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2005-2011 Lexus GX 470: V8 exhaust manifold tick

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specific things to inspect and negotiate

What goes wrong

The 4.7 V8 in the GX470, and the early 4.6 that replaced it, develop cracked exhaust manifolds, a cold-start tick that fades as metal expands. The rest of the truck is famously overbuilt.

Federal record for the 2008 Lexus GX 470, pulled from NHTSA when this page was built:
15 owner complaints on file , most-reported: SERVICE BRAKES (6) · AIR BAGS (2) · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2).
0 safety recalls listed.
Complaint volume tracks how many were sold as well as how they held up , read it as a pattern, not a score. Counts change; confirm live at nhtsa.gov or by running the free check below.
Rough cost: $800-$1,600 per side. Broad estimates , labor rates and parts vary widely by region and shop.

What to do about it

Before you hand over cash: Cold start, listen near the front wheels for a rhythmic tick that quiets with warmth. Present = negotiate; the driveline itself is a 300K-mile unit.

Whatever you find, a $100-150 pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is the cheapest money you’ll spend on any used car , including this one.

Run the full free check on this GX 470 →

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General reference information only , not a mechanical inspection, appraisal, or vehicle history report, and not specific to any individual car. Failure patterns describe documented tendencies across many vehicles; any single car may be better or worse. Cost figures are rough estimates , verify locally. The absence of a warning is not a statement that a car is safe or problem-free. Always verify recalls directly with NHTSA and get a pre-purchase inspection. Not affiliated with any manufacturer, dealer, or reporting service. No affiliate links, no commissions, no ads. © Used Car Informer, operated by MCC LLC · v6.6