GXL 2011 vs 2012 which to pick

[mattgh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mattgh]

Hi all.
After some advice. We currently have a 2003 petrol manual gxl which we love. But the time has come to upgrade. We have looked at two cars today (diesel, auto), both used (new is not an option). Have been given the same changeover quote on both. The 2011 has only done 65,000kms and the 2012 has done 90,000kms. The 2012 has an electric trailer brake controller fitted, which in theory is a nice bonus but not something that we would have gone out and put on if it didn't have it. Other than that addition they are pretty much the same, both are in equally good condition
We are really in two minds about which to go with so thought I'd ask some experts which they'd go for!
Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer.

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

Assuming they're the same spec, I'd go lower klms.

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

Assuming they're the same spec, I'd go lower klms.

Yep, same here, all other things being equal.

Cheers Andrew

[mattgh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mattgh]

The only other differences I can think of are the 2011 has an ARB tow bar and the 2012 had a genuine Toyota (which I liked the look of more but that's not a deal breaker for the 2011 obviously).

[Guest Close Guest]

Doesn't sound like you'll be towing big loads. How about lots of long distances? If no, then consider the petrol too.

[mattgh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mattgh]

Won't be towing much other than a camper trailer on odd occasion or a 6x4 trailer of whatever, definitely no caravan etc. We live in the country, and after having a petrol at the moment, it drives beautifully but definitely looking forward to a bit more economical diesel.

[Guest Close Guest]

Make sure you do your sums and factor in the cost of injectors around the 100K mark. And find a good diesel mechanic that can do injector readings.

[mattgh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mattgh]

Lots to think about re the injectors - kind of putting us off diesel. It's certainly hard going from a GRJ120 which has been flawless for us since day one - which we have been told by multiple dealers now when looking at trade in's that the motor on it is bullet proof and will go forever...certainly doesn't make us want to swap over but as of this morning we sold it privately so need a car!
We do have an option C now - family friends of my wife (her godparents) are looking at selling their 2014 that they purchased in december, only 20,000kms, to swap over to a farm ute. Waiting for them to work out a price for that - any suggestions what you could expect to pay privately for it - they all look to be around the 58k mark on carsales - but if we were going to spend that we would get a new one...

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

Lots to think about re the injectors - kind of putting us off diesel. It's certainly hard going from a GRJ120 which has been flawless for us since day one - which we have been told by multiple dealers now when looking at trade in's that the motor on it is bullet proof and will go forever...certainly doesn't make us want to swap over but as of this morning we sold it privately so need a car!
We do have an option C now - family friends of my wife (her godparents) are looking at selling their 2014 that they purchased in december, only 20,000kms, to swap over to a farm ute. Waiting for them to work out a price for that - any suggestions what you could expect to pay privately for it - they all look to be around the 58k mark on carsales - but if we were going to spend that we would get a new one...

What sort of kms are you doing per year?

I did the sums previously on fuel costs (not including servicing), even after factoring in the cost of injectors you are still ahead (only slightly might I say). This was based on average fuel consumption figures and using the cheapest price for ULP / diesel. The price difference has since lowered. Also worth noting, diesel price cycle does not exist. My local servo has had the same price on diesel for the past 3-4 months deviating by less than a cent.

The true benefit of diesel is towing, high annual KMs and resale. If you do go the diesel, do yourself a favour and buy a $30 Techstream cable of eBay and monitor your injector feedback settings.

[leethal1 Member Find all posts View Profile Close leethal1]

+1 for the $30 techstream cable, I log mine every 10000km. If there are any issues with mine i have a history of the readings.

[mattgh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mattgh]

I was actually up til late last night googling the techstream, will definitely be happening and checking regularly. The fuel economy certainly is a factor in going diesel but also resale, while we've been told how indestructible our engine is in our current one, still get told at the same time that people don't want them they want diesel...weird given all the stories about 120s and the injector issues. We have decided to hold out and find one we are 100% sure about. We have another car in the family that isn't being used at the moment that we can have, that way we can wait and be ready to go when we find the one. Am waiting to hear back on a price for our friends 2014, scared to hear what they might want for them - no idea what they would get at a dealer for trade in on it.
Edited to add - we do 15-20+kms a year roughly, and looking at the fuel consumption vs our current 120, light years of difference.

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

Edited to add - we do 15-20+kms a year roughly, and looking at the fuel consumption vs our current 120, light years of difference.

Show us your maths for fuel consumption.

[Black 150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Black 150]

The one with the electronic brake controller may have a history of towing heavy loads.

[gspy4u Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gspy4u]

I'd probably tend to go lower k's and also as the other has a brake controller it more than likely was towing a van. Nothing wrong with that but why get a higher milage one if you don't need to.
If they are in the same price just go by the one that looks like it has had a better life by its owner. You can usually tell by it's interior and what condition it looks like and its under body condition. And i guess depends on what color you prefer as well. You probably won't go wrong with either but could get the 90,000k one to drop there price a little as you'll most likely be up for new injectors soon so use that as a bargaining chip.

[Guest Close Guest]

Here are my fuel consumption calcs based on the following prices:
ULP $1.22
Diesel $1.34

And based on the following fuel economy
V6 15L/100km
D4D 10L/100km

The following results is the savings achieved for owning the diesel
At 10,000km p.a. savings is $490
At 15,000km p.a. savings is $735
At 20,000km p.a. savings is $980