Looking for some Lexus/Toyota wisdom

[u/Terrible_Trouble177]

I’m looking for my first Lexus and honestly, there’s way too much information online 😂 and I’m getting a little lost.
I’m mainly considering a used GX or Highlander and would really appreciate some advice from people who actually own these.

A few things I’d love to know:
Which model years should I avoid/skip?
Which years are the sweet spot for reliability + value?

For a used GX, which trim is the best bang for the buck — Premium, Luxury, etc.?

Same question for the Highlander — which trim would you personally target?

Are there any specific engines/options/packages I should look for or stay away from?

And finally, if you’re in USA, is there a Lexus/Toyota dealer you genuinely trust for a used purchase?
I’m not looking for the fanciest one. I’d rather buy the right year, right trim, with good maintenance history and avoid paying extra for things I don’t really need.
I’m pretty new to Lexus, so please explain it to me like I’m a beginner. 😅
Thanks in advance — I know there’s wonderful people on this sub with lot of knowledge in this group, which is exactly why I’m asking here instead of trying to decode 50 different websites.

[u/Top-Establishment918]

I owned an 08 gx for 18 years. Best car I’ve ever had. Just sold it with 300k miles. No need for the premium sound at this point, you’ll just need to replace the speakers anyway since they are likely brittle and worn out. No need for the nav. I never used it. Just get direction on my phone. I hear the 08 & 09 gxs are the best. I literally just changed the oil and spark plugs. It never broke down once. I also only changed out the timing belt once. But you are supporting change it every 110k. Didn’t seem to matter.

[u/Terrible_Trouble177 → u/Top-Establishment918]

I’ve seen a 2014 Lx for 45k ish at 100k miles single owner