I don't think any paint on that car is original!
2024 Lexus GX550
- Thread starter Nick1994
- Start date
I don't think any paint on that car is original!
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Here we are, a little over 10,000 miles on the GX550 and I figured I’d add some thoughts.
She’s still thrilled with it. As am I, I drive it quite a bit too. There are a few downsides though, I’m always transparent about that stuff.
The hood needs some more reinforcing. The center of it shakes on the highway, kinda makes you nervous thinking it’s going to fly open. The dealership looked at it and said it’s a common issue, we need to contact Lexus corporate to see if they can get a campaign going. The windshield being pretty vertical is the sissiest thing out there. 7 chips, 2 of them are huge, and 2 of them have turned into cracks. Just the way it’s going to be. My dad had the same issue with his FJ Cruiser. Gonna ride it out until a crack appears in the immediate field of vision. The fuel tank is TINY. I think it’s supposed to be 20 gallons, but it’s more like 18 usable. Which when towing a trailer and getting 10 mpg or so (she’s got a lead foot), it swings in at gas stations often when she’s towing her trailer.
Other than that it’s the perfect car for her. Tows her travel trailer like an absolute dream, it’s a great commuter for her 66 mile round trip commute, 60 miles of which are purely interstate. It gets 19.5 mpg average which is about to be expected, it spends most of the time at 80 mph. And it’s really capable off-road too.
She’s still thrilled with it. As am I, I drive it quite a bit too. There are a few downsides though, I’m always transparent about that stuff.
The hood needs some more reinforcing. The center of it shakes on the highway, kinda makes you nervous thinking it’s going to fly open. The dealership looked at it and said it’s a common issue, we need to contact Lexus corporate to see if they can get a campaign going. The windshield being pretty vertical is the sissiest thing out there. 7 chips, 2 of them are huge, and 2 of them have turned into cracks. Just the way it’s going to be. My dad had the same issue with his FJ Cruiser. Gonna ride it out until a crack appears in the immediate field of vision. The fuel tank is TINY. I think it’s supposed to be 20 gallons, but it’s more like 18 usable. Which when towing a trailer and getting 10 mpg or so (she’s got a lead foot), it swings in at gas stations often when she’s towing her trailer.
Other than that it’s the perfect car for her. Tows her travel trailer like an absolute dream, it’s a great commuter for her 66 mile round trip commute, 60 miles of which are purely interstate. It gets 19.5 mpg average which is about to be expected, it spends most of the time at 80 mph. And it’s really capable off-road too.
Glad it's doing well for you guys. The GX sure is a looker!
The hood on my Rav4 is the same way. Thin aluminum. Thanks for the update, I really like them
Yea, a friend’s Tundra with the extended capacity fuel tank can make the trip between the Bay Area and Tahoe on a tank of gas. I can get my parent’s RXh to Monterey/Santa Cruz and back on 2/3rds of a tank but Tahoe trips require a refuel between Sacramento and the Bay Area. I don’t like running things bone dry but see the 1/4 full or two ticks as my refuel mark. I think Toyota tanks are small by default.
I would try adjusting these rubber stoppers on the hood. They probably need to be screwed out a little bit more.
It flutters in the middle of the hood.
Had this on my wife's Highlander. The hood latch in front of the motor had to be adjusted to let the hood sit slightly lower. It took care of the issue. Looking at the PIC you provided-it looks (to me) between the side fender and the hood there could be tolerance for that adjustment.
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Hood flutter on the GX550s is a commonly reported issue in the online forums for these. Lexus is reportedly looking in to it and may issue a TSB when they find a resolution.
Tell your Aunt to keep an eye out for this melting issue:
https://www.thedrive.com/news/lexus-gx-owners-report-their-shiny-new-suvs-are-melting-in-the-sun
Apparently there have been a few reports of this on the new LC 250 too.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/lexus-gx-owners-report-their-shiny-new-suvs-are-melting-in-the-sun
Apparently there have been a few reports of this on the new LC 250 too.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Whoa, we’ll watch for that. It’s garaged at her house and at work. Though it sat in the sun in front of my house for the whole month of August. No defects yet.
How's she liking it?
That needs a set of KO3's 
Going out off roading is one of our favorite things to do. I've seen all sorts of brands out in the bush, doing some 'wheelin', but never a Lexus. I just assumed that lexus buyers were usually old women, who drove them to bingo, it's cool to hear she plans to go romp it. Is she doing a lift, tires, winch, etc as well?
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
GX470 is one of he most popular rigs to deck up for off roading.
Gen4 Tacoma is same. Center rear of the hood vibrates. It’s fine - they put the weight somewhere else and I’m ok if the hood is thin. The vertical-ish windshield has a 6” crack from the 6th week of ownership which halted nicely with windshield repair goo. It also has 2 other small hits that haven’t spread. I also wonder if the glass is soft - it certainly seems like it’s an acoustic glass, which I’m not as familiar with in terms of crack resistance. Gas tank is small - but otoh if you crawl up under there you’ll see theres not really room for more - they cram a lot of steel underneath these vehicles and it doesn’t leave much room for tanks.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
She couldn’t be happier. I think it’s around 27k miles. Working from home a lot lately so the miles slowed down.
Nah it’ll stay stock, when the OE tires are worn out we’ll put something a little more aggressive on it and one size bigger. These OE Yokohama’s are actually great.
A Ford dealer in Denver had two for sale that came in on trade.
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Much more prefer the pre 2015 GX 460’s…that newer grill is not for me
No GX 550 on my want to buy list…this ‘11 Premium with 154K will last a long time
Yes aware of valley leaks…did replace radiator at 125K…
Wife’s DD
