New vs older model Prado
Submitted: Monday, Apr 18, 2005 at 22:02
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outback epicurean
We are looking to upgrade from a 1996 2.8 diesel Patrol GQ (last one sold in Vic?) and have been looking at the Prado as a good size and balance between on road and off road ability. We tow an Aussie swag and don't go to real extreme areas.
Recent reviews suggest that the current Prado does not have the off road ability of the previous model due to reduce clearance and poorer approach and departure angles.
Be interested to hear other experience on comparisons of the two Prado's. Also some bad reviews on the traction control etc and comments on this appreciated
Reply By: Steerpike - Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005 at 01:29
Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005 at 01:29
OE, I have a 98 petrol auto Prado, and can't recommend it highly enough. I use it mainly for beach work or around town. Just recently towed a 1.5 tonne van to Fraser with it for
Easter- very impressive on soft sand. Only trick- mine has ABS, and I have to disconnect it on sand tracks. When descending a soft sand track and braking, the ABS thinks a wheel is slipping, and won't brake properly while in high range (it's OK in low range).
Can't comment on the new one- very powerful and look good, and enormous fuel tank. I remember hearing about a VW Toureg being roadtested though which got stuck on a beach due to traction control. Apparently in the VW, if a wheel is detected to be slipping, it reduces engine power to "prevent the slip". Unfortunately the traction control just kept reducing power due to a wheel or wheels slipping (due to it being stuck on sand), and it ended up parked with little engine power being produced. No idea how the new Prado traction control works.
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Follow Up By: old-plodder - Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005 at 08:48
Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005 at 08:48
If the VW toureg that got stuck was the one tested by a VW magazine, I know the story
well.
They picked it up that day and hit fraser that afternoon. Got to
hook point and got stuck as the water was coming in. Now being in a borrowed $100,000 plus 4wd and being bogged on in incoming tide evidently does get the heart rate up!
One sat and read the 100 page plus manual while the other one started digging to ge tthe car out.
They got it out just as the surf got close to the wheels.
They did discover in the manual that there is a 'sand' or 'slippery' (I assume ice) setting for the traction control, and once sleected the car went
well for the rest of the
test on the island. No more problems.
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Reply By: Bruce C - Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005 at 19:50
Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005 at 19:50
I have the new model Prado, a GX 3L auto turbo diesel. I am very happy with mine. If you are staying with a diesel the old and the new Prado have the same diesel motor. The newer model is reported as having a stronger fram. Yes it is defenitely lower. I had to put on longer springs (kings) and Bilstein shocks. Cost $1500. But I now believe I have a better bush setup as now I have the needed ground clearance and the newer model has better wheel travel than the older Prado. One issue at present is tyres. The newer model has 17" rims. There is not a lot of choice around for these - Coopers and BFG have tyres that suit.
Check out the tyre manafactures sites and you will find little choice and generall around the $300 per tyre. Traction control is only availabe on the Grande.
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