Buying a used 150 series

[brocket99 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brocket99]

Hey everyone, it's nice to meet you all.

As the title says I'm looking to buy a used 150 series in a manual transmission that has the v6 petrol engine.

I was just wanting to hear back from others who already have that particular car, what they like/don't like about it and if there are any things to look out for when buying one.

I also want to ask what kind of real life fuel economy the manual v6 gets without towing. The reason I ask this is because the official combined figure is 13l per 100 for manual as opposed to just over 11l per 100 in automatic, I just wanted to see how accurate that is. I assume it's because the manual will usually be revving higher? Overall I don't mind paying the extra on fuel though.

The reason I want a petrol is because I wont be doing huge amounts of towing. I also like the pickup of a v6 and it will be generally more reliable and less expensive to service in the long run than the diesel (I've heard a few bad stories about the diesel, particularly its injectors).

Any other advice is welcome.

Thanks!

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

I had the V6 petrol in the two Hilux SR5 utes I've owned in the past. Yes they do get up and go quite well. I was towing a Ski boat back then, too.
I am now in the 3L Diesel 150 Prado. While the "off the mark" speed isn't the same, I don't notice any deficiency of power after going Diesel. The 150 is way more comfortable on the Hwy though, just soooo much torque.

On the open Road with the petrol engine, I could get as good as 600km on a 75L tank (no hills) - For me, that was driving from Menai out to Nth Richmond & back every day and being very careful with the gas pedal. Syd to Albury (550km) was doable but it gets a bit nervy on the open road, when the needle is getting close to the "Empty" end of the guage.

The Prado Diesel in contrast has a range of around 1470km on a tank (150L)

Both the Hilux utes I owned, had to have diff overhauls - No idea why. I am quite careful with my vehicles.

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

Also, why manual? The Automatic transmissions are pretty good these days. I couldn't see myself in a manual again.....ever (Sydney traffic has well & truly cured me of any desire to own a manual)

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Likely to be more automatics around and in the real world they probably use less fuel than manuals and kill them on sand. Drive one and see how smooth they are.