Question for Prado owners

Mate picked up a '99 grey import 3LT TD auto model last year. Goes like stink. Bit rough around the edges but basically a very sound car.

Stick to the 3.4 or 3.0 TD, manual or auto is a personal choice.

Hi greenant,
not sure about 2.7lt,or autos. we have 99 model 3.4 RV6 man poverty pack.This is the first 4x4 we have owned & are extremely happy with.dont have exact fuel consumption figures,but coming from large sedan there is not much difference.

one thing we do notice is that fuel consumption is markedly greater when driven hard & at higher speeds.eg the difference between driving 90-95km/hr & doing 100km/hr changes fuel consumption dramatically.

we have pulled caravans,campers,boats etc & have never had any probs.we upgraded suspension (40mm lift) have standard wheels with BFG A/Ts & it goes everywhere we want to go.have done some touring with our 2 boys & never had any drama's.
would recommend to anyone if thats the type/style/size they were looking for.

the 2.7 is very economical if driven under 100, up to 10l per 100 if driven arround 90 to 100. Very hard to find a good one for reasonable money. Gave up and brought a 3.5 jack with very low ks b/bar, tbar, air , cd spotties log book services etc.
We do have a hilux 2wd ute at work and it pulls like a train, will go up commishioners hill (UP out of Sofala) in 4th, A few years ago brokes wewre skitting if their v8s could do this hill in 4th(well about 30)
My Jack is doing better fuel economy in hilly terrain than my 4 cylinder 4runner towing my boat .
Cheers Pete

They can be bought pretty cheap.
The auto 2.7 was only available for a short time - discontinued in 2000 because of lack of demand.
The 2.7 is only available in poverty pack - no CD, no remote, winder windows, no cruise, and small wheels and tyres. In addition, the 2.7 only got a single 90litre fuel tank - all other Prados got twin tanks.

An auto 3.4 GXL is a better choice IMO.

Hi there Greenant, we have had ours about 3months now and is great to drive. We got the V6 VX grande series one (they dont have traction control,climate air). I have been keeping tabs on the fuel consumption since the day we bought it. Around town has been between 13/15. Not a huge difference on open road. From our place here in Penrith to Harrington at easter time towing camper (approx 700/800kg) and getting cought in traffic for two hours due to accident (3 1/2 hour trip took 7) we managed to get 12.8L per 100klms. Now I wasnt babying it 110 where I could more or less the speed limit sign posted and a couple of times on the way home 120/130k's. The last trip up to Forster was 12.2L per 100 with out camper but with fridge some camping gear and stuff in the back with seats folded down but not really that much weight again sat on posted speed limits. I test drove a couple of 2.7L and they went alright but when loaded I think would be working hard and as mentioned above you only get single fuel tank unless you get the RV6 or upwards in the range. The only issue I have had is the springs are far to soft booked into ARB for OME (My Choice). And there is a slight thump noise from the rear end but havnt really had time to check it wright out properly and see where its from but will wate till suspension is fitted to see if its coming from possible shock. I couldnt justify the extra 15K I would of had to pay if I wanted it in diesel form unless I was pulling big loads eg full size van etc. To me thats a lot of petrol that can be bought and from what people have said on here in regards to the diesels fuel consumption 10/11 per 100 then take into account the extra oil changes on a diesel I couldnt justify it and we dont keep our cars for any more then 5 years (Normally) except the wife has now put the foot down mmm well see in 5 years LOL. The best way it to take the 2.7 for a drive then jump in the V6 and see what you think yourself. Yes the 2.7 is cheaper to buy and maybe a tad cheaper to run but if you are looking at doing long distance travelling, single tank, no cd player, no abs althou I think this was available as a safety pack which included duel air bags but very far and few between. Regards Steve M