First time diesel 4WD

[gurtej176 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close gurtej176]

Being completely new to 4WD and not so knowledgeable about cars, I thought I may be able to get some advice here from experts.

I previously owned a Lancer (1.5L) and new Mazda Cx-5 ( written off this week in an accident, my car was parked and not at fault). Even though I liked the car and the extra luxury items ( auto sensors, GPS, bluetooth), I was not a big fan of the engine as it was underpowered (FWD only and petrol) and the feel of the car was not really of SUV like majority of the cars in its category.

Now I am in the market for another car and still not decided what I want. The money I will get can get me a equaling Mazda CX5 but thinking about getting a real 4WD. This is what I actually know (got feedback from a prado owner about 4wd's or prado:

"Bulky and operate at full 4WD, so can be harder on tyres and fuel than say a 2WD or ‘all-wheel drive’ car."
"Key with diesels is service records. They MUST BE serviced regularly and on time, and Diesels need more regular maintenance than petrols, as oil changes are crucial to longevity"
"A well-kept diesel prado should do 500,000KLMS +, and I’d expect the transmission to go well before the engine"
"Avoid a car from the coast, as it will likely have been driven on sand, and after sand and 7 years you MAY start to see rust, or early signs of corrosion in the undercarriage, engine and suspension"
"To sleep at night, and have a good experience I think a prado is hard to beat"

Saying that, I personally want a real 4wd even though I don't drive too often but that may change once I have something that can go off road.
My yearly drive KM' is around 15K (mainly sydney city drive), we are 3 in a family (including an infant) but my parents stay with us for 3 months in a year so a big car will definitely help and we are also an extended family sometimes on the weekend...so a big car will definitely help

Budget range is stretch of 35K....
Can you please advise which series car I will be able to get - 120 or 150...
mileage wise its not a big difference as I only do around 15k a year, but a solid engine helps....
Whats the acceptable minimum K's I should aim for when getting a second hand....
Dealer used or private ( are dealer warranties worth it?)

Any other advise is appreciated. Thanks

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

For 15k a year and no so much towing I would grab a petrol. Not sure of the price these days but a late 120 or early 150. The D4D in the Prado will easily do 500,000km but the injectors need to be monitored. At your price point you will get a much better petrol than diesel and you are unlikely to have any problems. This is coming from a long time diesel owner too!

[gurtej176 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close gurtej176]

Thanks for your reply, any ideas of what the mileage I can expect from a pertol engines. Is it still powerfull, I mean in pick up and suited for off road sriving.

And how often do I need to service the diesel vs petrol....

Will a dealer add injectors in the warranty contract?

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

any ideas of what the mileage I can expect from a pertol engines.

Based on forum feedback, easily 300k+ if maintained

Is it still powerfull, I mean in pick up and suited for off road driving.

Petrol will be more powerful and responsive than diesel (in terms of kw), either are perfectly fine for sand driving

And how often do I need to service the diesel vs petrol....

Both every 10,000 km

Will a dealer add injectors in the warranty contract?

Highly unlikely, unless catastrophic failure. Like a clutch, they would be considered a wear and tear item. You would need to take a closer look at the warranty

Disclaimer: 150 diesel owner here, but highly tempted by the petrol variant. Drove a work 120 V6 and loved the power, but didnt like seeing the fuel gauge move so quickly.

Given the long term cost of injectors etc and the reliability of the petrols, well tempted by the V6 next time I upgrade......

[gurtej176 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close gurtej176]

Thanks , great advise....but pertol does 100K in 13.1 l compare to 9.1 with diesel and considering that I need to do service after every 10'k or 6 months, would it not be better to get a diesel?

And which series should I look for 120 or 150?

If I compare the below:
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...SSE-AD-2923673
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d.../?Cr=2&sdmvc=1

which one is a better bet..any advise please. Thanks

Also, any idea of costs for after market gps, reversing camera and bluetooth...would love to get it after few months when I have some spare cash

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

I have a 1997 GXL petrol (the diesel was not available when I bought it new back then). Done 200k now. It runs very quietly, although a loose exhaust baffle makes a rattle sound when idling. Also the mirrors make some noise at 110KMH. I had to replace a starter last year - it cost $320. I did the suspension in 2004 ... two windscreens too. The interior light switches are playing up too. Its brakes are not very good. Although its only had on set of rears and same with the front rotors I think. I likely get 20litres/100km around town, but on the open road, I get 13, or less, with roof racks. On high octane (its cheaper).

I am likely getting a high end 150. And pulling the rear seats out. Some draws in too.

I'd check if the 2007 diesel is the better version ... I think they revised them late 2007???

Someone I met (who makes rear draws and things in Gloucester NSW) bought a 2008 Prado diesel and he replaced the injectors as a precaution. It cost him $800, but from a normal 4WD mechanic, I guess its more like $1,200 to do them.

He loves his diesel and they will depreciate less. Plus you do save money.

Both the petrol and the diesel will use a lot more in town, and that is your environment. Diesels don't use much fuel idling either. I reckon that a 2009 petrol in town would get more like 15.5 or more litres/100km, ... a diesel, would be more like 11 or so I reckon. The CX-5 is very light, and its engines very efficient, if not necessarilly long life. They are very lightly built of course but that saves fuel.

I'd look for a 2008 and spend a bit more to get it right. And then keep it. But maybe the 2007 is OK? It sounds great value and it looks superb. But its a manual. If its a one owner, it should be genuine ... sound marvelous actually ... check the redbook values too as sometimes you can get a lot less than people ask for ...

You need someone to check it out who knows Prados. Underneath will show if its been off road. Break wear will tell you how its been driven too. A 4WD place I suppose ... they'll get your business, so will help you. Maybe the owner's service place if from his/her books? My books are hopeless ... mine would do another 200K with little issues IMO outside of shockers and I guess a fuel pump one day or a an alternator I guess.

Reverse cameras I saw at the caravan show cost around $700, and were hard wired.

There are full bluetooth GPS units that fit, budget $1,500 to get them in and working, but they cost a bit more than $1,000 without fitting etc. Of course you can stick an iPhone or GPS somewhere and they'll work just as well but then again a new screen with blue tooth etc would be cool I guess.