Hello, and VX vs Grande

[tileys Member Find all posts View Profile Close tileys]

Just a quick intro. We're currently considering a new Prado...you know, those cars that look like a 'Dad Shuttle' - (see http://paultan.org/topics/cars/malaysia ... /lmg-auto/ if confused).

We're considering a Grande D4D Auto as we can get a good price on a fleet discount.

We will be coming from a Pajero...<pause for effect>...so, yes, coming over from the dark side :wink: To be honest we get on very well with our Paj and it's abilities outstrip our bravery to be quite honest, even on highway tread, but it's the older 3.5 petrol and we don't like flogging it up hills with our 1.2 tonne camper trailer...and it's not getting any younger - it's about time for a change anyway.

We looked into a GXL thinking 'that's all we need' but the lack of adjustable height in the drivers seat (what's that all about !) meant my eyeline was close to the sunstrip when looking straight ahead...I'm only 6'3" in old money so not exactly a freak. The VX would give us the leather and toys we've come to enjoy in the Paj but we like the idea of the tunable suspension and ride settings in the Grande.

I realise that the VX is strictly speaking a more capable offroad tourer than the Grande but the Grande sounds like a better mix of capabilities for our use - daily suburban driver (80% of kms), tow vehicle (15% of kms), dirt track tourer and firetrail sightseer (5% of kms).

Anyone gone through the whole VX vs Grande thing and have some wisdom to impart ?

We drove the new LC200 in petrol - what a weapon that is !!! Beautiful ride and handling for such a beast but hearing of real world fuel figures just scares us away from that option.

Look forward to your responses.

Steve

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Hello, and VX vs Grande

Have you read the forums on the particular vehicles you are comparing. The VX vs Grande thing has been done a few times already and had plenty of info in there.
..

[tileys Member Find all posts View Profile Close tileys]

Re: Hello, and VX vs Grande

Sorry - I'll have a practice with my searching. With a search for +VX and +Grande I got a hit for Grande vs GXL on page 7 and something looked interesting on page 13 - I must be doing something wrong...I've only been on the net for 14 years... :wink:

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Re: Hello, and VX vs Grande

Their is two ways to look at it, the VX is basic in suspension design solid dependable, Grande has more toys also more that can go wrong. Either way coming from a 3.5lt Paj you absolutely won't know youreself. The other good thing when you ready to upgrade again to another prado, because you will never go back, you will also have some resale value.

I only have a GXL but it would be the best car i ever owned and i have owned a few.

[tileys Member Find all posts View Profile Close tileys]

Re: Hello, and VX vs Grande

We test drove a GXL D4D auto and the engine was great and the ride and handling were generally good but a little jiggly. The steering has more feel than the Paj, which is very light. Overall we're off to test a VX and a Grande before we sign but we're thinking we'll be happy.

A friend who has a GXL says he'd go the VX and put OME and lockers on it. Sounds like the 4wd purist approach.

Cheers,

Steve

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Re: Hello, and VX vs Grande

We test drove a GXL D4D auto and the engine was great and the ride and handling were generally good but a little jiggly. The steering has more feel than the Paj, which is very light. Overall we're off to test a VX and a Grande before we sign but we're thinking we'll be happy.

A friend who has a GXL says he'd go the VX and put OME and lockers on it. Sounds like the 4wd purist approach.

Cheers,

Steve

Your mate sounds like he is on the money, VX has traction control so wouldn't see the need for lockers. OME kit good idea.

[sangmkiv Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sangmkiv]

Re: Hello, and VX vs Grande

Hi tiley,

I have a VX. I chose it over the Grande because I wanted to upgrade the suspension like your mate with the OME. I also didn't want to pay that much extra for a few electro-gadgets, but that was just my preference.

I am not a "4wd purist" but I figured that the cash I saved on getting a Grande paid for by front bar, lift and some other goodies so that my offroad experiences were better.

Either way you go you will be happy.

[speed_racer Member Find all posts View Profile Close speed_racer]

Re: Hello, and VX vs Grande

I got a Grande and do not regret it one single bit!

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

Re: Hello, and VX vs Grande

Got a question about the Grande's rear air suspension - does it automatically drop the height of the rear of the vehicle when the engine is turned off to enable easier entry or egress?

Or does the driver have to press a button to actually deliberately drop the rear of the vehicle?

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

Re: Hello, and VX vs Grande

Got a question about the Grande's rear air suspension - does it automatically drop the height of the rear of the vehicle when the engine is turned off to enable easier entry or egress?

Or does the driver have to press a button to actually deliberately drop the rear of the vehicle?

The height adjustment is a switch on the centre console, you have three settings and it is not dynamic when you turn the ignition on or off, that is you have to use the switch on the console to deliberately drop the rear of the vehicle.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Hello, and VX vs Grande

My Grande drops to the low position when I turn the car off. You can hear the air escaping when it does and see it drop about 10 secs after stopping. When I start the car the compressor kicks in and the car lifts to normal.

Can you check again OldGreyGuy. Not sure if the later models have lost this ability but mine does it. Of course you can still select low when the engine is still running if required.

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

Re: Hello, and VX vs Grande

Can you check again OldGreyGuy. Not sure if the later models have lost this ability but mine does it.

I will have a look tomorrow, not a feature that I play with a lot, but I am sure that mine doesn't automatically drop, I haven't noticed it doing this and when engaging LO it definitely drops.

What position is your height control off switch?

[mumstruk Member Find all posts View Profile Close mumstruk]

Re: Hello, and VX vs Grande

We love our Grande and I have a guy who is desperate to buy it from me,problem is unless I get a brand new one, low kay or 12 month old D4ds are as rare as rocking horse poo.

My air suspension settles a little when the car is turned off but does not fully deflate the rears. If the rears are at high, it will stay at the high position when off. The rears will reset to normal when driving once speed gets over (i think) 40 kays. It would be great if the fronts were height adjustable as well.

The best part I love is the ease of hook up when hitching a trailer/caravan and the tunable suspension from soft to hard. I use it all the time.Also hard to beat is the leather,electric seats,dual zone air, front /rear air, the cold box,sat nav,premium sound, sunroof, roof bars. Effortlessly eats up kilometers in full comfort.

Despite the wiz bangery and the show pony status this vehicle is a an extremely capable off roader as well as giving fantastic on road performance.

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

Re: Hello, and VX vs Grande

Can you check again OldGreyGuy. Not sure if the later models have lost this ability but mine does it.

I will have a look tomorrow, not a feature that I play with a lot, but I am sure that mine doesn't automatically drop, I haven't noticed it doing this and when engaging LO it definitely drops.

I checked the position of the Height Control Off button and the system is engaged, that is when setting the system off the dashboard light indicator comes on. When selecting a change, for example from N to HI, the compressor cuts in and lifts the rear, etc.

When turning the car off there is no dropping as mentioned by wannawodka. I've had this Grande since new and I don't recall there being any other behaviour. Of course I have no idea if Toyota have changed the behaviour over the years, all I can say is that my 11/2008 model displays the above behaviour.

BTW, I love the vehicle, for all the reasons mentioned above by mumstruk. I was looking at a GXL and Mrs OldGreyGuy put her foot down and pointed out that if she was going to be a passenger in this car then she wanted luxury and lots of it!. In order to preserve a 30+ year marriage and my male dignity I put my foot down and bought a Grande.