About to purchase first Prado 2005 Gxl auto petrol

[Tim B Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Tim B]

Hi
Very close to buying first prado after a lot of research.
Looking at gxl 2005 prado 140000km for about $22,000, petrol, one lady owner, tow bar.
Really want to avoid buying a lemon.
I just want something solid for the kids (3 under 5), nothing flash but nice, can tow the tinny.
Won't be doing too much off roading if any.
I have come a long way from thinking diesel, to grande to now a lower kms gxl,petrol.
This one has a sun roof which vendor said cost $3000. The lovely would like this.
No blue tooth- maybe better to wait 12 months so the 2006 gxls will be similar price range but will have blue tooth etc
Is 2005 too old?
Any thoughts?
Cheers

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

Nah mate, 2005 with 140,000k is fine provide the service books are up to date.

Last year i bought a 2006 GXL petrol auto with 136,000km and it's been great. mush better than the diesels i've owned, so comfortable and a pleasure to drive.

you will not regret it if the servicing has been kept up to date and underneath shows no battle scars.

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

Dont worry about the bluetooth. You can easily pick up a factory head unit with BT off the later models for about $100. Easy plug and play.

[Tim B Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Tim B]

Thanks mate, much appreciated

[Tim B Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Tim B]

Tassie, would you rec this type for Tasmania, only shooting up and back from the east coast.
Prados very expensive here, have to go to Melbourne, not easy.

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

Tassie, would you rec this type for Tasmania, only shooting up and back from the east coast.
Prados very expensive here, have to go to Melbourne, not easy.

Absolutely. Though they are more expensive down here there is far less stop start city driving that is hard on brakes/suspension etc. We bought ours with 148k on it and it now has 230k and still feels as tight as a drum. Steer clear of the dark blue ones unless you can get the full ownership record as the cops used the blue ones.

If I had my time again I would have bought a V6 instead of the 1kz TD as I have had to put about $2500 to get the TD power where it is for our tassie hills.

Good luck.

[Tim B Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Tim B]

Absolutely. Though they are more expensive down here there is far less stop start city driving that is hard on brakes/suspension etc. We bought ours with 148k on it and it now has 230k and still feels as tight as a drum. Steer clear of the dark blue ones unless you can get the full ownership record as the cops used the blue ones.

If I had my time again I would have bought a V6 instead of the 1kz TD as I have had to put about $2500 to get the TD power where it is for our tassie hills.

Good luck.

Thanks Tassie.
All set to go just grappling with going a grande with a few bells and whistles for the family other the stock standard gxl. I will definitely go petrol and try to figure out which way to go. Cheers

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

Tim just watch the grande with rust in the sunroofs. Not in all but its there. I looked at a few grande's all one owners and not near the coast and yet they all had rust in the sunroof. Plenty of people on here with grande and no rust but just some thing to check out....Also check behind rear cargo door rubber for any start of rust.....Cheers Steve
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Also check the entire dash for any signs of cracking as its very common on all 120's and the way their kept may help as to wether its got them or not early in life or it will just prolong it. At the moment my 05 is ok but I think its a matter of when not if ??
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These ones are a bit extreme BUT this is how they end up once it starts to crack and its approx $1500 to $2000 to remove and replace by Toyota.... These would be the three major things I think to watch out for. Even with the after market sunroof (which personally I wouldn't buy one with but that's just me) make sure it looks clean around it as well. Have you thought about the VX ?? Also great prado has all the safety of the grande just without sunroof and fridge, air suspension in the rear, and couple of little other things.....Theres also the GXL with option packs....Just some thing to confuse you more lol....Cheers Steve

[Tim B Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Tim B]

Thanks Steve, that's great, much appreciated. I'll check out VXs!!

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

No probs mate. Not trying to turn you off one there a great model, all models have there own issues but in general still a great vehicle. Was down your way just a couple of weeks ago on holidays. Must say didn't see a lot of prados around, shit load of pajero's though...Cheers Steve