2004 Prado
Submitted: Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004 at 14:50
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riccardo
Hi
We are just about to
sign off on a petrol 4.0l Prado. I would like any
feedback in terms of performance lts/100kms etc and general impressions from any owners of the current shaped Prado.
We also have a 2002 Nissan Patrol 4.8 petrol that we would like to put on the market, any suggestions where to best advertise it in the
Brisbane area??
Thanks
Richard
Reply By: Outnabout David (SA) - Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004 at 17:38
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004 at 17:38
Riccardo,
The only problem with them in my opinion over the previous model is the approach departure angle. I scraped the rear bumper a few times when I got it. The front has been overcome somewhat with a new ARB Bull bar. This week I upgraded the
suspension to OME and have got a 65mm intial lift prior to settling.
Any serious off roader needs an upgrade anyway plus this one takes out some of the harshness of the factory
suspension.
Can't help you with the fuel as
mine is diesel.We have so little time to enjoy our land
AnswerID:
48062
Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004 at 21:27
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004 at 21:27
David,
Whats with the P plate in the window...or do you need that when traversing a steep
hill :-)))))))))))))Willem
Little Dip Cons Park S.A.
FollowupID:
310022
Follow Up By: Outnabout David (SA) - Thursday, Feb 26, 2004 at 10:57
Thursday, Feb 26, 2004 at 10:57
Willem,
Trust you to notice the "P" Plate but it is quite innocent really. One of the daughters just got her licence and I have a son about to get one so now they want to get into the 4WDing so it might get handy if I ever get "p"for p....issed!We have so little time to enjoy our land
FollowupID:
310078
Reply By: landcrusa - Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004 at 23:37
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004 at 23:37
A reasonable car, but not a robust 4x4. 16l/100k around town. 13l/100k open road. Don't buy one unless you are prepared for all the teething problems and have the extra cash for the neccesary mods to make it a 4x4. See the lcool 120 list.
1. Vibrations, Drivetrain and Bullbar
2. Ticking exhaust
3. Poor aircon
4. Front diff clearance, crappy bash plate
5. 17" Wheels, no after market tyres of OEM size.
6. Departure angle
etc, etc, etc
AnswerID:
48126
Follow Up By: Outnabout David (SA) - Thursday, Feb 26, 2004 at 11:03
Thursday, Feb 26, 2004 at 11:03
Landcrusa,
Poor air cond on what models? There have been a few crook TX valves on GXL's and the Grande is a bit iffy if you have the cooler box in the console on as it takes a lot of the air away. Both problems fixed with some knowledge or a chat top the right people.
Kelly and Bridgestone both have tyres of the original size. or you can go up a profile in size for BFG's, Cooper, Mickey Thompson etc.
Got to get used to 17"as they will all go that way soon just as they went from 15"to 16" same problem then as now. but its the only way to get bigger brakes and that alone is worth it.We have so little time to enjoy our land
FollowupID:
310079
Follow Up By: landcrusa - Thursday, Feb 26, 2004 at 22:45
Thursday, Feb 26, 2004 at 22:45
I have a Grande with factory installed air which does not work properly. TX valve has been exchanged once already and did not fix it. Still waiting for another. There are many reports of GXL's blowing hot and cold also. Who are the right people?
Are those tyre brands available for the Grande OEM size ? I can't find a tyre dealer with anything, nor am I real keen on Kelly or Bridgestone.
On the subject of brakes my 100 series with 16" was far superior to the Grande with 17", despite it being heavier.
FollowupID:
310166
Follow Up By: Outnabout David (SA) - Friday, Feb 27, 2004 at 22:11
Friday, Feb 27, 2004 at 22:11
Landcrusa,
If you are not keen on the kelly or bridgestone then go up to The 70 series profile and get BFG, Cooper, Mickey Thompson etc. The 4 litre will certainly have the grunt to turn the wheels. If you are seriously off roading then perhaps the Grande is not the best car mainly due to the
suspension side of things and yes the 100 series would be a better proposition.
Re the air the right people may be the air technicians in the bigger dealerships. I think there has been a lot of correspondence to the dealers about Grande in particular.
You must have had a special 100 series because the GXL 120 brakes on
mine are far better than the previous models or the 100 series I have driven.We have so little time to enjoy our land
FollowupID:
310299
Follow Up By: landcrusa - Friday, Feb 27, 2004 at 23:05
Friday, Feb 27, 2004 at 23:05
Sounds like I need to add faulty brakes to the common defects list. I have driven three 120 series and they all braked the same, poor :)
100 series brakes send you through the windscreen if you're not careful.
FollowupID:
310309
Reply By: RainMaker - Friday, Feb 27, 2004 at 11:57
Friday, Feb 27, 2004 at 11:57
Hi Richard,
I bought a GXL 4.0L Manual, picked up in October 2003.
My view, it's great. The wife loves driving it too.
I've read of these other problems, but can't say I've experienced any, though I do occasionally hear the choof-choof sound from the exhaust under load. As they say, no matter how many good things are mentioned, people only seem to remember or communicate the bad ones.
I can't give any comments on rough area travelling yet. I'm still setting things up, plus a 10month old daughter has knobled us a bit.
I live in the
Adelaide hills and I drive to work each day, which is a combination of city, freeway and hills driving (@ 110km/hr). Now, I don't hammer the car, but I don't wrap it in cotton-wool either. At this stage, I'm averaging about 12.6ltr/100km (on PULP), which I think is quite good.
Performance wise, I think it's quite good. It'll pull up the long hills on the freeway in 5th without any problems. OK, it's not as good as my previous ride (5.7lt SS Ute), but I didn't expect it to be.
For us, the GXL will do most things we require, and do it in a fair bit of comfort. We're not competing in competitions etc. but we do want to get out to some of the more inaccessible areas. A bit of common sense and we'll do all the things we aim to.
AnswerID:
48360