Buying a mid-size second hand 4wd

I will second that. We have just sold a Challenger - a very good all round 4wd. Ours wasnt that great on fuel though- 13.5 l/100km but we were so happy with it otherwise. Had very good rear cargo space too. Cheers. Oz doc.

2nd that.

The 90series prado is pretty good.
(Yes, iown a 1996 pajero, but more 90 series prados sold so better range toselect from and more accessories.)
I would put the 1990 to 1999 pajeros next then jackeroos.
Unless the twin cabs seem more like what you want.

John we have a low k NH Paj(90000) and a 98 Jack with 127000ks. THe Paj has very good fronts seats and a very good ride but the jack carries weight far better(both have sandard springs) and the 3.5 Jack motor is a lot smoother and gives better economy than the 3lt. by about 2mpg. THe jack also has outstanding low down torque for a modern v6. Best economy from the jack has been 25mpg and the paj about 23mpg. That said swmbo loves the paj and it has been very reliable.
Cheers Pete

Pete,

Yes, I have not had a lot to do with Jackaroos, but friends who have owned them swear by them. Just a couple of problems with the diesels and the injection system.

John if you have a 3lt diesel you would be swearing at it. lol
Cheers Pete

Hi Steve, the v6 Prados take gas ok, no latter head problems?
Cheers Pete

Hi Pete, yeah chased all that up. Rang Toyota they donot recomend gas on any of there range but then again he's not going to say yes incase anything goes wrong, I then cant turn around and say "well you said it would be ok". I am getting the valves/tappets checked to make sure the clearance's are all ok. Can bet Toyota have never checked them. Will replace the leads (original still on there done 170k) Its getting done by gas and go at Prestons $2900 supply and fit and he adds an oxygen sensor in the exhaust (95 series dont have them) and this will make it run better and delivery better economy they call it a closed circuit. He has been doing and still doing roughly 3 to 4, 95 series petrol prado's a week so he has obviously done a fair few so Im not a ginnie pig like some of the other places I rang. I will recoup the 900 in 6 months if just going to and from work. BUt with going up the coast quit freqently I will recoup in about 3 months maybe earlier. I have spoke to a bloke who has had his done there and was rapped with it and so far no problems. I have spoke to numerous other prado owners I have seen in carparks etc (wife reckons Ill talk to anyone LOL) and havnt heard a bad word yet, most only wishing they had done it earlier. I have also found a website that has every gas outlet in Australia for when we go away and there are heaps, places I wouldnt have thought of. So I took the plunge and booked it in on the 13 of August last appointment left cant get in till mid september now if you rang up. Regards Steve M

Hope it goes well Steve. I am sure you will let us know.lol
Cheers Pete

Will think seriously about a gas Prado. As I'm not going to commute in the car, may see how Petrol goes first. Am just a little concerned about the size.

Are the really no decent "small-ish" 4wds out there? Can anyone talk about the Suzuki Vitara?

A.p. The v6 Vitara are good reliable vehicles(ex wife has one now up to 180000) but they are very low slung. On a recent fishing trip one holed a fuel tank while no one else had a problem.
Stephen above use to have one I am sure and he can give you more info.A mild lift and larger tyres may help.
The problem is a lot of tracks start off easy and get progressively worst so you can find yourself in trouble with a car with inadquate clearance. If you only intent to use it on forestry roads etc it would be fine.
Cheers Pete

Hi there AP, the suzks are a brilliant 4wd. I have had two, the older 1.6 petrol carby 3 door, and a 2000 grand vitara 2 litre manual. Both great cars but we found even with a lift in both of them there was not enough ground clearance, and luggage area was another issue for us and we dont even have kids. Great on the fuel (round 8L per 100) in the grand, went like a little rocket and was fantastic on the beach due to its weight plus a great responsive motor. Depends on your needs, towing,luggage etc. Friends of ours have the brand new model V6 and boy does it suck fuel. They come down from QLD at xmas and he averaged 15L per 100 doing the speed limits, thats more then my prado. In general the suzuki is a fantastic and very capable 4wd depending on your needs. Regards Steve M

I did not think you would be far away steve. LOL
Cheers Mate

Thanks Pete. What Jackeroo models would you look at? I do like the car.

The 2.7 petrol motor is quit a gusty motor with fairly good torque, but have heard of head issues with them, but only a few. Early 96 V6 model prados also had head issues so if heading down the prado track make sure its a 97 upwards. Mind you any that did have head troubles would have been fixed by now anyway. Cant comment on the jacks only what Ive read and that is if you decide to get a diesel in one be prepared for big repair costs as the parts are worth a fortune. (only what I have read on here ) not from my own experiance. The V6 jack motors seem to go very well with heaps of get up and go. Regards Steve M

One in very good condition.lol. The diesel could be troublesome so that leaves the 3.5 v6 in either the standard model or the SE. I went with the SE as they look better(alloys two tone treatment etc.) but the most importent thing with 4bys is condition , condition and a service history is most importent with todays hitech moters. If no service history walk. When I brought mine the vendor wents halfs with me on and arranged a racv inspection. This put my mind at rest as he would not have done this if he knew of problems. In the 15 months I have owned it I have changed all fluids/belts etc but it has required no repairs. Great vehicle . Their are very few medium sized 4bys with 4 cylinder motors. The old Jacks with 2.6s are now getting very long in the tooth, but their is still the rare good one arround. Paj 2.6s used more fuel than the 3lts which in turn use more fuel then the hi tech Jack 3.5(dohc, 24v, variable inlets)
Good luck and let us know how you go. Prados normally with the same tyres etc are the most economical v6.
Good luck Pete

Must support Petes views on the Jack. I have a standard V6,
2000 model auto, gives 12k/100 driven steadily & got 15k/100
towing C/t with 4 adults on board on 13k outback trip. Great
vehicle, strong motor, excellent throttle control for the slow
rough stuff too. Probably bigger than mid size. Cant fault it after 20k. Paid $14k for it nearly 2 years ago with only 80k on it. Your budget should get you into a low k model up to 03, last year
made. Check them out on Ebay, Carsonline etc. I wouldnt sell
mine for $20k. Only used as holiday car. May be a bit hard on fuel
if required for peakhour traffic........oldbaz.

Baz I have just switched to a lighter oil on the advice of a mate who was the service manager at the local holden dealer. The oil is 10/30 xp professional from Castrol. Supposed to give better economy in the cooler weather. Apparently their was a bullitin from gmh advising people to use this oil. Would give better start up protection also. Will keep an eye on economy and advise if any measurable improvement.
You are doing verywell to get 12s from a auto.
I get better economy towing my 600kilo boat then wifes paj with only a canadian canoe on roof.
Cheers Pete

Again, thanks to you all for the input. Very helpful.

Is the consensus that unless you have a very new hi-tech diesel pertol (or LPG if you dare) is the go?

AP everyone has a different opinion on this, but I seem to be getting similat economy figs to 90 series prado td.11.6 to 12.6 open road, 14s towing my boat, 14 to 16 arround town. But I do have mild ats and the restrictors removed. I get the best economy figs using cruise where possible. I rarely have to change out of 4th arround town as the 3.5 is sooo towie.
When I purchased mine I drove heaps and for some reason mine went heaps better then average, could have something to do with why I am getting reasonable consumption.
Manual Jacks do on average 50ks per tank further than auto.
Cheers pete

Am on the lookout for a 2.7 Petrol Prado in good nick. Service history and low kms will be the deciding factors.

Thanks for the input - I may messgae you if I have a specific car in my sights.

Thanks again.

Adam