New Purchase for towing a Caravan

[A & O Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close A & O]

g’day all.

So we have bought a Coromal Lifestyle 600 with ATM of 2090kg, sold my old Hilux, sold the wife’s CX5, and am looking for a Prado as a tow vehicle.

We are set on a 120Series GXL or VX. But can’t decide on Petrol or Diesel. From what I’ve read fuel economy while towing is approx 22-28L/100 for Petrol and 18-22L/100 for the 1KZ Diesel. Petrol cheaper on purchasing, etc.. I’m not interested in a D4D, as our Plan involves long extended stays and travels through some pretty remote places, so reliably is #1, and I just don’t trust the CRD even with 10 years on the market. I’m a little paranoid.

i am after opinions and information from people about about their PURCHASING PROCESS of a 120 Series Prado including reasons for their end decision.

For us us it’s a line baller. We could go either way and just seeing how others came to their decision.

Thanks all.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Read through here...

https://www.pradopoint.com.au/forum/...-120-90-series

...all been asked before. But between the 1KZ and 1GR I would buy the petrol. Check service history and the usual stuff. Also look at the sump oil strainer, these can clog with foamed oil if the wrong spec was used. Same for the variable valve timing gear.

[rags Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close rags]

I previously have owned a V6 90 series and a 120 1KZ diesel (manual), now I'm in a 150 d4d. We have towed with each but the trailer has got heavier with each change but the 120 towed around 1400kg. The 120 diesel was a great vehicle simple to service and reliable. Performance when not towing was good, put the Jayco on and it was adequate. The economy I don't think was much better than the V6 but factor in 5000km oil changes for the diesel.
I think the V6 would be a great vehicle but I would happily have another 1kz. With the 150s I would have been tempted to have a v6 but it wasn't available in a base GX and now not available at all now.
I note that you had a cx5 curious if it was the diesel model? I ask because we have the same but currently in getting a new motor at Mazda's expense due to a cracked cylinder that sounds very similar to the d4d detonation. Luckily Mazda stand by the product as car is 2 years out of warranty and 150km.

[A & O Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close A & O]

Yep the CX5 was a diesel. Wonderful car, never any issues, cheap to run, we were getting 860-880km from 50-55l fillies consistently. Shame the towbar was only 1800 kg. Pulling the camper trailer we were still getting 750-780km from 50-55l fills. But, we’re need a decent tow vehicle and we are only looking at 100 series cruiser or 120 series Prado. Just can’t sepere petrol and diesel.