Lexus GX 550

mirob wrote

Thinking about picking up a 2026 Premium+. Anyone have any experience with one? General thoughts?

This:
Looks like Toyota replaced #1 and #4 bearing part numbers around 04/2024.

Alfisti wrote

Also insane expensive and for what exactly? Never got the appeal.

Sounds like you are not a truck (ahem, SUV) fan or a customer.
Just like myself.

But for everyone else in love with SUVs, Lexus GX / LandCruiser line-up is a higher-end and higher-quality alternative to X7 trucks, with a historically justified off-road pedigree.
GX also holds its value better than X7.

JerseyM3 wrote

Is this recall on the engine still going on? Thought they fixed this by now

Recall effected only 2022-2024 Lexus LX, and 2024 Lexus GX vehicles in North America.

https://pressroom.toyota.com/toyota-recalls-certain-toyota-tundra-and-lexus-gx-and-lx-vehicles/

ASAP wrote

If you take out the simple Toyota products - camry, corolla and sienna... toyota isn't even that reliable. The moment you get even slightly complex, they fall apart.

That's a gross exaggeration.

Toyota has a well earned reputation for solid engineering and longevity, and a few challenges with new engines will get (have been?) addressed in full.

XutvJet wrote

Yeah, DO NOT do it. Toyota/Lexus has a major design flaw on it's hands with those twin turbo V6s including the hybrids.

Fixed.
Don't panic.

XutvJet wrote

By liars, I mean it is obvious that they are lying about what they know regarding their V6TT engines.

Obvious how?
Please share the facts so that we can draw our on conclusions. This isn't Facebook or Twitter!

XutvJet wrote

The only reason hybrids aren't currently on the list is because if the motor fails, the vehicle will still drive long enough to get to safety. That's it.

This is complete nonsense.

XutvJet wrote

Toyota initially claimed the only short blocks with the issue were ones coming out of one of two factories. Again, a lie. Both factories have produced engines with the same exact failures.

I see no evidence that Toyota ever made such a claim.
VINs from factories in Japan and US have been included in the recall, thus both plants used the same parts/processes.

XutvJet wrote

Watching the teardown of the V6TT on the "I do cars" YT channel was eye opening and I'm certain the channel received contact from Toyota legal. That motor is needlessly complex and very un-Toyota like. Tons of potential for coolant and oil leaks.

Here is the video in question.
The dude LOVEs this engine for all the reasons he enumerates.
It confirms the theory that bearing tollerances might have been an issue. Which would have been fixed with the new Toyota part # post 04/2024.

a

^Non-hybrid 2022-2024s are still the only motors under the recall. If Toyota had fixed this issue then why are late year 2025 models also dying? I haven't heard of a 2026 failure yet but those trucks are still pretty new.

If Toyota wasn't lying about the machining debris, then why did they say machining debris? Anyone that understands the basics about oiling knows that the rod bearings would be the first things seriously affected by debris in the oiling system. Toyota lied to buy time to figure out how to address a more serious design issue. I do not believe that it's just a simple main bearing clearance issue. I think there's an issue with the crank and load. Look at those thrust bearings in the I Do Cars tear down.

The hybrid is not on the recall list because per Toyota, the engine failure does not pose an immediate safety risk because it can still be driven thus not a safety issue and the NHTSA accepts that. That's not to say that they won't replace the motor if it fails.

That Car Care Nut video is closing in on 2 years old and he hasn't seen the I Do Cars tear down. The I Do Cars video has exposed Toyota. There's very good reason why Toyota has been so keen on not letting anyone get a hold of one of these failed motors.

I looked seriously at them. I ended up going with the Land Cruiser for a variety of reasons. Wife and I are super happy with it.

ASAP wrote

those are all naturally aspirated cars that lexus no longer makes

Yup but still available in the used car market for a long time because they will last forever.

Autobacs wrote

Yup but still available in the used car market for a long time because they will last forever.

Right but that's not really a relevant point for Lexus themselves since they no longer make these cars...

As a side note - my family had 3 Lexus -

2006 GS300 - Very slow transmission for the type of car it was, terribly setup traction control system, infotainment system that was terrible, and had a paltry 245 hp

2003 Gx470 - dash completely cracked from the sun, had intense leather and interior wear and when driving bounced up and down like no tomorrow also very poorly setup Stability Control system (to the point it was dangerous in the rain)

2013 Rx350 - FWD (model)... borderline undriveable in the rain, had a shock failure, again incredible interior wear

After all that, they got a 2021 X3 30i... and it is incredible how much of a better driving car in every way that was than any of the above... better engine, tranny, interior fit and wear and infotainment system on another level...

the point I am trying to make here is, yes Lexus may have better reliability but it comes at the cost of a subpar overall car... people need to weigh that correctly... that being said, all of ours had issues

I love my GX460. It takes me everywhere and I've never had an issue with it. Definitely will look into the GX550 in a few years.

XutvJet wrote

That's right, IS500. Nearly the same thing as the ISF, just better looking

Yes, I believe so. But it probably doesn't handle as well.

If you pull the trigger on one and need a hookup on mods, that's what my business specializes in!

The GX's are sweet but they do have engine issues. I haven't known anyone personally who had one seize up but it does happen. Lexus has been taking good care of their customers as I know a lot of people who've gotten the engines replaced with new crate engines with revised bearings, totally free even without symptoms on the original engine.

I actually prefer the Land Cruiser; it has a 4 cylinder but feels much snappier and I like the interior better too. Coming from a BMW, the reliability should be better than what you're used to unless you got unlucky and had an engine failure. Good luck!

ASAP wrote

Right but that's not really a relevant point for Lexus themselves since they no longer make these cars...

As a side note - my family had 3 Lexus -

2006 GS300 - Very slow transmission for the type of car it was, terribly setup traction control system, infotainment system that was terrible, and had a paltry 245 hp

2003 Gx470 - dash completely cracked from the sun, had intense leather and interior wear and when driving bounced up and down like no tomorrow also very poorly setup Stability Control system (to the point it was dangerous in the rain)

2013 Rx350 - FWD (model)... borderline undriveable in the rain, had a shock failure, again incredible interior wear

After all that, they got a 2021 X3 30i... and it is incredible how much of a better driving car in every way that was than any of the above... better engine, tranny, interior fit and wear and infotainment system on another level...

the point I am trying to make here is, yes Lexus may have better reliability but it comes at the cost of a subpar overall car... people need to weigh that correctly... that being said, all of ours had issues

Too bad for you, none of our Lexus cars had any, and there is a reason why Lexus is #1 in reliability for decades, not based on exceptions but overall. And comparing cars decades apart are not a good comparison.

Autobacs wrote

Too bad for you, none of our Lexus cars had any, and there is a reason why Lexus is #1 in reliability for decades, not based on exceptions but overall. And comparing cars decades apart are not a good comparison.

On the contrary... good for me... i at least I know early on I don't want to drive subpar boring cars strictly for the sake of reliability.

I totally get however why someone who needs an appliance to get them from point A to B car would absolutely love Lexus...

ASAP wrote

On the contrary... good for me... i at least I know early on I don't want to drive subpar boring cars strictly for the sake of reliability.

I totally get however why someone who needs an appliance to get them from point A to B car would absolutely love Lexus...

If you think that all Lexus cars are an appliance then you must think all BMW's are the ultimate driving machine.

Considered one a year ago to replaced my Land Cruiser 300 series, drove nice and loved the style, but the small fuel tank and thirsty motor conspire for a seriously poor range between refuels.

ASAP wrote

On the contrary... good for me... i at least I know early on I don't want to drive subpar boring cars strictly for the sake of reliability.

I totally get however why someone who needs an appliance to get them from point A to B car would absolutely love Lexus...

My IS 500 begs to differ.

25 V8 IS wrote

My IS 500 begs to differ.

no longer produced nor sold

Autobacs wrote

If you think that all Lexus cars are an appliance then you must think all BMW's are the ultimate driving machine.

bmw's are nowhere near the enthusiast machines they used to be but if we are talking about driving feel across the model lineup on a scale... bmw is still towards the top and toyota / lexus towards the bottom... in fact, the only mainstream manufacturer i can think of across the model line higher than bmw would be Porsche and that's saying something

ASAP wrote

bmw's are nowhere near the enthusiast machines they used to be but if we are talking about driving feel across the model lineup on a scale... bmw is still towards the top and toyota / lexus towards the bottom... in fact, the only mainstream manufacturer i can think of across the model line higher than bmw would be Porsche and that's saying something

Agree completely. Every car maker will have a one off (like the IS500/ISF) but go into a dealership on a busy day and see who is shopping. You'll be able to make some observations.

ASAP wrote

no longer produced nor sold

And that right there makes me giddy as a school girl because I got one of the very last ones.

It's also a unicorn (to me...And maybe others?) because of the Ultra White interior.

Infrared/Ultra White is probably rarer than a Ultimate Edition or other different editions.

25 V8 IS wrote

And that right there makes me giddy as a school girl because I got one of the very last ones.

It's also a unicorn (to me...And maybe others?) because of the Ultra White interior.

Infrared/Ultra White is probably rarer than a Ultimate Edition or other different editions.

I had an original year IS300 when it first came out. It was a great car but missing a few things (small and a wee bit underpowered) that kept it from being a marketplace hit. That's continued throughout it's history as it seems like Lexus didn't know how to take it from a 6/7 to a 8/9.

MJBO wrote

Considered one a year ago to replaced my Land Cruiser 300 series, drove nice and loved the style, but the small fuel tank and thirsty motor conspire for a seriously poor range between refuels.

That is definitely another area of concern. You can get away with one or the other, but not both.

GX550 review.
Best news - it is built in Japan.

The whole "utility" thing and not a hard button anywhere. Hard pass.

meanwhile in the toyota reliability department...

https://www.autoblog.com/news/toyota-transmission-lawsuit-new-jersey