Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

[josprado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close josprado]

Hi all

First time poster here, the 'josprado' username is a little premature as I'm currently still driving an AU Fairmont. But all things going to plan, this forum will have another female owner-driver before Christmas! Which brings me to my point - would be very grateful for anyone's input on the following Prado:

2006 Petrol GXL, 111K on the clock, asking price $35,850.

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...d=124FFAAE8E6D

In particular, I'd love to gauge your opinions on:

PRICE: Is this a good deal? What would you offer if you were in my shoes? My original budget was $35K drive away (i.e. incl. stamp duty), do you think this is achievable - or could I even go for $33-34?

MILEAGE: I am assured that it's not an ex-miner, but should I be looking for something with less k's? Is anything particularly expensive likely to go wrong in the short to medium term future?

I had been looking at a couple of 2003-2004 GXLs with less k's until recently, but after reading up on this forum thought I might be better off going with a slightly newer rig. My AU is a series 1 and a genuine 'Friday car'!

Apologies if these questions seem obvious/I should be able to answer them myself, it's my first 4WD purchase and was pretty set on a Forester XT until recently so would really appreciate a bit of advice

Cheers

Jo

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

Jo,
I wouldn't be concerned with 111k in terms of longevity/reliability but with those Ks I would suggest that $30-$33K would be a more appropriate price. If it is a genuine one owner it should have log books and FSH - without these I would not consider it.

If it is a petrol/auto you're after I think you're on the right track looking more recent modelsl, 2005 or newer will get you a 5 speed auto.

Leachy

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

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

I don't know about WA prices but I would like to offer a comment. The drivers seat is not height adjustable so make sure you are comfortable with visibility, etc because it isn't easy to judge where the corners are for parking in tight spots or for checking the blind spots if the seat height isn't right for you.

[josprado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close josprado]

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

I don't know about WA prices but I would like to offer a comment. The drivers seat is not height adjustable so make sure you are comfortable with visibility, etc because it isn't easy to judge where the corners are for parking in tight spots or for checking the blind spots if the seat height isn't right for you.

I have heard this, a bit of a shame you can't adjust it. But I'm above average height (for a girl!), 173cm, so fingers crossed it'll be OK.

Would be grateful for any more thoughts on price... I am absolutely useless when it comes to bargaining!

[butane8 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close butane8]

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

futher on quadcam's post, my missus is the daily driver, she fully understands the visibility issue's (comin' from a vr magna). but just asked her and she said she's addapted her driving style and just reverse parks into tight spots, using the mirrors . ( yep :shock: she has got brains lol)

i think the price is consistant for k"s if its immaculate, but as far as being a good deal, less is always better.... i just bought a 2005 gxl 6 speed man. for 31 with 97k's. and it is close to immaculate... hadnt been beat'n under neath , but deffinately used offroad.... i bought mine from a reputable toyota dlr, and was told the warrinty/servicing was fine... after purchase, i found tho, that the 80 tho k service was stamped
but no spark plug change was done on the passender side( more time consuming to change but not hard) i think dlrs spend more tine spraying the vechles with wax the mechanically inspecting them... i paid extra $1300 for extended 3 yr warrenty, which now i wish i hadnt as , i really dont trust 'em , never have, , time will tell if the extended warrenty was a safe bet?.

.. the other noticeable disappointment was the ammount of carbon build up in the motor was pretty bad, been told the oil change is a must , more fequent, the better..
i have done a motor oil change with the filter when i got it, and another after 3500k. the oil was bad. i plan on changing my oil and filter every 7,000k and just oil every 3,500... my mate who's a local mechanic has told me' , the oil needs changing more frequently than toyota recommends. i use castrol magnetec, and its only costs me $30 for the oil.. you can unscrew the oil filler cap and look at the underside of it to see how much gludging / carbon is there.... ive noticed on mine since keeping good oil to it , the gludge has washed away.and the underside of the cap is clean, this will give you a indication how frequently the engine oil was changed...

if you like this prado, dont be scared to ask the advice of a friend who has the mechanical touch, to get underneath it and look for telltale signs. of its condition... its the underside that will tell you the most of the mechanically.... just a few points, i'm very stoaked with the prado, i rellise all second hand cars have issues , i hope you select the one which has the least. have a good look at the warrenty book

maybe the dealer will cop the cost of the next 115k service, its only a small one so it shouldn't be a problem on a 35k car.. hope this helped butane :wink:

[butane8 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close butane8]

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

say 'that's my final offer.. once I walk away, it drops by a grand......" then actually do it..

i tried that but the dealer must have been at rock bottom for mine at $31 k as he wouldn't budge , there wasn't another prado in the area within $7 grand of mine and i think he knew it, i think i got a good deal..

enuff about mine ... like "prado" said, stick it up 'em :twisted: ... get a great deal, save as much as you can $$$, if he's finished negotiating in tho's, start droppin by hundreds, then fifties, extra's new tyres at his cost, seat covers , viser's, floor matts, anything you can get out of em', is a bonus...but stretch it out over a couple of days, wring him like a wet towel :lol:
....then.. buy yourself some new boots, preferably blunstones as you'll need 'em for the offroad side of things :idea: butane :idea:

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

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

I had trade-in my 2004 v6 Auto GLX (LC120 with 76k in the clock) for $30k.

Hope useful to you.

[josprado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close josprado]

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

Well, 'josprado' now owns a Prado!

Paid $33,600 in the end, possibly could have gone lower but not such a bad deal, especially with another couple stalking around the caryard trying to buy it (they'd been to see it on Wednesday night but left it til today to make an offer - you snooze you lose!)

Gave it a bit of stick and was surprised by how quick it was, it's also surprisingly agile for such a big car. Visibility out the back isn't the best but I don't think my height made too much of a difference.

Found the previous owner's details in the logbook and called him up to ask about it, it's done some gravel roads but only been off-road once, was mostly used for commuting and driven around his large property. Has been serviced regularly and never gave him any problems, in fact he only sold it for tax purposes. That gave me peace of mind - the car is off his hands now so he'd have no reason to lie.

Anyway, am very excited to have officially 'joined the club', so to speak. Thanks guys for all your advice, it was a great help.

Now I can start seeking your advice on some accessory purchases

[josprado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close josprado]

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

....then.. buy yourself some new boots, preferably blunstones as you'll need 'em for the offroad side of things :idea: butane :idea:

Hahaha, I do have a pair of Rossi's, will those do?

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

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

Hi Josprado,
Well done, and welcome, let the mods begin I am sure all the gang will have some further good advice for mods.

[Big Fella Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Big Fella]

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

Well we must now say 'offically' welcome to the club (the bottomless money pit club that is :!: ).

Congratulations on your purchase, here's to more and more mods for us to trawl through!

[butane8 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close butane8]

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

Congrat's on the new purchase. i havent seen the prado but , going off your posts,, yeap , i'd say you got a good deal......welcome to the prado community Jo..
nice move contacting the previous owner , take my hat off to you......very smart move. I didn't think of that, when buying and it was all in the book.... nice one

now , don't forget ,their thirsty $$$$$ , but fun to drive, mine runs around the 15l/100 k....


enjoy the new car, don't forget to buy those new boots, your welcome butane

[pearlie Member Find all posts View Profile Close pearlie]

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

Welcome to the forum josprado. Glad to have another female owner driver on board....
Just watch out where you park it in shopping centre carparks or it may end up with a huge dint like mine.. :cry: :cry:

[Madkore Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Madkore]

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

carparks suck - no doubt about it!

welcome aboard jos - good to see a Perthian around here - we are few and far between...

doesn't matter what you pay - as long as its for a Prado!

plenty of great info and great people on here!

[josprado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close josprado]

Re: Need some help - does this look like a good deal to you?

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

Meanwhile I am STILL waiting to pick up the Prado! Was crossing my fingers for today but it's gonna have to be next Wednesday now, thanks to the gross incompetence of our friends at the Commonwealth Bank :evil: