prado v's 80 series

Submitted: Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 21:51
ThreadID: 53408 Views:3864 Replies:6 FollowUps:8
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thanks for previous replies about 80 series but after looking at some of the threads about their fuel economy i might go towards the prado petrol auto,a turbo deisel would be nice but don't know if they come out in auto and in our price range of 15 grand,are the major services expensive,?vehicle will be mainly used as wifes runaround,tow tinny to boat ramp and the occasional camping trip away,all replies on this vehicle much appreciated..thanks.rob
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Reply By: Kiwi & "Mahindra" - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 21:54

Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 21:54
Good luck with your looking. I use to own an 80 series on LPG and it was great and the only reason we sold it was because we need diesel for business reasons and also a ute does us so much better even if its hard to get the kids in and out!

We looked at a prado at one stage, they seem to be pretty good. Took a brand newy through the bush a wile ago with green 4wd drivers and it was v. impressive!

Have a good'n'

Laura
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Reply By: Kev. (Cairns) - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 22:16

Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 22:16
Im a Toyota man but have you thought about a Mitsubishi Par ado ?

Good mid sized 4wd for the running around you described & probably cheaper if moneys a concern.
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Follow Up By: Kev. (Cairns) - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 22:20

Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 22:20
Sorry, ment Pajero !
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Follow Up By: breedy - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 22:44

Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 22:44
thanks kev,currently have 3.5 ltr pajero that has 260 000on clock and needs rebuild and suspension upgrade,thought it would be better to upgrade to landcruiser,dual tanks,parts availability,reliability(although paj never let us down)and would like an auto as i'm sick of swaping gears,flog off paj for 5000 and upgrade to a low k. cruiser with a longer distance between fuel stops and perhaps better fuel economy,we are also in cairns and would like to see a bit more of this part of our great country,cheers rob
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Follow Up By: Kev. (Cairns) - Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 23:11

Saturday, Jan 12, 2008 at 23:11
When i was looking for an T/D 80 series i looked for 6 months & ended up buying one from Brisbane. They were just too expensive up here & really had trouble finding a good one.

The flight down there to inspect it once found & to ship it up here was well worth it.

Also found Toyota parts & mech work cheaper in Atherton than Cairns.
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Follow Up By: breedy - Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 15:23

Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 15:23
much appreciated for all the advice,i've heard that timeing belt on the v6 prado needs replaceing at 150000 is that right and do you know is this a major job $$$ as it is with the pajero,won't to factor this into price negotiations thanks again for your input...rob
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Follow Up By: Kev. (Cairns) - Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 15:34

Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 15:34
I don't know the cost of replacing the timing belt on a parado but the 80 series needs it every 100k i think.

Not a major job but i would leave it for the workshop to do as i like to service most things myself.

Couple hundred $ at a guess.
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Reply By: Member - bushfix - Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 00:01

Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 00:01
G'day Breedy,

I ummed and ahhhed a long time before getting the 95 series Prado. Lovely Wife was not used to large vehicles and we were moving to a single vehicle only. I go bush frequently but have four kids that need to be easily runabout during the school week. In the end, the smaller and slightly less thirsty Prado V6 won out. 80 series diesel too hard to find in our price range, 80 series petrol too thirsty and lpg not suited to my desert fondness. Prado diesel too hard to find a decent one.
There were so many Prado V6 to choose from and many never taken off road. I did the sums and then waited, then did the sums again and ended up with one of the first Prado models released in Aus, July 95 build. The vehicle has been so reliable, comfortable and capable that I would buy another I reckon. I have considered (eve in dreams) where it was written off and then in reality, I end up choosing that I would buy one again over other alternatives.

A tough and capable car mate.
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Reply By: Footloose - Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 10:40

Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 10:40
I have an 80 series and my bro had a diesel Prado. The 80 series has only one thing going for it over the Prado, luggage S P A C E
:))
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Reply By: Stephen M (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 15:00

Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 15:00
HI Breedy, I was looking for a turbo diesel 80 series prior to buying the prado. $$$ wise I couldnt afford to buy a turbo diesel 80 series as the later twincam turbo was still up in the 25k + so settled for the 3.4petrol prado. I doubt you will find a turbo/d 95 series prado in your price range as firstly they come out in 2000 unlike the petrol which come out in I think 95. When I was looking at the T/D's there was nothing under 25k and most of them had high klms.The T/d does come in auto. The prado is using around the 15/17L per 100 around town and have got down to 12.2 on the open road.12.8 towing camper. This is sealed surface not sand/dirt etc not in 4wd H/L. I have had it to Stockton beach which jumped it up to around the 20L mark and similiar figures off road in low range fraction higher. They are not the most economical V6 but seem to have fairly good low down power for pulling. For what you are describing your usage, the prado will suit you down to the ground. V6 take your pick heaps around even the grande's. I paid 16k for mine (grande) with 150 on it. Very comfortable to drive. Dont forget the mitsi pajero. I was on the border between the two. Some great pajeros out there with low klms and later models and cheaper then the prado's. If I was looking at rock hopping and heavier type stuff I think the 80 series and the patrols are the only was to go just my opinion. Dont forget LPG as another option. Pradoz had his fitted just before xmas for $2370.Good luck with it all. Try ebay,carsales,trading post,carpoint, just a few to have a search. Regards Steve M
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Reply By: breedy - Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 15:35

Sunday, Jan 13, 2008 at 15:35
thanks for all your advice,i've heard that the v6 prado's timeing belt needs changeing at 150000 do you know if this is a major job$$$to do as it is with the pajero,won't to factor this into price negotiations as that's about the amount of k's i would like even a bit lower if poss,with the price of fuel lately their could be someone around wanting to offload a low k one,i've posted this question before but in the wrong bit,(not that cluey with these computers)thanks again for all your help...rob
AnswerID: 281390

Follow Up By: prado4x4 - Monday, Jan 14, 2008 at 11:11

Monday, Jan 14, 2008 at 11:11
The 1996-1999 v6's have their timing belt changed every 100,000km. The 'facelifted' 2000-2002 v6's have it done every 150,000km. No idea why the difference, as it's the same motor. Maybe they changed the belt to something stronger, who knows.

Had mine done (2000 model) when I got to about 145,000km. Did the timing belt, drive belts, water pump (as a precaution), and top/bottom radiator hoses (again precautionary) all at one time. Cost me just under $800 from the local 4WD mechanic. Not sure what a toyota dealer would charge though.

Sorry it doesn't help with just the cost if the timing belt, but hopefully the info is of some use.

John
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Follow Up By: Stephen M (NSW) - Monday, Jan 14, 2008 at 13:09

Monday, Jan 14, 2008 at 13:09
Hi Breedy, the prado is alot cheaper to replace the belt then the mitsi. Mitsi is a big job compared to the prado. Prado you can do the belt and thats it. The mitsi requires seals, pumps etc to be done when the belt is done. As John has said he did his as a precautionary measure but to be honest I would do the pump as well as the prado are known for doing the water pump and its generally halfway between belt changes which in turn is double the labour. So I would include this into your costs. Best bet would to be ring Toyota and get a price for new water pump then make a few calls to mechaincal shops and get an average. No doubt Toyota will be the dearest. But just to repeat myself I would definately do the pump at the same time. There is some good low klm ones out there at reasonable price. Regards Steve M
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Follow Up By: Member - bushfix - Monday, Jan 14, 2008 at 13:40

Monday, Jan 14, 2008 at 13:40
recommend the water pump be replaced at the same time. the job is time consuming and will add around $6-700 to a service if done at toyota. don't delay this job when the time comes.
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