prado grande 2001

pafc,

I used to have a 2000 prado GXL petrol. I was very happy with the reliability, and modest performance. Handeled very well both on road and off. Fuel economy is a bit steep depending on how you drive it.

Angus

Pafc,
I had a 1999 prado V6 petrol and had 200,000 klms trouble free, great vehicle and went where I wanted it to go, sold it and bought another Prado. As farside said its how you drive it, just like any car.

Cheers Peter.

Hi there pafc, I have just been through this exercise with my wife as we were looking at getting a prado but the 90 series in petrol 3.4 all the searches we'v done they are saying around 17/18L per 100k around town and down to 15 on the highway. Diesel about 10/11L per 100klm. 9 on the highways. Why not drop down to a GXL and for the same money get a turbo diesel, unless you can afford to get grande in the diesel, I presume cost is an issue otherwise you wouldnt be worried about fuel economy. We had 3 in our street all GXL 3.4v6's 1 bloke is the only one left with one, reason is fuel consumption, they were saying different to what I have stated here, they were saying more like 20L per 100 klms, but they do a lot of running around start stop with the kids for school and sports etc.This has been the turning point for us as well as a few other things (towing etc) so we have opted to go back a few years and get a patrol, not to every one's liking but will suit us fine for what we want it for. If you are going to be towing I would imagine these fuel figures to climb dramatically with the petrol especially. You need to decide what you will be doing with it, if for dropping the kids at school get a little buz box, if for towing I wouldnt go anything except diesel,if you want some thing with a bit of get up and go get petrol but you will be paying for it at the bowser, or what about the diesel pajero 3.2L, from what I ve read on here very good vehicle in regards to towing and power, but apparently a little noisey in cabin at high way speeds but hey if you drive a 2.8D hilux to me it would be like driving a merc I rekon LOL. Regards Steve M

We have a 98 Grande petrol. 100km/hr highway running returns 13L/100KM's, dirt road touring with occasional low range, 15-16L/100Km's. Running 265/70 BFG A/T's and 2 inch lift. I drive for economy and have started using premium unleaded which supposedly takes a while before economy improves. I'll report on here in a few months to see if that's the case.

We have a 2000 3.4l GXL. Over 3 years & 60K the following has been noted:

Fuel Economy - 13l/100km highway, 15.5l/100km with roof pod & towing c/t @ 80-90km/h and unfortunately above 20l/100km for day to day driving around the 'burbs with stop/starts etc.

Performance - great vehicle on or off road, pretty much go anywhere most people would want to go, although towing up steep grades slows it down.

Reliability - have had no reason to complain apart from a small problem with a dirty airflow sensor while away on outback trip last year - easily & cheaply fixed by dealer at Port Augusta.

Hi pafc.
Saw you at work the other week! Are you thinking of changing the Rodeo?

The petrol 90series Prados have dropped a heap in price recently, and are becoming a bargain on the used car market. I've travelled a fair bith with people running teh V6 and on the highway and on dirt tracks, the fuel consumption is not much different to the diesel. But as soon as you slip it into low range, or fit a lot of accessories, they use more fuel. So a RV manual with the skinny tyres, no lift, no extras will do well. But a GXL auto with roofrack, lift, fat MTRs, and extra weight will start drinking it.

They are pretty good for performance - always seemed to do well in the sand. They are mostly very reliable - a small number of the earliest ones had a head gasket issue, and I've witnessed one busting a conrod when 4wding in sand and that wasn't a pretty sight.

GXL/VX are usually the better buy as they have the wider wheels, flares, cruise control, remotes, and if you like them electric windows.

Geez mate give me heart attack!!!
Glad to hear your not thinking of getting rid of the rodeo for a petrol grande!!
Take it easy
speak to you soon!