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Learn me in Prado

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:13 pm
by hillbilly
Looking at buying a Prado..... 2004 or slightly later model.
Just starting to research them.
GXL or VX if we can afford.

Is there anything I should be looking for in the way of trouble?

Petrol / Diesel? What is the engine life of these. ( Looked at a GXL 2006 diesel today which had 300K . Guy wanted $38k :shock:

Auto / Manual? Seems to be alot more autos for sale.

I realise the last two items are largely personal choice, but everyones comments are welcome.

Cheers


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Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:53 pm
by bj on roids
dont buy the diesel mate!

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:42 pm
by hillbilly
dont buy the diesel mate!

Is this because it is underpowered or generally not a very good motor?


edit: ALso the only differance I can see between the GX and GXL is colour coded bumpers...........What else?



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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:57 am
by bj on roids
Don't buy a diesel, cause they are cheap to run, efficient and plenty powerful.

There is still too much demand for the diesel ones and i'm trying to buy one cheap! :cool:

Seriously though, wouldn't touch the V6, super thirsty!!!

GXL has more interior features too, cruise control, power mirrors/windows etc. If you arent into the comforts, save the cash, they got the same turbo diesel motor.

The motors in the diesel are very reliable and very good.

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:37 am
by NQCalais
The early diesels (1KZ-TE) are pretty thirsty in this model - the common rail (1KD-FTV) ones are much better - look for the D4D badge. I think these started in 2005.

One of my good mates bought the earlier one and was pretty dissapointed with the economy and power....

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:35 am
by Struth
Yes look for a D4D if you can afford it, they are a pretty damn good engine.

They also work very well with the manual gearbox.

If you can get one without traction control then you can add diff locks with what you save as well.

Good luck, we are getting the missus a D4D manual version as soon as we finish paying up her current rig.

Cheers

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:38 am
by booflux
I wouldnt touch the diesel, the D4D didnt start till 07 it came out in the Luxes prior to the Prado.

We have a V6 GXL they have cruise and some trim differences, there are also some GXs around with upgrade packs so some are closer to GXL spec than others.

We had the V6 put on gas and I couldnt be happier, its now cheaper than a diesel to run :armsup: From $30-$35 worth of gas we are getting 350-400k there is no noticeable power loss and it tows and runs better than my brother in laws non D4D does.

I am looking into supercharging it next just to put it even further in front of the diesels :armsup:

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:21 am
by 98lux
bj on roids wrote: Seriously though, wouldn't touch the V6, super thirsty!!!

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yep 13.6 lt/100 is super thirsty, 4 adults 2 kids and a roof pod up top.

14.3lt/100 around town. (My wifes shopping trolley)

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:12 pm
by booflux
98lux wrote:
bj on roids wrote: Seriously though, wouldn't touch the V6, super thirsty!!!

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yep 13.6 lt/100 is super thirsty, 4 adults 2 kids and a roof pod up top.

14.3lt/100 around town. (My wifes shopping trolley)
yeh pretty much what ours was returning as well.

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:38 pm
by Chucky
98lux wrote:
bj on roids wrote: Seriously though, wouldn't touch the V6, super thirsty!!!

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yep 13.6 lt/100 is super thirsty, 4 adults 2 kids and a roof pod up top.

14.3lt/100 around town. (My wifes shopping trolley)
The 6.5l Chev diesel in my 60 gives better fuel returns than that.

Having said that, My next 4by will be a prado, most likely a 08 model T/D.
I nearly bought one brand new last year, but the wife decided on the Mazda CX-9 instead.

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:41 pm
by booflux
Chucky wrote:
98lux wrote:
bj on roids wrote: Seriously though, wouldn't touch the V6, super thirsty!!!

.
yep 13.6 lt/100 is super thirsty, 4 adults 2 kids and a roof pod up top.

14.3lt/100 around town. (My wifes shopping trolley)
The 6.5l Chev diesel in my 60 gives better fuel returns than that.

Having said that, My next 4by will be a prado, most likely a 08 model T/D.
I nearly bought one brand new last year, but the wife decided on the Mazda CX-9 instead.
Good stuff if I wanted a boat anchor Id buy a boat :finger: :D

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:22 pm
by hillbilly
Some of the Prados we have been looking at have what I believe to be pretty high Km.

We would like as late a model as possible but starting to think an earlier one with less mileage would be better.

What is the kilometre lifespan of each type of motor? I'm guessing 300 odd for the petrol, 400 odd for the deisel?????????



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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:54 pm
by Thommo 73
the v6's can get a thump from the driveline,nothing bad

i'd get the diesel, and with the problems the d4d's are having without
a new car warrenty it could get eccy to fix

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:52 pm
by booflux
hillbilly wrote:Some of the Prados we have been looking at have what I believe to be pretty high Km.

We would like as late a model as possible but starting to think an earlier one with less mileage would be better.

What is the kilometre lifespan of each type of motor? I'm guessing 300 odd for the petrol, 400 odd for the deisel?????????



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Personally Id expect more ks from both, last year I picked up an 04 TD with 40k for $37k for my brother in law ours there are low k ones out ther just depends on your budget. Again the petrol is cheaper to buy even onec put on gas.