some point and cause an expensive trip to the shop, while the manual transfer case doesn't have an electronic actuator that could break. Do y'all find one or the other to be preferable?

    4) The GX470 had a lot of "bells and whistles" that the 4Runner doesn't seem to have. Stuff like air suspension, locking center differential, "2nd STRT" (whatever the heck THAT is), etc. Is any of that stuff prone to early failure or is it Toyota-tough like the basic stuff? (I would prefer NOT to have bells & whistles if they'll just fail.)

    5) The GX470 is only available with the 4.7 V8 engine while the 4Runner has the 4.0 V6 option. The V6 seems to offer better gas mileage while the V8 is more powerful. Since our primary vehicle right now is a Prius v, power is not a big concern. So the question is - would the V8 be a better engine overall, in terms of reliability and longevity? How about fuel economy - could I get V6 fuel economy out of the V8 if I don't push it harder than I'd push the V6?

    6) Are the 3rd row seats in either the GX470 or 4Runner easily removed? (I won't want them back there.)

    7) Is there any compelling reason why I should choose either the 4Runner or GX470 if I could get either one in the same year, same condition, same mileage, etc, for the same price? (Right now, though neither my wife nor I are inclined toward luxury vehicles, the GX470 seems to be ahead in the consideration. It was larger, which is good for my wife... who is taller than me... she said it was more comfortable. It has the manual transfer case... which we both prefer. Price-wise, it seems that by this age, the GX470 has depreciated away all of its "luxury premium" and its prices are on par with the prices for comparable 4Runners. What I see is that it has all of the good stuff that a 4Runner has, with at least a couple of bonuses that don't appear to be available on the 4Runner.)

    We don't intend to do much if any off-roading... but who knows. The car would be primarily a family hauler, gear hauler, and Snow Belt winter conqueror.

    Let's rock.
     
  2. Dec 4, 2017 at 11:00 AM
    #2
    Bob

    Bob Member Staff Member

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    What's the price diff out of curiosity?
     
    jester243 likes this.
  3. Dec 4, 2017 at 12:53 PM
    #3
    jester243

    jester243 rabble rabble rabble

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    I changed some lights, tires and tinted windows...mind blowing huh
    Kinda sounds like you should get the Lexus, happy wife happy life and all.
     
  4. Dec 6, 2017 at 6:21 AM
    #4
    RomaniGypsy

    RomaniGypsy [OP] New Member

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    That's the goofy thing. As far as I can tell from the searches I've done, by the time the vehicles are this old, the "luxury price premium" for the GX470 has depreciated away and the two vehicles are comparable in price.

    Yeah... that's what I get for marrying someone with her dimensions... but I can't help what I like. She felt like she didn't have much headroom in the 4Runner, and she had a lot more in the GX470. When we looked at the 2005 GX470, we immediately went to another dealership and looked at a 2006 4Runner for immediate comparative purposes. She said it wasn't as comfortable and I noticed that the rear seats didn't recline. (She REALLY likes reclining seats.) Yet, when she looked online, it appeared that those reclining seats might be an option on the 4Runner.
     
  5. Dec 6, 2017 at 7:48 AM
    #5
    macdonaldarchitect

    macdonaldarchitect New Member

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    If the price is the same then I suggest you go for the GX470 to satisfy your wife. The 4Runner does not have rear reclining seats like the GX470. I like the power and gas mileage of my V6 4Runners (3 of them) and would not want the V8 in the Lexus unless I tow a lot. The electronic actuator on the 4Runner transfer case works great as long as you "exercise" it several times a year but I would still prefer the manual shift GX470 transfer case. The 4th generation 4Runners have locking center differentials like the GX470. I prefer to be able to run my 4Runners in 2wd when 4wd is not needed for less wear and tear and better gas mileage. You will not be able to match the 4Runner's V6 gas mileage with the GX470's V8. The V8 4Runner is full time 4wd like the GX470. I prefer the looks of the 4th gen 4Runners to the GX470 although I like how high the GX470 sits. I'm not a fan of air suspension as I had that in a Range Rover that failed frequently and was VERY expensive to fix. I do not know how reliable the GX470 air suspension is but I'd bet it's trouble free being a Toyota product.
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2017
  6. Feb 24, 2022 at 4:52 PM
    #6
    Jargonyargon

    Jargonyargon New Member

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    bump. Lets get an updated conversation going. I have a built 5th gen and am considering the same 4th gen vs gx470. I would prefer the gx because of the V8. What do people think is acceptable for a 2007-2009 gx with 125k to 160kish miles? Should I also be looking at 2005-2006? I am aware oh the difference in HP but is there anything else to be aware of? I will be deleting air suspension and am aware of the timing belt, water pump, and all time . My 5th gen is a heavy beast with armor, drawrs, batteries, RTT, rack etc...The intention for this build is a lighter rig thats fast/powerful but for faster trail runs and a more peppy feel up in the forest roads. I still wouldn't hesitate for a 4th gen for same purposes. You people have thoughts?
     
  7. Feb 25, 2022 at 7:43 PM
    #7
    2016Pro

    2016Pro Why all of the Pro hate?

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    The Lexus is the perfect soccer mom car for your wife. :thumbsup:
     

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