Petrol or Diesel

[hookedon4wding Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close hookedon4wding]

Hi all, looking to purchase a 150 before the end of the year.

I can get a GX diesel (auto) or a GXL petrol (auto) for about the same money, based on current prices on carsales.com.au.

So... which way should I go? Leaning heavily towards the petrol GXL. I only do about 15000km a year so the slight increase in consumption won't equate to too much money (certainly less than the difference in purchase price over 3 years).

I'd love to hear from petrol owners as to their reasons for the choice. Likewise with diesel owners.

I'm coming from a 2007 NS Pajero diesel.

Cheers, Sam.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: Petrol or Diesel

Revhead - Petrol
Tourer - Diesel

or as the story goes

Young bull - Petrol
Old bull - diesel

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

Re: Petrol or Diesel

I'm well past 50, nearly an old bull, still prefer petrol (never owned a diesel). My 80 series Cruiser clocked up 235,000 kms in 17 years, so not a lot and it has been to every state except W.A., and yes, it bolted along the highways (nearly a revhead). My Prado is a GXL auto petrol, will be used to tow a van when it is built.
Yowie.

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Re: Petrol or Diesel

I think I am an "old bull" (55 so probably older than many on here)...my Diesel has been purchased for Touring and Towing.

At this point I don't actually own anything to tow but that will change within the next year or so.

As far as Litres per 100 KM (and what the hell is wrong with MPG I ask???).....I seem to average about 9 on country trips, so I think that's a fair saving when I am doing a lot of those.

As you can see from the name I live in Brizvegas, I only use the Prado at the weekends as I come to work on the train, but around the city I seem to get around 11

BUT I am far from a REVHEAD....tearing down the highway at 120KPM and passing trucks really isn't my go.

So I'd have to say the Diesel but there's no doubting the fact that the petrol has a LOT more power for get up and go...the Diesel is a tad "sluggish" I feel, although plenty for an OLD BULL like me

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

Re: Petrol or Diesel

Another "Old Bull" here at 64 yrs. I went petrol for the quietness and smooth power of the V6, and whilst it hasn't got the economy of the diesel, it certainly is quite reasonable for a fairly big engine.

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

Re: Petrol or Diesel

Hi all, looking to purchase a 150 before the end of the year.

I can get a GX diesel (auto) or a GXL petrol (auto) for about the same money, based on current prices on carsales.com.au.

So... which way should I go? Leaning heavily towards the petrol GXL. I only do about 15000km a year so the slight increase in consumption won't equate to too much money (certainly less than the difference in purchase price over 3 years).

I'd love to hear from petrol owners as to their reasons for the choice. Likewise with diesel owners.

I'm coming from a 2007 NS Pajero diesel.

Cheers, Sam.

Ive got the D4D and Love it, im 29 and also drive a V8 HSV Clubsport. The diesel has BUCKET LOADS of torque down low, and in the manual it takes a trip or two to learn how to drive the manual to keep it in boost. Once you have this mastered, you never really notice the difference.

Overtaking takes some getting used to, dont treat it like a petrol motor and go hunting for revs to overtake in a lower gear, leave it in 6th (highway) or maybe drop it back to 5th, foot to the floor, and the torque will accelerate you with no trouble what so ever.

[hookedon4wding Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close hookedon4wding]

Re: Petrol or Diesel

Thanks for the replies. Both young and old bulls!

I'd be happy I think with either engine. I guess my point is, is the diesel worth the extra money? Ie I could only get a GX diesel but in petrol I could afford the GXL with more fruit (reversing camera, roof rails, 7 seats, side steps, rear aircon etc).

Re quietness and smoothness, anything is going to feel quiet and smooth coming from a Pajero diesel :wink: .

P.S, I'm in the young bull category (29) at least for another year anyway.

Cheers, Sam.

[Crisp Image Member Find all posts View Profile Close Crisp Image]

Re: Petrol or Diesel

Lower Middlle age bull (40's) and love my Deisel. First one tht I have owned. Plenty of get up when I want it and good economy. The GX comes in a 5 seater and not 7 as standard so if you want the "lower floor" then the GX is the way to go.
This is the first model that comes with A/C as standard in the GX.
I am a poverty pack car person so was not worried about fruit (life is too short to eat fruit)
Hope that makes your decision eaiser
Just go and drive them and decide on what you want.
Regards
Crisp Image

[hunjy105 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hunjy105]

Re: Petrol or Diesel

Guess im a baby bull at only 22 ! Plan to get a D4D GXL very soon, benefits for me going diesel are fuel economy, extra range (can easily rack up the K's on fraser etc and wouldnt wanna fill up over there! $$$) and the torque. Since i also own an 07' WRX for fun i dont expect or need this car to be really quick aslong as it keeps up with traffic with ease and can tow my tinny & track car at the speed limit im more than happy.

Good luck with your choice, you'll only be able to decide with a test drive of each imo

Also since the price difference is now $1500 or so (as told by the dealer) i think its a no brainer!

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Re: Petrol or Diesel

Young bulls, old bulls and now baby bulls...are they not now called weiners???

[DAdeGroot Member Find all posts View Profile Close DAdeGroot]

Re: Petrol or Diesel

I went for petrol too. Used to have a diesel Triton 4wd dual cab, but the cost of diesel parts, and the sluggish highway performance sent me towards petrol this time around.
Yes, you will get worse fuel economy (980kms from full, compared to 1200-1400kms for the diesel), but when you put the foot down to pass a truck on the highway, it goes straight away and powers along smoothly.

My take would be, if you toodle around the roads and want a quiet zippy ride, petrol.
If you tow or do series long range 4wding, diesel might be the better option.

Either way, I reckon you'll be happy with your Prado

[Stevo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Stevo]

Re: Petrol or Diesel

8) I live in the Kimberleys and you know something?....... you'll very rarely see a Petrol Prado up here (except for the tourists) and the reason why is Diesel is can be up to 8 cents cheaper and in the remote areas you can't even buy petrol ( petrol sniffing issues)
and thank your lucky stars you don't drive dual fuel (like me) at $1.10 per litre!!!! :cry:
but like always the choice is yours
Cheers Stevo

[Schniff Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schniff]

Re: Petrol or Diesel

A lot people weigh up the initial purchase price of the petrol and diesel models rather than considering the ACTUAL cost of owning the car. The biggest cost is depreciation, where the diesel slays the petrol so the statement "I can buy a lot of fuel with the price difference" is not really valid if you are buying new and intend to turn the car over in 5 years or less. It should come down to what you are going to use it for and whether you can put up with the increased ownership cost of the petrol for the better response and smoothness.

I'm a former Pajero owner too and the Prado D4D is very quiet! Not quiet like a Euro diesel but definitely not intrusive.

[Chriso57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chriso57]

Re: Petrol or Diesel

I am a Diesel man 100%. The extra reliability of an oil burner is just a no brainer IMO.

On the power side of things I have wittnessed a D4D 120s tow a dead Hilux (Surf - with a hydrauliced engine...) out of the Warren River (Yeagerup) dunes. I kid you not! Any Sandgropers that have been down there will agree thats some pretty tough work. Then proceeded to tow said dead Surf all the way back to Rockingham - about 200-250kms?

The following day it was returned to the Rental company! Ha Ha Ha! :twisted:

Chriso.

[rptdprado Member Find all posts View Profile Close rptdprado]

Re: Petrol or Diesel

Comes down to personal choice and planned use. I have a Petrol 90 series and thinking about the upgrade soonish. The new Petrol V6 seems much more economical and powerful than my 3.4L V6.
Some people consider diesel for a few reasons:

Touring - fuel availability in remote areas, safety (jerry cans of petrol can risky), better touring range,
4WDing - generally much better engine breaking on diesel engine, i.e better for steep slopes etc, would recommend a snorkel if planning river crossings - water and diesel engines don't mix.
Towing - more low end torque
Economy - around town much better enconomy than petrol not sure what the D4D would give you towing a large van, i.e 15L/100km or worse ?
A some just love the sound of the Turbo wiss and engine clatter :-)

Having said that I've been able to travel most parts of the country (Cape York, Kimberleys, Simpson Desert etc) with my Petrol with no issue at all. Of course if your plan to do lots of really remote travel then yes diesel is a no brainer. From my experience the diesel engines required a bit more TLC in terms of oil changes etc. Toyota used to mandate engine oil change every 5000km, I'm sure its longer now with the D4D. In terms of reliability my 90 series petrol has been rock solid, I can't comment on the diesel.

If you want just stick to the highways and like a powerful quiet engine then I would go Petrol. If you plan to do lots of touring/4wding then the diesel maybe the best option. Anyways its a good problem to have making this decision.


cheers Rob