Should I buy a Petrol or Diesel Prado 150

[corkster Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close corkster]

Good morning Prado owners. I have been stalking this site for the past 6 months and have pretty much read everything that there has been posted on this subject of petrol vs diesel, and I know that there is good and bad with both. I would like to get some opinions on what would be best for my specific needs that someone else may also have. I have decided to buy a 150 over the Pajero simply based on my wife liking the way the Prado looks over the Pajero, Happy wife, happy life. So it just comes down to which one.

I currently have a 2009 KX-S Kluger FWD. It has been a fantastic car and my wife loves it. But, it is not capable of towing our bike trailer on and off the farms were we ride if there is any sort of slope and gravel. The bike trailer only weighs in at 700kg load, but it is enough that the front wheel drive just can't pull it up the hills if I have to slow or stop.
Hence, new proper 4WD wanted. I could go for AWD, but decided if i am spending the money, I may as well go the whole hog then I can take the kids to Fraser, double island etc.

So, it will be driven by my wife 80% of the time around northern suburbs of Brisbane going to school, gym and work. We average around 12.5 l per hundred K's in our Kluger which we are happy with. It will then tow the HD box trailer and 3 dirt bikes about every 3 weeks on highway (330km round trip) out to Warwick to ride. I will also use it a few times per year to go to beach and do some 4WD. I won't be doing any real hard stuff, rock hopping, water crossing, mud etc, just beach with the wife and kids.

I wil be getting an Auto GXL and will be leaving it stock, except for a tow bar. I am not experienced in 4WD, but I am not an idiot either, and won't be doing things I shouldn't. I have driven both and have no dramas with either. I can get them for only 1k difference in price, so that doesn't come into it either. I want to keep it for a whilst so I am not concerned with re-sale. I have check out the price of servicing and they aren't that different over the long term with the capped price servicing.

I have seen some good 2nd handers for about 50k, but for 10k more, new seems a better option.

I would really appreciate your help and thank you for such an informative website which made my decision on getting the Prado a lot easier.

cheers

Corkster

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

Have u driven a petrol an diesel, both drive different that would be the first thing I do, I have petrol love it, don't really tow anything, the boys with diesels love theirs. It is really personal choice everyone will have a different opinion.


Hutch- 2012 Prado 150, some TJM Kit.

[happys 150 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close happys 150]

Hi Corkster, I went diesel because fuel consumption heaps better. Over the long term lots cheaper to run and here in Queensland the rego cheaper (4 cylinder). I find turbo diesels tow better well that just my opinion anyway.
Good luck with it but whichever way you go you can't go wrong prados are a great vehicle.

Cheers Happy

[Johno1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Johno1]

I had the same dilemma when I went to buy mine.

I test drove the diesel for an hour and then the petrol for the same time. The petrol won out due to the smoothness.

Economy is not to bad with the petrol, I towed my Jayco camper trailer back from Kalgoolie to Perth and averaged 15.3 litres per 100 km. Around town I get high 12's.

I will agree with Happy, you won't go wrong with either.

Cheers
Johno

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

Age old question if towing is important then probably go diesel, if general driving around town and the odd trip them the petrol is much smoother. Stewy on the GTG in his petrol FJ went out with a 120 diesel and got better economy on the highway (10.8 lts /100).

I have had two petrols my current 150 gets about 12-13 lts around town but I have lots of extras and big tyres, others get around 14lts/100 really depends on driving methods.

See ya on the tracks, Richo.

[corkster Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close corkster]

Thanks for the info guys. I just took my dads brand new Pajero 3.2 diesel for a drive with the wife and she hated the sound of the engine. That will probably be enough to remove me from the diesel option once she gets behind the wheel this week. Anyway, i guess what I should have simply asked is whether towing a 750kg trailer will impact on the Prado's towing capability, either on the highway (hills) or on the beach with probably 500kg. If I wouldn't notice the difference then Petrol for me. Cheers

[Johno1 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Johno1]

Corkster, I will also add that I sometimes tow trailer with 3 dirt bikes on it and you will not even know it is on the back.

Johno

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

My wife hated a previous Diesel we had as well the noise the smell and the turbo lag for pulling into traffic. I went V6 because I love the instant punch BUT if towed often I would go a Diesel IF Toyota had a better bigger motor.

[Paul1972 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Paul1972]

What is there not to like about diesel, it is not that loud and its smooth.
I feel like a man driving a manual diesel

[Paul1972 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Paul1972]

Im sick ofreading peoples bullshit about turbo lag in diesel prados, mine goes like a gun, maybe u shouldve bought a manual, it goes like a bat outof hell

[bdee Member Find all posts View Profile Close bdee]

I went through the same dilema when choosing my car and like you it seems my wife had the deciding vote.

The only time I regret not getting a diesel is when I fill up. The petrol IMHO for a daily driver if far smother. If you are coming from 12.5 you will hardly notice any difference in consumption. I tow a boat and drive to the city each day. My average is 14.4 (over 10K)which includes about 10% towing a largish boat. I can get high 10's when driving conservatively and managed a 9.9 when driving like an old granny once. My only complaint with the petrol is that it really drinks when towing and I averaged 21 litres per 100 km on a recent trip to Portland.

All the best and a tough decision all I can say as suggested previously is drive both and see what you prefer?

Brett

[bdee Member Find all posts View Profile Close bdee]

Im sick ofreading peoples bullshit about turbo lag in diesel prados, mine goes like a gun, maybe u shouldve bought a manual, it goes like a bat outof hell

I"ll challenge you to a drag........

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

Worth looking at the pollution aspect of a diesel - their exhaust contains substantial quantities of ultra-fine particles which collect in your lungs. Diesel exhaust filters do not filter out these particles. Petrol engines do not produce the ultra-fine particles. Ultra-fine particle emissions will increasingly become a health issue in the next few years...

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

Not real sure on your comment there Paul, so how do you feel when your behind an auto ?? lol.......Getting back to question asked by Corkster, at the time I didnt have the $$ to buy a diesel 120 (D4D) so went the petrol 4L. Yes it likes a drink if driven with a heavy foot compared to a diesel (especially D4D) but I reckon its one of the best 4wd's Ive owned. I have had both diesels and turbo diesels but not in D4D so my comment is based on owing a petrol. Quiet, smooth, power ready when needed, I have done a few long trips freeway only (no off roading) and have managed on 3 occasions 11.6L per 100k. I believe the 150 do better due to the duel VVTI. As mentioned before if towing all the time I would go the diesel for sure due to the higher consumption if that really bothers you, at the end of the day the best way is for the wife to drive it and go from there. You cant compare the pajero diesel to the prado. Firstly the pajero diesel will leave a prado for dead in pulling power BUT the pajero is heaps noisier inside compared to the prado this you will notice straight away. My wife hated our diesel prado for that get up and go feel (didnt bother me) but she loves the 120 petrol we have. Unless its a 200 series my wife would not have a diesel to drive as a daily driver....And Paul I'd line my'n up with any D4D chipped or not, yes I'd pay for it at the bowser but it feels good when some doof doof machine rocks up the inside of me and intends to blow me into the weeds with his P plates hanging off it but then has to pull back in behind me as his lane is about to run out.......Dont drive like this all the time as will pay for it at the bowser but feels good lol..................Cheers Steve

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

dare I suggest you forget everything you have read and drive both a a diesel and a petrol 150. Your either a diesel man or you are not.

This is just my opinion. I love petrol`s in smaller passenger cars and diesel in bigger suv / 4wd drive cars, its suits them, I adjust and drive them accordingly. For me petrol 4wd is like trying to be a hoon in a huge pig of a car that don`t handle or go anyway, so relax and cruise, might as well have a diesel. But there is no way I would get a hot hatch with a diesel.