purchasing a pilbara prado
Submitted: Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 at 23:46
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milney
Have seen a low k's 2000 prado diesel for sale. Haven't had a chance to fully
check it out, but could be ex mining (
pilbara plates, plenty of red dust underneath). Everyone says don't buy ex-
mine - what specifically is the problem with ex-mining that I should ask about/look for? (have never worked on
mine to know how treated). Also, have heard a few things about the 3 lt diesel on prados - figured being toyota, and same engine as in hilux, it would be solid, but is it really so? any advice appreciated.
Reply By: Member - Joe F (WA) - Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 01:35
Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 01:35
G'day milney
I guess the "Everyone says don't buy ex-mine" comment either comes from an informed source ~ who may have bought an ex
mine vehicle and got stung, as some ex
mine vehicles are from an underground
mine situation or from a coastal or salt mining operation. But ~ here's my two bobs worth ~ red dust and the
Pilbara are synonymous ~ you just can't have one without the other if you drive on a dirt road anywhere in the
Pilbara.
The Toyota Prado is a relatively new concept in the mining industry as these vehicles are a replacement unit for the larger Toyota wagon type vehicles.
The 200 series wagon is not used by the general workforce in the iron ore industry, mainly because of the V8 and also as only the "Shiny Bums" use a wagon for transport and most of them travel on their own, possibly because the don't have friends ~ but that is a personal observation.
The Prado is now the vehicle of choice for staff, more logical actually, smaller vehicle more fuel efficient etc and a lone "staffer" possibly doesn't look so alone in the Prado !!
To my knowledge the major miners do not use the latest Toyota tray back V8 as a general mule in the mining industry as "Mr Toyota" has not fitted air bag technology to these units ~ Nissan on the other hand has air bag(s) in the ute and they are now moving into what was only a short while ago solely Toyota territory, depending on year, kms travelled and general condition apart from a few extra holes in the roof for
mine spec lights etc nothing should stop you from seriously considering a "
Pilbara Prado".
AnswerID:
391239
Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 12:05
Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 12:05
Hi Milney
I can only talk of one very large mining area in South Australia. They usually get rid of their vehicles after 40,000kms or 2 years of age. Not all mining vehicles are treated badly. I know from the above mining
camp, that there was one Toyota that was only ever driven by two drivers-both supervisors, from different shifts. both treated the vehicle like it was their own. When the time came to replace the vehicle, one of the drivers wanted to buy it from the company, but was told if he wanted it, he had to bid for it from the auction house in
Adelaide.
Knowing when the vehicle was leaving
camp, and when the auction was being held, the last thing that he did was to put 4 litres of oil into the fuel tank. At auction day, the usual dealers and public were there to see the vehicles go under the hammer. As usual, all vehicles are started, and this Toyota was smoking like a train, with the smell of oil, not diesel. When it came to this particular Toyota, there was only one bid, after the price kept going down - from the driver at the
mine site who wanted it. Like he said, oil in the fuel made it look like the engine was stuffed and no dealer wanted anything to do with it, and he purchased the vehicle that he drove and knew the full service history.
Also another point, if it is a 2000 model, I would have thought that the mining company would have sold the vehicle many years ago. Just because it is from a mining area, it does not mean that it was used in a
mine site
Cheers
Stephen
AnswerID:
391274
Follow Up By: milney - Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 14:24
Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 14:24
So I'm assuming from these responses that its really just a matter of whoever driving them on a
mine not looking after them cos its not their car? Thus, if a car has a service history, underbody protection not full of dents, and
suspension etc looks fine (ie not too hammered by corrugations) then there's no reason not to buy it? That was my thoughts, but wanted to
check if there are other issues I may not have considered. Cheers for the help folks.
FollowupID:
659143
Follow Up By: get outmore - Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 16:44
Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 16:44
biggest problem with miners especially goldfeilds ones is they get driven through mud made from hypersalinewater and not washed often and definitly not thoroughly causing all sorts of issues especially brakes.
get right down under t an seek out distant nooks and crannies where the detailers miss
- if its all caked with mud ............................
FollowupID:
659153
Reply By: disco driver - Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 20:25
Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 at 20:25
Milney,
A couple of things to either help or confuse.
Not all Prado's in the
Pilbara belong to mining companies, many are private vehicles.
A 2000 Prado with low k's is unlikely to be ex mining as miners tend to change on a 2-3 years basis.
Mining Co's generally don't put local type plates (EP WP) on their vehicles, they retain the statewide type (xABCxxx) plates that come with the vehicles from new. Local Mining Contractors may use local plates though.
Following on from other posters, the main problems with ex
mine vehicles are RUST (anywhere on the unit) and driver abuse.
Both can be relatively easy to pick up but usually not easy to fix.
Hope this helps.
Disco.
AnswerID:
391326