Lexus GX470 1 Year of ownership review. Would I buy it again?

I break down all the repairs and cost of owning my 2003 GX470 after 1 year and 4 months. Plus some pros and cons of owning one.

[@drwisdom1]

The prices on the repair parts were very reasonable. I am surprised on how low the mpg is on Mr. Adventure's GX470. 9 mpg is even worse than my brother-in-law's 2008 Tundra with got 12 mpg. We have a GX460 and get around 17 mpg daily driving and our worst was in the 15s. We got 4 feet of snow a few weeks ago and our GX460 with Blizzak snow tires acted like it was nothing.

[@yougotmossed3592]

I have owned two GX 470 and never had one serious problem. Just bought new 460

[@koyang337]

For the windows, you just need to reset/reprogram the windows from each window/door by pressing down to roll down the window, hold for 5 seconds, then lift up to roll up the window, and hold up for 5 seconds.. then repeat roll down windows again.. hold for 5 seconds.. then lift up windows again.. hold for 5 seconds.. done

[@bobmccurrach4483]

Loved your video. I'm 1 year in and agree the stuff other than the engine is where the repair dollars are. I've spent alot of labor on repairs on top of a fairly high purchase price. But my GX runs so smooth and it is rust free and solid. Many stories I read on line seem to make me think I've spent much more than others but I am a little skeptical that we are hearing their full stories. Your post makes me realize how much I can gain from doing my own work. My GX is 2006, 172K miles, bought for $14,500. $6K in timing belt/water pump, wheel bearing, rear main seal, radiator and some others at repair shop once drove home to Michigan from South Carolina. So $20.5K in and adding on mods (sliders, skids, grille, etc) and confident I am going to have a platform for fun for a long time. I think that is the real sleeper here. It's over 15 years old and still is refined, capable, durable and worth improving. Current things I am looking at taking on myself are SAIS and very mild front valve cover seeping.

[@ItsAdventureTime1]

I think my biggest cost this year is going to be seat replacements. The dye and refresh stuff just isn't cutting it anymore. I also need to either repaint it or wrap it. All the backroad rocks have left a few chips in the paint and I don't want it to start rusting.

[@kosmos60]

Pretty good video, this videos come up in my feed automatically because I drive a GX470. When you said you were in the upstate I jumped lol I drove the GX during that same storm in DT Greenville. I have the same exact year GX, for sure it has glemlings. Have you done timing belt? I drive mine offroad almost on a daily basis at the back of my house. I loveeeee this car... Thanks for the video sir...

[@Topofthemoningtoyou]

Killer video

[@dzenan7322]

Make sure you check your u-joints on both driveshafts. If they’re in good condition make sure you grease them. I just replaced both on front driveshaft and rear driveshaft had to be completely replaced because u joints failed and threw it out of balance.

[@ryanamabile2956]

I love this indestructible 4.7 man, i got my dads 04 GX with 142Kmiles and I’ve literally just did everything you talked about. Regretfully, I wish i found u earlier, Bc i bit the bullet and took it to our local shop to do front axel due to my passenger side boot, torn to shirt and making a mess ,, driver side had a lil crack in it, but wasn’t leaking as much. Radiator wasn’t too bad to do yourself, but water pump , yea that’s what nightmares are made of. If you don’t mind me asking, what spacers did you go with and were they hubcentric? Love the vids , very informative. Appreciate it . Any work on the Marc levinson amp by chance? Mine works for first 5- 10min and then shorts out? It could be worst lol my dad was original owner and drove this amazing machine off the lot in 03 and all he ever did to it(besides original maintenance every 4-5k) was run only 91 and get new set of tires, brakes, rotors and calipers lol gotta love it. It’s been my 3rd year with her and i get all the fun stuff, but I’d still take this any day over these newly computer ran vehicles,

[@patrickfredella6805]

Are you referring to Gorges State park? It's honestly too easy for the GX back there. Love it

[@MrRitchiecraig]

I am getting 18+ MPG running the freeways at 70 mph. I towed a 4000# trailer cross county earlier this year.....11 mpg average. It will pull it but ouch.

[@Turshin]

For the power windows, you have to reprogram them for the driver's side window switch panel. Theres a video on KZbin for this. My 2008 had the same issue. Finds out if you disconnect the battery, you have to reprogram all the window switches.

[@bussamio]

Glad I was watching instead of just listening at 11:36 😂

[@MrRitchiecraig]

I'm also burning mid grade fuel with no issues.

[@chikaymaravilla9245]

Sir can you please give the link where did you buy the actuator on the differential lockers. Thank you sir.

[@gaffle7646]

16:49 You can thank Bye-Duh-Naw-Mix for that…

[@newdaysamepains]

How much should I look expect to pay for redoing my seats completely? My front seats are basically done but my back seats are ok and my 3rd row seats are basically brand new lol. Past owner never used them I never used them.

[@connleahy9226]

Wait to you have to do the alternator, book rate is 6 hrs . At your mileage you are about due. I’ve my 06 3 + years now and added 135k to the odometer. Cramming that V8 in there does make for some tight work space. Surprised at your mpg , I’m at 17mpg but that mostly highway.

[@igglybiggly6951]

No way 6 hours! All data time is 2.8 hours and we sell it for 3 hours labor plus parts at our shop and it's not that horrible a job to do

[@MogulFarmer]

Good video & content. Is that 2” wheel spacers on each side or 1” on each side? Thank you

[@ndolijaydas2768]

if you don't want something crazy go with 1.5 inch that's what is did and looks really good according to me

[@ItsAdventureTime1]

2”

[@MrLuckyme417]

Yea gas prices as they are now i am putting regular in mine... maybe every 2 tanks ill put premium

[@juandiegoestrada808]

Hey great video, Im thinking buying one but I live in Honduras (Central América) so the price in here is about $15k to 17k... How much do you pay for yours?

[@ItsAdventureTime1]

I paid 16k for it over 2 years ago now.

[@disneylandfanatic4208]

Potential window fix: my driver switches wouldn’t work for the back two windows but passengers could use their switches. I brought them up and down until they worked “automatically.” At that point the driver switches started working. This happens to me every time I disconnect the battery - it seems to work but I couldn’t yet find a more permanent fix

[@hankyj8822]

That's the correct procedure for resetting them after the battery is disconnected. You will need to go to the individual doors to lower and raise them fully. Once that is done the switches on the driver door will work. Nothing wrong there. Similarly, the driver seat position memory buttons work the same way. You will need move the seat fully forward and back as well as recline the seat all the way back and forward. Memory should work again after that.

[@disneylandfanatic4208]

@@hankyj8822 Thank you! I didn’t know the seat memory had a similar thing going on!

[@hankyj8822]

@@disneylandfanatic4208 I definitely thought they just didn't work for the first 6 months of owning the GX

[@midwake9951]

Damn, I just put in new drive axles that were non OEM. I don't off road.....hopefully they last:( Getting ready to ditch the rear bag suspension with a metal tech coil suspension. Probably should check my differential and see if it's working.

[@savagestash4354]

If you engage it once a month to keep in from freezing up it will pretty much last forever.

[@MrRitchiecraig]

I'm running non Toyota CV axles with no issues. But I am not rock crawling either.

[@MrRitchiecraig]

It's always engaged......full time 4x4. It's either high range or low range. You could take it out in some slippery stuff and make sure both of them spin but I don't see that doing much.

[@savagestash4354]

@@MrRitchiecraig Center differential needs to be engaged once a month to keep it from freezing up, keeps the seals lubricated.

[@drewdobbins8178]

Thanks for the vid. I have an 08 with check engine light on as well as the other lights. Mechanic says I need new cats. It runs silky smooth like a new one. You replaced your cats? Do I really need to? The check engine light is bugging me.

[@ItsAdventureTime1]

Guess it depends on where you live and how environmentally friendly you want to be. You can’t pass emissions without a Cat so if your state requires emissions testing you will need it. On the flip side, lots of people say you get more power and better MPG without one. There might be a way to disable or trick the o2 sensors into thinking you have one. That would get your dash lights to go off. It’s not harming anything on the vehicle.

[@drewdobbins8178]

@@ItsAdventureTime1 that makes me feel better. I live in Alabama, so there aren’t smog requirements. I read that if the cats get clogged up too bad, it could cause engine trouble? I want the lights off so I can know if there’s anything else wrong with the engine or other items. Thanks for your reply. I’ve been driving a 2018 Tundra for two years. This Lexus is very smooth and comfortable. I still have my Tundra but considering selling it and making this GX my travel vehicle.

[@ryanrichards1852]

Get two 02 sensors spacers and put them on

[@g_unit6773]

If you have the Christmas tree of lights on your dash, try checking for codes related to the Secondary Air Injection System which is cat related. If it's that, you don't need to replace cats, but install a bypass.

[@randolfonunez]

Try to reprogram the doors that can be your situación

[@sebastianromero420]

Glass rear end

[@jambangoni]

All true

[@jambangoni]

Except I’m not putting premium in mine 😂

[@jambangoni]

You really did describe it the best though.. “it’s a super reliable engine but will all the parts around it keep up with it”.. has been my exact experience.. nickel and dime you

[@trevorsmith7045]

They don't require premium fuel. It has the same motor as the 4runner, Sequoia and Tundra, and none of them require it. They recommend so that the buyer feels special.

[@Shawn-ky2tw]

Are you ever wrong.

[@jamesm5192]

@@Shawn-ky2tw Evidence?

[@Shawn-ky2tw]

@@jamesm5192 Owner's manual and gas cap door sticker. Being a mechanical Engineer in addition to having common sense. Toyota doesn't recommend premium just so people feel special. You can do whatever you want to your car. DONE

[@bigmac22ify]

@@Shawn-ky2tw later models do I believe, I have an 05 and it doesn’t say anything about premium

[@stevensolano6744]

I’m from Costa Rica this Lexus engine is exactly like the most reliable car ever made (TOYOTA PRADO) which maybe they have it in Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 but not in the US. Super reliable and unbreakable car. It can possibly reach the 600,000 miles ! I love reliable cars!

[@calebg4890]

Side note, these will run just fine without premium

[@jamesm5192]

Indeed, seemingly no benefit to premium with it

[@user-is9sf5wo5s]

what's your take on the gx550?

[@ItsAdventureTime1]

I like the look better then the 460. Not to sure about the motor. Slapping turbos on everything seems to be the work around for meeting stricter emissions.

[@sds4810]

My seats still look new and have zero cracks or rips! The only thing is now obsolete is the damn navigable system. But I use my phone for that anyways 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@james_the_darklord]

Um the engine can also take regular fuel like in my 2003

[@ItsAdventureTime1]

Yes, I’ll put mid grade in most the time. When I know I’ll be towing I stick with premium

[@dnlpark]

If people understood how engine timing works, then they would run premium all the time

[@josevarela2202]

Must likely is nothing wrong with the power windows. If you disconnect the car battery for repairs, you’ll have to reset the power windows if the SUV. It’s very easy, just check a KZbin tutorial how to do it.

[@sds4810]

Wow this was ALOT! I have owned and driven these trucks for over 10yrs and NEVER had to replace any of things you have. My current truck an 04 has 290k miles 8 yr owned and the only thing I did was replaced the air suspension to coils! And she still drives like new. She still puts me to sleep on long road trips smh lol! But man I don't know who had this truck before you. But you had to do A LOT of work for truck that is 1 of the most reliable comfortable and trouble free SUV on the road today!

[@ItsAdventureTime1]

She's still super reliable :) I am not the nicest owner out there. I take it off road, tow my boat, and beat the hell out of this thing.

[@seankilduff2038]

Man i wish you lived down the street from me lol

[@sds4810]

Never put premium gas in that truck. I've always put regular gas and yes you're right she's an alcoholic but she runs fine on regular and the both burn the same premium gas is for v10 and higher engines not naturally aspirated v8s smh

[@Tokarev6485]

Lol at the number of cylinders having anything to do with the type of gas it takes 😂😂

[@PhilipUnderwood-oy9tv]

Lol

[@sds4810]

@@Tokarev6485 So it's painfully obvious y'all have no idea what HIGH COMBUSTION engines are!? 🤦🏽‍♂️. I love when ppl challenge and never produce any facts to back up their claim smfh

[@PhilipUnderwood-oy9tv]

SMH sorry didn’t realise v10s were supercharged. My bad

[@Turshin]

​@sds4810 you mean high compression not combustion. I only use midgrade 89 octane and it runs fine.

[@gearmonkey5904]

If your biggest concern is gas mileage then why the heck didn’t you just buy a Prius then? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂