Asssitance buying a 2nd Hand 150 D4D

[AOB Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close AOB]

Hi All,

My first post, so let me introduce myself. I'm brand new to this forum and currently do not own a Prado. I have been a long standing (fairly inactive) member of the LCOOL forum. I have recently sold my 80 Series Turbo Diesel Land cruiser which was an absolutely amazing 4WD, it was really sad to see it go. We are down sizing to a single car family and need a more everyday cay that can also do some camper trailer towing and what I would call medium difficulty 4WDing, that is, dessert trips, high country trips, but not the panel beating 4wding that I used to do in the 80.
This is where I think the Prado will shine, smaller than the LC, easier city driving, lighter on the fuel and still capable for outback trips and towing.

Now, I'm looking to buy a 150 D4D, early model, probably around 2010 mark to keep it in my price range. I've been searching this forum and pouring over it's content trying to understand the injector issues, but I have to say it's really difficult at times as many people make comments (completely relevant) but they don't sign the post, so I have no idea if they are talking about the 120 D4D or the 150 D4D. Also, most of the injector threads are on the 120 section of the forum, also complicating the issue.

So I'm wondering if someone could help set the record straight, my current understanding is as follows;
1) Injector failures in the 150 are less common than in the 120, however I think that people have still reported problems?
2) Injector seals have been fixed in the 150? A newer seal was installed I think? can anyone Clarify?

Although these problems won't stop me buying, I'm wondering if someone could help me by knowing what to look out for, if I bought a 150 D4D, is there anything I should check before buying and anything I should be doing immediately after?
Should I take it to my local dealer and ask them to inspect the injectors and oil pickup screen? If so, how often should I repeat this maintenance schedule?


I know you guys are probably sick of hearing this topic, but I really appreciate the help.

Thanks,
Andrew.

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

Andrew

where are you located?

[Heath74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Heath74]

Hi Andrew.

I have a 120, however I read the 'death rattle' thread from cover to cover! I tend to agree with your conclusions on this. However there are cases of injector failure in late model 120s and 150s too.
For what it's worth I love my 120 easily the best car ive owned.

[Si & Rae Member Find all posts View Profile Close Si & Rae]

Andrew,

The internet is not the best place to look when you are planning to buy anything, be it a frying pan or a car. Yes it can be useful to find out what problems can occur, but I don't think any of us would find a car on the market without some issues. If you like the car, take it for a test drive an have it inspected by an independent service like the RAC (or what ever the equivalent is in your state).

My previous car was a 3 ltr turbo Patrol and even with all the bad "exploding engine" stories out there, it gave me 180,000kms (5 years) of fault free driving.

The 150 is a great car and there will be some issues that might pop their head up, but not to everyone and sometimes there is no rhyme or reason why faults occur. If you find a car you like, buy it and enjoy it for what it is, not living in fear that some fault might occur that has only happened to 10 or 15 percent of all the vehicles manufactured (made this figure up by the way).

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

I was in the same boat as you mate, looking for a 2010 D4D Auto with reasonable k's and a tow bar. Wasn't too fussy, probably spent about 2 months seriously looking, in the end I went new. I looked at a few in the flesh, in the end for $6000 (that's at a 52K price tage) more I could get a brand spanker opposed to one that's 2+ years old with 45+k's on it.....

Good luck with your search, there are deals about....we love ours

[outback7 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close outback7]

Andrew,

The internet is not the best place to look when you are planning to buy anything, be it a frying pan or a car. Yes it can be useful to find out what problems can occur, but I don't think any of us would find a car on the market without some issues. If you like the car, take it for a test drive an have it inspected by an independent service like the RAC (or what ever the equivalent is in your state).

My previous car was a 3 ltr turbo Patrol and even with all the bad "exploding engine" stories out there, it gave me 180,000kms (5 years) of fault free driving.

The 150 is a great car and there will be some issues that might pop their head up, but not to everyone and sometimes there is no rhyme or reason why faults occur. If you find a car you like, buy it and enjoy it for what it is, not living in fear that some fault might occur that has only happened to 10 or 15 percent of all the vehicles manufactured (made this figure up by the way).

Liked your post.....Very balanced. I agree with you, any car that you buy can have issues. I had a 100 series. They had lower control arm problems. The internet was full of horror stories, yet, I did three trips across the Simpson desert without a problem. Whats really a laugh, I didn't read about the lower control arm problem until I had done my last Simpson trip. Like you said, Buy what you want and enjoy it. I also have a good friend who owns a 120 Prado with 170,000 k's no cracking or injector problems. I also have another friend with a Hi
Hilux with around 160-170,000 k's no problems. The ARB shop that I shop at has a Hilux with over 300,000 K's injectors done around 180,000 ( I think) no problems. Hope this helps. Oh, love your rig....Awesome.

[AOB Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close AOB]

HI Guys,

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm located in Sydney.
I would love to buy new, however I think I need to draw the limit somewhere.
There are some good 150 D4D's, 2010 model with around 50k on the clock coming on the market for sub $50k. I will keep looking in that price range, not really in a hurry so see what comes along.

Cheers,
Andrew.

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

I have just sold a 2 year old Prado 150 GXL auto with 47000km on it, had no probs with it.
I just bought the same thing again. Judging by the phone calls and bargaining you should be able to get something with similar age and km for around 47-48 $ give or take. If they want any more they are kidding themselves. The prices they got earlier in the year, were artificially high due to the supply issues. There is a few more around that are finishing their 2 year lease and the dealers are starting to only offer around 45-46 or less.

60 can get you into a new one, with longer mudflaps, privacy glass and reflashed auto. No big deal if if you want to pursue those things yourself.

I had the drive shaft greased early after getting a bit of a clunk and that was all the probs I had.

No sure what prices are doing in Vic compared to NSW, but if maybe worth travelling or getting someone to have a look for you.

Had plenty of enquiries from interstate, but noone actually came. If and when I sell this one, might drive it over to WA and sell it there and fly home. They are more expensive over there.

[KH Lee Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close KH Lee]

Buying or selling a car is quite boring.
I bought a new 150VX V6 in June and I listed my 12 years old 95 VX in carsales.
Though the car was clean & in excellent condition, no one called in the first 3 weeks.
My miss yelled everyday as we could not handle two cars in same garage. Cut $2K and it found a very lucky new owner in the next day.
If you are patient enough, you should be able to find a good deal.
By the way, my new XV is great and I love it. Cheers.

[reggie426 Member Find all posts View Profile Close reggie426]

Had plenty of enquiries from interstate, but noone actually came. If and when I sell this one, might drive it over to WA and sell it there and fly home. They are more expensive over there.

Tell me about it, have been looking for a 2010 GXL petrol for a while now, only one so far below 50K. Prices in WA are rediculous and theres no need for it.

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

apparently its $1500 to get it trucked over there from Vic. Plan a holiday around a week in Melbourne and go car shopping , then drive it home.