The rear cross-traffic alert is actually very useful and it's alerted me to cars & people that I wouldn't have seen otherwise. The front cross-traffic alert is just moronic. It's like Braille on the drive-up ATMs.
Will be selling (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Happy
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RickBullotta
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To follow up, I did end up trading mine in (on a 518 horsepower Land Rover Defender V8 - don't hate) and I got $1000 less than what I paid for it, with 1700 miles on it. That speaks highly of the resale market for the GX550.
Wow! Disappointed to see you go but great choice and well done on the trade.
Oh, man, what have you done!
Please tell me you purchased an extended warranty and a dependable extra vehicle to drive while it's in the shop.
I don’t know why but I don’t even notice the cross traffic alert. My wifes Audi has an exceeding the speed limit warning that you can’t permanently shut off, it resets after each drive. The closest we got is to create a short cut but it’s still 3 clicks. It’s equivalent to our massage seats but far more moronic.
Apparently it has to do with EU regulations but it’s a massive pain in the ass.
Not to scare anyone away but we drove the 6 cylinder variant before leasing an Audi and the Defenders entire screen went out during the test drive. I felt bad for the sales person.
Pretty vehicle tho.
Had my heart set on a Defender, and drove a couple. I still think it's a little sexier vehicle than the GX (especially the V8) but just couldn't pull the trigger. Enjoy! And pics please.
Coils or air suspension? The dealers in ABQ and Santa Fe only seemed to have coils on the lot, and I thought the suspension felt great. I was really torn between the reliability of coils vs the extra clearance with air.
Coils or air suspension? The dealers in ABQ and Santa Fe only seemed to have coils on the lot, and I thought the suspension felt great. I was really torn between the reliability of coils vs the extra clearance with air.
Air suspension is great...until the shocks pop and it's $2000 per axle for replacements. And then the compressor goes out and it's another couple thousand to repair. And when it goes out, you're not moving the vehicle. Awesome when you're 50 miles offroad and you hear air hissing out of the shocks when the suspension extends on that corner and exposes a hole in the air bag. Or you have to pull over and let the compressor cool down because it's working non-stop to try to stay ahead of the leaks. Then the air compressor just gives up the fight.
Ouch. I thought of a few scenarios like that that made me say Lexus at the end of the day. I also had no desire to spend thousands on the common failed DRL replacements or myriad other little, but stupidly expensive crap that I read about for a year on the Defender forums. The nearest Rover dealer being 4 hours away means even minor stuff isn't minor. Better judgement won the day for me.
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RickBullotta
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Air, but more importantly, a 518 HP V8. It moves.
I looked long and hard at the Defender before buying my OT (and my wife a Toyota LC FE). There is no LR dealer in Vermont, but neither is there a Lexus dealer. Convinced myself that Lexus would be a much smarter purchase for my “needs,” and 16k miles in I am very happy with my choice. Have to say the V8 Defender seemed way more engine than I would have wanted in a boxy SUV that in my case would spend much of its life on dirt roads and in snow. To each his own, as it is said.
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RickBullotta
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Of course. I was coming from a Cayenne Turbo and an F-150 Powerboost (very quick truck that handled surprisingly well), and wanted to get back to more of a sporty feel. I did not find that with my GX. As you say, to each their own! Enjoy.
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RickBullotta
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FYI, here's what replaced the GX 550. 2025 Defender 110 V8. This thing is a beast, in a good way. Great engine note, tons of power, flatter handling, almost the same fuel economy but a larger tank, a smoother ride even with 22's (IRS vs solid rear I suppose), and a great interior. The sound system and CarPlay issues I faced with my GX don't exist here (I can listen loud without fear of the bass cutting out).
Time will tell on reliability, but the reports on the V8 have been very positive.
I'll likely get a set of 20" wheels with A/T or snow tires that I can swap out as needed.
Still selling my rear storage drawer system if anyone is interested - Yakima MOD system.
Time will tell on reliability, but the reports on the V8 have been very positive.
I'll likely get a set of 20" wheels with A/T or snow tires that I can swap out as needed.
Still selling my rear storage drawer system if anyone is interested - Yakima MOD system.
Great looking ride - hope everything works for you. I'm always concerned that with the British heritage (who invented darkness) I would only drive one while it's in warrantee. Many friends who swear by Range Rovers said that after about 2 years everything quickly goes to poo - and it turns into the equivalent of a teen in rehab....
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RickBullotta
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They’ve made great strides in quality over the past couple years. And certainly Lexus is going the other direction. I’m hopeful!
Why selling?
I hear ya - but the 2025 JD Power ratings rate Lexus again the #1 most reliable vehicle brand (for like the zillionth year in a row), and Land Rover #27. The issues you see here are minor for a new car model compared to the rest of the automotive universe.
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RickBullotta
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For me the main issues that caused me to sell the Lexus were the clunky transmission, poor handling (lots of understeer and body roll), the small fuel tank and the sound system issues. Some of those aren't fixable. And Lexus didn't seem to be in any hurry to fix the things they could (transmission, sound system). Overall a disappointment.
Typing as I’m walking the Lab - so ignore the errors.
Agree with you the stereo. Zero transmission issues on my end. And flutter is non-existent. The stereo is an issue - but one Lexus is addressing on the other SUV model and the ‘fix’ is already planned. I came out of an X5M and a Cayenne Turbo before that -to the OT+.think that Lexus nailed it with a vehicle that is this good off road and drives this well on road. It’s 75-80% of the X5s handling - on road. I’ve had the GX for 6k miles, and beyond a couple annoyances - which the dealer resolved- it’s been bulletproof. Though still awaiting the update to make the rear seat heaters work better. Small fuel tank is also annoying - it will go to Long Range America for an augment when that is ready.
Ive not driven a defender - but drove the ‘24 Range Rover which was horrific for nose plow, rolling in corners was like a ‘65 Chevy, and the tail sink on hard acceleration was less than confidence inspiring. I would be terrified in an emergency handling situation. I wanted a body on frame vehicle - and J/LR went soft to all unibody vehicles over the years. Great design for a mini-van but not a serious off road vehicle any more .
Nor hs LR ever proven themselves to be better in reliability than 26 brands that rank higher. The only thing it seems raises them up on the chart is when 2 car makers merge.
For myself anyway - I could never settle on a vehicle that evokes emotion but blends that with disastrous systems and glitches - same reason I did not take delivery of a Grenadier I ordered and went for the Lexus. While so many of these cars claim to get you to the ends of the earth - it’s only great if they also get you home.
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RickBullotta
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The Defender V8 checks all the boxes for me - fast, handles well, excellent brakes. Durability we shall see! Cheers.
Cheers and enjoy!
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