Prado 150 3.0TD 6-speed manual

[Sergey Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Sergey]

Hi guys,

My first post on PP. Been reading it for a bit though.

I am from SA where 150 series manual Prado is not an easy combination to find for a test drive. I was wondering, what are your experiences with the D4-D mated to the 6 speed manual. Both on road and off.

I have both autos and manuals in my stable and I enjoy both. So really it is a question of the specific combination not the ideology of auto vs. Manual

[Laxy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Laxy]

I bought a new D4D 150 GX 6-speed 6 months ago and love the gearbox, very car-like compared to older 4wds I was used to previously. Quite highly geared compared to a 79 or 100 series and it keeps the revs nice and low at 100km/h. Clutch is light and there is plenty of torque so even the missus doesn't stall it.

In comparison to the equivalent auto, it feels a lot 'punchier' in each gear, although doesn't have that smooth initial take-off of the auto. After using the in-laws identical auto 150 for a weekend it started bugging me, it's more lethargic at overtaking speeds and the automatic drawl combined with the diesel engine note gets old.

Off-road I've found the manual fine, with first and second being fairly high in H4 I use low-range a fair bit. 2nd gear L4 gives you bulk torque for everything.

A quick disclaimer, I prefer manuals in general so am a little biased. But I did seriously consider the auto Prado at first.

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

Ditto with the above.
The manual feels better in every aspect.
Would be keen to try the new 6 speed auto though...

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

I find the auto to be excellent. Quick shifts, smooth and smart. Down shifts in braking, holds gears intelligently and locks up in 4th and 5th from 60kmh and holds the lock really well making it very much like a manual for noise, drive and economy. Hard to go past with that long list of features. And no clutch to smoke backing you boat up the driveway.

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

I wanted an auto, the wife wanted a manual. As it is her daily drive car she won. I must say the only time I wish we did get the auto is while towing, particularly low speed and reversing. In saying that I am glad I have a manual while doing steep descents and for the instant torque while overtaking (the auto has the slightest bit of lag). You can't go wrong with either, test drive them both if you can back to back

[Goggo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Goggo]

Love the auto after having a manual 75 series ute. anything is good after that.

[JLB-150 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close JLB-150]

With a centre diff just use low range when backing trailers or pulling boat up the ramp to save the clutch... 1st gear low range is very short, but perfect for slow speed rough, rocky tracks as you can let clutch out and just crawl along. 2nd/3rd low in mud or soft sand is easy too.

I waited over three months to take delivery of a manual and I think the wait was worth every minute.

Having driven manual Rangers, amarok, navara, triton, hilux and patrols (none over 3 yrs old) the prado 6 speed is better than any of these hands down. The ranger comes close wth the 3.2 ltr, but just not as smooth or refined in the clutch and shift.

[leethal1 Member Find all posts View Profile Close leethal1]

The manual is nice, same feel as the 6 speed vz commodore gear box as it is pretty much the same. I think it mates up to the diesel engine nicely, there is some low rpm chatter but dissappears fast. Havint driven the auto yet.

[Sergey Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Sergey]

Thank you for all the replies guys, I am glad you are having good experiences with the manual. I feel I can extract better consumption format the manual. I also enjoy having to use the whisk as it makes some drives less boring