V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

[Croozer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Croozer]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

Fair comments. I'll go check out the diesel on Saturday and see how it drives. Thanks all for your input, much appreciated.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

Hi there Croozer, I just bought an 05 GXl 88K on it for $32500 from Kingswood Toyota here In Penrith about 5 weeks ago, they had it advertsed for $36000, I had no trade in so was cash. It was a one owner from a bloke in Emu Plains, wife drove it all the time, never ever been off road, no accidents, interior trim like new rego till late june tyres usual grandtreks with about 60% on them. I went and spoke to the original owner before I put deposit on it and he got $27500 trade in on a new kluger. I looked at a few grandes but seemed to be everyone I looked at had rust in the sunroof but in saying that heaps on here without that problem. I was then looking for a VX as I would have liked a few of the other options but were out of my price range (over 35k for an average one) and rare as rocking horse sh%t. Pesonally I think $37 is too much if its private if you want an honest opinion, I would expect that from a dealer not private, and there is a certain dealership in Campbelltown I wouldnt touch, they sell crap for second hand cars (wasted my time with bullshit). Drive the diesel then drive the petrol again I know which one you will want, the D4D is another kettle of fish, if I had the extra $$ I would have bought diesel D4D but I didnt have it and didnt want to borrow any $$, To get the same vehicle GXL in D4D which would be 06 upwards was another easy 10g's. Now for the 1KZ, I had one in my old 95 series (01 Grande), gutless, on par with the 120 V6 freeway driving 11.2 L per 100 upwards (people on here are getting that out of there 120 V6's). If it was an extremly muggy day as in hot weather, but raining aircon on and 30d outside it would jump to 13L per 100 and power was down due to the high humidity, kid you not I was flat to the boards pulling up Hawksbury, Mooney Mooney at 90/95 k with O/D out revving at around 3g's with very little luggae on board and definately not towing and with a snorkel. Personally I think there a gutless motor in auto form (manuals go heaps better) and fuel econonmy is nothing I would rave over for a diesel engine. Around town I was averaging 14L per 100. Yes the V6 is thirstier around town without fail, around 15/16 per 100k as it is now no mods except alloy toyota soverign (spelling) bullbar, but that is alot of short runs 8k to and from work,shops,etc. There is a member on here (wont mention name) but he says his 120 1KZ averages around 15L per 100 round town, lifted,alloy bar, cooper st tyres, no roof rack or anything and has only just recently chipped it, exhaust etc and has the setting on 6 out of 10, he had to drop it back to 4 as all it did was blow black smoke and when he went away towing camper is covered it with black soot and ended up spending day of his holiday just cleaning it to stop the kids getting black crap over them evertime he they touched it reckons was a waste of money. Not bagging diesels as I have had 2 of them but no comparrison to a D4D. Drive both 1kz and petrol and take for a long run, up and down freeways, up hills, etc and give them a bootfull here and there (staying within speed limits of course) and I think this will make your mind up for you. As far as servicing goes I probably would have changed the oil more frequently on the one you mention due to the low klms, but also keep in mind having very very low klms always isnt the best thing all the time, things seize up due to lack of use, aircon compressors,auto hubs, etc. I bought a commodore years ago with super low klms off an elderly owner, cost me a furtune in repalcing things due to lack of use. Regards Steve

[Bear Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bear]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

Given the higher price of diesel v petrol (based upon queensland prices), the 1KZ costs just as much in fuel as a petrol. Further to that, they cost a whole lot more to service. I'd suggest you drive both the petrol and the diesel and decide which one you are going to enjoy the most, day in day out. I know I'm biased, but I wouldn't even consider a diesel. And if you think about the cost of chipping the 1KZ - that money would purchase an awful lot of unleaded fuel. And even if you do chip it, its still going to be a gutless wonder (no offense intended to KZ owners ).

BTW, does $37, sound a little high for a private purchase - given the pending expenses? Possibly! But at the same time, if you check out carsales.com.au there does not seem to be anything better on offer. Not any GXL Prados (I'd avoid GX models) with such low ks under $40k. Visualise yourself in 2 years: say you were to spend $32k on one with 120,000ks - a saving of 5k. What will you be thinking about in two years ... the fact that spent 4 or 5k less on the original purchase, or 160000km on the clock - when it could have been a barely run in 70000km.

As an alternative, this one might be worth checking out too, http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... 11F2A663AE

Good hunting; Bear

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

As an alternative, this one might be worth checking out too, http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... 11F2A663AE

There's something wrong with that VX.
1. The VX badge is missing on the rear door
2. I can't quite make out if the V6 4000 decals are on the rear quarter panels or not

If you are thinking about that VX, I would get it looked over with a fine toothed comb.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

Its not a VX its a grande, sunroof which is not a factory option on any other model, the dash board instrumentation is also grande, and going by the look of the drivers side leather seat its had a hard time or more klms then indicated. Looks ok and if genuine would be a good buy but as mentioned it definately needs a complete check over. Could be the end of a 5 year lease and has a certain balloon payment due also so be wary of any finance owing... If you know very little about cars get it inspected fully and also do all the relevant checks and some times a VIC roads check will show up more then a NSW RTA check does and pay for the checks dont just print up from the webpage as it wont cover you if there are any issues in regards to finance...................ALSO WHERE IT HAS ""VEHICLE ID"" IT SHOULD HAVE A CHASSIS/VIN NUMBER NOT THE NUMBER DISPLAYED check out some of the other prado adds, I may be wrong as there others that only have a number not a chassis number, if they dont have a chassis/vin number displayed Id be extremely careful..............Regards Steve

As an alternative, this one might be worth checking out too, http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/pri ... 11F2A663AE

There's something wrong with that VX.
1. The VX badge is missing on the rear door
2. I can't quite make out if the V6 4000 decals are on the rear quarter panels or not

If you are thinking about that VX, I would get it looked over with a fine toothed comb.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

sunroof which is not a factory option on any other model

I didn't think so either however I did find another VX on carsaleswith a sunroof. I can't tell for sure if it is a factory sunroof or not as I can't see the switches above the rear view mirror.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

Hi Amts, as you said, hard to tell if its a genuine roof or not but I doubt it, just checked and sunroof wasnt an option but Toyota do some strange things some times. It looks like the VX (black one) has leather trim which I believe can be added from the factory if ordered so maybe they did the same with the sunroof but then wouldnt you just buy a grande ?? Anyway as long as he checks out totally what ever he looks at then he should be ok. Also just spoke to my mate about caryards and write offs and he said be careful of these little yards as they also sell repairable write offs and not against the law, as long as they went down the right path anybody can buy a write off from auctions then repair them get bule slips and reregister them. I believe now but you cant do that anymore, if there written off then they are for parts only but where there's a will there's a way. This is from redbook in regards to pricing for an 05 GXL

* Private Price Guide $29,200 - $32,700

* Trade In Price Guide $24,100 - $27,600

* Average Km 90,000 - 150,000

Price Guide $56,410* New

Regards Steve

sunroof which is not a factory option on any other model

I didn't think so either however I did find another VX on carsaleswith a sunroof. I can't tell for sure if it is a factory sunroof or not as I can't see the switches above the rear view mirror.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

I

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

Dodgey, dodgey, dodgey! Oi! Oi! Oi! :lol:

[Croozer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Croozer]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

Steve, its funny you mention about certain areas of Sydney being a haven for rebirthed vehicles. I can certainly confirm from hard experience this to be the case. I make a point of ignoring any advertisment on carsales / drive etc from particular Sydney suburbs. Im sure that some of them are legitimate, but my personal opinion and experience is that more often than not theyre dodgy. Ill leave it at that.

Interesting comments about the 1KZ, I have to admit the higher purchase / servicing costs plus the price of diesel, not to mention the cost of chipping it etc have played heavily in the back of my mind. As someone mentioned, if we were talking about the D4D, different kettle of fish. But since Im not prepared to spend that kind of money on a vehicle, the petrol seems to be a fairly diligent, in my mind, choice. Not to say the 1KZ is without its merits, if I was in the bush all day every day, then Id probably consider the 1KZ more seriously. But the Prado will also be the family vehicle for the day to day running around and blacktop touring, and a bit of ooomph behind the pedal wouldnt go astray. I was going to have a look at a 1KZ tomorrow but its already sold.

Ill just remain patient coupled with due diligence.

[Milti 1974 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Milti 1974]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

Recently bought 05 GXL Prado from older Mechanic chap in Newcastle for $32.5K, had 108K on it, serviced reguarly and hardly any offroad work . Had just started doing up with TJM Bar, winch, dual battery and a few other goodies on it before selling to tow big van with cruiser. Looked around for ages, had a similar budget. Considered going up to $40K+ but if you want to start adding accessories cost starts to add up which is why I went to something cheaper. If you have looked around for a while you will just know if it is the right one, if you are not certain I would say keep looking, frustrating but you wont regret it.
Jason

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

"""If you have looked around for a while you will just know if it is the right one, if you are not certain I would say keep looking, frustrating but you wont regret it.""" Totally agree with you Jason, some times have to be head strong and not let the heart take over and think yeah this will have to do, Good ones out there just have to be patient. I found when I was looking they were either trashed or over priced but eventually a good one comes along and you just know as you said. Regards Steve

Recently bought 05 GXL Prado from older Mechanic chap in Newcastle for $32.5K, had 108K on it, serviced reguarly and hardly any offroad work . Had just started doing up with TJM Bar, winch, dual battery and a few other goodies on it before selling to tow big van with cruiser. Looked around for ages, had a similar budget. Considered going up to $40K+ but if you want to start adding accessories cost starts to add up which is why I went to something cheaper. If you have looked around for a while you will just know if it is the right one, if you are not certain I would say keep looking, frustrating but you wont regret it.
Jason

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

This may sound strange but when I buy a car I dont really worry about the price.

I check out the car and the seller and if the car is what I am after and the seller is genuine then I really dont look to screw them down. I know what its like to sell a vehicle and have turds offer you stupid money.

So maybe I have paid a bit too much over the years but have been happy at the time. The seller was always happy as well.

Funny thing is I have never had an issue with any car I have bought, and have always got a good price when I sell.

Maybe its karma.

So if the V6 for $37 is in good nick, you like it and the sellers are genuine then I would build a rapport with them and see what the best price is. If you like it buy it and smile when you drive away - everyones a winner and karma may be with you

Strange hey :lol:

[Croozer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Croozer]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

Well, I made an offer of $34k for the V6 '05 Prado today. The owner said she would think about it so at least she didnt say no! I believe $34k is a respectable offer given the year / model of the Prado and the fact its a petrol. Just have to wait and see. There's another one I saw on carsales with 55,000kms for $40k. It has leather interior, tint, tow bar and looks to be in pretty good condition. Nice car, but $40k??

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Re: V6 '05 - Is $37k Too Much?

Hi there Dan, for 40k you would start to look at D4D for that sort of money, obviously it was to high or some one else would have grabbed it. 34 definately isnt an insult to the lady. As I said before myn was advertised for 36k and got them down to 32500, but mine had 88k on it when I got it so few more klms. People will always advertise for more then come down in price to sell. These days no one pays full advertised price for anything. If you get if for that price you wont be dissapointed in the way the 120's drive. My wife loves ours over the old 90 series even though it was a good car, she likes the responsiveness of the V6 and said its more car like to drive, only she thing she likes better with the 90 was she reckons it was easier to judge front bullbar as I had an arb steel winch bar on it and it was more square shape so easier to judge the distant up front and the corners. Was going to Stockton beach next friday before we go away for a week but there predicting rain so have canned it. Waiting to see how much further I can climb the sand dunes over the old 1kz, I know the old V6 3.4 in the 90 was better on sand then the 1kz due to the petrol liking to rev more then the 1kz, this is where the D4D is totally different and will rev similiar to a petrol engine. !kz in my experiance runss out of puff at 3grand the V6 will go all the way to redline and keep pulling, Yes it will use more fuel but at least Ill be able to climb some decent dunes, worth the xtra in petrol. As said if I had extra $$ I would have gone the D4D but I dont and after having the 1kz in the 90 I wasnt going for the same engine again. Lets see how you go, Hope you dont miss out on it by some one offering her another $500 or so, If she cmoes back with a no then offer her another $500 and thats it see what happens. Tell her its still going to cost you another $1000+ for rego transfer she might come good lol Regards Steve

Well, I made an offer of $34k for the V6 '05 Prado today. The owner said she would think about it so at least she didnt say no! I believe $34k is a respectable offer given the year / model of the Prado and the fact its a petrol. Just have to wait and see. There's another one I saw on carsales with 55,000kms for $40k. It has leather interior, tint, tow bar and looks to be in pretty good condition. Nice car, but $40k??