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High KM's 2nd hand purchase, what to look for???

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  • #1

    High KM's 2nd hand purchase, what to look for???

    Hi guys,
    We are looking to get into the 4wding and camping thing around here (mt isa) and have decided on getting a Prado. Now we have 2 small kids and safety is a concern of course. For this reason I was looking at 2001 on with airbags and other safety features etc. I have stumbled apon what appears to be a very cheap 2003 120series GXL 3.0 TD for UNDER $10k. The problem is its done nearly 300k kms. Now this is over 40k kms a yr, which would suggest that most of it is highway driving.

    The owner is selling it because she got it in a divorce settlement and doesnt even have a drivers license, hence the get rid of it quick price.

    What are the likely expenses to arrise in the near future with a car of this age and use? We will get it well looked over by a local toyota dealer for any major issues that are obvious, BUT this does not always spot things that are likely to happen. This is why i have come here, to ask ppl that own these cars and use them day to day. What should i look for, keep me ear out for in the future to perhaps get on top of before they become major problems and therefore major $$$ expenses.

    I know its a piece of string type question, but if its done mostly highway driving etc, what is the life expectancy of this engine and other major parts ($$$)???

    sorry for the noob questions, but have never owned a 4wd before, and neither has anyone in my family. so i have NO exposure to this type of thing and dont want to make a major mistake first time round.
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  • #2
    Re: High KM's 2nd hand purchase, what to look for???

    G'day,
    As you are new to 4WD's, it would be in your best interests to have this one checked over by someone with experience. There a many companies that can provide this service, including NRMA or the like. A reputable 4WD shop could also point you in the right direction. IMO, high kilometers are not necessarly a bad thing. It's the service quality and intervals that are very important. I've just sold an 03 V6 with 256,000K on it. It was serviced, with oil and filters changed, every 10,000k, and I would have had every confidence in it doing another 250,000k. The only reason I sold it was because of the lease arrangement.
    Prado motors ( petrol or TD's ) are very reliable and will easily do over 500,000k, if well looked after. A friends 02 V6 has just ticked over 340,000k and is still going stronge.
    Get into it, you'll enjoy the experience.
    Regards,
    Bazza.
    [i]I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints![/i]

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    • #3
      Re: High KM's 2nd hand purchase, what to look for???

      thank you.

      yes we have arranged for the local RACQ which is also the toyota service centre to look over the car in full.

      just wanted some real world exp of what the life exp and also major $$$ issues that may arise with high kms.

      Cheers

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      • #4
        Re: High KM's 2nd hand purchase, what to look for???

        At under 10 grand I'd be looking for the welding marks underneath where they glued the two write-offs together to make one car!!!!
        Dave
        Views expressed are mine alone and are not intended to compromise the integrity of my employer nor offend those who may read such views.
        Bugger Bali, get out and see Australia before we sell it all to China.

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        • #5
          Re: High KM's 2nd hand purchase, what to look for???

          Or the dried up blood-stains and body fluids from where the previous owner committed suicide by shooting himself whilst seated in the car and then spent the next week decomposing in plus 35 degree heat before he was found.

          Don't laugh, I've seen a few cars like this, including a late model Benz that they couldn't even get a grand for becsue of the smell that just wouldn't go away.
          Dave
          Views expressed are mine alone and are not intended to compromise the integrity of my employer nor offend those who may read such views.
          Bugger Bali, get out and see Australia before we sell it all to China.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: High KM's 2nd hand purchase, what to look for???

            I bought a high-kms 2005 V6 a couple of years ago. I found that NRMA don't do pre-purchase inspections any more, so I found a company called "Sydney Vehicle Check" who came out and gave it a good going over. Cost $195 but came with an 8 page written report. Plus I had a good talk with the guy doing the inspection. Small amount to pay considering the cost of the vehicle. Really gave me peace of mind.

            Mal
            White 2005 GXL, Sovereign bull-bar, towbar, cargo barrier

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            • #7
              Re: High KM's 2nd hand purchase, what to look for???

              Hmmmmmm. Even for something with 300 thou on the clock, under 10k would still have me suspicious. May well be that the lady simply wants to get rid of it, and if so then all good. But yeah, with that many K's on it then the "first life" of the vehicle is done and dusted in my opinion and I'd be cautious about asking too much of it (I mean trips up the Gunbarrel etc). Though if it's been treated well, there's no reason to expect it won't go for another 100thou without issue, but that's always the unknown factor with High km 2nd hand vehicles. Really, you never can be completely sure. Certainly get it checked out by someone who knows what they're doing. If it's been treated well and passes an experienced check over, there's no reason it won't be ok for a weekend camper. But I'd be looking to pass it on again once up around the 400thou mark.

              Before you bite the bullet, I'd see what the 2nd hand market can cough up for something with a few less K's on it. I think you'd be scratching to find something for under 10k though.
              [b]#[/b] 2007 D4D GX [b]#[/b] Full Privacy Tint [b]#[/b] [color=#FF0000][b] Flinders Red [/b][/color] [b]#[/b] 2 x HID LightForce 240 Blitz [b]#[/b] ARB Winch Bar [b]#[/b] Alloy Rims [b]#[/b] Hilux Washer Jets [b]#[/b] Stebel Nautilus Compact Truck Horn [b]#[/b] ARB Alloy Roof Rack [b]#[/b] ARB Dual Battery System [b]#[/b] Charcoal Rough Country Canvas Seat Covers [b]#[/b] [color=#0000FF]Suspension:[/color]Autocraft Bilstein Shocks/Struts & Ridepro Coils [b]#[/b] [color=#0000FF]L.E.D[/color] Side Marker Lights [b]#[/b] ARB Onboard Air [b]#[/b] Pirelli Scorpion LT ATR 265/70's [b]#[/b][color=#0080FF]--Custom 3"exhaust---[/color]

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              • #8
                Re: High KM's 2nd hand purchase, what to look for???

                i too was sus about it, and did some proper checking and it turned out to be one that slipped through and was a fraudulant sale.

                If it looks too good and all that.

                we have been looking for quite some time, we want an early 2000's prado TD. we only have ~$15000 to spend so its a waiting game. A nice dealer 2003 came up for $18000 but that was pre detailing, and we missed the boat by 3 hours, it got picked up quick smart.

                we dont want to stretch ourselves too far so $17000 is a ABSOLUTE MAX. haveing said that we know that the rego and costs are going to be a fair bit hence looking around $15k

                If anyone knows of someone that is looking to sell on and would sell a little cheaper to a family in need, let me know. i have this thread on subscription so i will be notified,.

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                • #9
                  Re: High KM's 2nd hand purchase, what to look for???

                  Mcfisherclan,

                  Update your profile so that people can see where you're from and possibly someone may know of or reccommend someone who is selling nearby.

                  cheers,
                  2014 Black GXL D4D Auto with a few add ons.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: High KM's 2nd hand purchase, what to look for???

                    I am looking for a 2001 to 2003 Diesel too. Have found that the 120 series engine starts around 2003. Is this the one that has the problems with the injectors? Or is that only the D4D?
                    Also does anyone have an opinion on the auto up to 200,000 kms? My repairer likes them if they have been serviced.
                    Things to know about buying secondhand!!

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                    • #11
                      Re: High KM's 2nd hand purchase, what to look for???

                      Originally posted by bbuzz
                      I am looking for a 2001 to 2003 Diesel too. Have found that the 120 series engine starts around 2003. Is this the one that has the problems with the injectors? Or is that only the D4D?
                      Also does anyone have an opinion on the auto up to 200,000 kms? My repairer likes them if they have been serviced.
                      Things to know about buying secondhand!!
                      The injector issues are only with the D4D engine - Nov. 2006 onwards.
                      There were some issues with cracking heads on the earlier diesels.

                      Leachy
                      EX-Prado Owner

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                      • #12
                        Re: High KM's 2nd hand purchase, what to look for???

                        2003 - 2005 120 series some spordic reports of cracked heads
                        2005 - 2006 recall of brake master cylinder some o ring problem
                        2007 i think to 2009 injector problem on D4D (crap fuel)

                        There is also some anecdotal evidence of starter motors failing after about 100k in the 2003 to 2005 models

                        The 1kzTe is pretty bullet proof but compared to newer motors is a bit sooty so likes a good quality oil that is changed regularly also due to the plumbinng of the air intake a snorkle and unifilter does wonders for breathing. I have actually been informed that chipping the 1KZte without intake mods in the form of a snorkle is a waste of time and you will want your money back.
                        Dont list all ya mods, you will only be more upset when i get further

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