OT Prado GXL opinions

[SteveSV8]

Guys,

We have pretty much decided to sell the SV8 and get a Prado.

Any of you guys own one?

We are leaning towards turbo diesel auto.

Any known problems?

We are looking at current shape - even brand new.

Any comments appreciated.

Thanks

Steve

[PJK]

Hey Steve

Don't know about any problems with them - Toyota 4wd are pretty much bulletproof. The petrol models have one extra gear though A5 & M6 vs A4 & M5 for diesel and if the Landcruiser 100 is anything to go by the A5 is a huge improvement over A4.

Good luck with the purchase. :)

[CSV Strada SiR]

I like the Prado's just a problem with the 3rd row seats (too intrusive when folded) and the Diesel's KW's are poor and a letdown - drive the petrol V6 Prado to compare.
IMO the turbo diesel Pajero is a better motor if your set on the diesel type economy, if not go the petrol Prado(1), Then DITD Pajero(2), Prado(TD)3.
If you can go to 70k Honda's MDX is a personal favourite of mine.

[Roddy]

No problems AFAIK, the TD in the Prado is a tried and trusted motor, the rest is pretty bulletproof too. Nice truck.

[DaveHAT]

Gday Steve

The new T/D Prado is a good & proven thing. Motor I believe is carried over from the 90series Prado previous. Good oomph for a kero burner.
The new 4.0lt V6 is well worth the look. Running costs are approx the same, when you factor in: pay more at the pump for diesel but go further, pay less for ULP but travel less distance & fill up more often. Just a thought mind you.

Depends also on what you intend to do with the Prado. Offroad, the new model has less wheel travel than the previous model, but still not too bad considering it has the IFS front. If no offroad planned...... no real concern there.

It's worth noting that Toyota spare parts come in gold plated boxes (ie $$$) Reliability is a strong point with all Toyota 4wd, but when they break, it can be a wee bit pricy. A bit of a guide is the central locking soleniod for 1 rear door on our previous Prado (Now an 80series cruiser) cost $265 each :eek: & that was not the complete central lock unit. If you buy new, ya shall not have to worry about that for some time.

GOOD LUCK WITH IT, petrol or diesel I reckon you'll be happy. :D

Cheers Dave.

[Devil CV8]

GOOD LUCK WITH IT, petrol or diesel I reckon you'll be happy. :D

Cheers Dave.
just think, he'll be looking back on the lovely fuel consumption from the sv8 with envy

[Covert]

Prado's have recently been one of the most popular vehicles to rebirth/clone. All late model 4WD's are popular at the moment in this respect.

If you're looking at used examples, check the Written Off Vehicle Register to see if the vehicle's been Written Off. If it has then it's a prime candidate for being rebirthed. If it has been damaged and not rebirthed, then it would have been poorly repaired.

Due to the increasing amount of 4WD's on the road now, there's also a huge amount being damaged due to rollover accidents. Check for repairs to the turret as a lot of rolled 4WD's simply have the roof cut off at the pillars and a replacement section grafted on.

You're from outside Sydney so you probably won't have too much to worry about but Prado's, particularly the 95 series are notoriously susceptible to theft. (Try and insure one in some of Sydneys SW suburbs). I'm not sure of the latest shape but I hope they've improved.

Having said all that, I haven't seen too many stolen Prados of the current shape that you're after.

There's also quite a few petrol Prados going around with surrogate engine numbers. They seem to be over-represented in engine failure related problems when compared to other cars in the class and Toyota spare part blocks don't have engine numbers. This may affect resale further down the track.

Being a separate chassis design there's a lot said about the on-road handling dynamics compared to more contemporary designed competitors. Personally I think they drive fine compared to others in the class. I would expect the next Prado to be a monocoque design, yet that won't be for a while yet due to the Prados long model run.

If you look at a second hand vehicle PM me and I'll run a few checks.

[SteveSV8]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

[racketsports]

Steve, I bought a 2004 Prado GXL 4L V6 for the missus in May this year. I spent a huge amount of time shopping around for the best price and compared all models. I couldn't justify the extra 20K for the Grande but the VX got released just after I purchased mine. I read plenty about the Prado's in various 4WD magazines and drove the Pajero models to compare. As already stated the DiD 3.2L in the Pajero is a great deisal, but the Prado is a little underpowered with it's 96KW engine. It packs somewhere around 343Nm in torque though. The V6 has 179KW and 376Nm. I chose the petrol version as I liked how responsive it is for a large 4wd. It has plenty of punch all through the rev range thanks to the VVTI. Saying this though it is pretty heavy of juice, more so than my Clubby. I have the A4 as just after purchase they released the A5 update. I'm very impressed with the build quality as it hasn't developed a single rattle. They are made by Lexus in the US and have one awards for NVH levels (Noise, Vibration and harshness). It has to be one of the quitest vehicles I have been in. No troubles pulling the boat and it has a 180 litre tank. I removed the rear seats and store them at home and only put them back in when the missus has to pick me and the mates up from the pub. The interiors are rather drab and a small annoyance is that the dash and controls are white backlit whilst the stereo is green backlight. The fact that they don't match just bugs me that little. My pick would be to get a 2nd hand low milage VX V6 petrol as it has just a little bit more gadgetry. It all depends what you are going to use it for. Feel free to PM any Q's. I hope this helps.

Cheers
Racketsports :cool:

[muzza]

Whaaaaaaaaat? Selling the SV8 for a Prado???? :eek:

The current Prado is solid, well built, quiet and smooth and easy to drive. V6 very punchy and auto is great.

Fuel consump from V6 can be horrendous especially when towing.

T/D is the go for economy - it's not a fireball, but is still punchy and has adequate go on the highway.

They are excellent off road (with the traction control etc) and scramble well in low range, very good as an auto.

Make sure you get one with ABS, especially when towing - had a nasty experience in the wet with a trailer on - not good with no brakes/locked up wheels.

[ShanghaiVZ]

I'm still not reading this right! I refuse to read it right! Nope it's not working for me, Im still in denial about selling mine LOL..Steve Im here for ya if you need a shoulder to cry on. :D

[SteveSV8]

Guys,

Thanks again for the very detailed replies. Test drove a v6 auto today and was very impressed with the get up and go. I know the economy sucks but at $51990 drive away - its a good deal that I cant pass up.

Ryan, you read it right mate - sv8 goooone for a nana car - but we will be having a bub this year & other things in life - the times just right.

I will be back in a v8 again one day - probably an ls2.

Im currently negotiating a trade on the sv8... stay tuned.

Thanks again guys.

[Heli]

Steve,

We're on our fourth Prado, currently a Grande which has done 47,000km since new (we bought it the day the current model was released). Petrol, stacks of pull, very good economy (average 13.5l/100km), all the bells and whistles. If you can stump up the extra over a GXL, do so, you won't regret the improvement. Diesel's a waste of space and running cost, the torque from the petrol donk is more than enough - I pulled out a couple of tree stumps on Monday, low 4WD and pull :)

Winter we live in the Alps, and have only had to fit chains once, the 4WD traction is so well balanced. 3 zone aircon control gives excellent heating/cooling, but demisting is an issue in really cold weather (-4C and down). Headlamps are very average, we've upped the lamps and removed the headlamp covers to get adequate light.

Pulling power (apart from tree stumps): we have taken a 2000lt Jet fuel trailer up to the top of Falls Creek, offroad, for heli ops support, and still returned 15l/100km over 600km. DAC is superb, checked out a few black ski runs without any drama :)

The Grande has almost everything standard: leather, sunroof, satnav, excellent sound system (controlled through touch screen selection on satnav display), proper fridge built in, the list goes on. Only extras were tow bar and reversing sensors. Time to trade in about March this year, if you want to wait :cool:

[Clint]

You won't regret it
I am on my second Prado Grande - had a 2000 model and then a new one in June04. Just an absolute sensational vehicle. I do about 30K kms per year - mostly highway clicks and the economy averages 12.5-13 L/100. (I have it via LeasePlan) .
I would not even consider another 4WD, they have me for life. The thing is bulletproof and so quiet. I was in the US May04 and saw them there badged as Lexus GX - but only with 4.7 V8! But as you would expect with the Yanks, it comes fully loaded.
Even with 120K kms my 2000 model sold privately over a weekend. No problems with selling used Prados.

[SteveSV8]

Well,

Got a great trade in price on the sv8 + the runout deal on the prado - I am LS1 less as of next friday!!

I will still be a regular on here & will get my big fat ass into another ls1 or ls2 ! Within a couple a years. Wife wont be working for at least 24 months but after that maybee a VE.

My car will be wholesaled - at least i wont see someone else driving it!

Thanks again

Steve

[ShanghaiVZ]

Ryan, you read it right mate - sv8 goooone for a nana car - but we will be having a bub this year & other things in life - the times just right.

I will be back in a v8 again one day - probably an ls2.

That is very understandable. And you better sure as hell be remaining on the forum :D . Make that 2 ls1-less :( , be my turn shortly. But as u said other things in life beckon you :)

[TURISMO_CV8]

My bro inlaw had a GXL (petrol) for 15 months before trading it in on a VZ Clubbie ... for a 4WD it was a great car ... but he and my sister were after something with more performance hence why the trade ... 4WD arent my type of car ... but i kinda liked this one ... did everyhting well and was a nice drive .... only prob in the 15 months they had with it was a faulty CD player (in-dash 6) ... had to get it changed twice ... other than that the car performed faultlessly .... if its the 4WD path u want to go down, you'll be happy with the Prado.

[XA coupe]

My olds bought an auto turbo diesel prado coming from a merc sedan (C180 puss box ) and they love it. They reckon its more comfortable and easier to drive and not too bad on the juice either. It also tows their caravan better than the merc could !
Whilst they aren't my thing, should you be after a 4WD I don't think you can really go wrong.