Tweet
Re: 200 series balancing act..
We were seriously considering the petrol GXL 200 and I guess I could summarise our test drive and tyre kicking/research session as follows:
Positives:
KDSS on the petrol model gives great handling for such a big wagon
very good ride
acres of space
power to burn
cruiser ability
presence
good deal on the petrol cause they can't shift 'em (5.9% finance) and $59K for a demo
Negatives:
GXL petrol official figures of 14.5 or thereabouts not close to the real world figures people seem to be achieving (it's basically the old 4.7 v8 after all)
no accessory power outlet in the back
not as much range as the prado (fuel tank size)
future resale likely to be painful based on the way long term fuel prices are headed
clumsy styling (esp front end)
high sides likely to give little kids limited view of the touring we do
no roof rails (not a major -ve I know)
basic interior for such an expensive car
(and this was a killer for us)...no height adjustment on drivers seat
- I don't fancy staring out through the sunstrip and ducking down to see what the lights are doing ahead
Very nice car but not good value for money in my opinion...diesel would be a gorgeous proposition but still a thirsty car and 10k extra over the same trim level petrol is a gouge if you ask me. Also, diesel doesn't come with the KDSS system that comes std in the petrol.
We ended up buying a Grande diesel Prado - mainly for its towing prowess but also for it's on-road comfort and composure. Sometimes I see a tricked out cruiser 200 and get a tinge of regret - I wanted to like it more but my head told me to walk away...
We were seriously considering the petrol GXL 200 and I guess I could summarise our test drive and tyre kicking/research session as follows:
Positives:
KDSS on the petrol model gives great handling for such a big wagon
very good ride
acres of space
power to burn
cruiser ability
presence
good deal on the petrol cause they can't shift 'em (5.9% finance) and $59K for a demo
Negatives:
GXL petrol official figures of 14.5 or thereabouts not close to the real world figures people seem to be achieving (it's basically the old 4.7 v8 after all)
no accessory power outlet in the back
not as much range as the prado (fuel tank size)
future resale likely to be painful based on the way long term fuel prices are headed
clumsy styling (esp front end)
high sides likely to give little kids limited view of the touring we do
no roof rails (not a major -ve I know)
basic interior for such an expensive car
(and this was a killer for us)...no height adjustment on drivers seat
- I don't fancy staring out through the sunstrip and ducking down to see what the lights are doing ahead Very nice car but not good value for money in my opinion...diesel would be a gorgeous proposition but still a thirsty car and 10k extra over the same trim level petrol is a gouge if you ask me. Also, diesel doesn't come with the KDSS system that comes std in the petrol.
We ended up buying a Grande diesel Prado - mainly for its towing prowess but also for it's on-road comfort and composure. Sometimes I see a tricked out cruiser 200 and get a tinge of regret - I wanted to like it more but my head told me to walk away...
Comment