Running costs for Prado - diesel vs petrol.

The V6 will work out cheaper in the long run than the diesel, and be much nicer to drive.

try joining the www.lcool.org 120 series or 90 series prado email lists for some good info from owners.

this link may also help with some info.

fuel simpson trip

Yes diesel costs more than regular ULP per litire. Most of the petrol 4wd owners I know end up going for BP Ultimate 98 high octaine fuel which is the same price if not more expensive than most diesel.
Diesel's do use less fuel per litire than equivlent petrols.
Diesel's MUST be serviced every 5000k's for longivity.
Petrol's SHOULD be serviced every 5000k's for longivity

But I don't drive a diesel because I think I'm saving $5 a week in fuel I drive them because I love them.

I've had petrol 4wd's prior to my last two diesels and can't see myself going back. They drive very well now days (these new fandangle diesels) and still give you the benifits of fuel avialibity, fuel economy and that low down grunt you just don't get out of most petrols. Overtaking and climbing sand dunes are a pleasure with a modern day diesel and driving around town with an auto diesel is not different to driving a petrol.
Idling over rough terrain in low range with an auto diesel is awsome, just somthing you have to experience to appricaite. Water crossings, mud and sand are where they excel.
But enough of my dribbling, now it's time for some other comments and for you to make your decision.

Sure there are benifits both ways, I just saw a few people said some commonts on pro petrol, thought I'd offer something from the other side.

from my own research, the v6 prado may chew similar juice to a falcon (which is a bit of a pig on fuel...for a car) but not too bad for a little truck. i would be interested in owner's figures. also, are service 10, 15 or 20 k intervals?

Bjorn,

Just to add a little...
The current Prado diesel is a great motor, but becoming a little dated, and will be replaced in the next 12 months by a common rail TD.
The current V6 Prado is state of the art, and is now sorted out.
Running costs are line ball.
I own a Prado diesel because of its exceptional range offroad, on long desert trips and the safety issues which favour diesel. Also, the motor is well sorted and proven. Resale is exceptional.

If I wanted a Prado for offroading, I'd get the 2000-2002 model 90series Turbo diesel.
If I wanted a new 120series, and used it for less offroad, its hard to go past the V6.

Cheers
Phil

Bjorn, looking at the prado's myself, new car price the deisel is $200 cheaper than the petrol which means there is only the servicing prices to compare, but for mine go the deisel

Bjorn
I have a 01 TD prado and can tell you;
Some insurers won't like the "turbo" bit in the name even though its a diesel.
I believe rego is based on weight
and my diesel uses around 11.5L/100 on average (mixture of short and long trips).
With the roof cage it goes to around 13L/100.
Tim

This link is worth a look - explains a bit why performance isn't seen straight away (for the Prado anyway)