Info on Used 120 needed

[Towner Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Towner]

G'day guys, I'm thinking of selling my TD GQ weekender/tourer for something with a little more sophistication and Nissan don't have anything to suit so here I am at PP! We have about $25k to $27k to spend and the wife likes the look and specs of the 2003-04 120 over the 90. It will be built as a tourer/camping rig with mild mods(2inch lift, bull bar, snorkel, and drawers). I would prefer the 3ltr TD because of the (slightly)better economy and touring ability over the V6 but would love the power of the V6? So is it a wise idea to go with the TD and servicing costs or go the V6 with the average fuel consumption? Are there any serious problems with either choice and how much would I be looking to pay for one with 150K on the clock. Thanks in advance

Dave

[Towner Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Towner]

Also what is the expected life of the Diesel compared to the V6 without major repairs? Cheers

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

It's been said many times before, but I think a summary of fuel consumption for Petrol V6 Prado vs Diesel 3.0 (Non-D4D) is as follows:

Around town - Diesel economy definitely better - e.g. 12l/100km vs 14l/100km for the petrol.

Highway + OffRoad (without towing) - Believe it or not, almost identical economy: 13.5l/100km for both my petrol V6 and my father-in-law's Diesel over a recent 6000km trip to Cape York.

Highway (towing) - The diesel is better here - or should it be the petrol is worse?

Other considerations:
V6 engine vs Diesel for push in the back feel? No question - the V6 is more fun!
Quietness/vibration - no question again - V6 all the way.
Smell when driving behind one? - no question, Petrol all the way!
Highway travel with light load, and not pushing it: I've got 10.8l/100km from my petrol manual, in a diesel, you'll get 8l/100km

Both are very capable engines, so enjoy whichever option you go for...

[Brett1979 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Brett1979]

I don't know where you're from, but my cousin was looking at a 120 series V6 Prado at Metro Nissan in Lutwyche (Brisbane north).
It had a snorkel, bull bar, 2 inch lift, spot lights, roof cage and cargo barrier.... All for $26,990 with 140,000km on the clock. It was navy blue. He took it for a test drive with his dad and fell in love with it. His dad actually wanted to buy it for himself. The paint was immaculate and the interior was in perfect condition.

Unfortunately my young cousin was knocked back on the finance, but that was because he'd only been in his new job for 2 months and should've known you wouldn't get a loan that early on with starting a new job. That was 2 weeks ago so the car might still be there.

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

i can tell ya the 1kz doesnt get 8l per 100km around town, my weekly drive is 50/50 hwy city and i get about 1250ish to 155l so what ever that is, i think its around 12.5l/100km, thats with 70 series tyres, roofrack (its like a sail), bull bar, winch and a lift as well as injectors that need a clean, when the car had 65 series tyres and no roofrack on and i drove like a nana,ie sat on about 95km on hwy the best i got was 1500km on 155l and mines a manual. the 155l is from a full tank to where the fuel light comes on. cheers samo

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Yeah would agree with samo, no chance of eights around town or at any time, myn which was a 95 series so it was smaller and lighter around town was approx 13's and freeway depended on how you drove it, 110 = 11.2L per 100, push to 120 = you will see 13's, keep it under 100/round the 95 I would just crack the tens. There is a member on here who I wont name who has a 120 said he is using 15L per 100 round town with chip and exhaust mod, he is pissed that he spent the $$ and he had to turn the chip back down as it was pumping black crap all over the back of the car and camper... I know last trip i did in my 120 V6 was 11.6L per 100 loaded but no off road so was extremely happy with that, was even better then my V6 95 I also had best I ever got with that was 12.2L per 100....D4D is totally different story, round 10/11's round town and mid 8's round about per 100k but the D4D will leave the 1kz for dead in terms of power, like chalk and cheese...............Either way just driving the 120 wether diesel or petrol are very comfortable vehicle to be sitting in.Cheers steve

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

towner , after these comments , how does the prado stack up against what you have , or had ?

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

Towner we're r u situated.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Hi there Marty, would be interested in your fuel figures if you have ever checked it or are you like others and dont really bother about it ?? I know my wifes uncle doesntbother with any fuel figures, reckons he would have a heart attack if he checked it towing his 24 foot van around lol. If Im incorrect with my figures with the 1kz Im sure some one will say other wise.............Cheers Steve

[Towner Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Towner]

Thanks guys, I am near Bowen in NQ, I am tossing up between the 100 series Cruiser with the 1HD FT and the turbo diesel 120? I am leaning towards the 100series simply because of the space aspect and the live axle but we'll see what happens as I may not even decide to sell the GQ? Thanks again

Dave