Rookie Prado buyer

[Stevo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Stevo]

Hi one and all,
this is my 1st thread on this site, and so far the Forum looks fantastic, I have just sold my (dear I say Patrol) it was a fantastic truck but due to some arthritis problems, I need something more comfortable.
Hopefully tomorrow, I will have purchased a 2005 Grande, 95,000k's and it's never been off road for $39,000. Is there anything I should know about the Grande, I will be using this mainly for day to day driving, sand driving(my passion) and long distance touring with my 4wd club. The other issue I have is I want to convert asap to LPG, any problems there?
thanks Stevo

<bold not req thanks - mod>

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

welcome to prado point.
the grande is a very nice truck (like the complete range).
for the type of driving and conditions you see, you have made a good (or soon to be) good choice.
with your question regarding the fitting lpg, there is alot of info to be found/read, in the petrol 120 section.
it appears there is not alot of problems with it, but your best to read and make a more informed decision yourself.
good luck and enjoy your new choice of ride

[Stevo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Stevo]

thank you,
getting a lot of info already,

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

that sounds like a bloody good buy at that price, the only thing about converting to lpg is that they will take out one of the tanks and put the lpg tank in its place, while lpg is at every servo in suburbs when you get out into remote areas its very scarce, you say you want to do long distance touring, so by going to lpg you have just halved the touring distance, just a thought. cheers samo

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

Welcome Steve,

Is there anything I should know about the Grande

If you do a bit of off road then the rear air bag suspension can cause issues in the fact that the bags can pop out under full articulation.

There is a simple aftermarket fix for this (Staps to hold them in) vailable from ATS in Melbourne I think.

Other on here will have done this mod and know more about it.


Mick

[Stevo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Stevo]

Got the Grande today!!!

I am very happy
just negotiated on the Grande today, it's a beauty, now the expensive news, It will be costing me a fortune to get all the goodies the old truck had! thank god for credit cards!
cheers Stevo

[vkhamer Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close vkhamer]

Quote:
Is there anything I should know about the Grande

Hello to the group. I'm a pending Prado owner but would appreciate feedback from the group.
I am currently considering a 2005 Grande 96,600Klm's in good condition from a local dealer. All the standard Grande features and Reversing camera fitted too. My question is the dealers asking $52K and I wonder is that a reasonable price?

Thanks for any advice.

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

a 2005 Grande 96,600Klm's in good condition from a local dealer. All the standard Grande features and Reversing camera fitted too. My question is the dealers asking $52K and I wonder is that a reasonable price?

I will have purchased a 2005 Grande, 95,000k's and it's never been off road for $39,000.

Looks like its a bit high!! $13k difference to Stevo..

Diesel or Petrol?

Mick

[vkhamer Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close vkhamer]

Thanks MickL,

Yeah it's a Petrol. Took it for a test drive on Monday. Runs well, Responsive, Handles well etc, etc.. Maybe since Qld petrol is just slightly cheaper than down south the dealer tries to get a higher price.

Mind you I haven't tried to haggle that price yet either.

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

Have you checked the Redbook price?

http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au/

Mick

[vkhamer Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close vkhamer]

Have you checked the Redbook price?

http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au/

Mick

Yep thanks I just did. If I understand it correctly a vehicle with 75000Klms
and a trade-in is $49,3K and a Private sale could be $56,3K so maybe $52K or less might be ok?

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

Look's about right then... Also looks like Stevo got his at a bargin price!

[Stevo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Stevo]

Got the Grande for $38500, never been off road , includes bull bar, mats, tow bar etc and is in mint condition, this was a private sale however.
Good Luck with your negotiating skills
cheers Stevo

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

Hi vkhamer, i reckon Stevo got a very good buy at $38,500 ... there's a couple of other things you might want to consider before parting with $53k. Firstly, have you checked out carsales.com.au ? I just took a quick look and there's a couple of private sale 05 grande's with lower k's and less than $50k asking and a VX with just 37ks listed for under $46k - all in Queensland. Not suggesting you should buy private, but one benefit is you can talk to the owner about the history of the car and judge for yourself if you think he is being up front with you.

Also, have you had a gander at the new GXL? If you search this site, there is some discussion on deals Toyota are doing on new petrol GXLs that would bring them in around the $53k mark, on road, driveaway. Just some thoughts, and hope you make a choice you are pleased with.

Regards

Bear

[vkhamer Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close vkhamer]

Hi vkhamer, i reckon Stevo got a very good buy at $38,500 ... there's a couple of other things you might want to consider before parting with $53k. Firstly, have you checked out carsales.com.au ? I just took a quick look and there's a couple of private sale 05 grande's with lower k's and less than $50k asking and a VX with just 37ks listed for under $46k - all in Queensland. Not suggesting you should buy private, but one benefit is you can talk to the owner about the history of the car and judge for yourself if you think he is being up front with you.

Also, have you had a gander at the new GXL? If you search this site, there is some discussion on deals Toyota are doing on new petrol GXLs that would bring them in around the $53k mark, on road, driveaway. Just some thoughts, and hope you make a choice you are pleased with.

Regards

Bear

Thanks Bear,

This is a great group that I found by pure luck and it's great that everyone is so helpful so thank's so far.

I haven't excluded a private purchase yet but the Motorama 4x4 dealer here in S.E Bris is suppose to have a good reputation. I was keen to get a balance of new car warranty and then there's the cover of buying from a Toyota dealer and hopefully after sales support since I have never owned a 4WD before.