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Comments
The rear most seats in a GX470 within 12" of the rear door and totally worthless except for Lexus to make more money when selling the GX470.
1. Do all the versions come with the 3rd row seat other than special orders?
2. Can I get the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System without getting the sport package?
3. Has anyone seen the sport package other than in photos? Is the interior as ugly as it seems?
Thanks
Bill
Rear camera included with GX's nav is my (and wife's) strong pull towards GX as well as it being a larger, plush SUV with shorter turning circle (37.4 vs. 39.7 of X5). 3rd row in GX is impractical anyway, so not a lot lost when comparing that factor b/w the two.
'05 GX: TH, NL,Tow Prep, Wheel locks, Cargo Mat, Cargo Net (level 4 combo) has MSRP of $51,787 and this dealer in Atlanta would give me $2,100 off of that... Quote: $49,687 + $299 doc fee. That is $5,451 over the invoice ($44,535). I just don't feel good about this as it does not sound like a deal to me. But see, I love the rear camera and the NL. Don't want to let my emotions get the best of me.
'05 X5 3.0i: premium pkg, auto trans, xenon, PDC and Auto dimming mirrors if SPECIAL ORDERED. The dealer can let me have this for 3% over the invoice with all fees WAIVED. Before T&T, the price comes out to $46,134. That's $1,344 over the invoice price of $44,790. Definitely cheaper than GX by $3,852...though no Nav and rear camera and other disadvantages (no 3rd row, small cargo area, bigger turning circle, risky reliability). Yes, it's a BMW and drives fast like a 5 series sedan and 4 years of free maintenance service.
Please help me clear up my cloudy mind by commenting on the dilemma. I love GX but can't let X5 go off my mind. Just too many variables b/w them. Please let me know if GX can do better than above... and I will try forgetting X5.
Thank you very much in advance to those who respond.
Simmon.
If you simply want a 4 passenger SUV that drives well and isn't going to see any serious SUV duty, the X5 should do fine. However, I would question the "drives fast like a 5 series sedan" comment. I did drive a 2004 530i 6-speed when shopping for a sedan this spring. Ended up with a TL 6-speed. The 5 series is perhaps the best handling sedan in its class, but the 530i is a bit pokey with its 3.0 liter 225hp engine and 3,500lb curb weight. Noticably more so than a 3,200 lb 330i. The X5 adds another 1,300 lbs over the 530i. With an automatic transmission. I suspect the X5 3.0 would be dead last in most comparisons. Friends of my wife's opted for a X5 4.4 and are getting better gas mileage than their neighbors with a 3.0. Dealer claims the 315 hp valvetronic 4.4 is better suited to a heavy SUV application.
The MDX is wiggling its way to the top of our list, mostly because of my wife's preferences. It has the best Nav system (with rear view camera) in the business, a reasonably useable third row seat, nice amenities including bluetooth phone and XM radio, and better handling and fuel efficiency than the GX. It's not as sexy as the X5, nor as luxurious as the GX470, but it seems to have the combination of attribtes we are looking for. The LR3 is just too much of a reliability question mark. If the X5 grew to a 7 passenger vehicle and offered a 6-speed in the 4.4 liter version, we'd be in heaven. The XC90 V8 is the wild card. I am first on the list to test drive the "preview" model arriving at my dealership shortly.
Good luck with your decision. If I could squeeze into an X5, I think I'd also be looking at a Cayenne V6 6-speed. It's a little fresher and the handling is even another notch up from the already very good X5. But alas, we actually need an SUV that has some "U" in it.
I just bought a 2004 GX 470 with a MSRP of $49,998 for $43,800. So you should at least be able to get $6000 off MSRP. In your case, I think you should be able to get even more!
This includes Nav/ML, 3rd row seats,rear spoiler, Wheel Locks, trunk Mat & Cargo Net. It does NOT have KDSS or the RES.
I purchased my GX470 in NC at Johnson Lexus.
Here is my price breakdown:
MSRP $54,325
Paid $50,611
Taxes $3,036.66
Title, Tag, Warranty right fees $41
Total paid all inclusive $53,688.86
Thanks
GX470 2005 with Navigation System,Third-row seat,
Lexus DVD Rear-Seat Entertainment System (RSES), Towing prep package, Preferred Accessory Package (includes
Cargo net, Cargo mat and Wheel locks), Chrome exhaust tip. No MD/DC/VA got any close to the price.
I currently own a pristine 01 RX300 AWD, 47K, all options EXCEPT Nav Trade in value around $23K according to Edmunds. I want to buy an 05 GX, at net cost to me (ie Dealer cost minus my trade plus fees etc) of ~$20K..with NAV, Spoiler, NO THIRD ROW (don't need or want them), no towing package either.
Have owned 3 Lexus vehicles. First 2 purchased from Prestige Lexus in Ramsey, NJ but on third, they seem to have gotten a bit "hoity toidy" and didn't want to deal, so I ended up at Warnock Lexus dealer in E. Hanover NJ.
My questions therefore are:
a) Which NJ Lexus location have you found to be the best price from..
b) Do you think I can get to the price I want based on options/trade I described..
c) I am NOT in a rush, so advice on when BEST time to buy is also appreciated (I guess I don't understand why it's better to wait until Jan or Feb).
d) I also purchased the transferable extended 7/70 Platinum warranty. I can work that into the deal, right?
Thank you and happy holidays and a PROSPEROUS New Year to all..
Ed in NJ
My problem with Prestige Lexus is simple - they didn't treat me a like a loyal customer !
Here's the story (sorry if it's a bit long)...
I walk in to a dealership where, in the course of 5 years I had bought 2 cars: an ES300 and an SC400. I asked to speak to the salesman who sold me the SC, and he came over and said "I'm very busy, put your name on the waiting list and someone will get to you.." I said "Well, then I guess I'll take my business elsewhere". This seemed to get his attention, and I said "Look this is an easy sale.. I bought the SC here (my trade in), you have the RX in the color and configuration I want, I know fair value for both (from Edmunds), so let's make a deal". He had the used car manager look at the SC (which I kept in pristine condition, had new tires, and not a scratch or ding anywhere), and wrote up a price sheet(Cost, less trade-in) that was about $2000 away from where I thought we should be, and said he was "too busy to work on the numbers". The good news was he gave me a copy ! So, I headed home (BTW, Ramsey is about 40 miles North of where I live now) and on a whim stoppped at Warnock purely because it was sorta en route home. Walked in..asked to speak to a salesman..showed him the paper that Presitge gave me..told him what I needed (this was on Oct 29, 2000)for a price and he went and got the used car manager..then went to the sales manager..came back and said " you have a deal if you leave a deposit now ". I said "No problem"..and signed the papers..
Now for the punchline.. On Monday morning Prestige calls me and says they can offer me a Loyalty Rebate of $500..so now we are only $1500 apart.. I explain that I already bought the car at the price I wanted..but thanks for telling me about the rebate.. I call Warnock and say "Hey did you forget about my rebate?" and the salesman says "yep, I did.." and we agree to use it to add Lojack ..Drove to Warnock (it was Halloween night) with the SC..filled out the paperwork..and that was it.. The whole process took less than 2 hours..
BTW, the salesman at Warnock isn't there anymore, or I would go back there in a heartbeat, BUT thought I'd post here anyway to see what others have to say about NJ Lexus dealers..
I agree that finding a sans third seat will be tough..but I won't know for sure until I try !
Happy Holidays..
ED
Can adults comfortably sit on the 3rd row seat?
Thanks
Chase
Also received a $2500 off quote from Atlanta and a $0 off quote from Charlotte.
Dealers still report that they are selling all they can get in this area.
Faxed a request for prices to about 12 dealers on east coast. Since there are very few GX's in stock now, response was not great, but this offer beat everyone by a wide margin, and I should have the car within a week of making the deal.
Seems anything in stock or coming in has 3rd row seat, which I did not want, but was not interested in waiting the 3 months that I was told would be required to order a car without 3rd seat. Prices for a special order without the third seat were higher than what I paid for the car with the seat.
All negotiations were done in a day by fax and phone. So far, a very pleasant experience.
47k is an excellent price. TIA
the gx is nice but few things are annoying. you can tell lx470 is much more luxurious car. my wife has a sc430, and hands down a much more luxurious car, which she always reminds me (of course, more $$$)
I think, based on your post my GX is on the same Boat arriving on Jan 06. If you get yours let me know and I will do the same if thats ok with you.
Thanks.
Since you will be taking delivery prior to I do, please give me some pointers if you think I should have it before hand. I wish you best of luck and enjoy your GX.
Thank
Chase.
Gxorlr, did you purchase the GX thru the Internet dept. or it was a walk in sale. Lease or purchase?
I bought the same truck as win26 on 1/1/05 (same dealership), but added a dealer install 10" DVD. My price was $50,718, MSRP of $52,330 plus $2,200 for the DVD. In my case, I paid $3,700 more (over win26 $47,000 purchase price) for a after market DVD and $2,200 more (over gxorlr $48,500 purchase price). Seem like I didn't get a good price. My price was a "Discounted Internet Price".
I also expect delivery by midweek (1/13). But won't take delivery until Sat. morning. Hope to see you at the dealership. (by the way gxorlr, what color is yours?)
Regards.
CarK
I walked in.
I never mentioned $48,500
Color is Meri blue. Royal huh?
What else do you want to know?? ;-)
How is your stint at the dealership?
You didn't pay too much.
You can get a loaded 05 for just under $51k
How do you say booklin.
Whats your color?
tx
Good Luck all.
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cark
My model has 9700A. Does anyone know what that means? Thanks in advance.
Lexus does running changes in its models during the production year. 9700A, designates yours as being a part of the initial production run of the GX470 for I'm assuming , 2005.
When they decide some change or improvement is in order, that next production run will be 9700B.
I have a late edition 2004, and mine has the designation 9700G, which was the final batch of 2004's. They started over at 9700A when they started 2005 production.
My first choice was the Silver Pine based on the small paint chips, but I saw a video on the Lexus website of a Silver Pine GX. Though it was rather poor quality internet video, it looked a lot more green than silver, so if you want a silver car, that may not be it.
The dealers do have some larger paint samples in the showroom, about 4 inches square as opposed to the 1 inch samples in the glossy brochures.
The Blizzard Pearl has grown on me in the week I've had it. From a comfort and performance standpoint, the car is fantastic.