Test Drive of a GX - a bit disappointed

[Drewski Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drewski]

Hi Guys,

finally found a manual D4D 120 series to test drive yesterday, in the GX trim...

quite disappointed with a couple of things...

the drivers seat was nothing short of terrible - I found that it had next to no lateral or under-bum support, even in comparison to my parents' 80 series 'cruiser...

The gear shift I thought was reasonable (would have to put a shorter throw lever in I reckon), although the reverse gear, I had 3-4 goes at it, and had issues finding the reverse each time.

The interior rear-vision mirror seems too small for the vehicle, but I guess it's something to get used to...

Would like to know how those with a GXL find the above... I'm thinking of getting the seats upgraded to leather (about $2200), so I can always get more bolstering installed at the time the leather is done I guess...

Also, I found that first gear was very short - does anyone with a 6-speed find this in day-to-day driving?

I put the dodgy feeling reverse down largely due to not being used to it, and the car not having had a pre-delivery as yet - had 3 km on it before we drove it...

Figure the short first would be rectified a bit with performance mods - chip and exhaust ...

Cheers,

Andrew

[HGMonaro Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close HGMonaro]

not sure how relevant my comments are as I have a 2006 petrol GXL, but initially (test drive, 1st week or so) the seat seemed ok, then after a few longer runs I thought, my god going to have to do something about this... I didn't check for available adjustments when purchasing and was surprised to find it didn't have any (other than standard back angle and for/aft position) but haven't pursued the matter and now after about 12K I have grown used to it and find it ok.

I personally don't like leather, but the majority of the world don't seem to agree with me!

Interior mirror seems ok and with the large side mirrors I don't have any blindspots. I think it's the nature of the vehicle with spare on rear door that there's limited rear view straight out the back. With the camper attached I can't see out there anyway! The only thing that I've found is the B pillar is large when doing a U turn or pulling out of a carpark, etc and having to do a head check. Find I have to look around it sometimes.

[Talshanic Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Talshanic]

I have to agree whole heartedly on the disappointing front seats. I have no problems with any of the mirrors, although i will admit the left hand mirror is an acquired taste. No problems with my reverse, it is tough to get through the gate, which is IMHO a good thing, but sertainly no problems locating the gate but have may times early on ended up looking like an amateur though floundering around in 6th expecting to head backwards only to be greeted by a stall. I had a case where it has jumped out of reverse under load whilst doing a beach recovery, but no problems since. First gear is short, but there are 5 others so it doesn't worry me, makes life off road a lot easier.

[Guest Close Guest]

The Grande leather seats are nice :P I did 700kms the other day and got out feeling like I hadnt even done it! (A bit difference to my other 4wd that kills me after 100kms ) :?

I reccomend the leather, are the upgrades the same seats as the grande's or do they just leather trim them?

[Drewski Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drewski]

The leather upgrade is from Gary Blackman and Sons http://www.blackman-and-sons.com.au, and my boss has it in his 2004 GXL, and they are very comfortable, when compared to the velour...

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

I'm a big fan of the seats in my 03 GXL.. i've spilt so much crap on them and it just wipes off.. didn't think they were uncomfortable at any point.. but will admit a few more adjustment options would be good (height mainly)!

[HGMonaro Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close HGMonaro]

Blackmans did the seats in my Clubsport. They have a very good reputation.

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

I'm with Piggy in finding myself spoiled by the leather in the Grande.

The range of adjustments make a huge difference.

For those of us who are never happy, we find ourselves wishing for memory settings for the seats.

I recently tokk the family from Sydney to Port Macquarie (5hr trip), dropped them off and turned around to head back for work the next morning.

After 10 hours at the wheel, it was like no other car I've ever owned - brilliant!

Felt like I had just gone down the street to get a paper...

Has anyone checked the runners to ensure that height adjustment is actually missing from the GXL, rather than than just being blocked in some way? This alone would solve most problems, although I use the tilt function for greater comfort.

[Fazza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fazza]

[[q

uote]quote="

HGMonaro"]not sure how relevant my comments are as I have a 2006 petrol GXL, but initially (test drive, 1st week or so) the seat seemed ok, then after a few longer runs I thought, my god going to have to do something about this... I didn't check for available adjustments when purchasing and was surprised to find it didn't have any (other than standard back angle and for/aft position)

sometimes.

I could not agree more with no up & down seat adjustment makes someone with back problems very uncomfortable on a long trip.
If you are larger than the average Japanese you have no support under your right leg. You would think that Toyota would consider driver comfort a major priority.

Fazza.
07 D4D auto Bog standard & yes Dunlop Grandtak AT20