Originally Posted by Skyline

No...the 2002 4.4 does not have the intermediate lever problem.

While I admit, we strongly considered the Lexus RX330 as an alternative to our 2002 X5, I'm very glad we ended up with an X5. While these vehicle seem to have similar utility, the X5 is capable of towing a car on a trailer. The Lexus can tow a jet ski on a trailer. The Lexus is basically a reskinned Camry with AWD, (same platform). The driving feel is totally different. A V8 X5 is a couple of seconds faster to 60 than the Lexus. The Lexus is mushy and soft to drive. The X5 is the closest thing to a sports car you can get in an SUV. All the above are subjective factors of course.

Where the Lexus wins is reliablity and gas mileage...both by a long shot. I can't see how anyone could prefer the driving feel of the Lexus; but women and senior citizens seem to love them. And they purchase them in vast quantities. As I am very mechanically inclined, I can live with the issues of my pre-facelift X5, (had I chosen a post face lift car, I don't know how I'd deal with the major potential issues). After driving our X5 more than 5,000 miles in the last month, it is an amazing road trip car.