Prado v Patrol
Submitted: Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 11:58
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Justin
I know it's like flogging a dead horse but i'll throw this question up and see if anyone can help sway me the right way. 1st of all what I want is a TD 100 series L/Cruiser but I am not a millionaire! I was all keen on the new Patrol 3.0TD ST but I am very concerned about the motor. It seems that there is heaps of posts about Patrols having probs but hardly any about Toyotas. I live in Central Qld and all our work fleet of 4WDs are toyota (which are worked into the ground) as the Patrols shook to pieces (maybe cause they were too comfortable so the drivers went faster?). I have an 80 series and a pulsar now and want to upgrade both into 1 vehicle. The Mrs will drive it mostly, but I want to be able to do decent 4WDing (nothing too excessive), load it up for our annual trip to NT towing a boat (light). It seems that the GX has almost everything for a toyota base model (except aircon) but doesn't look as good as the GXL. Is the Prado just a toy or comparable to the legendary Cruiser & Patrol?
How stong is the Toyota black bbar (and is it steel?). Can you fit scub bars to the Prado. What vehicle drives better. Where will I get the better price, Nissan gave me a drive away price of $52k for heaps of extras.
I am so confused! I have very sexy fingers and anything I touch I _______ Is there any extended warranty for the Prados? Any replys I would appreciate.
Below is my wish list that I would want to work towards:
· Air Con
· Towbar
·
Driving Lights (2 x Pencil) with Protectors
· Black Steel Bbar
· Black Steel Side Bars (____mm OD pipe) with pipe continuing along the factory alloy Side Steps or replace steps with steel ones
· Cruise Control (controller on steering wheel)
·
Snorkel
· Turbo Timer (if needed)
· Canvas
Seat Covers for 1st & 2nd Rows (what happens on the 2nd row of seats with the arm rests?)
· Headlight and Bonnet Protectors
· Rear Dust Deflector
· Drivers & Passenger Air Bags
· Cargo Barrier - suitable for either behind the 1st or 2nd row of seats
· Roof cargo rack
· Extended Warranty
· Tyres - Coopers - AT or ST
·
Suspension - OME (LATER)
· Tinted windows
· Shovel or jerry can holders from spare wheel
· Rear false floor/storage draws
· TX4400 UHF
· MP3 CD PLayer
Reply By: fozzy - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 12:50
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 12:50
rumor has it updated prado on way is six speed manual
this may be old news now
AnswerID:
74240
Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 12:59
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 12:59
what I want is a TD 100 series L/Cruiser but I am not a millionaire!
You answered your own question at the end of this line.
Looking at your wish list, thats about $30k, so the $30k you saved on the cruiser you can actually afford some of your wishlist.
YMMV
AnswerID:
74242
Follow Up By: Justin - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 13:05
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 13:05
$30k - I think $10k would pull the accessories up. Even if I got the TD Cruiser I would have to get the same accessories.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 13:23
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 13:23
. Air Con - $2000
· Towbar $300?
·
Driving Lights (2 x Pencil) with Protectors $3-400
· Black Steel Bbar $1000
· Black Steel Side Bars (____mm OD pipe) with pipe continuing along the factory alloy Side Steps or replace steps with steel ones $1000
· Cruise Control (controller on steering wheel) $500
·
Snorkel $500
· Turbo Timer (if needed) $200
· Canvas
Seat Covers for 1st & 2nd Rows $800-1000
· Headlight and Bonnet Protectors OEM? $few hunge
· Rear Dust Deflector $1-200
· Drivers & Passenger Air Bags $1500-2000
· Cargo Barrier - suitable for either behind the 1st or 2nd row of seats $500
· Roof cargo rack $800-1200
· Extended Warranty nfi
· Tyres - Coopers - AT or ST $1000-1500
·
Suspension - OME (LATER) $1000
· Tinted windows $500 for quality
· Shovel or jerry can holders from spare wheel Shovel holder incorp into roofrack is better. less weight on door hinges. (if you have cruiser spare is under the car, some larger tires dont fit in this space, so need rear wheel carrier at ~$1500-2000
· Rear false floor/storage draws $2000
· TX4400 UHF $400
· MP3 CD PLayer $500
Adds up quick eh + fitting.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: srowlandson - Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 13:08
Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 13:08
bruce bruce bruce,
you should research before posting,
you will find the follow items (don't know where you
shop but man you pay high prices)
Driver Passenger Airbags are standard across the Prado Range.
GXL (model in question) has factory fitted Cruise,
Bonnet and HEadlight protectors are about $50 each last few sets i have purchased.
Even adding your prices i am pushed to get more than $10,000
Steve
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Reply By: GeoffSA - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 12:59
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 12:59
Justin,
The old story about the 3.0L's is now getting quite large, but the funny thing is you only hear about problems and not the good things.
I have had a 3.0L since May 2000, and as yet haven't blown my motor (80,000 K's).
I wouldn't swap it for quids. Good fuel economy, tows my camper easily (offroad as
well), roomy interior, very comfortable, good price.
I hope this helps.
AnswerID:
74243
Reply By: srowlandson - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 13:07
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 13:07
I had a GU 3.0 TD from Sept 200o - March 2003, had a heap of trouble with it. Traded it (with 99,270km on the clock) for a new Prado GX Manual TD and after having both cars, the Prado is be far the best option.
Took the Prado up the Cape last year, did it with ease. A few times i have said tomyself when offroad it would be nice to have the Patrol and its 35" tyres, Solid front axle as it would drive a couple of
places a bit easier, but then each time i cruise around the city or down the highway i remember why the Prado is better...
The Prado in my opinion is finished better, a lot of little features that make you go 'ah, thats neat'.
Resale, i'd say the Prado would be better off, and i got a 5 year, unlimited Km warranty when I purchased
mine, but you can extend the factory warranty by another 5 years i beleive.
and the list of extra's you have will be no where near $30k, So ignore Bruce... He just likes to complain about money.
Steve
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Chris (W.A.) - Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 06:57
Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 06:57
So what is the difference between a Prado Landcruiser and a Landcruiser?
Is it correct to assume that it's the in between the HiLUx and Landcruiser?
Big brother of Hilux?
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Reply By: CHRIS - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 14:01
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 14:01
I just went through the same exercise and decided on none of them at the moment. Currently have a 60 series Turbo Diesel Sahara manual which has never missed a beat. Had a look at them all but was unimpressed with the underside protection. The Prado being the worst with the fuel
tank waiting to get ripped off and the exhaust going under the transmission in the same boat. The Cruiser is the same as the GU Patrol with virtually no protection for your transmission. The Independant suspenion I don't like on the Toyota's, the engine I do, but that is stuffed again by a sh--t engine in the Nissan ( 3 LTR) but a bullet proof driveline. Unfortuneately I want to go back to one vehicle also but with the Nissan you can't get the 4.2 TD with auto. ( for the wife). The new Prado is coming out with a 5 speed auto if thats any help. So after reading all the reports on various vehicles on this
forum I decided to keep old faithfull as it never lets me down and I don't have to worry about the scratches and the loads of bull dust that takes me months to get out after I go shooting. Probably going to cop some flack over this lot, especially from Captain, but then I'm told his only a Sunday driver and not to take him seriously.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Greg Harewood - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 15:00
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 15:00
Justin - Toyota supplied Prado "black" roo bars are made of aluminuim.
Cheers
Greg
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Reply By: Member - Kevin R (QLD) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 16:03
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 16:03
Justin,
Have 2002 td prado - travelled 90000 k with virtually no warranty claims.The only major weakness with the prado is the
suspension,in patricular the front which becomes very saggy when you load on bull bar,winch and dual battery setup.I cured this problem with ome
suspension ($1460) which I am very happy with. Have just returned from 7,500km trip Cairns/NT return across the gulf. Prado had no dramas at all. In short I highly recommend them.
Cheers
Kevin
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Justin - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 16:07
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 16:07
Just got back from the Toyota dealer and not impressed with the price or service. Called ARB for there advice and accessories for both vehicles and they opinion was definately Patrol. Still undecided - I get set on one and then the next day change my mind.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Phil G - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 19:33
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 19:33
With all due respect to ARB, the opinion you got would have been a personal one, and may be coloured by the fact that if you buy a Patrol, you'll probably need to buy more accessories from ARB.
Buy a Patrol, and you may want lockers, bigger fuel
tank,rear wheel carrier, Kaymar rear bar, side steps and bar, etc which are either not available, not needed, or not wanted on a Prado.
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Follow Up By: NissanofOld - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 20:30
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 20:30
'Buy a Patrol, and you may want lockers, bigger fuel
tank,rear wheel carrier, Kaymar rear bar, side steps and bar, etc which are either not available, not needed, or not wanted on a Prado.'
Pardon? Would you explain what you mean by all this?
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Follow Up By: Phil G - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 20:56
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 20:56
OK, Front lockers are not available for the 120 Prado. Prado has 180litres as standard and no aftermarket alternatives are available. Rear wheel carriers are not used on the Prado because the spare is mounted on the tailgate already and Kaymar do not make a rear wheel carrier or rear bar. Side protection bars and chassis-mounted sidesteps are not available for the Prado.
So.... If I was making a living out of selling accessories, the choice is easy.....Recommend the vehicle where I can make the most money.
FollowupID:
334241
Follow Up By: NissanofOld - Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 07:08
Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 07:08
OK, I gather you meant, 'Buy a Patrol, or else you will need accessories that the Patrol doesn't need, or you can choose to buy, but don't have that option with the Prado'.
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Reply By: Martyn (WA) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 21:06
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 21:06
Justin,
I've got a 2000 GU 3.0 TD, fitted a few of the extras you've mentioned, I've gone for the rear drawers as
well they're useful. Personally I'm not a Tojo fan I like my Nissan, I liked my GQ before my GU. The plastic bits on the arches can certainly catch you out, as can the cost of the rear bumper end sections. Fellow in our club has just smashed his front diff in his LC100, just got 25K on the clock, he's struggling with the warranty claim because he's got an air locker in the front. Still waiting to here the outcome of this one. All vehicles have their problems and pleasures, your best going with how it feels for you, I didn't like the Tojo driving position personally, I love the driving position in my Rangie, hate the oil leaks and I have now developed a fear of
water / puddles. Off road, awesome even on tiddly little tyres.
Your choice, if you don't like it you can always change it, just costs money........
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Cocka - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 22:45
Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 22:45
Justin we all have a wish list but we all start at the bottom and work our way up. Like a lot of todays society you want instant gratification. The list says it - I want - I want - I want.
None of our decisions are ever perfect but we live with it and learn.
The two vehicles in question are entirely different in character. Crawl around underneath (and I mean get right under) and compare the two. One is built for tough work the other for more the "gentleman" type part time 4WD'er. If you try to make your judgement based on the "extras" scenario you will loose track of what kind of vehicle you really want and what you want to use it for.
You will get a hundred different stories about love - hate relationships with vehicles. Personally I think that by now the new 3.0l Td Patrols will have really corrected the inital problems they had and from my estimates it may have only been 5-10% of the early produced vehicles.
Just make a decision based on your own good judgement.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Bob - Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 10:16
Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 10:16
Justin,
how important is appearance to you? One of them looks like an overly chromed juke box that no amount of black bull bar would disguise. The other looks like a 4WD.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Allfour4x4 - Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 16:18
Saturday, Aug 28, 2004 at 16:18
True, but most of the chrome comes off the Nissan after a couple of outings :-)
Glenn B.
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Reply By: Joe - Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 21:17
Sunday, Aug 29, 2004 at 21:17
Hi Justin,
After driving some 13 units I bought the Prado 120 V6. Upgraded the suspention,diff lock on rear, Cooper STT tyres. Extra bash plate under front,
snorkel.
I beleive I have, probably the best combination of driving luxury,urban performace and off road performance.Have travelled some 35,000km, mostly off road travelling with Nissans,80 series and 100series and I'm not the one who gets stuck.
The Prado is refered to as "medium size" We ran a tape over it compared to an 80 series and prado was tad wider and longer.
A recent 3 week Simpson trip again showed that 120 V6 out performed everyone including the desiels and fuel difference was not worth measuring.
I believe the IFS is designed better than 100 series unit.
Just test drive them all and go to dealers near the edge of town where you can get off road and try some steep rough hills,taking each unit in turn through same course. I did just that and you will soon decide what works for you
Joe
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