Read First before buying Prado 120 (2004-2006) - Spec Differences GXL vs VX vs Grande

[Steve M]

If your lucky huyjtran you may pick up a later model GXL or even a GX but with the option pack/s which depending on which one will give you cd stacker (GX) duel climate aircon, traction control, airbags (side and curtain), down hill assist, etc, these can be found. There is a 09 GXL with option pack two full dservice history in the car yard next to me, black in colour and in fairly good nick and only 35k which by the time you talk them down 5k its not a bad buy with 120k on the clock if you were looking at that much (which your not) but don't be afraid to hammer the car yards for a good deal. I got approx 5k off mine at the time, wife reckons I was wasting my time but in the end it was the end of the month and they want sales and their commission (this is obviously if your mates one doesn't work out for you)... Cheers Steve

[huyjtran]

Thanks macaroon1,

I already have a scan tool for my current mazda Rx-8 and it has been really handy, I thought most cars pre 1996 were obd compliant?
What I'm finding is the GXLs are being used by the more hardcore Prado fans, while Grande's at least the examples i have looked at have seen a privileged life and more often being mums taxi - so i think you are on time something re socio economic class

For me I just want a Prado with a service record and reliability / i won't be doing much offroad just something to tow a small 4m tinnie. Just seems the Grande are more well looked after...the downside is age, things get brittle, things leak so in this instance buying a later model makes sense too just means i cant trick out my tinnie.

[huyjtran]

Hi Steve,

I suppose you are taking the extreme example comparing 2004 to 2009, where of course you will pay more for a later model. I have been looking at 2004 and 2005 models with the same Kms/similar condition and the price premium will be anywhere from $1k to 2.5k. I'd just rather save the money and get the 2004 model.

Agreed on service record being very important when considering cars. I've found red book prices like you say are a very rough guide with lots of examples both higher and lower than redbook.

I want as much money left over for a boat so that's why i really want to push for value, but like you say I'm finding many GXLs trashed by kids or owners who have leased the Prado and not bother with servicing after end of lease/warranty period.

Here's to hoping some people on here upgrade to the new shape Prado later in the year and some better examples come on the market.

[GTX]

Have an 05 GXL, just done 330,000km, have had an aircon belt replaced, replaced the radiator 20,000km ago, (it only had a leak, but I thought why not?) and just yesterday had the starter motor tweaked, new bearings and contacts.
And that's it. It had been serviced regularly and change the oil every 5/7,500km.
Happy with it, was tempted to replace it earlier this year, but I think I'll keep it 8)

[macaroon1]

If you've excluded the 4 sp models(1KZ-TE's) I cannot really help you. I personally would not go for one of the early D4D's (diesel) (@06) so it's leaving you just with the petrol 5 speed ..to tow ..a small boat....should be OK!. Amts is good with all this but go for something after late 05 as that's when you can use scangauge as a diagnostic tool?? Keeping it simple the grande's are getting to a point in life where a bit of stuff is starting to let go eg OEM airbags, air compressors, air lines etc?? Also unless the head unit has been upgraded it's pretty out-dated and the GPS is pointless now. A few sunroofs are rusting so I'd possibly go the VX or GXL! Having said that there are possibly better condition grande's etc as the owners were the one's where Jeeves serves Pimm's so are more likely to not have gone off road/better socio -economic background?? Just giving you one or two pointers??

[craigm]

The Grande has an Optitron instrument cluster.

Hence the reason SWMBO wants a Transformer sticker on the Prado!

The Grande has an Optitron instrument cluster.

[chester ver 2.0]

Price will also vary between 2004 and 2006 as the D4D diesel was introduced late 05 early 06 prior to that all 120 series diesels had the 1kz-te motor in them

[Steve M]

"This money is just paying for a later Year on the compliance plate." That would be expected ?? From late 04 to 09 in the grande series for eg with 5 speed auto nothing changed but when it comes to paying you will of course pay more for an 09 compared to an 04, also based on klms and condition. I would rather buy the latest model I could afford but also taking into consideration klms and condition. I would rather buy say an 07 with 120 k on it then say a 09 with 70k on it but the 09 has never been serviced. So yes you can get an 04 grande with all the gear the same as an 09 just depends on wether you want a 9 year old car or a 4 year old car ?? And don't believe everything red book says including what they are worth. It's a very very rough guide..... I like the vx as I don't like sunroofs, but then the cooler box between the front seats in the grande would be great..... For you all depends on how much you want to spend on a boat...... Good luck finding one. Can be a nightmare some times finding a Prado that hasn't been trashed by the kids or the owner as well.... But they are around..... Cheers Steve

[Peterpilot]

Read First before buying Prado 120 (2004-2006) - Spec Differences GXL vs VX v...

I can confirm that the 2004 Grande has tilt and reach adjustable steering as well as a driver electric lumbar. Also, it's the centre console that houses the cooler rather than the glovebox.

[huyjtran]

First post so here goes
I’m in the market for a low km Prado 120 between 80k to 160k on the clock for around $25k. Let me know if this is possible?
I want to be as close to $25k as possible thus leaving me with approx $10k for a boat to hitch on the back. Needless to say if I get a Prado cheaper it means I will have more money to spend on a better boat

If you are Looking at buying a secondhand Prado 120 I thought the below might be useful.

Prado 120 Spec differences 2004 to 2006
*********************************************
2004 (Sep) GXL – Specs available on redbook

2004 (Sep) VX – GXL Specs + Differences below
Adjustable Steering Col. - Tilt & Reach
Air Cond. - Climate Control 2 Zone
Airbags - Side for 1st Row Occupants (Front)
Control - Electronic Stability
Control - Hill Descent
Control – Traction
Electric Seat – Drivers only
Hill Holder
Roof Rails
Seat - Driver with Electric Lumbar
Sunvisor - Illuminated Vanity Mirrors Dual
Woodgrain - Inserts

2004 (Sep) Grande – VX Specs + Differences below
Adjustable Steering Col. - Tilt & reach (confirmed thks Peterpilot)
Air Cond. - Climate Control Multi-Zone
Alarm
No Audio MP3 Decoder (Can someone please confirm)
Control - Electronic Damper
Electric Seats - 1st Row (Front)
GPS (Satellite Navigation)
Centre consoled – Cooled (correction - thanks Peterpilot)
Leather Seats
Metallic Finish Inserts
Multi-function Control Screen
Navigation System - DVD Video
Optitron instrument cluster (thks amts)
Seat - Driver with Electric Lumbar (confirmed - thks PeterPilot)
Sunroof - Electric
Suspension - Air
Suspension - Auto Levelling
Trip Computer

2005 GXL – As per 2004 GXL + Differences below
Change to Leather Look - Steering Wheel

2005 VX – GXL Specs + Differences below
Factory Tinted Windows

2005 Grande - VX Specs + Differences below
Change to Leather Seats – Partial
No Factory Tinted Windows

2006 GXL – As per 2005 GXL
2006 VX – As per 2005 VX
2006 Grande – As per 2005 Grande


*********************************************

I’ve excluded the 4 speed models as I wanted something with better gearing for towing. Engine Specs may be slightly different but I have not compared this. All the specs have been sourced from redbook which I have spreadsheeted and compared with the various iterations of the 120.

This has helped me make better choices as sellers are often pricing VX and Grande models higher so I just wanted to know what I was paying for.
Price varies between the 2004-2006 models so I also wanted to compare what extras I would get for a later model Prado.
In most cases for later models with the same Kilometres as earlier models, sellers have asked for more money although feature wise there is not much difference to justify the the $1k-$2k additional imo. This money is just paying for a later Year on the compliance plate.

Therefore I have tried to stick to low kms cars with good service history between 2004-2006 – with the model year being less relevant.

Let me know what you think of my first post - hope this is helpful for other prospective buyers