The end of an era?

It was April 9th, 1978, when the first American-produced Volkswagen rolled off the factory in Pennsylvania.

It was a Volkswagen Rabbit, one of the coolest hatchbacks in history, but no one knows its current location. The problem is the American market didn’t grasp the Rabbit well, and the factory closed in 1987.

I wonder where it is now.

Key Takeaways

Don’t have much time? Here’s the summary of what we’re talking about:

• The Lexus GX550 dropped its V8 and now uses a 3.4L turbo V6, and that lost some ring to it.

• Does this mean that the market for used GX-series Lexus will see a rise? Could be.

• Toyota dropping the V8 is only a sign of the times. Eventually, all companies will drop them.

• The Ford Expedition is a legend in the full-size market, but which are the years to avoid? Our article dives into the years you shouldn’t buy.

• Oil changes are routine, and we usually forget about them, but there’s a lot to learn about them.
  

KERN’S CORNER

The End Of An Era?

We love the Lexus GX series. Our founder, Kern, has one with more than 300,000 miles on it. I drove one for about a year and loved it.

So, we speak from experience when we say it's a bulletproof engine.  

Granted, it wasn't the most powerful V8 in the market, nor the most refined, but it did its job and did it very well. That's why the U-engine family consistently ranks at the top of many lists of the best Toyota engines ever. 

However, we've also driven the new Toyota Sequoia, with the new 3.4L turbo V6 engine bound for all large Toyota and Lexus SUVs.

Sure, this engine promised a leap in performance, but it's all been riddled with problems if we abide by Toyota standards. 

We're not the only Lexus GX and Toyota V8 engine fans out there, so we weren't alone when the rumors began spreading some years ago. 

Toyota would ditch the V8 in its large SUVs and trucks and make the 3.4L turbo V6 the standard. As much as we wanted this to be untrue, it finally happened in late 2023.

The new Lexus GX had finally arrived, and, no, it didn't have a V8. 

It's a looker

There's no denying that the Lexus GX550 has an impressive design. Its boxy yet clean looks are reminiscent of Toyota's glory years during the 1970s and 1980s. It's also packed with features and has a luxurious interior. 

Doug DeMuro dives deep into reviewing the Lexus GX and calls it just plain cool. 

And yet. 

And yet. 

It lacks some spice. 

Don't get me wrong. It's probably the best combination of toughness and luxury out there, but the lack of a V8 had us at Four Wheel Trends wondering if it'll be worth it, with good reason. 

Is Toyota not the same anymore?

The 3.4L turbo V6 has had plenty of wastegate issues, and complaints have piled up. The 2022 Tundra alone has 29 NHTSA complaints and records of complete engine failure at low mileage. 

The very essence of Toyota trucks and SUVs was bulletproof reliability. People bought them because they knew they could rely on them for safe, comfortable travel and not worry about mechanical issues. 

Then, when you got bored, all you did was inherit your GX or Tundra to someone else, get a new one, and then drive 250,000 worry-free miles.

Now, it doesn't feel the same. 

The Lexus GX550 promises a leap in quality, comfort, ride, and features. Still, there's a big question mark hovering above its powerplant. 

This situation made us think: Does it make sense to buy a new Lexus GX550 or look for a mint-condition GX460?

We're leaning towards the latter. I'm sure they'll go up in value soon. 

Here are some valuable insights on whether buying a new car is worth it. 

In the end, the Lexus GX550 is only one chapter in the evolution of the V8 as we move forward to its demise.

We've seen this happen with other iconic trucks and SUVs, such as the F-150. One can only wonder which V8 manufacturer will be the last Mohican, the one to go down swinging.

Any bets? 

While you mull over this, here’s the list of the best Lexus GX years to buy.

BEST AND WORST

What are the best and worst years for the Ford Expedition?

The Ford Expedition is a legend in the full-size SUV segment. People love its spacious interior, awesome towing capabilities and comfortable ride.

However, not all Expeditions are reliable, and some can cost you big bucks. So, which are the best and worst years for the Ford Expedition?

Click the link to find out!

TIPS AND KNOW-HOW

The essentials behind oil filters: everything you need to know.

Sometimes, we take oil changes for granted. In most cars, it’s a straightforward job, and we often leave it to others.

But, did you know there’s a lot more to the oil filter than just a regular change? We dove deep into the secrets of oil filters and oil changes.

Read more to learn how to ensure your engine’s long-term well-being.

NEWSBITES

Every week, we scour the web for the most essential news. Here’s what you need to know this week:

• Once, Volvo came up with pedestrian airbags, and they didn’t catch on

• The Chevy Trax is the 25th best-selling car in 2024. Which are the other 24?

• Hyundai and Kia scramble to fix millions of cars after recall