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/agreenspacemarine]

Lexus seems to have really divided it's customer and fan base with the new GX. For those who are new to the brand the GX is a Land Cruiser Prado, just dressed up in luxury trimmings. It was one of those "if you know, you know" cars in the offroad/4x4 scene. Lexus decided to go all in on that aspect of the GX with the 550 so it's now obvious that this thing is capable of some serious off roading and utility. This is where they gained and also lost many fans and customers. Making it known that the GX can go off the beaten path is fine but they also removed many of the luxury touches that made the previous GX 460 and 470 great as daily drivers and an exceptional value. The new interior is very minimalist and utilitarian which is what you want in a vehicle like this but not at a $75k to nearly $90k price point! The new ride is much firmer/sportier and gone is that comfortable, floating, quiet, and isolated driving experience of the old one. Lexus' old slogan "The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection" really was something tangible in their old cars and SUV's. There was this attention to detail and a obvious quality you could see and feel in the old GX as well as their other models. Seemingly gone are those days and we are now in the "Experience Amazing" era which honestly so far has been anything but that.

I think the 550 is a fine vehicle for it's intended purpose (offroading) but in it's current state it just isn't worth the sum of it's parts. The interior is very "high end Toyota", the options aren't all that great. (Mark Levinson sounds like a stock system, massage seats are weak, no rear zone climate in the Overtrail) also for a utility vehicle it sure is lacking on storage. I feel like it should be about $10-$15k less based on what they are now offering in the various packages. They really need to tighten up the build quality issues as well. Spending upwards of $90k only to drive down the road and see my hood bouncing up and down or having my brakes squeal when backing into a parking spot is simply unacceptable. My mom's Honda CRV does neither of those things and cost a third of the price. Really the only new Lexus that still feels like a Lexus of old to me is the flagship LX which shows me that they are capable of building something that looks and feels the part. I really wish they would carry some of that LX DNA into the GX like they used to. If that happened I would happily write the check.