Help choose the "right" Prado PLEASE!!!

[mcfisherclan Member Find all posts View Profile Close mcfisherclan]

I've read and read and read. I've looked and looked and looked. I'm at the point of serious over saturation. So I'm here for some real experience and some real world knowledge of these cars.

Situation: young family of 5 about to be 6. We have a 1.6t caravan. We live in the outback, ie mt isa. With the situation being that its going to some very long kms, some with a big van on it, but mostly short around town trips with 6 ppl in it. We have decided the 120 series is the car for us. (I really started to like the pajero 3.2 diesel but well you know and also the mrs didn't like the 3rd seats that can't be split.)

So I put it to the pp community HELP!!! Cannot decided between 2003-2008, diesel kz or kd or petrol, gx with option pack through to grande??? Money is definitely a factor, towing long trips is definitely a factor, 3rd row comfort is definitely a factor ( mt isa summer kids will need good ac in back). Auto or manual, i think auto is what we want but id it needs to manual to get the better car its fine. Budget is as close to $20k as possible. Travel to pick up the car is expected so location not really a factor. It's going to be a long term investment ie upto 10yr car so if the right car is an extra $5k and its really worth it I will borrow from my rather wealthy brother.

As I hope you can see its a real dilemma as there is do much choice and so many factors. With only ever having owned a kdj with injector problem I'm worried about that again. I wish I had been able to get my family friends car but it was sold on to afford the new one for them. So here I am. Hat in hand hoping for some real constructive advice here. If u know one that is not online or even one that is feel free to post it and outthe case forward. Please don't think I haven't looked or even made offers. Carsales, gumtree, car yards, drive ect ect I've looked and even set up alerts.

PLEASE HELP ME?!?!?

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

2008 D4D auto with option pack (for rear air) but you're not going to get that for $20K

[Guest Close Guest]

Sounds like you need a D4D and I think you should be able to get a GXL with rear ac standard from the year that D4Ds were introduced. But it probably won't meet your budget.

Otherwise, there doesn't seem to be much difference between the V6 and 1KZ for running costs so you can go for an older VX / Grande with rear ac that will meet your budget. Aim for the 5 speed auto for the V6.

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

As you will be loaded up and long miles most of the time, I would say a diesel would suit your purposes.

$25k is well short of a low mileage, good condition example. The diesels hold their value. Then there are the associated issues.

Petrol 120's go a lot cheaper, but with the loads you will be carrying, you will have significant fuel bills.

Thats about the long and the short of it.

Sorry theres no magic formula. "Bestest and cheapest" rarely share the same room.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Yep a D4D GXL which has the rear as standard seems to be the model that would best suit you, but it might be a stretch with your budget!

A 1kz in a base model wont have the rear air, so you would need an up spec model to get that, then you pay for a heap of fruit you may not want, like sunroof and leather, and with 6 people and a big van is going to be working pretty hard.

Not sure whether the Petrol GXL's got the rear air as standard at the same time as the D4D's but a Petrol GXL around the 07 mark if it has the rear air would tick all your boxes, reliability, power for towing, but its going to suck fuel with the van in tow.

Whatever way you go its a compromise, its just what is most important to you.

Cheers Andrew

[mcfisherclan Member Find all posts View Profile Close mcfisherclan]

Lol. Thanks guys. U just put in those posts exactly what has been running around in my head. As you can see its not an easy choice, hence the thread to nut it out with ppl who have these cars.

I know the d4d is the right car, the 07 gxl model got the rear ac standard. I know the petrol sucks fuel while towing and more around town. But the d4d has the injector cost to consider. I know the earlier vx and grande have the petrol ac and 5 speed auto from sept 04. I know the budget is tight for what we want, isn't it always

there is an 07 gxl d4d manual with 250k kms with new injectors for $24k and there is an 08 gxl petrol with 140k kms for same money or a 03 grande with 170k kms for $17k. Just can't see the wood for the trees.

[cfryback Find all posts View Profile Close cfryback]

Personally, if that was the choice, I'd go with the '08 Grande - provided on the 80K KM Service, a proper valve clearance was done (injectors pulled, sheets and seals replaced).

Injectors, on the '08 should be thinking about a replacement. IF you go with Baileys Injectors + pipes, out of pocket (minus core charge) is ~ $1500 - excluding labour + ECM programming. That is a negotiating point, I'd also demand to see a nose downhill cold start. White Smoke, walk away.

I don't know about MT Isa, but see if there is a "proper" diesel mechanic, not a Toyota dealer - and bring it to them for inspection. Get them to check the injector feedback values (again, had I known....), if out of spec warm. Then as above with replacement injectors or walk away.

I really love my Prado, I just wish I had the foresight to join this forum before I bought mine - could have avoided an unnecessary engine rebuild.

[mcfisherclan Member Find all posts View Profile Close mcfisherclan]

Sorry u missed the edit. It's a 08 gxl petrol. I it had been a d4d grande I would have bought it already. Lol. Thanks for the info I too got bitten by the injector problem with an 06 d4d hence my apprehension. The fuel costs in petrol is the sticking point. Especially as we plan to keep it long enough to actually make back the "diesel tax" on purchase price. If the 03 grande had a 5 speed auto it would be the right car. If the 07 d4d had 50k kms less kms and had the injectors just done it would be the right car. If the 08 petrol was $4k less it would be the right car. Lol I hate buying cas.

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

I've read and read and read. I've looked and looked and looked. I'm at the point of serious over saturation. So I'm here for some real experience and some real world knowledge of these cars.

Without sounding like a grumpy old man (I am) you asked for our advice here and got 5 pages of replies:

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...-would-you-buy
Possibly would have best to continue the tread rather than expand the PP archive bin (ie start a new thread)! JMO! Other members would get the direction of the old thread and reply accordingly!

You sound like you know what you want: your going to have to suck up to your bros or wait patiently till a 5 sp 1KZ manual comes up with your limited budget. Happy hunting.

[mcfisherclan Member Find all posts View Profile Close mcfisherclan]

Sorry. I thought this was a place to create discussion. I won't bother anymore.

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

mcf your budget is going to limit you to a V6 or earlier diesel. I love my diesels but in your position I would go for a V6 5 speed auto with rear air. 06 on GXL or GX with option packs.

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

Mc, I'm going to throw a cat amongst the pigeons! For that sort of money, I'd go the Pajero. As much as I love my 08 GX upgrade, D4D Auto, they are just so exe. If budget is a factor, you will get a newer, younger Pajero, with more fruit, and they eat up the miles, for your needs.

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

Sorry. I thought this was a place to create discussion. I won't bother anymore.

Just trying to avoid 'bogging' up the forum with the exact same discussion/ same scenario that's all.

Here is one....if you borrow some money of your brother you'll get a good diesel Prado ..although manual and it will be working hard pulling that 1.6t van....good luck...
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...bo-Diesel-2006

[mcfisherclan Member Find all posts View Profile Close mcfisherclan]

Sorry it's hard when things get off track.

What things would need to be done maitenance wise on this car? Assuming servicing is upto date.

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...SSE-AD-2369331

if I can get it for under $20k is it a good option?

[cfryback Find all posts View Profile Close cfryback]

Sorry it's hard when things get off track.

What things would need to be done maitenance wise on this car? Assuming servicing is upto date.

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...SSE-AD-2369331

if I can get it for under $20k is it a good option?

Looks to be the business!

There has been threads about installing aftermarket transmission coolers - if towing your van, I would consider that as *MUST HAVE* extra. But that is just my opinion.