Upgrade

[Labs Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Labs]

Hi guys,
after some opinions... I’m thinking about upgrading (maybe downgrading depending on your thoughts) from my 2014 150 gxl prado to a 200 series vx Landcruiser... what are the pros and cons ??? Thanks
Steve

[tempestv8 Member Find all posts View Profile Close tempestv8]

Hi Steve,

You didn't say whether it is a new 200 Series VX or a used one.
Caveat emptor when buying any used vehicle, so get it tested out before parting with your money, as any used vehicle purchase may be due to previous owner trying to offload a vehicle that is suss, perhaps mistreated, repaired, etc.

But assuming it's new, the new VX misses out on some features that are now standard in the current 150 Series - no radar cruise control for example. Other negatives include a smaller fuel tank (138 litres instead of Prado's 150) but surprisingly, when towing something very heavy like a 3000 kg caravan, the V8's fuel consumption is similar to the 4 cylinder Prado engine because it is not working nearly as hard. Not to mention you will have power to spare for overtaking. Uphill even.

A new 200 Series will be very unlikely to have any DPF issues, but the early ones (MY16) had issues. Anyway now all Toyotas have a 5 year factory warranty which is reassuring.

The body is wider so this gives a tangible sense of extra interior space, which does have lots of.

The clamshell tailgate is useful as a mini shelf/seat/table and overhead shelter. But it makes it harder to reach in all the way to the back of the cargo space.

The one big disadvantage of a 200 Series is that once you get used to all the torque from the diesel V8, it will be extremely hard to go back to a 4 cylinder TD Prado down the track. You will expect similar performance for the not insignificant money that is spent on a new Prado purchase.

The lower front fenders make it easier to work on the engine bay of the 200 Series, if you are handy and like to add modifications to your vehicle, e.g. installing a deep cycle battery.

Disadvantages:

Need to spend money to install an oil catch can, extra fuel filter, to a 200 Series to increase longevity. And like a new Prado, dust will seep past the rubber seals of the engine air filter, so my advice is to apply an even layer of rubber grease to the oil filter element to stop fine dust getting past (same solution, just different shaped engine air filter compared to the Prado).

[tempestv8 Member Find all posts View Profile Close tempestv8]

Other advantages: Tow capacity @ 3500 kg, and heavier kerb weight means a superior tow machine, as alluded to earlier with the overtaking capability. And in line with towing, the factory rear reverse camera does show the tow ball so reversing to attach the tow hitch is a cinch.

Arguably better resale value down the track.

There are lots of Android head unit options for the VX, so you can install aftermarket head units easily and have features like Apple Carplay, Android Auto, and if you opt for larger screens, running mapping apps like Oziexplorer becomes a joy to use due to the extra screen real estate.

Other disadvantages:

Things to watch out for: If you lift the front suspension and you plan to do a lot of offroading, a installing a diff drop kit will save you from an exploding CV joint when spinning wheels come into sudden contact with terra firma.

The extra width can make squeezing into carparks a bit more of a precision activity.

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

Steve there's no comparison to a Prado. You'll love it.
Only downside is a new model will have DPF. Everyone I know who leases a new 200 every two years wants their old model back.
Resale of any 200 is simply amazing. Older models are going for almost their original sale price.
A heavy car, GCM is simply not right, should be heaps more. As a fully loaded 7-8-seater there's bugger all capacity left.
Servicing is going to cost more, they're a difficult vehicle to do any work on.

[Labs Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Labs]

Thanks guys , should have mentioned it will definitely be a new vehicle not second hand

[Labs Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Labs]

Steve there's no comparison to a Prado. You'll love it.
Only downside is a new model will have DPF. Everyone I know who leases a new 200 every two years wants their old model back.
Resale of any 200 is simply amazing. Older models are going for almost their original sale price.
A heavy car, GCM is simply not right, should be heaps more. As a fully loaded 7-8-seater there's bugger all capacity left.
Servicing is going to cost more, they're a difficult vehicle to do any work on.

I’ve heard that you can get the gcm and gvm upgrades before its first registration?

[Labs Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Labs]

I’ve put all those mods in my prado anyway, so doing things to help longevity doesn’t bother me as such .
more thinking what can it do that the prado can’t ( beside the towing weight which at the moment isn’t really an issue for me. Just hard to decide when the prado only has 120000 kms on it and I love it , and spending 100k on a new vehicle

[Guest Close Guest]

Just do it. I have both and you wont look back from a 200.
DPF issues are pretty well sorted now.
Dust past the filter is few and far between and pretty well only if used off-road weekly is it an issue.
The filter issue is easily fixed with a 5 buck giant O ring fix from Bunnings and not covering it in messy grease as everyone seems to do.

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

Have a cousin who bought a GX a few years ago. He had the GCM lifted to 4t and the GVM raised as well. All done by Toyota prior to hand over. Bugger-all involved, worst change was the removal of the main fuel tank!
After the Govt clamp down, I don't think you can get an existing vehicle's figures altered, unsure about a new sale.
Toyota needs to lift its game or it will lose sales to the big stuff coming from the US.
The GVM on a 200 is insufficient and it's GCM is competing for sales with rubbish advertised at 3.5t tow capacity.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Piggy can you give us details of the giant o ring for the air leaner please? Size, where it fits etc. Thanks.