Grande or VX

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Im already going from a GXL to a VX, is 5-6k extra worth paying for a Grande ?

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

Depends if you really gonna need to extras that comes with the Grande. If you have any intention of modifing the stock suspension, save yourself some grief and get the VX without TEMS. If you mainly in the city, the TEMS gives you a more plush ride.

As for the other bits, they are not really necessity, more of a gadget than anything else.

My 2 cents.

[Guest Close Guest]

It depends on the price you can haggle as well. Some of us have managed to buy a grande cheaper than a VX.

Not sure on the 07's, Grande has Leather (excellent option) I think the new VX may have it too??
SatNav, Handy as it has a lot of other features as well apart from the nav.
Air suspension, the most comfortable ride, and hasnt affected any of the offroad stuff I have done (Medium to hard, Nothing extreme).
The Fridge in the centre console is excellent on long trips and hot days, beats having to stop to get stuff from the Fridge in the back.
Rear view camera (option) is brilliant, best safety feature out and makes it super easy to back up to a trailer hitch.

When are you purchasing?

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

I found I felt a bit claustrophobic in the Grande with the sunroof ... you lose a lot of headroom.

Even sitting in the back seat (which would be rare I know) - you get the sensation of less headroom because of the intrusion of the lower ceiling to house the sunroof.

If you are tall and haven't yet sat in a Grande model - I suggest you do before you make a decision ... you may or may not find it a problem.

I'm leaning towards the VX because I want climate control, adjustable steering wheel and electric seats, but I'd love the centre console fridge from the Grande too

[Guest Close Guest]

Thats a good point Sim, generally the headroom is less with a sunroof.
Im about 6.2 so will test

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

I'm about the same height ... you may not find it a problem - it comes down to personal preference I guess.

I must admit I've not driven a Grande - I only sat in one on display at the motorshow a few months back ... wasn't able to adjust much, so didn't get a really good feel for it.

Must go and test drive one to see how it compares to my father-in-law's 2007 D4D GXL that I was able to spend a weekend driving recently (loved it !!).

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

Ahhh.. whats another $5k on 70
8) I didn't buy new, I let someone else lose nearly half its value. but if you can afford it.. go for it.! I've had mine for 6 months now and love it.

The self adjusting rear is brillant for carrying or towing any load. It's also handy at times to be able to raise and lower the rear.
Console fridge is great as piggy said. Awesome for crossing the nullabor or as some of us call it "the paddock" in the middle of summer..
Sat nav.. not necessary, but definately handy and safer than reading the UBD on the run. Prob about $3-4k for that alone as an upgrade.! (dont quote me on that one)
Sunroof/moonroof.. It's there so I use it.. doesnt bother me either way on that one, although I usually leave it up to let the hot air escape in summer while its parked. Safer than having the windows down..(slightly)!
Adjustable ride control (tems) is actually quite effective although I hate it on the soft setting. The Optitron dash and one touch starting is pretty trick..although the VX prob has that as well.

At the end of the day its a Prado.. IS GOOD.
Good luck with the decision making.!

[borgy Member Find all posts View Profile Close borgy]

Ahhh.. whats another $5k on 70
8)

If you don't really need the grande features you can get the VX and use the money saved to add all the accessories you need / want! ;-)

Cheers
borgy

[Guest Close Guest]

Ahhh.. whats another $5k on 70
8) I didn't buy new, I let someone else lose nearly half its value. but if you can afford it.. go for it.! I've had mine for 6 months now and love it.

The self adjusting rear is brillant for carrying or towing any load. It's also handy at times to be able to raise and lower the rear.
Console fridge is great as piggy said. Awesome for crossing the nullabor or as some of us call it "the paddock" in the middle of summer..
Sat nav.. not necessary, but definately handy and safer than reading the UBD on the run. Prob about $3-4k for that alone as an upgrade.! (dont quote me on that one)
Sunroof/moonroof.. It's there so I use it.. doesnt bother me either way on that one, although I usually leave it up to let the hot air escape in summer while its parked. Safer than having the windows down..(slightly)!
Adjustable ride control (tems) is actually quite effective although I hate it on the soft setting. The Optitron dash and one touch starting is pretty trick..although the VX prob has that as well.

At the end of the day its a Prado.. IS GOOD.
Good luck with the decision making.!

Justo the Grande does sound good, but I suppose Borgy is right the 5-6k would be well spent on accesories.
Black Widdow Draws, Front/Rear bars etc.
Unfortunately Justo I dont expect to see to many GXL/VX/GRANDE common rail diesels on the secondhand market for quite a while, and when they are they will pull good money.
This will be my last car for at least 6 years so the loss isnt to bad
Petrol different story.

[Guest Close Guest]

Ahhh.. whats another $5k on 70

:shock: I umm' paid about 3 k less than 70 for A Grande with about 3.5 K of extras thrown in...

I was looking at 6 month old 11000 km units and ended up buting a new one cheaper... Says it all doesnt it on holding their value.

I am personally rather tall and have no issues with headroom.

Best thing is to do a back to back drive of a VX and then a Grande and compare the ride for what you want.

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

Yeah, agreed Pig.
I paid 61 drive away for my VX two weeks ago, so price is always a consideration

I think the reasons for purchase on the two are distinctly different, I really dislike the TEMS, so I bought the VX, with normal suspension I probably would have bought the grande
There is no right and wrong, just what fits your needs/wants best

One mans poison etc etc etc

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VX

Yeah, agreed Pig.
I paid 61 drive away for my VX two weeks ago, so price is always a consideration

I think the reasons for purchase on the two are distinctly different, I really dislike the TEMS, so I bought the VX, with normal suspension I probably would have bought the grande
There is no right and wrong, just what fits your needs/wants best

One mans poison etc etc etc

Unfortunately I live in Perth, it has the highest stamp duty in Aus and we also pay Luxury Car Tax on that.
Stamp Duty $4439
Lux Tax $1620
Rego $523
I have been priced 67500 drive away
So for a VX in Perth thats not to bad.
There is one good thing in Perth our second hand prices are stronger.
So i might even out
But in general our state Gov is a bunch of corrupt, taxing F..kheads

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

Re: VX

But in general our state Gov is a bunch of corrupt, taxing F..kheads

And so say all of us...

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

Well what else would you be expecting me to recommend? :wink:

As regards the usefulness of extra accessories:

Satnav and centre console fridge - I use them almost every day. Worth their weight. Satnav option on VX was around $4K if I recall and I would definitely have ticked that box as an essential requirement for me.

Sunroof - rarely used. Came in handy to check the roof rack clearance as I was driving into my garage after having Rhino Rack fitted 8)

Airbag rear suspension - awesome. The car never has a tail down attitude despite my best efforts to load it to the ears.

Optitron instruments (snazzy light up Lexus style) - brilliant (literally!)

One issue is with the electronic shocks - which prevent easy upgrade to allow steel bars, dual batts and winch. :cry:

However, I got my Grande at such a good price that I couldn't say no - and I'd probably do it again if I had to...

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

Satnav - I'd probably go 3rd party

Centre console fridge - I wonder if this is available as an aftermarket install ? I know it's not a standard option

Airbag rear suspension - does anyone have any idea of how the factory airbags would compare to something like an aftermarket Polyair setup ?

I'm wondering if a VX + upgraded suspension + Polyair would give a better result to a Grande if towing + steel bar + dual batts + winch were important ?

Not criticising the Grande owners - just trying to work out what might be best for me.