Landcruiser 70 series Wagon 2007-2009

helski
There is a terrific means of accessing so much information already posted on this site via the Search Options at the top of the forum page.
Type on a variety of heading like 76 Series or 70 series V8 etc and have a read.

Other than to say I don't think you will be disappointed with the new 70's V8 range.

If Toyota can't arrange a testdrive for you, (aside from threatening to buy a Nissan) you could go to carsales.com.au or similar Australia-wide sites (eg. tradingpost.com.au, drive.com.au, etc.) and search to see which dealers have them - there are a few around (hopefully you'll find one not too far from you!) even if you have to drive a second hand one. It seems a bit foolhardy to spend that much on something you've never testdriven before.

The vehicle is number one on my wishlist at the moment and I'll be looking for a testdrive as soon as possible after I get back to Oz!

There is a 70's section at LCOOL.... may be of use.
http://www.lcool.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=15
I joined and frequent the 100's section - been extremely informative for me..... lots of very helpful members there.
BTW - the 70 Wagon has a relatively small fuel capacity I'm told (compared to other Toyota offerings... could be true :-o).

We have had ours for nearly 2 years and in now has 50000ks on it and it is great. Towed our old van a 21ft to the Kimberley and back no worries. We did the Gibb with out the van of course. Never had any problems We now have a 24ft van a recently towed it ti Sydney and back went like a dream. Now looking forward to heading to Perth in November.

"can't test drive one bcs they are so new"
Other than the V8 there is not much new about a 76 series wagon in fact much of the car is sourced from parts dating back to the model you drive now! ;-)
That said the V8 is a very nice engine particually suited to towing although the older TD in the 100 series is more fuel efficient. If you are after plenty of space you will be dissapointed as the storage area is smaller than that of a 90 series Prado with rear seating & leg room a bit tight. (in fact all the seats are very poor) Features on the 76 are very basic so you may need to set aside a few dollars to upgrade things like the small fuel tank, springs, seats etc.
Not sure of your exact needs but value for money a 120 series Prado would possibly make a better touring wagon for Oz than something that was rushed into assembly out of Toyota's parts bin.
IMHO the most dissapointing car Toyota have built since the Bundeera. Almost enough to make you run out & buy one of These :-))
Cheers Craig..............

Helski,

take into account that the Wagon and the Troopy are very similar in most respects but the Troopy has twice the fuel capacity of the Wagon.

Could be very important feature touring the outback.

H&A

Whilst I am not an owner of one of these, I have taken a second hand one for a test drive and had a good look through one. These are my thoughts on them:

General drivability: I drove it on the freeway and around town a little, but not on the dirt or offroad, so can't comment there. On the road, it is noisier than my pov pack 105 series and I found the suspension a little harsher and not as 'forgiving' (I have Koni/King springs in my 105). Power was great with oodles of torque and plenty of power for overtaking and keeping up with the traffic. It would be a great towing engine.

Interior: You either love them or hate them and I assume you love them having a 73 series at the moment. (I also had one of these a few years ago..) Personally I would be happy with the interior (there is a newer interior coming out with bean bags and the like which should be 'safer). It seems very basic inside for a car that costs as much as it does and I don't really think they're value for $, but you often get that with Toyota.... Seats were fairly ordinary, even compared to my GXL buckets that I put in my pov pack. I measured the storage area of the car in comparison to my 105 and whilst the 105 seems much bigger internally, there actually isn't that much difference... slightly narrower and a few cm shorter from memory.

Underneath: Seems fairly simple with rigid front suspension, but there isn't much protection for the drive train which is similar to most offerings these days....(the old SWB had these great thick transmission bash plates).

To be honest, it was interesting getting back into my 105 after driving one. Much less power but a much smoother and quieter ride. I would like one of the 76 series for their simplicity (even though the is a myriad of electrickery controlling the engine management) and general robustness, but at the price they want for one of them either new of with low km..... looks like I'll be keeping the 105 for a while yet.

May strap a turbo on the old 105 after all ?!???!?

Cheers,


Mark

I have had the Cab Chassis GXL for just over a week. Have put almost 3000 k's on it. It has the plastic dash with airbags and so far it is a great piece of machinery. Is a little hard in the suspension but you have to espect that being a cab chassis.
Took it four wheel driving at about 250k and it seemed to do all right. Am looking forward to taking it for a real test though once I have it fully set up.
1st tank got 13.2l to the hundred but there was terrific cross winds on the F3, this tank seems to be getting better.