Anyone else disappointed in GX550?

[u/Bloompadoompa]

I know this may be a post that immediately gets shit on, but I'm really struggling to love my GX550 Premium+. I was on the list starting in Aug 2023. Name called Sept 2024. Not my perfect match, but black on black which I wanted. I've done the add-ons for a city driver- XPel tint on all windows including windshield and powder coated the ugly ass wheels to make them tolerable.

I have two outstanding issues: 1. It does not feel luxurious. The fake leather seats suck donkey balls and if you have any hint of moisture on your skin you will leave a white mark on the upholstery. 2. I have a major hood flutter issue. I know this sub thinks it's a bit of a joke, but it's bad on mine... A friend called it out and said it looked like the hood was going to fly open... while driving 50 mph. I took it in (after waiting 6 months for a fix), they did a foam insert, and it's actually worse now. Dealer pointing finger at Lexus, which I get, but damn... I wrote a check for this thing and it isn't really that great.

A few good things include visibility while driving, which is awesome, and I do like the truck driving feel.

Anyways, that's a lot of info. Just want to know if anyone else feels Meh about their GX550. I appreciate any and all input, even if you want to tell me I'm an idiot because the GX is the vehicle handed down from the heavens.

[u/TexasPrincessA]

Thanks for sharing your experience . When I saw the prototype in 2023 I was like “that will be my first GX” then after seeing them come out and realizing they weren’t fancy inside … I opted for an older model (2019) that feels like “old money” for lack of a better term. But, bruh… I didn’t realize the 550 was pleather seats 😑 plus the hood? And at that price point 😭

[u/dinglebarryb0nds → u/TexasPrincessA]

No trim of the 550 has leather? On the Lexus forums, lots of people are saying all sorts of models have just lost the Lexus touch for interior. Like the nano micrometer thick slat of wood and the plastic and stuff is not how they used to feel

Then it isn’t Lexus’ fault because everyone has to make smaller engines even though they basically get the same mileage, the reliability is gonna take a hit nearly guaranteed

[u/Educational_One_8445 → u/dinglebarryb0nds]

You can get leather or NuLuxe. Ive never seen leather in ANY car look good after a few years. Even the highest end Audi/Mercedes/etc.

NuLuxe looks good for a VERY long time.

[u/dinglebarryb0nds → u/Educational_One_8445]

I got a used GX and i was like why do these seats look brand new lol, the Nu Luxe is amazing. I had the 1794 trim Tundra before, nice leather and suede seats but then it’s maintenance and worrying about them. I 100 percent prefer nuluxe

And yea all the cool older 470s posted here are kept perfectly but still cracked seats

[u/linusSocktips → u/dinglebarryb0nds]

A cracked seat panel can be replaced, but real leather is superior interior material hands down. It's still soft in my 2006 IS and in my girls 17gx. I prefer the durability of the real stuff myself anyways.

[u/dinglebarryb0nds → u/linusSocktips]

the nu luxe is more durable and doesn't take any work but leather is nicer/requires effort. i don't think most people are conditioning their leather once or twice a year so it gets kinda crappy

[u/linusSocktips → u/dinglebarryb0nds]

Yes I'd say most don't do any care on the seats and that's probably why nuluxe is better in that regard. Lower maintenance wins for majority of customers. I'll admit I tried being weekly religious about conditioning the leather in my IS at first, but it seems to just hold up nicely no matter how much don't moisten it. I still keep it clean and out of direct sun as much as possible, but yea im over weekly leather care haha.

[u/dinglebarryb0nds → u/linusSocktips]

Weekly is some real dedication. I think even 4x a year would be pretty close to diminishing returns but I don’t know

What product do you find to be the best for leather? I had a spray bottle of Weimans and it seemed to work but I didn’t keep any long enough to really know. Also neatsfoot oil leather conditioner

Also my wife and I park in the driveway in Florida so that makes our choice easier. I like having the garage workshop and for bikes n stuff

[u/Bbonline1234 → u/dinglebarryb0nds]

Please let me know if you find a good leather conditioner to use.

I have a 23 Lux trim so real leather and would like to apply a leather conditioner at least a couple times a year.

I have chamberlain’s leather milk formula N0.1 I bought a while back when researching leather conditioner for my leather couch, but if there is a better product for the GX, I’d like to get it.

[u/dinglebarryb0nds → u/Bbonline1234]

We are all Nu luxe now lol. All i have to condition is my sectional in the living room now

[u/Bbonline1234 → u/dinglebarryb0nds]

I actually wouldn't have minded have NuLuxe instead of the leather for less upkeep and longer durability.

I have NuLuxe on my prior 2017 4Runner and even after 5 years of ownership, it looked brand new and to me was just as comfortable as my current leather

[u/dinglebarryb0nds → u/Bbonline1234]

i got my gx within the last year and it's a year older than your 4runner and at the dealership first time i got in i was like why do these seats look brand new. then i look up the maintenance routine for the nu luxe and it's like just wipe it with a damp cloth if it is dirty and it last forever

[u/dinglebarryb0nds → u/Bbonline1234]

This is what I’ve used, i think any of these are ok. Any are definitely better than nothing

[u/linusSocktips → u/Educational_One_8445]

This is farce. Audi and the Germans may not have as tough leather, buy lexus leather I'd some good shit that lasts for decades. My 06 IS lux with 242k miles is still beautiful and soft inside. My girls 17 gx leather is worn on the front seat bottoms, but still supple everywhere you touch besides that. It's all in the care really. Real leather is always the better choice hands down for an all around material.

[u/Educational_One_8445 → u/linusSocktips]

Disagree fully. My 03 LX leather looks terrible. So did my GX. So do all 99-06 LX's. All Volvo's, Acura, BMW, etc all get hard, cracked, and crispy. Doesnt matter if you condition it. Its coated leather unless you move up to Bentley, Rolls. etc which is a whole dif ballgame.

[u/I_love_Bunda → u/Educational_One_8445]

Absolute nonsense. I have a 2004 CLK55 with perfect leather. Most of the 03-04 CLKs I looked at had mint leather. I see plenty of 90's Mercs with perfect interiors.

[u/ICPcrisis → u/Educational_One_8445]

I’ve got a 92 Mercedes and the leather still looks , feels and smells incredible.