New GXL or Used Altitude

[Esquire Member Find all posts View Profile Close Esquire]

I went new based on reasons mentioned above. The second hand market was very strong for buyers and prices high. We considered how many k's we do and opted for new. Have had problems with sunroofs and luxury electrics on previous cars and didn't want to be down that path in 5 or 6 years again.

[Wagon Man Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wagon Man]

I went new based on reasons mentioned above. The second hand market was very strong for buyers and prices high. We considered how many k's we do and opted for new. Have had problems with sunroofs and luxury electrics on previous cars and didn't want to be down that path in 5 or 6 years again.

Understand completely Esquire, I wanted the Altitude and had to wait over 6 months for its release....
It was more than worth the wait.
However i'm a bit concerned with the rumours of the 2014 spec Altitude.

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

So in the end, I went a Pearl white 2012 Altitude, mainly on price, at less than 2 years old, with some really nice features, it was $10k under what I could get a new GXL for.
Have to say I am very very pleased with this Prado, now the fun begins.

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

JUst noticed no-one had replied on this question Braddo. The Optitron meter just has a larger LCD section that displays more info than the non-optitron type. The Optitron meter equipped models also have more of the warning lights contained within the analogue gauges (speedo and tacho) themselves whereas the non-optitron equipped models have most of them above the center display between the speedo and tacho.

I believe the GXL and below have the non-Optitron type and the VX and Kakadu have the Optitron type. At least that's the way it is in the 150s I have seen.

Thanks Fido.

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

After considering the options I'm thinking of a 2012/2013 Altitude as well.... Can't live without a sunroof!!

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

After considering the options I'm thinking of a 2012/2013 Altitude as well.... Can't live without a sunroof!!

Mr luxury ?

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

So in the end, I went a Pearl white 2012 Altitude, mainly on price, at less than 2 years old, with some really nice features, it was $10k under what I could get a new GXL for.
Have to say I am very very pleased with this Prado, now the fun begins.

Awesome - you won't be disappointed!

I bought a pearl white 2013 Altitude late last year (new) and love it.

[Noosagoals Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Noosagoals]

Congrats on your purchase Signature035!

We're just going through much the same considerations. Trading up from an '05 Kluger Grande (fully specced, satnav/leather/power seats - brilliant car), the basic 150 GXL at ~$67K/1% finance didn't pass the wife test - too basic to warrant the price. Can't believe sat nav is not standard at this price point in 2014!! What's nice about new is the guaranteed service and other perks the dealer throws in.

Now looking at '09 - '10 Kakadu's and younger Altititudes as alternative. Anyone see concerns buying 5 year old 150series Prado's with 100+ kms clocked?
We figured the depreciation over the next four years would be another 50% of 2nd hand purchase price, EG ~$25K/<200k Kms by 2018...

Thanks,
Michael - newbie looking fwd to the world of Prado

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Hi and welcome Michael,

The dealer we bought our '09 Kakadu from just had a '10 Kakadu diesel auto in Crystal Pearl with only 37,000KMs on the clock in their yard. It did have a $69,000 price tag on it though. I can't find it on their site today so it's most likely already sold, didn't even have a photo up yet.

I'm always amazed when I see 2 or 3 year old ones with 100K plus on the clock but I guess a 5 year old one with that amount of KMs has only done around 20,000 per year so that's not too bad. It would take me 10 years to do the same amount of K's as I live in the city.

Just be aware that the spec level for an 09 Kakadu is different to what you get now and that some things were only available as option packs back then where now they come as standard. As an example my 09 Kakadu came with the "off road pack" which included a rear diff lock and crawl control but missed out on the Radar Cruise Control of the "Safety Pack" (I think that's what it was called). Just something to be aware of when comparing potential purchases so you know your comparing apples to apples.

Good luck with the search!

Cheers,
Corine

[geoffmc1 Member Find all posts View Profile Close geoffmc1]

I paid $61,099 for my Jan 12 V6 Kakadu and it is an awesome vehicle. Admittedly, i did purchase from the local VW dealer and i really pushed hard for my trade and price drop. They gave me $6k more trade in and dropped $1500 off the sticker price more than Southside Toyota offered a day earlier for exactly the same (year, kays, V6). i purchased a 3yr extended warranty for another $1750. I really love driving the Kak.

cheers
Geoff

[Noosagoals Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Noosagoals]

Having taken some time to consider, we also took test drive in a Jeep GC 4x4 Petrol Laredo, which is now amazing value at $44k Drive Away (MY14, 13Build).

So against the knowledge that Prado's are indestructible, have best in class resale value, etc, its the cabin comfort and spec level and the external looks of the JGC that are going to win for the school run and light off roading. Only concern is the poor after sales service and parts availability.

If the roads are any indication, it appears we are not alone in favouring the Jeep ...

Any final thoughts? Thanks!

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Any final thoughts? Thanks!

Carry a picture of a Prado in your wallet and take it out and look at it every time you Jeep breaks down, then we will see you back here in a few years time

Cheers Andrew

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

Not all Jeeps break down, the latter models have come a long way. In saying that tell them u want a 5yr warranty thrown in and u would have a great deal.

Hutch- Prado 150 with some TJM Kit.

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

He bought a Jeep!

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

If the roads are any indication, it appears we are not alone in favouring the Jeep ...
Any final thoughts? Thanks!

Drop "A10" a pm on this forum. He is still around and traded his 150 Prado in on a Jeep GC for better towing ability etc
Be interested to see his feedback on it now
Cheers
Robert