What to do ?? Prado Diesel of Pajero Diesel

Howdy sarjane.
Ask yourself the question "Why do they sell so quick?"

I'd go the Prado personally but I'm sure others will disagree.

Possibly not the most sensible reply but when you look at the resale value of these vehicles why not buy new.

The two mentioned are excellent vehicles for their purpose but there are also several other vehicles fitting a similar specification and at very competitive pricing.

Why not drive them all, I dont believe that with all these vehicles (with differing names) being sold on a global market there are any real duds.

There should be some good deals still to be had on '09 plated models and you have the full warranty plus the vehicle is a known quantity as against a new introduction (if that is the case) or second hand.

furph

If you want the best name buy the toyota, if you want the best value buy the paj. Go to the pajero forum for a whol bunch of unbiased advice.
Dean

I have been watching them closely to and the reason they go so fast I reckon is that if your not worried about the latest cosmetic trend they are basically the same as the new cars +/- a few features. One factor of differance that sticks in my mind - how far out of town do you want to travel? The std twin tanks in the Prado to me is a big plus, its a pain getting stuck because of fuel availability. Also where abouts are you - Prados are fairly common around the main centres although some of the car yard vehicles are how should we say "optimistic" in there pricing! Local dealer has an '08 GXL mod k's $63. Check out redbook for some of the listings particularly trade vs private vs yard prices, interesting. City versions are good because I have seen some that have spent all their life being babied around town. By the way, have you seen a pdf brochure for the Paj/Prad online or anwhere for around '06/07/08?- I am looking for one and can't fiind it anywhere.

Sarjane

Family of 6, I prsume the kids are going to grow up and get bigger and still want to travel with ma and pa......so I would be thinkning about luggage for touring holidays and where are you going to put it? This will lead you to the trailer/camper debate and so on. Toyota will not be beaten on resale value and or build quality in the Prado Range, however the Pajero seems to be well apoointed and reasonably capable, however prado has seperate chassis and rear live axel, better for off road and or towing. CRD Prado's will becoming on the market soon and will be around the $50k mark, however you may want to think second hand Cruiser or Patrol due family of 6 factor.

Hope this helps, same situation happened in our family and dad opted for the 80 series cruiser in the end, 250,000km's later no problems and great vehicle.

What do you want to use it for? Just running around the suburbs or will you be dropping it into low range occasionally and going bush?
If hard 4wding isn't in your plans then just get whatever feels comfortable, it doesn't really matter what it is.

If running around the suburbs is all you do then what's wrong with a large family station wagon, Commdore or Falcon etc. They have 3rd row seats. Easy to find and a lot cheaper than $50 000.

Thanks everyone for your replys they have been very helpful.
Cheers

Sarjane

Agree with Turbo Lux comment re consider a second hand 100 Series Toyota Landcruiser. As the kids get older the extra room is appreciated.

Regards

Steve

Sarjane

OK I'm biased as I own a Paj, but this is what we reviewed when purchasing our Pajero in 07 for our family of 5

1) We do long trips in the bush, but unless you are doing Canning SR, Simpson crossing the 180L Prado tank is of not a huge benefit. You don't need it for Strezleki, Oodnadatta or Birdsville track. Yep it's handy but I'd take the fold flat seats to the extra 90L with our family

2) Prados cost a couple to several grand more for the same features
3) Prados have better resale value, but if you are planning on keeping the vehicle for a while, that becomes less important. Does that mean Pajeros are better value second hand?
4)Depreciation is the greatest single cost in owning a vehicle
5) Until the advent of the Prado D4 engine, the Pajero diesel left Prado for dead, but since the Prado D4 not a great deal of difference

7) Reliiability; after 320 000km in 2 Pajeros I can't fault ours, nor can freinds with a lot of ks on their Prados.
8) Off road ability, separate chasis Vs monocoque? Are you really going to be rock climbing where the Prado is superior, Vs how many kms will you be spending on bitumen or dirt where the Pajero handling is superior?
9) Pajeros have more electonic traction aids if that's important (or a liability)
10) Prados are an 8 seater (bit squeezy with three in the back) Vs Pajero 7.
11) Prados have split 3rd row seating, better for hauling 6?

IF there was just the two of us, turning the vehicle over after 2 years, planning on a CSR and a Simpson Xing, a Prado D4 would have won.
But in our case we are happy with our Pajero

This is fact. Toyota were losing sales in the middle range of vehicles so they cleverly named a medium wagon Prado...A clever ploy...name of vehicle starts with P ends in O...yes you're correct,Yota wanted the Pajero slice of the market. Family of six plus luggage...one vehicle for you turbo diesel Cruiser...you will pick up a 2004-5 hamburger with the lot for about $55,000. I have owned cruisers & patrols great cars. Never owned a Prado just don't like the way they handle. IMHO they sway and feel unsteady on the road enough to spook SWMBO & for economy,great road manners, comfort,torque & great performance the I/C T/D 3.2 Diesel NP NS & NT Pajero, fantastic. Go and drive an auto NT RX brand new $58,000 10 years warranty on drive chain,5 years roadside assist & warranty on everything else. Do yourself a favour read the latest Overlander Mag about the latest Prado. They lack torque,performance & economy. IMO Prados are over rated & over priced like ALL Toyotas. Many members of this forum are Yota & Patrol people never driven anything else & are therefore IMO some are not up to date with the latest pajero technology and base their bias opinions on pajero's in the 80's. Go & drive one & drive a playdoh...the Paj will beat it in every way...that's why the NT won 4WDOTY last year....love that car. I am now going to hide in my bullet proof bunker,put on the bullet proof vest & thick skin. I will sit and wait the tyraid of abuse from the Yota & Pootrol owners!!! Good luck.

Hi Sarjane,

I drive a Pajero for work and have clocked up 235km in 2 1/2years. I have had a dream run with the only prob being a particulate filter in the exhuast blocking causing it to go into a limp home mode. Not good coming home from Pooncaarie sitting on 60km/h (Just)

Would I buy one, no I'd rather a dual cab but it is a sound vehicle non the less.
Comfortable to ride in and plenty of power.

Cheers Wilko

Make sure you drive a Pajero and a Prado over the same winding road before deciding.

If necessary, see what Traction Control does for the Pajero off-road.

Just to open up the debate! I'm about to receive delivery of a brand new 7 seat LR Defender for not much over $50000. It'll be my third in 8 years, with 300,000kms under the last two's belts. The latest version is very comfortable and quiet with proper aircon and average 11litres per 100kms. The new ones even have a CD player! Ther'e also heaps more cargo area in a Defender than both P---Os.

Cheers Jules

If the QLD government have vehicle auctions and they quit either of these vehicles, that will be a good guide to prices - in SA, dealers pick them up at these gov.t auctions for the same prices as private buyers - so getting a handle on 'real' prices is not hard. There are both types being sold in SA - you can search in the prices section to see what they have gone for over the last 8 weeks - may be a guide for you - heck.... you can even bid online (but who would want to do that ? :-o). One has to add ALL on road costs as if buying a new oone - they are total cleanskins ex auction.

Hi

What a question!

This is my experience.

I owned a previous model Prado. It saw plenty of black top touring and beach work. It towed my boat beautifully. Verdict it was a great car!

I own an 08 3.2 Diesel GLX-R Triton - its been on the Plenty, Tanami and seen the Mitchell Falls and Kalumburu all while towing a Tambo Camper Trailer. Verdict its a great car.

My wife drives an 08 Rav 4 Cruiser. Its been through the high country of Tassie on easy dirt - I must admit I love driving it. Verdict its a great car.

As you can see a don't really have any allegiance to either brand.

My recommendation - toss a coin as you can't go wrong with either. Both are built by great manufacturers.

Cheers,

Geoff

Sarjane
I currently drive a LC 200 Turbo Diesel however I have owned three Pajeros between 2004 and 2009 - 1 Petrol and two Diesels.

I travelled somewhere in the vicinity of 200,000 k,s in that time and pulled a 20 foot full van for approx 40,000 k,s. [Little off road stuff so wont comment on capability in that regard].

Based purely on that experience I am a strong advocate for Paj as they all proved great value, strong and reliable with good fuel economy.

I traded the 2006 Diesel Exceed with bull bar in April and got $32k with 80,000 k,s on the clock and in good order. Sold quick from local Dealer I gather for closer to $40k.

Only reason I have the Toyo [which is super strong and sure footed] is towing requirements for 24 foot > 3000kg Van. I understand Prado great Vehicle also but Paj may prove better value.

Good luck.

Bob

Sarjane

I wouldn't base my decision on sales volumes or how quickly they sell in a second hand market. Consider these facts:

1 the Americans re-elected george W when the rest of the world realised he was a no brainer

2 half the population has an IQ of less than a 100

3 people are like sheep and will follow the bell wether

4 some cars are designed for Joe Average, they are usually so so in most departments, are usually knock offs of the original

5 the large fuel tank thing is a complete furphy - there are about 'one' treks in Oz that require more than 90 L of diesel

6 how could you drive a car that is trying to look like a juke box?

The Pajero goes better, looks better, handles better, and was the original in its class.

Bob