Prado 120 Desiel & Petrol

Both have + & - points, ulp is cheaper than diesel to buy and diesels cost more to buy and to repair when they break.

I went through 6 months of discusions with my mate about this same thing. He works for QLD government and drives a diesel prado to Roma and back from Brisbane every week. He gave me a hard time about the diesel had enough go and the petrol was slightly heavier on fuel but cheaper to buy.

After all was said and done he bought a petrol model and now he can't stop talking about how great it is.

On our last trip to Carnarvon Gorge my 100 series used 300L of fuel and he used 195L. He can't stop smiling !

At $54k. Great value. If my 100 series was due to be replaced I would look at the Prado GXL petrol.

any one else have food for though about the TD or 4.0?

I have a petrol 2004 VX Prado 120 and did look at diesel, I am extremly happy with the way it performs and now I wouldnt care whether it was petrol or diesel but one thing when in the boonies some of the diesel has high sulphur which the pumps and injectors dont like.

Regards

Peter

Two years back (current model) the diesel option did not add cost to the Prado.
The diesel is a solid reliable motor with good economy but technically belongs in the mid 90's - around the late 90's, other makes were leaving it behind. It is now 2 diesel generations behind, technically. Toyo would be very conscious of this but must must not be able to source a motor. There is a mix of donks from 2.5L to 3.0L now that have 30-40% more power than the Prado - 97KW can be plenty for many folks though - only thing is that resale will be definitely be affected with that motor in the mix. Petrol might be the go ?

It also depends how far "out in the sticks of WA" you plan to go.

There are many places out there that only sell diesel, no unleaded.

That being said, I'd go the petrol if you can. Lots more to choose from
(asuming used car market), cheaper purchase price, still give a very
good fuel economy. Yes they use more than the diesel, but not much.

As an example, the 4.0 litre motor in the 120 series, is more powerfull,
and more economical than the 3.4 litre petrol in my 90 series.

John

I have just traded out of my 90 series TDX which covered plenty of off road k's and into a V6 TX. Why? Well my analysis went like this; servicing costs on the petrol are every 10,000kms not 5,000 for the diesel. I was getting around 13.7 lp100k's and the petrol is giving me 15.7 average and yes I have hit 20's in very soft sand but I can live with that and a 180 litre tank.

Overtaking with the diesel can be challenging but not with the V6 and the new 5 speed auto box is very good on and off road

Bottom line is my costs are calculated to increase around $300 per year based on additional fuel over the average 20,000 I do.

My car is my work vehicle so a daily driver as well. From my experience to date I made the right decision all round and given the next Prado upgrade is most likely 2008 you can anticipate a 4th generation DID around then. That is when I will move back to a diesel.

Enjoy the decision but drive them both back to back and you will see the differences clearly

Rob

I have a current model TD and average over 55000km 11.6l/100km. I don't live in the city so most of my driving is at cruising speeds. Despite everyone saying there isn't enough power I find it more than adequate. 96kw sounds low but the torque band is very handy. Sure i drove a DID pajero and found it extremely good but it was also very noisy. I tow an Aussie Swag camper comfortably at all speeds. In saying that who wouldn't want more power!

My major dislikes are the 5000k servicing (just oil) and the ever growing gap between diesel and ulp fuel prices.

If I was buying again I'd buy another diesel.

Good luck

this is great feedback guys, personal experience and opinions with your prado is priceless. we're going to wait until the new TD comes through and see how things turn out.