What's the BEST Family Adventure Vehicle?
- Thread starter OutdoorX4
- Start date
offero
Adventurist
One Toyota nobody mentioned that I recently stumbled upon (and bought) is the Lexus GX 470. I was looking at 100 series Land Cruisers, but was put off by how much sellers were asking for such high-mileage vehicles. Also, most of the series 100s here in southern California were the Lexus LX 470 variety, which fetched even higher prices. A few of these Lexus LX rigs also had problems with the auto height control... something I didn't want to deal with.
Anyway, there was a GX 470 next to an LX 470 I was looking at on a lot. Now, I always thought the GX was just a bigger soccer wagon, but I kept looking at this thing and thinking, gee this looks a lot like a Land Cruiser Prado that our overlanding brethren down under always brag about. So I peaked inside and saw a 4Hi/4Lo lever... Hmm. After some research online at home, I realized that sure enough the Lexus GX is indeed the Prado 120 frame, drivetrain, and most of the body (which some wood, leather, and sound deadening thrown in!).
I've had mine for several weeks now and I like it. Parts aren't quite as available as the 100 series and certainly not like the Jeep marketplace, but I do have rock sliders in the garage awaiting painting and I have skid plates on order. Suspension parts are easy to come by thanks to similarities between other Prado 120 vehicles.
Check one out.
Anyway, there was a GX 470 next to an LX 470 I was looking at on a lot. Now, I always thought the GX was just a bigger soccer wagon, but I kept looking at this thing and thinking, gee this looks a lot like a Land Cruiser Prado that our overlanding brethren down under always brag about. So I peaked inside and saw a 4Hi/4Lo lever... Hmm. After some research online at home, I realized that sure enough the Lexus GX is indeed the Prado 120 frame, drivetrain, and most of the body (which some wood, leather, and sound deadening thrown in!).
I've had mine for several weeks now and I like it. Parts aren't quite as available as the 100 series and certainly not like the Jeep marketplace, but I do have rock sliders in the garage awaiting painting and I have skid plates on order. Suspension parts are easy to come by thanks to similarities between other Prado 120 vehicles.
Check one out.
Can you even get one for less than $25K?
Or it's slightly smaller variant, the Tahoe / Yukon. You lose a good chunk of cargo space, but still have the 3rd row.
Sent from a mud puddle
We are doing exact this. The 100 series as our second (family vehicle).
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When doing research I found that a common issue with the sequoia is a known tranny issue that once replaced is a non issue. Just cost a good $3000 to replace.
I was looking at the 4 runners also as Dave suggested but with a family of 5 you'll have room for 4 and 3/4 and no kit unless you're running a trailer. Same goes with the xterra or similar. I sure didn't want a suburban but woooo room galore and a monster but easy to work on and keep running. Which brought me to the 100 series (prefer an 80 but their gutless pigs sadly).
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offero
Adventurist
Yep, the GX is a little smaller. If I recall, it is a few inches narrower and several inches shorter than a 100. Might be tight with five, though I think a 100 would be too unless you use the third row. The third row in the GX is practically useless.
TangoBlue said:
Oh yeah. They range from '03-'09 in years, and priced from the mid teens to 38k or so.
KM4DWS
Adventurist
Last year I got the fully loaded '07 GX470 in great shape for about 23k. It has everything but NOT the KDSS. And 4 over sized adults fit very comfortable. GX470 has 3rd row seating option (the 3rd row is only for small children or the in-laws). I love my GX470... But it is my first 4x4 and by far the most comfortable car I have ever owned.
Camelfilter
Adventurist
Might check out a Nissan Armada while your looking. Plenty of room for 5, cruddy on gas though.
My Titan gets 12-14 highway, 8-10 around town, 5-7 4x4-but I also have it loaded down with an extra 6-800lbs, 34" tires & mini lift/level.
The Nissan V8 platform is pretty proven & stable, don't know about the V6 platform though (for Armadas).
My Titan is very comfortable for road trips, so I would assume the same in an Armada. I believe Armadas have a coil rear suspension where I have leafs, so likely even more comfortable.
Easily in your price range.
Not much aftermarket available though.
My Titan gets 12-14 highway, 8-10 around town, 5-7 4x4-but I also have it loaded down with an extra 6-800lbs, 34" tires & mini lift/level.
The Nissan V8 platform is pretty proven & stable, don't know about the V6 platform though (for Armadas).
My Titan is very comfortable for road trips, so I would assume the same in an Armada. I believe Armadas have a coil rear suspension where I have leafs, so likely even more comfortable.
Easily in your price range.
Not much aftermarket available though.
OutdoorX4
Adventurist
Agreed on seating capacity. For a family of 5, everything is going to be generally "tight".
The one thing that's appealing about the Commander is all the mods I have on the WK Grand Cherokee can literally be taken off and bolted on to the Commander with the added benefit of a larger cargo area and third row. Fully loaded though and anything less than the V8 doesn't make sense.
On another note, I'm planning to test out the 4Runner and 100 Series. I'm definitely not averse to ANY vehicle so long as it achieves what I need and is reliable enough to get us there and back.
The one thing that's appealing about the Commander is all the mods I have on the WK Grand Cherokee can literally be taken off and bolted on to the Commander with the added benefit of a larger cargo area and third row. Fully loaded though and anything less than the V8 doesn't make sense.
On another note, I'm planning to test out the 4Runner and 100 Series. I'm definitely not averse to ANY vehicle so long as it achieves what I need and is reliable enough to get us there and back.
OutdoorX4
Adventurist
I hear the Sequoia doesn't have the build quality of either the LC or the 4Runner as it's built in a different factory. Very good point about the Armada though. I'd be curious to give it a shot and see how it handles on/off-road. Back in the day, I owned a 350Z and loved that car. The V6 was great but then again, that was a little sports car versus a family hauler loaded down with gear and possibly a trailer down the road.
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Stan, I TOTALLY dig that 100.
That's why I put it on our cover for issue 4.
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Pretty hard to beat a 100 Series, IMO. Even more so if you have a family to haul around.
How about the one you had on the cover of Issue 4? That one is sweet!
Stan, I TOTALLY dig that 100.
That's why I put it on our cover for issue 4.
OutdoorX4
Adventurist
So, I've been doing more research on this today and I'm starting to really like the idea of going with a GX470. It has a great amount of room, is comfortable, appears to have good aftermarket support, and seems to be quite reliable. Anyone else have thoughts? I'm thinking 2004-2006 is the year range.
I swear that's what I'm getting if we ever have another kid. I love our Tahoe for family road trips and camping. I just wish it was 4WD.
For space and cargo capacity its hard to beat a full-size rig.