120 Series Petrol vs Diesel... AGAIN

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

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum and have joined to try and get some expertise from you guys.

I've just put my car up for sale and looking at buying a 120 Prado.

However, I've got a bit of a dilemma. Petrol or Diesel??

I should also mention that I'm a bit of a technology junkie and very interested in the toys the Grande has to offer.

Now, I have a budget of around 40k to 45k and as I see it I have 2 options:

2007-2008 D4D GXL Auto Prado with sub 100,000km is going to set me back around 45k
2007-2008 Petrol Grande Auto Prado with sub 100,000km is going to set me back around the same amount of money.

Now, is the engine really worth a full model upgrade? Is the sunroof, leather, sat nav etc. worth a D4D?

I drive around 25,000km a year at the moment, mostly highway and I'm getting rid of my VE V6 Holden Ute for one of these as I'm sick and tired of scraping the bumper on every footpath, only having 2 seats on not being able to take the car hunting!

I'm also looking at the weekly fuel cost as well as the resale value 3-4 years down the track. What's everybody's view on the above? What's the best suggestion?

Please help!!

Thanks!

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

Re: 120 Series Petrol vs Diesel... AGAIN

Petrol is less than a grand a year dearer to run, go the Grande petrol. I think 45K is on the realistic side though.

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

Re: 120 Series Petrol vs Diesel... AGAIN

Lorenzo wrote:
What's the best suggestion?

Read as much as you can on this site, heaps of info already here on this subject. Look here as a starter viewtopic.php?f=41&t=11409

As for whether the Petrol Grande or the GXL Diesel, that is a very individual decision. Personally I wouldn't have a grande unless they were giving it away. Nothing wrong with them, but I hate technology and gizmo's. Keep reading is your best bet.

Cheers Andrew

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

Re: 120 Series Petrol vs Diesel... AGAIN

While I do like gizmos, I place more importance on the engine. While we're not talking about buying new, I would buy a GX with D4D standard over a GXL V6 in a heart beat if I had the money.

As AJ120 said, do lots of reading.

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

Re: 120 Series Petrol vs Diesel... AGAIN

Either engine is fine and work out similarish in running costs in the end.

THere are plenty out there so I would focus more on picking up an excellent example of either.

Have fun!

[jeffs0308 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jeffs0308]

Re: 120 Series Petrol vs Diesel... AND LPG.

i have an 04 GXL petrol 120. I put mine on injected LPG. Runs fantastic and heaps cheaper to run. Runs better and smoother on gas. Get 400km to 60ltrs on a trip without the van. With the van 300 to 330km. Keep in mind the van is 1.5ton. Tows better than my old turbo diesel jackaroo l had. A lot better. 2 totally different cars though. With rising fuel prices l am happy with gas. Engine oil stays cleaner to. Also still have 2 tanks. 1 gas. 1 petrol. Good on a trip. As far as mpg between to the gas uses about 2 to 3 ltrs per 100km more without towing. As far as cost wise. Heaps saved. That makes all the diff to me. End of the day its personal preference.

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

Re: 120 Series Petrol vs Diesel... AGAIN

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

I've decided to go for the D4D and am now in the process of looking for a suitable one! There aren't very many around though! I guess the recent Japanese crisis may be a culprit affecting second hand sales! Hope the guys in Japan recover soon!

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

Re: 120 Series Petrol vs Diesel... AGAIN

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

I've decided to go for the D4D and am now in the process of looking for a suitable one! There aren't very many around though! I guess the recent Japanese crisis may be a culprit affecting second hand sales! Hope the guys in Japan recover soon!

HI Lorenzo

If you have trouble getting a D4D you could always look at the previous diesel. You would need to factor in a chip and an exhaust so around the 3K mark. It still wont be as fast as a D4D but brings the performance up enough so they are okay.

Good luck and have fun!

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

Still struggling. I've been advised by alot of people to stay away from the old diesels (through resale value too). Apparently people don't like buying second hand modified vehicles!

I did find a perfect car over the long weekend but missed out on it as I tried to respect the seller's Easter Sunday day... Guess that was a mistake!

Oh well, tomorrow starts a different week and more hunting ahead!

In the mean time my old man has lent me his 100 series cruiser so I'm enjoying that

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

The forum speaks for itself, the V6 engine simply has fewer that need to be discussed here, while the diesel engine generates more discussion.

The 120 series petrol forum has 140 threads:
http://www.pradopoint.com/forumdispl...8120-Series%29

The 120 series diesel forum has 371 threads:
http://www.pradopoint.com/forumdispl...8120-Series%29

Have a good read through all the potential issues and know what to look for before you make a purchase. Pay particular attention to service records, a diesel will last forever, but only if it's always fed clean air, fuel and oil. Because the diesel needs to be serviced more often, the service intervals are often overlooked.

Get a check done on the registration history on any Prado. When I was looking to purchase recently, 3 vehicles I was interested in turned out to be repairable writeoffs. Buyer beware!

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

Hi all,

just thought I'd let you know I finally bought the prado in a D4D...

Petrol fuel consumption really got me!

Thanks for above help!

[tempestv8 Member Find all posts View Profile Close tempestv8]

Congrats on your purchase.

Did you end up getting a GXL or Grande?

Now that you've had it for a while, what are your thoughts so far?

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

GXL. Love it and made the right decision.

To be honest, I am living with the fear in the back of my mind that the ejectors might go, but hoping that they don't or that if they do I can get toyota to cover it under their warranty (my car is a 07/2007).

Fuel economy is great (10.3L/100km) and I love the truck sound

Plenty of power for a 4wd and love the 1700km range!

[Tazdevil Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close Tazdevil]

Lorenzo

I have owned my 06 D4D GXL prado for just over a month now and love it.

I got almost 1800km from mine, with a little dabble in the off road stuff as well.

[DRC Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DRC]

I like driving, always have. I test drove quite a few diesel 120s while looking for a Prado. I thought I was only in the market for a diesel. Then I drove a manual 4l V6 GXL. It is mine now. It is soooooo much better to drive than any of the diesels I tested. No comparison - I don't care if it's thirsty. It is fun!