D4D Owners, any regrets not going the V6?

[bilo33prado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bilo33prado]

Re: D4D Owners, any regrets not going the V6?

D4D Auto, only way to go great on fuel (nearly same as manual) and way better re-sale.

From the Toyota site, it said that the Auto had better economy..... Is this NOT right ??

Around Town I would have thought the Manual would be better.......

I'm talking about the old 120GXL. Think there's about .3l difference.

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

Re: D4D Owners, any regrets not going the V6?

Currently in Perth diesel is the same, if not cheaper than unleaded. In Kal, diesel is a whole 1c per litre dearer.

In Broome, LPG is over 90c a litre. Here, it's 79c or 80c.

My trip time Kal to Perth is the same as when I had the V6 petrol so I'm in no way disadvantaged when it comes to passing all those semis and Victorians towing their big caravans all loaded up with their plundered WA gold.

So, my question is, where is there any advantage in having a petrol over the diesel in this part of the world?

[Smac Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Smac]

Re: D4D Owners, any regrets not going the V6?

if i had the cash a D4D Auto would be my choice, but the V6 doesnt seem to be that much cheaper 2nd hand.
Gas V6 would be great but then you loose one of your tanks!

[Offroader Member Find all posts View Profile Close Offroader]

Re: D4D Owners, any regrets not going the V6?

Having driven both the D4D and V6 I can honestly say that they both have their advantages and disadvantages. There is no such thing as the perfect motor that will please every driver in every application.

The V6 is smooth and effortless to drive. There is nothing like having plenty of ponies under the bonnet for overtaking and accelerating out of difficult situations without having to anticipate and start a run-up. This power however, comes with a price - higher fuel consumption. The V6 is a superb highway cruiser, very comfortable and quiet and IMO less fatiguing to drive over long distances. It is the more enjoyable motor to drive, but this is merely my personal opinion.

The D4D is more economical and produces the lion's share of torque lower down in the rev range. The diesel mystique certainly gives it an air of confidence and rugged reliability off the beaten track. Perhaps this is psychological but I always tend to have that feeling behind the wheel of a diesel. Acceleration off the mark is a little sluggish and this can be annoying in the city if you spot a gap or really need to put the foot down during a highway overtaking situation. Granted this has been improved over the older Prado diesel, but it's still there in the D4D. Driving a diesel requires a different set of skills in order to utilise the torque of the motor in order to avoid the running out of puff feeling if you try and drive it like a petrol. It's a big improvement over the previous oil burner, but you cannot help but feel Toyota has more to offer.

IMHO, If the LC 4.5L Twin turbo V8 Diesel graced the Prado - I'd switch from petrol. This motor really changes the ball-game significantly and is an absolute cracker! In the mean time drive 'em both, and buy the one you prefer. They're both great motors, just different characteristics.