First Time Prado Buyer

[fin7 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close fin7]

Hi Guys,

I'm Shaun - I've just joined the forum. I'm hoping to become a owner off a used Prado over the next few months. My budget is about 22k so probably looking at a 8-10 year old model. I wont be doing a lot of hard core off roading but would like to take a two month trip around Vic/SA and south west WA, this trip will probably be mostly tarmac roads, I wont be towing anything too big if at all.

I'm looking at the GXL at a realistic option, most of them on the Toyota dealers have around 250K > KM's, can get a better deal on gumtree but like to safety of buying from a dealer. I've checked out some of the other threads on things to look out for when buying used e.g. cracked dashboards, seals/cracks on rear door etc.

Just wondering what is considered too many KM's when buying used? Is 250-300K KM's risky or ok if the car has been serviced correctly regularly?

Though this would be the best place to get things going and most of you guys have owned Prado's for a long time.

I would be grateful if you have any advice.

cheers,

Shaun

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

You looking at petrol or diesel ?? makes a big difference in what you can buy.....Cheers Steve

[fin7 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close fin7]

thanks Steve, either Steve to be honest. Presuming diesel engine lasts a long time?

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

Don't always presume, petrol is just as bullet proof.

Hutch- Prado 150 with some TJM Kit.

[fin7 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close fin7]

Don't always presume, petrol is just as bullet proof.

Hutch- Prado 150 with some TJM Kit.

So would 250k km's be considered ok for a well serviced petrol engine.

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

I had 300k on my 90 series 3.4lt petrol was still in great condition


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[retroenduro Member Find all posts View Profile Close retroenduro]

i had a 120 diesel (KZTE) which i bought for 23k with 245000 on the clock. I racked up another 55k before someone drove into it.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

As Hutch said Shaun, the petrols are doing just as many klms as the diesels and to be honest with less engine problems. Just read through the issues with the diesels over the petrols !!! Biggest issue with petrol would be fuel consumption but personally don't think its anywhere near over the top like you hear some people express. There probably come from a Toyota yaris to a 2 and a bit tonne prado (I'm not referring to people on here). You would certainly get a lower klm petrol over diesel and I would be looking at late 04 upwards as they have the 5 speed auto (you don't say auto or manual) and they modified a couple of other things like rear door hinge (use to sag) also exhaust manifolds (some sound like they have an exhaust leak, some still do it though). I had two 90 series (1 petrol one turbo diesel both grandes) and now on a 05 V6 120 series GXL and reckon out of all three prados would be the best so far. Heaps of go (if needed) but drive it hard and you will be visiting the servo more often then the diesel lol but easy driving even with mods around town will give you 15/16L per 100, on a trip mine averages 11.4L per 100/11.6L loaded with some mods, this is no towing or off road. I havn't done a check either towing or sand driving (that might be scary lol) but honestly in my own opinion I'm extremely happy with mine. At present my dash is ok but its an extremely common problem. Once they start they go in a big way. Keep your eye out, heaps about that have just been used for shopping trips and running kids to school. Also don't forget you can get the option pack which also adds traction control, down hill assist, duel air etc but not a lot around with this on the GLX but there are a few GX's with it. If you go the GX get the series two a lot better, look more like a GXL.....Where in Sydney are you located ??? Cheers Steve

[fin7 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close fin7]

As Hutch said Shaun, the petrols are doing just as many klms as the diesels and to be honest with less engine problems. Just read through the issues with the diesels over the petrols !!! Biggest issue with petrol would be fuel consumption but personally don't think its anywhere near over the top like you hear some people express. There probably come from a Toyota yaris to a 2 and a bit tonne prado (I'm not referring to people on here). You would certainly get a lower klm petrol over diesel and I would be looking at late 04 upwards as they have the 5 speed auto (you don't say auto or manual) and they modified a couple of other things like rear door hinge (use to sag) also exhaust manifolds (some sound like they have an exhaust leak, some still do it though). I had two 90 series (1 petrol one turbo diesel both grandes) and now on a 05 V6 120 series GXL and reckon out of all three prados would be the best so far. Heaps of go (if needed) but drive it hard and you will be visiting the servo more often then the diesel lol but easy driving even with mods around town will give you 15/16L per 100, on a trip mine averages 11.4L per 100/11.6L loaded with some mods, this is no towing or off road. I havn't done a check either towing or sand driving (that might be scary lol) but honestly in my own opinion I'm extremely happy with mine. At present my dash is ok but its an extremely common problem. Once they start they go in a big way. Keep your eye out, heaps about that have just been used for shopping trips and running kids to school. Also don't forget you can get the option pack which also adds traction control, down hill assist, duel air etc but not a lot around with this on the GLX but there are a few GX's with it. If you go the GX get the series two a lot better, look more like a GXL.....Where in Sydney are you located ??? Cheers Steve

thanks Steve, great advice.

I've no real preference over petrol or diesel or manual or auto, I've always owned manual cars but for this purchase I'm looking bang for my buck. If that means a petrol auto so be it. It would be great to pick up one that was used for school and shopping trips, I'm in the eastern suburbs (Rose Bay) so probably a good place to start looking around and opening up the search a bit.