Thinking of buying a 2008 Prado....Advice Appreciated!

[ROLFEYANDBUTCH Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ROLFEYANDBUTCH]

Hi all, This is my first post so go easy...

Im looking at a 2008 standard D4D, manual, 70k serviced every 10k, 6months rego, white, dual battery, bull bar/ sidesteps / cargo barrier and roof rack.

Its going for an NT AA inspection to make sure its mechanically sound (we're in Alice Springs). The price for the car is $26900 No Offers.

Does this represent a good buy , my research says its not too bad - so am I missing something????

Thanks

(this post is duplicated in an earlier thread that I posted on but that seemed quite old so I've started a new one)

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

That's very cheap

[ROLFEYANDBUTCH Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ROLFEYANDBUTCH]

I though that it seemed a good buy..... especially in the NT where 4x4 vehicles are sold at a premium.

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

If it seems to good to be true, it probably is...

Looking in carsales.com.au for equivalent GLX prados, the going price appears to be $40K to $50K

EDIT: Did you say it was a GX or a GXL??? Makes quite a difference.

[ROLFEYANDBUTCH Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ROLFEYANDBUTCH]

Its a "standard model" so the very base model below the GX and GXL.

It was only $45k on the road brand new ...... but i still think it seems a good buy. Heres the Red Book Link;

http://redbook.com.au/used-cars/deta...d=132DE4DFEEA1

Is there any recognised problems with this model?????

Thanks

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

GX was/is the "Standard" model. There is nothing below this...

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

Depending whether it has option packs you miss out on ABS, cruise control, 3rd row seats and it has the narrower wheels and smaller tyres compared to the GX and up. Then there are the cosmetic differences with black bumpers and no chrome bits. There are many many posts on here about the D4D and I recommend you read through ALL the pages to become familiar with the injector issues that some people have had. Also some engines had engine mount problems. Presumably it is out of warranty? If you can get the injectors scantool tested during the inspection do so and see how the values compare with new which will give you an idea of what wear the injectors have.

Read also posts about the clutch and manual gearbox, some PPers have had clutches replaced.

The rest of the car is pretty much the same as the other models and that is all good. While this may sound like an awful lot to go wrong statistically there are only a few affected though if it is you that is affected then that isn't good. If the car is still with factory warranty an option is to take out the extended warranty to cover these contingencies.

The standard Prado is pretty much the same as the pre 06 update GX and there are plenty of those around and performing as well as any other. You can fit the wider wheels to get more rubber though theoretically you also should fit flares but having seen a couple that haven't bothered I doubt there would be an issue however it is something you need to be aware of.

I seriously lookied at a std wagon when we bought ours but the lack of 7 seats and some of the whistles made it unattractive to me.

I can email you the relevant brochure if you pm me an email address.

Good hunting.

Michael

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

GX was/is the "Standard" model. There is nothing below this...

When the 120 was first released the GX was the base model, post 06 update a standard model wagon was introduced below the GX. I believe the 150 base model is again the GX.

[Guest Close Guest]

Recently saw an ex-NT GX which was bought at a very cheap price. Owner found cracks at the inner guards afterwards. Be careful and inspect carefully.

[ROLFEYANDBUTCH Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ROLFEYANDBUTCH]

GX was/is the "Standard" model. There is nothing below this...

Totally Wrong!

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

Totally Wrong!

Actually no - I believe YOU are wrong...

See the following summary of the 120 range from 2003:

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring.../toy_prado.htm

It clearly states that the base model is a GX...

If you want further proof, check out the Redbook guide containing ALL prado models and their prices...

www.redbook.com.au

This ALSO confirms what I originally stated.

The GX is the base model.

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

ladies. you're both wrong... well, not really, but seriously.

btw.. check this out... http://redbook.com.au/used-cars/comp...d=132E98A26824

[Guest Close Guest]

Sorry Rob, that webwombat article was written pre-2007. In Sep 07, Toyota introduced the "Standard" model to come in below the GX.
http://redbook.com.au/used-cars/resu...eNum_Int32%7c0

http://www.carsales.com.au/news/2007...uts-costs-5117

http://www.caradvice.com.au/6334/toy...tandard-grade/

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...25735C000A49BC

As we are talking 120 series in general, the "Standard" model was the most basic model. It however came pretty close to the GX model pre 2007 spec, which was the basic model.

[ROLFEYANDBUTCH Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ROLFEYANDBUTCH]

Confirmed that it is the standard Model today...... ( Surprise , surprise it does exist!) - So yeah, base model but still a very good buy, I want to buy it for some off roading anyway not as a shopping trolley so practicality / usability in that environment is more important to me than leather this, or electric that.

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

OK my 2 bobs worth.
the later GX has the body moulds like the GXL and the same size wheels and tyres as a GXL but a steel rim.
Be careful it is not a flood car.