VX or GLX

[Dmgm Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Dmgm]

I'm in the market for a full time 4wd wagon and really the prado seems the best/only choice to me.
I would like to buy a 1 or 2 year old second hand model, but with the second hand prices so high, I'm inclined to just order a new one.

I would like to add a winch, and the necessary bullbar, I want a towbar and think the rear wheel on the back is better for the extra range tanks.

I want the heated and cooled seats, but these are a option on the GLX.
I want the safety electronics, which I think are the same on the GLX and VX
I want to drive off road, and I dont think the 19" rims are a good choice, so that's a plus to the GLX
Likewise I think the rubber mats are a better choice for our lifestyle (kids and camping)
I want carplay, which I think is supported on the current Prado, I don't know when it was introduced, I'd not be adverse to changing the head unit.

The thing that I particularly like about the VX is the 360 degree camera, although most reviews say the quality is average.
Is there an aftermarket 360 camera system to consider? Again I'd consider a head unit upgrade for this.

I'd also like front parking sensors, which come with the VX, Am I correct in thinking they can be fitted after market to a GLX?

My wife who is also a driver doesn't like big cars for parking, and so 360 camera and parking sensors are pretty important for getting her buy in.

If I were to buy second hand, apart from price, I'm concerned about missing out on the increase in power Toyota have added to the current engine. Am I right that it's been the same engine for the last 5 years, so this is a tuning thing. Could an aftermarket tuning kit close this gap?

So what do you think would be the better fit for me, VX/GXL, new or second hand?

I'm aware a new Prado is coming, but I dont really want to be a early adopter of a new model and like to idea of a few aftermarket additions.

[Prada Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prada]

Hi DMGM,
The features that you are weighing up can only be assessed as "necessary" by yourselves.

Regarding the recent power upgrade: it's not a tune. The engine now has various upgraded components including a different turbo-charger and pistons amongst others. It was a deal maker for us, having been disappointed with the performance and DPF issues of earlier engine variants. I wouldn't go for a performance chip upgrade on any vehicle. "Better performance, improved fuel efficiency and longer engine life" are all promised. I wonder why these miracle upgrades aren't installed by Toyota if they have no drawbacks?

[gunda Member Find all posts View Profile Close gunda]

Given that you're probably going to buy some new AT tyres right from the get-go, are you prepared to factor in some alternative 17" rims as part of the cost of purchase? 17" tyres are a lot cheaper than 18" and definitely a lot cheaper than 19", if you could find any. If you are able factor the rims into the equation as well as the tyres, then that removes one obstacle.

The 360 camera is very average quality, certainly compared to my last (European) car, but it's still useful and I'd rather have it than not. I wouldn't get the VX just for that, but it's part of a package of enhancements.

[Dmgm Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Dmgm]

Good points. On the tyres I had thought i would likely live with 18" but yes replace 19" rims, and yes I'll want some new AT tyres.
The newer engine is a draw, so that's 2020 onward right?

[gunda Member Find all posts View Profile Close gunda]

I got 18" on my Kakadu by the skin of my teeth, i.e. it arrived only a few weeks before the 19" changeover. It was only after I took delivery of the Kakadu that I went shopping for AT tyres and discovered how much cheaper per tyre the 265/65/17s were that the 265/60/18. Which is strange, as the 17" tyres contain more rubber. My tyre guy explained it as economies of scale - they make a lot more of the 17". He also predicted that as the 18" became more a popular size (with car makers), the price gap would narrow.

If I had known this well before I took delivery of the Kak, I would have gone looking for a set of 17" rims, as the tyre price difference partly offsets the cost of the rims, and if you own the car long enough to change tyres multiple times, fully offset the rim cost. But once I had the car I wanted to make the changeover asap, as I was able to trade in the OEM tyres on the new Geolanders and so didn't want to wait an unknown length of time before getting AT tyres and also losing the trade-in option. If you decide on a VX then you know you'll need new rims well in advance and will have plenty of time to find them.

Re the engine, I wasn't following closely at the time so I can't be sure of the exact timing, but this article says that the upgrade was due in showrooms in Oct 2020. Also gives details on the other aspects of the upgrade, which should make it easy to pick which second hand vehicles have the upgrade.

[gmore Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close gmore]

the price differene between a VX and GXL + leather is not that much. 4kish.

we went with the VX due to the wife wanted the 360 and will not negotiate on that. there are some benefits to the VX that we like e.g. the centre fridge for yogurts etc.

in terms of wheels depending on what you are doing the stock 19s are using the new AT30 grandtreks which are used on the new LC300. i spoke to my dealer principle as well and due to the high number of bad feedback on the 19s TMC might be changing it back to the 18s soon anyway. end of the day once i get delivery next year i will worry about the rim change either new 17s or change it to the 18s from LC300 which my dealer is letting me do.

[Tow2go Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Tow2go]

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

Hey all, am in the same process - I am keen on a VX, but my main consideration is of course leather, but also stereo - I have a crappy stereo on my Paj Sport and every time I get in my wife's car it is so much nicer.

I know I could get aftermarket, but would prefer not to.

Does anyone know the current wait time on a VX and also the deposit required? I have rang but waiting on a call back.

Also with every car I have always got tyres changed before pickup - am loving my Falken Wild Peaks at the moment so would defo be looking at swapping the 19" for 17",,,, has anyone got any experience with this before pickup?? Keen to see the tradein value for it all.

Would be getting it salary sacrifice so want to get everything done before pickup.... am looking at:
1. Bullbar (I like loopless)
2. Roof rack
3. Tow ball
4. Lift
5. Bash Plates

Anything else I am missing??

Thanks

Nick

[Not Enough Time Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Not Enough Time]

Nick, do your maths on a 2990kg Gross Mass (GXL) then add all those Accessories.
Our August 2021 GXL with full tank, Tow Bar and 2 passengers & no luggage is 2490kg (weighbridge). About to fit a Smartbar, 200kg of Tow ball weight will leave us with 250kg left for anything else. There is no way you want to be anywhere near Gross Max on corrugated rough roads. We have the premium interior (leather seats). Are you thinking of a second battery?
Mark

[gmore Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close gmore]

Hey all, am in the same process - I am keen on a VX, but my main consideration is of course leather, but also stereo - I have a crappy stereo on my Paj Sport and every time I get in my wife's car it is so much nicer.

I know I could get aftermarket, but would prefer not to.

Does anyone know the current wait time on a VX and also the deposit required? I have rang but waiting on a call back.

Also with every car I have always got tyres changed before pickup - am loving my Falken Wild Peaks at the moment so would defo be looking at swapping the 19" for 17",,,, has anyone got any experience with this before pickup?? Keen to see the tradein value for it all.

Would be getting it salary sacrifice so want to get everything done before pickup.... am looking at:
1. Bullbar (I like loopless)
2. Roof rack
3. Tow ball
4. Lift
5. Bash Plates

Anything else I am missing??

Thanks

Nick

i am in the same boat, $500 deposit, about 6 months wait.

you will be paying quite a bit of Luxury tax on that for no good reason. the problem with the vx is, its over the 67k luxury car cap. so anything over that you have to pay additionally every month post tax. so the more you add to it pre-delivery the less tax benefit you get. I left everything out, and just got the tow pack thrown in.

i will get everything else after delivery so i don't have to pay additional tax on it. we talking about 33% extra for no good reason.