New 2005 Prado : Petrol or Diesel

Diesel would the best way to go.

However having said that, I think the new manuals in petrol are now six speed.

Check with your local dealer, because I am preety sure they have changed the gearbox standards.

Regards

Col Tigwell

The 4WD of the year report in Australian 4WD mag gives some interesting thoughts on the auto Vs the manual.
You should read this article to assist in making your decision.

Regards

John A

You should probably also consider that the Diesel motor , has also been around for many years (nothing wrong with the actual motor) , but , the good money is on a update shortly.

When it happens , the value of your newly bought Diesel Prado , is likely to fall dramatically.

The Petrol is the "new" 4.0l V6.

And don't forget that awesome little 2.7 turbo from Jeep. These little motors are the way of the future, and going on the history of Toyota diesel engines, the update in the prado should be a good one.

As for petrol V's diesel, manual or auto. It depends on how often you tow the boat and how far.

If not far and not often, go the petrol auto.

If all the time and all over the country, go the diesel auto, if indeed you can get the 5 speed auto.

My auto 3.0 patrol would be so much better with a 5 speed auto.

The new diesel in the Prado cannot be far away.

Toyota, as mentioned by other posters, recently upgraded the transmissions in the petrol versions. The auto is now 5 speed instead of 4 and the manual is now 6 speed instead of 5.

The trannies in the diesel models were left unchanged. A sure sign to me that an engine upgrade is just around the corner. The new common rail Turbo Diesel is already sold in other markets such as Europe and has about 25% better power I think as well as better economy.

Have heard that the ultra-conservative Toyota was waiting for fuel quality to improve in Australia but this seems OK now as a few manufacturers have the high pressure common rail diesels available here now with no issues.

Cheers
Muddy

For towing the Diesel Auto would be the go. But new diesel on prado is not
expected untill 2006. I heard that the Hilux is coming out with new Diesel engine in
April this year.

go the V6, more kw, more nm, and the same economy in sand, hwy, and you wont need to spend $1500 on a dtronic to make towing the boat safer and easier like the diesel.

DMC
[3.0 tdi prado owner about to go to V6]

Thanks for all your replies.
Much Appreciated.