New Toyota Prado

[Tri-Kun]

hello guys, well its not so new but still, im a young guy and thinking about the future ahead of me, the advantages of buying a 4wd, goign 4wd when i get the opportunity too, towe my boat when i get one, and the space, dad got the older model prado 3l turbo disel and its great, but i was thinking of buy the newer one just too piss him off abit and also its a nice looking car, but wat im looking for is the durability performance, a 4wd that can do its job, my suggestion is the prado or either the 2000-2005 hilux, but are tehre difficulties taht i should be aware of or there are other various types of 4wd taht can do a better job...

thanks tri

[fishingnottake]

what sort of money are you looking at?

[Cruiser93]

What exactly do you intend doing with it , just towing boat around town to the ramp , towing long distance , towing on beach , going off road , climbing mountains , forging rivers or the occasional gravel roads ???????

[Rhetly]

I also am in the market for a prado. Have done a little bit of looking into it already and have decided on either an 03-04 or 05 model.

The two differences that I have come across (and correct me if I am wrong) but the 03-04 model comes in a 4 speed auto whilst the 05 model is a 5 speed auto.

I would like to have peoples opinions on either of these drive trains...........both good and bad.

I would also like some figures of peoples economy as well for both petrol and diesel. I am hearing rumour of 11-13L/100kms for the 4.0L petrol. I find this pretty good for a car like this but would like to hear first hand from owners.

My mark is 45K but would keep the minister of finance happier at 40K.

To be used 50% highway, 30% town and 20% beach, towing a reasonably heavy trailer as well.

Cheers

[lippa]

g'day, i bought an 05 prado and love it, the 5 speed auto is definatly alot smoother and more fuel effecient. the first 2000 k's she was a guzzler getting really piss poor economy. but now shee's loosened up a bit i'm returning figures equal to that of a commodore or falcon. not bad considering wheight difference an being awd. pretty sure you can still get 05 gxl models for under 50k drive awy, colours would be limited though. contact sean montgomary at sci-fleet kedron,tell him bryan from true colurs duco repairs sent you

cheers

lippa

[Tri-Kun]

well im spending around the 45k also, and the vehicle gonna be used for mostly every kind terran beside climbing up mountains,
also the issue the Rhetly brought up im also interested wat other owners got to say...

[rough_shag]

I have the older Prado so it may not be relevant but they are very reliable and can do the 4x4 bit well apart from the really heavy stuff when the drivetrain etc seems a bit light on.I tow a 1290kg boat and do the odd trip to Fraser etc (without the boat).Mine has 283000k's on the clock and idles so quiet you think its not running half the time! it gives about 14ltr/100klms.Although my brother just bought a 2005 model 4.0 ltr and reckons it chews a bit more than my older model and of course an auto is generally gunna use more fuel over a manual. The only real drawback for me has been the cost of parts for it which are generally 2 to 3 times the cost of other similar vehicles.I have replaced the front and rear disc rotors-at 276000k's a few sets of pads and two clutches.I do a lot of round town driving and hwy stuff too with about maybe 10% offroad.
For the convenience of the vehicle and it's true offroad ability the extra cost of things like tires are something that you are happy to wear.As an allrounder vehicle I really love my Prado and can't imagine driving anything else.The only thing I miss from time to time is the acceleration of a sedan but even this is a bonus because I reckon it has saved me at least 3 speeding tickets over the last 5 yrs! and having said that my brother reckons his 05 model blasts off like a rocket!.
As an allround utility vehicle with the comfort and driveability of a car you can't beat a Prado and the fact that it is reliable as hell is a great big bonus.By the way I have recently started using Ethanol blended fuel and it has blown me away how much more smooth power and fuel economy I am getting for a cheaper price, I would highly recommend it.
Good luck, buy the Prado you'll never look back imho. Cheers! Jace.

[rough_shag]

I have the older Prado so it may not be relevant but they are very reliable and can do the 4x4 bit well apart from the really heavy stuff when the drivetrain etc seems a bit light on.I tow a 1290kg boat and do the odd trip to Fraser etc (without the boat).Mine has 283000k's on the clock and idles so quiet you think its not running half the time! it gives about 14ltr/100klms.Although my brother just bought a 2005 model 4.0 ltr and reckons it chews a bit more than my older model and of course an auto is generally gunna use more fuel over a manual. The only real drawback for me has been the cost of parts for it which are generally 2 to 3 times the cost of other similar vehicles.I have replaced the front and rear disc rotors-at 276000k's a few sets of pads and two clutches.I do a lot of round town driving and hwy stuff too with about maybe 10% offroad.
For the convenience of the vehicle and it's true offroad ability the extra cost of things like tires are something that you are happy to wear.As an allrounder vehicle I really love my Prado and can't imagine driving anything else.The only thing I miss from time to time is the acceleration of a sedan but even this is a bonus because I reckon it has saved me at least 3 speeding tickets over the last 5 yrs! and having said that my brother reckons his 05 model blasts off like a rocket!.
As an allround utility vehicle with the comfort and driveability of a car you can't beat a Prado and the fact that it is reliable as hell is a great big bonus.By the way I have recently started using Ethanol blended fuel and it has blown me away how much more smooth power and fuel economy I am getting for a cheaper price, I would highly recommend it.
Good luck, buy the Prado you'll never look back imho. Cheers! Jace.