Well, I have been after a Prado for a long, long time. Since they sold the 90's brand new. I was attracted to the 8 seats back then, that monster fuel tank and just the overall versatility. I was always aiming for a diesel but did consider a petrol a few years back.

But life and kids got in the way. I bought a house and ski boat and learnt to fly and the Prado was always just our of reach.

My brother went to Saudi for five years and bought a 90 series sahara equivalent. I cant remember what they called them over there. It had the steering wheel on the wrong side but he was having fun.

Then in 2004 Mum and Dad bought a new petrol GXL and began to put 100000 grey nomad kms on it doing the cape, Arnhem land, the canning etc. This was starting to hurt as I was still running around in a Calais. I did get to borrow theirs when they went overseas. So at least I was getting to drive one. Now I gave ma and pa's a decent flogging at Stockton a few times and was very happy. I also lugged my heavy boat around with it and it was like it wasnt there.

Now the only good thing about not getting in early was that the models got better and better as the years ticked over.

I loved the new 120. The five speed auto came out and that was pretty cool. But it wasnt until late 2007 that I started to get very keen. That new 3.0 DID oiler with the ramped up torque was getting to be impressive. Things like the rear air and bluetooth in that Sept upgrade were pretty good.

I was able to hire one for work in 2009 for some pretty long trips and even a 4WD course. Just dont tell AVIS what I put it through. I was very impressed with all that I did with it. I loved the new engine.

Ok so I was still only looking. A divorce and custody battle drained the resources for a while and Toyota just kept improving the Prado while they waited for me. Out came the 150 and it did look a little strange at first. Well I had to get a cheap 4 yo Adventra to replace the '91 divorce special Berlina that I was left with. The Adventra was good with the boat and great to sleep in but I was nervous about sand and so many other places.

Well it ended up getting stolen and burnt and I had to go shopping in a hurry.

I ended up with a Prado finally after stretching my self a long way to get it. We will be able to do it so long as we dont eat or need clothes in the next few years.

So Im finally here. Loving it and looking forward to a lot of good things from now on.

Dave.