I Reluctantly Traded In My 2023 Lexus GX550 Luxury+ With Minimal Loss, But There Were A Few Things I Did Not Like About It

Earlier today, I was curious to see what's up in the Facebook group, Lexus GX550 Owners & Enthusiasts. I was curious about how the modern-day market for Toyota and Lexus vehicle works, and I am starting to notice a recurring trend. A member of the group posted about trading in his 2023 Lexus GX550 Luxury +, which is the range-topping trim of the Japanese SUV. The decision seems even odder when you find out what the former Lexus GX owner is replacing it with. Here's what he says: 

Matthew Barlow: “Well, it’s been fun. Traded in my Gx550 lux + for $82k, 12k miles. Was hard to do cause that thing looks bad ass and has some great features, best of all the traffic jam assist Couldn’t handle the lack of heat in the seats, hood flutter and wind noise on the highway. Wishing you all the best!” 

First of all, it sounds like Mathew had a great deal on his Lexys GX550 Luxury + . I don't know what the dealer markup was when he bought it new, but in 2025, the same Lexus GX550 trim has an MSRP of $81,750 (the base model starts at $65,285 MSRP).

The car in question, no doubt, featured optional equipment, which would add a bit more to the already hefty sum. Getting over MSRP after driving it for two years is a perfect example of how Toyota and Lexus vehicles retain their value.  

A recurring trend is forming among Toyota and Lexus’ more modern vehicles. The Toyota J250 Land Cruiser was a massive hit when it came out, and while many owners are happy with their purchase, more than a few owners are trading-in their Land Cruiser J250 after mere months.

I suspect the boxy Japanese SUV would become a great offer on the used market. On the other hand, certain Toyota Land Cruiser trims are offered under MSRP, with some of them still sitting on dealer lots due to some features they have (or don't have). 

It seems the Lexus GX550 could be facing a similar issue as many owners report various annoyances, ranging from minor irritations to major issues. In the case of Mathew's GX550 Luxury+, this could be an isolated incident. Not all owners are experiencing the issues he has. Here's what some other members are saying:  

Taylor Jackson says: “I just towed a 16’ cargo trailer 800 miles with my OT+. My hood never fluttered, nor did I have any road noise.” 

Schelsey M. Parker says: “Wow my heated seat overly work! I must turn them down. I love my truck! I probably would be trying to get everything fixed! Just such a luxury style truck!” 

According to Mathew, the heated seats barely get warm, while other owners report they work “too well”.  

Can this be chalked down to different perception of heat or has Toyota quality become wildly inconsistent across the lineup? Sadly, there is ample proof for the latter as the GX550 is plagued by a host of issues, ranging from melting sideview mirrors and trim, to the twin-turbo V-6 engine having major problems. For the record, Mathew hasn’t reported either of those.  

He also says that, apparently, there is a fix to the "hood flutter” issue, but “my dealer pretended they didn't even know it was an issue”. 

What is Mathew replacing the Lexus GX550 with? 

While many Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus GX owners opt for a model of the same brand (or at least another Japanese brand), Mathew's choice can be viewed as a bit unusual. While he hasn't “pulled the trigger” on his next car purchase just yet, the former Lexus owner has chosen a “2021 Porsche Cayenne with 14k miles for $55k”. 

Fellow group members had a few things to say about the choice, especially the reliability and maintenance costs of the German premium SUV. One member went as far as saying to Mathew, “A friend of mine had one of those. No need to leave the group; we’ll see you back here in about 6 months.”

Another owner shares that he traded in his Lexus GX550 and got a 2024 Ford Raptor R – another choice that resulted in vivid comments from the rest. The elephant in the room, however, is that there is another trend, in which Toyota and Lexus buyers are starting to look to other brands for their next vehicle, instead of keeping it “in the house”.

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Image source: 2024 Lexus GX550