Buying a family tourer

Submitted: Friday, May 22, 2009 at 22:15
ThreadID: 69084 Views:3147 Replies:8 FollowUps:2
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Been researching for a few months and ready to buy 4wd. Been a regular reader of this site. Have had two previous (forerunner when single and the second was a triton dual cab for the second family car, camping vehicle and work horse) Both of these manuals.

New vehicle will be wifes daily driver (low klms pa) as I have a work vehicle. She insists it must be auto. We have plans though that it will double as an outback tourer over the next few years.

I have test driven an 03 4.8 auto patrol and didn't like the response. (was on gas so it could have been tired). I have ruled out the 3.0 Litre after all the correspondence on this site.

Tomorrow I will be looking at a V8 04 Landcruiser Auto. I know they are "thirsty" but TD autos are out of my price range. Intention would be to out on gas.

My question for the experts is how do autos of this vintage handle the true 4wd action. Like everyone our culmination would be a Cape York trip.

Yes I am a beginner so take it easy on me.
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Reply By: Member - Scoof (SA) - Friday, May 22, 2009 at 22:42

Friday, May 22, 2009 at 22:42
What about Pajero or Prado T/D Auto 7 seater and ecomonical.

Cheers Scoof. :-)
AnswerID: 366278

Reply By: Crackles - Friday, May 22, 2009 at 22:53

Friday, May 22, 2009 at 22:53
FG in many offroad applications an auto is far superior to a manual so don't get too hung up on the gearbox. If Cape York is as difficult as you're going to get then quite a few of the lighter duty 4x4's will do the job for you as many have taken Subaru's & the like up there with little or no problem. In the dry it's just a long dusty 2wd road with 20 to 30 creek crossings, certainly nothing that requires a Cruiser or a Patrol.
As for a family tourer it depends how much space you need. A 100 series Cruiser is pretty big & thirsty as a daily driver so you may consider a Prado or Pajero for example. Both more than capable for trips alot harder than the Cape.
Cheers Craig............
AnswerID: 366282

Reply By: BenDiD - Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 00:00

Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 00:00
Family Guy,

If you want a large 4WD at a more reasonable price have a look at the Pajero in TD.

I have a NS turbo diesel auto and its been a great truck with lots of room for the family and gear. The Paj has traction control standard in every model so you don't need to spend a motza on the top spec vehicle to get a very capable vehicle.

Very economical too. I get 9.5/100k highway and 13/100k offroad.

good luck



AnswerID: 366291

Reply By: Hairs & Fysh (NSW) - Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 07:03

Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 07:03
Morning familyguy.
If you can get your hands on a 80 series TD GXL. With full service history.
Prices may vary from $15000 to well over $25000.
They are a very reliable and capable 4wd. Took me near 9 months to find mine
I purchased mine about 5 years ago for $21000 and it owes me just over $27000 now, that includes services and addons. I'm very happy with it, it does everything I ask of it and more, Its the tug for the camper, horse float and for work, dragging my Carpenters trailer around. I get on average of about 12.5l/p 100k's. It can be a bit heavy on the jiuce if you stick your boot into it, yet if you tippy toe about they are pretty good.
Just my thoughts,




AnswerID: 366294

Reply By: Member - Don M (NSW) - Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 08:14

Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 08:14
I agree with some of the views above. If you have got the money for a LC100 V8, I would definitely look at a late model DID Pajero. If you don't want to tow anything above 2500kg, I reckon they would take a lot of beating.
AnswerID: 366298

Reply By: Member - Ingo57 (NSW) - Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 09:23

Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 09:23
Gday Family Guy.

"I have test driven an 03 4.8 auto patrol and didn't like the response"

Must have been screwed because these trucks are bullet proof (IMO)
There is not much that compares to the power and response of a 4.8 Patrol, however If you went down this road one must except that they are a thirsty beast.
Suspension wise the patrol runs rings around the 100 series being much stronger off road but not as comfortable as the cruiser on road.
Both good cars but you need to weigh up want you want to do.

Cant comment on the medium size 4bys because I've never researched them to buy. In saying that there is plenty of good info from the fellas on this site

My 4.8 is day to day car and we also use it for touring & It has been an exceptional vehicle for us.

my 2 cents worth

Good luck

Cheers

AnswerID: 366302

Follow Up By: familyguy - Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 21:02

Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 21:02
Thanks for that and all the other replies. The 4.8 patrol was what I had decided on after months of research so probably unwise to rule out after one bad test drive. Having said that, the other responses have made me have a look at the pajeros and I have been impressed.
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FollowupID: 634108

Reply By: vk1dx - Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 11:50

Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 11:50
Just short one. Do not rule the turbo diesels out. Definitely worth the extra expence.

Dtiving is also different. They wont get off the line as much and if you are used to the big V8 that "jumps" off then take that into account when you test drive.

Wanting a 6cyl diesel and needing room to sleep in the back (when its hard to put up the tent, rain, snow etc) led us to look at the Patrols and Land Cruisers. We ended up with a TD LC100 and are tickled pink.Here tis

Happy hunting
AnswerID: 366319

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 21:44

Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 21:44
I second that had a Patrol rode like a truck towed like a truck.

Bought a TD 100 Tows like a truck rides like a car

Enough said.


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FollowupID: 634113

Reply By: Al & Mrs Al- Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 16:28

Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 16:28
Howdy, my daily driver for a couple years was our 100 TD auto, [we now save the LC for towing and trips away] if your wife is going to drive it, then I can't reccommend the LC it's a fantastic vehicle. We owned an 80 manual prior to the 100 and I wouldn't want to go back to manual after driving the auto.

cheers

Lyn
AnswerID: 366488

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