need some advise on buyying 1st 4WD

[shawie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shawie]

Hi Guys
im thinking of buying a 98 petrol 5spd manual prado no mods and this being my first truck i'm after advice i have a young family with one child and we wanna start to get away camping abit more off road insted of going to camping parks and being around 1000 other ppl
the prado im looking at has about 118 k on it if any one can give me some advise on the prado good and or bad i would welcome it

Thanks
Craig

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

Re: need some advise on buyying 1st 4WD

Hi Craig. Welcome to Pradopoint.
I don't know much about the 90 series but like any 12yo vehicle see if you can get your local motoring organisation ie NRMA etc to give it a once over. Is it in a dealership or private sale. Maybe see if you can get it to a reputable 4WD service centre for a pre-purchase inspection. At less than 10,000km per year on average this car appears to have travelled it all comes down to overall condition and price.

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: need some advise on buyying 1st 4WD

Hi and welcome.
From what you describe, the Prado would probably suit you quite well.
There is a wealth of information about what to look out for when buying second hand on this site if you are prepared to look around.
In addition to the first reply which is all good advice :
If you can get one with some extras included, such as upgraded suspension, AT tyres, bullbar, dual battery system, roof rack and perhaps a storage system in back it will shorten your set up time and make it more suitable for off roading and camping. You'd just need to look for signs of a hard life.
Many people fit all the "fruit" and then just use it on the blacktop, so you can get lucky. And one with several extras should not cost much more than a stock vehicle.

I'd also suggest you join a family oriented 4WD Club, even before you buy a vehicle. Not only will you learn about how to set up and go offroading safely, but also bush camping techniques and maybe some "special" places that the club members might know about.

[shawie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shawie]

Re: need some advise on buyying 1st 4WD

thanks for the advice guys the truck was sold before i could go back and get it inspected i guess it wasnt ment to be
Just another quick question diesel or petrol what do people perfer
my father inlaw is a landcruiser man which is good cos he will help meset it but all he has had was diesel
Craig

[grizzly63 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close grizzly63]

Re: need some advise on buyying 1st 4WD

G'day Craig,
Firstly , you're thinking Prado so i reckon your on the right track to start with!! About 6 months ago we traded in our 1997 3.4l Petrol/auto,when we bought it, it had about 200 000 on the clock in 2004, when we traded it had 325 000 on it and we did some good sand work and outback stuff with it. In our time the only hassles we had were starter motor replacement, a small air/con prob. and the usual battery/tyre replacements etc.It still ran sweet the only problem being the paint starting to fade/peel?? It was a blue/ grey colour, sorry not good on colours! Maybe we got lucky but it looks to me that you can get a good 2nd hand Prado, to me they seem to last well!!
Good luck to Ya! once you get one I know you will enjoy it!
Cheers
Grizz.

[wes Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wes]

Re: need some advise on buyying 1st 4WD

I'd also suggest you join a family oriented 4WD Club, even before you buy a vehicle.

Shawie,

As ozwapet has said join a family orientated club as they will be able to help you out and advise as much as possible.

Since getting our 120 series we were in the same boat as you,unsure what we needed and also the training/experience the club will provide you.
Send me a pm and we may be able to catch up as i noticed in your profile you are from wollongong.

[shawie Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close shawie]

Re: need some advise on buyying 1st 4WD

thanks heaps guys this is a really good site load of information for ppl like my self to pick ppl's brains
i have a bout $15000 to spend any ideas what would be best suited for mearound that price

Craig