AnswerID: 87065 Submitted: Thursday, Dec 02, 2004 at 21:41
Member - Captain (WA)
replied:
Hi Peter,
I know your dilema, I went through it just on a year ago now. Having had an 80 series diesel and reckoning it was god's gift to 4WDrivers, I was very keen on another cruiser. But Toyota wouldn't sell me a live axle T/D 100 series (either GXL or standard), even when I said I would wait 6 months for a special order and pay what they asked! And no, I wasn't going to put an aftermarket turbo on a brand new vehicle and lose my warranty.
Yes, I could have gone 100 series IFS and had all the benefits of on-road performance, and yes, an IFS would have got me through anywhere I have been with my Patrol so far. But now that the IFS 100's are cracking "A" arms when fitted with dual batts, steel bars and winch, well I am glad I went live axle. I am certain that Toyota will eventually fix all up under warranty, but it does highlight the "softening" of the 100 series over the 80.
So, enter the Prado. Well, same problem with IFS, plus all that chrome. Yes its a great vehicle and it too would have got me everywhere my Patrol has been, but for whatever reason the Prado just didn't do it for me. I test drove a range pf Prado's and they where definetly the pick of the bunch on-road. Great fit and finish, great rode manners and overall a very "stylish" vehicle - but just not for me.
While there are others like the Discovery, Pajero, Terracan and Explorer, they too are pretty good vehicles but was not keen on them due to IFS. Yes the Discovery is live axle I know!, no real reason why I discounted it and was probably to my detriment but just no "chemistry".
So that left the Patrol (in my books). As I only wanted a diesel, the decision was 3.0TD or 4.2TD. After driving them both, there is no comparison. The only advantage the 4.2TD had (driving wise) was the bottome end torque, but a Dtronic has improved this problem. The real issue for me was the question mark on the reliability of the 3.0TD. Great engine but bad reliability rep at the time. As I get to replace my vehicle every 3 years, it was always goin to be under warranty so while it was a concern it was never going to cost me money down the track. But I fully understand others in a different boat wanting the proven reliability of the 4.2TD, no-one can argue about that.
After having the 3.0TD for a year now, I reckon it was the best decision for me. Yes it drives like a truck in comparison to the Prado, but thats part of the 4WD character. Yes a Prado would have, on paper, been better technically for what I do. But somehow I don't think a glitzy looking IFS 4WD would provoke the same emotion for me as the boxy, live axle "truck" thats my GU.
Bottom line is, all are great vehicle, you just need to work out which one will "do it" for you.
Cheers
Captain
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| Its not what you drive, but how you drive it!
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Reply 16 of 18
FollowupID: 345824 Submitted:
Friday, Dec 03, 2004 at 11:16
Member - Captain (WA) posted:
Hi Go-offroad,
I'm not justifying my purchase, just explaining how I arrived at my decision. Another person with the same requirements could have easily gone another path, thats what personal choice is all about. There is no right or wrong answer here, just what suits the individual.
As for ego, well their your words. I just want a vehicle I am happy with, not what my neighbour or some
forum member I have never met reckons would suit me better!!!
If you like the Prado, thats great. But why you have to denigrate anyone who buys anything other than a Toyota shows your bias and ignorance. Your constant remarks about people "buying what they can afford" is very degragotory. I see you as another victim of marketing. Unless you have what "the Jones" think is the best, you don't seem to be happy. Then you add the cost of the purchase and justify your choice that because it costs more, it must be better. Is your ego so fragile that you need others to prop you up?
Me, well, I am lucky enough to be in a position where I could have bought whatever I wanted, so I did!!! Just because it wasn't a Toyota doesn't mean it wasn't the best vehicle for me. Sure, there are plenty of areas where the Toyota is much better. But overall, I prefered the Nissan package for ME. Hey, I even tried to order a Toyota, but Toyota wouldn't make it for me!!!
As for IFS, my comment on the Prado wasn't meant to infer that the 100 series problem was reflected in the Prado. But after I posted i saw how it looked and thought "when is go-offroad going to reply to that!". It was meant to be a generalisation that I do not like IFS on 4WD's. I know that IFS has significant advantages in some areas, but I don't like the trade-offs. Others do and thats great. I have previously owned an IFS 4WD so know the benefits and limitations.
Yes, I do know the difference between 100 series IFS and Prado IFS. Not only that, but my brother has a Prado and he swears by it and so I know just how good it is (and whats under its skin). we have been on many a trip together and he has always got where I have, and probably just as easily too!
If I bought what was most functional for purpose, I would have a Hyundai Excel !!! I unfortunately spend most of the time driving myself to and from work all day and any 4WD is not the best choice. But then I would never be able to tow my van or go offroad at all then would I. So, most functional is not always most pratical!!!
Hopefully one day you will see there are more opinions in this world than yours. None are right or wrong, they are just opinions. There is no need to denigrate others just because they do not hold the same opinion as yourself.
Have a wonderful day
Cheers
Captain
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| Its not what you drive, but how you drive it!
|
FollowUp 2 of 12
FollowupID: 345865 Submitted:
Friday, Dec 03, 2004 at 13:37
GO_OFFROAD posted:
Captain,
its ok, you dont have to explain, really, I never asked you to justify, or explain, i was just commenting on what you had already said, good to see you did try and explain whay you were trying to say re IFS though in answer to that question.
And my "buying what you can afford" only seems to upset those who have the cheaper item of the 2, which tends to prove the point on what I think, not because of what I have, but because of the way everyone else proves it to me, if I were playing keeping up witht he Jones, I wouldnt of got a troopy, or a runout model prado, and would of paid more for the 120 2 weeks later, but like youve admitted, Im some bloke on a
forum youve never met, and quite obviously, dont understand......
Like I said, maybe Im just to practical, and buy things with my head, instead of my heart.........or wallet........
FollowUp 4 of 12
