TD Prado, enough power?

Submitted: Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 12:15

ThreadID: 7777 Views:2226 Replies:8 FollowUps:11

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baza

Hi,
I'm looking into down sizing from a GU Patrol to a Prado or Pajero. I took a new TD Prado for a quick spin on the w/e, did not seem to have much get up and go. It will be used mainly off-road and touring, so I don't need to compete in the traffic light derby. Just wandering if any Prado owners could comment their performance in soft sand/ heavy going - do they have enough power to comfortably handle these situations?
It was an auto I drove, waiting for a manual version to arrive.

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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 12:35

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 12:35

I think the issue is everyone is different in expectations. What may suit you maynot suit others and the other way round..

Mate of mine has a latest model playdoe, from a 3.0 GU, and loves it. Swears its XXX much better, but he is a girl ;)~ Its that good he lost his license Week 2 with it!

They seem to have very good wraps everywhere, if you were unhappy with the one you drove, try another from another dealer maybe, we all know no 2 cars are the same, and the manual will be 'different' again.

AnswerID: 33573

Reply By: Rhubarb - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 12:37

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 12:37

Baza - unfortunately cannot give you first hand experience.

However you may want to pick up this month's 4WD Monthly where they test drive the TD Prado. There basic conclusion was that it was a bit under powered, but could still do the job.

Personally I'd stick with the GU! :)

Cheers,
Rhu

AnswerID: 33576

Follow Up By: baza - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 15:35

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 15:35

Thanks for that. I am happy with the GU, however I have the 4.5 petrol. A recent trip to Robe highlighted he need for a diesel if I want to do any longer trips. It was very soft sand, did about 25km in the dunes and on the beach, used 19 litres of petrol. (this includes pulling a few cars out though)
The wife hates driving it, but doesn't mind the pajero/prado.

FollowupID: 24105

Reply By: Mick - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 13:36

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 13:36

Just by the way Baza, you'll have more torque, more seats, bigger fuel tanks, better economy, greater range and a far superior and much more reliable vehicle. Just run a search for the huge number of Nissan problems on this site alone and you'll see what I mean. Of course it'll cost you more than a Nissan but it'll be worth it.

AnswerID: 33588

Reply By: GUPatrol - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 13:51

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 13:51

Baza,
In 2002, we did a trip across the simpson, there was a V6 prado with us in the convoy.
I was impressed at its fuel economy and standard fuel tanks capacity.

THe owner did say on a couple of occasions that he couldn't do what I was doing which was to stop half way up a dune because somebody else was stuck or going slow and then take off again without runup.
Still handled the dunes well and did everything without any problems.

Will

AnswerID: 33593

Reply By: flappan - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 15:14

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 15:14

If you want to downsize into a diesel, the 3.2 Did Pajero would be hard to beat . . .

AnswerID: 33606

Follow Up By: baza - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 15:38

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 15:38

Yes, the DiD is a very nice unit, the 5 speed auto might even covert me from being a manual fan.

FollowupID: 24106

Follow Up By: flappan - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 15:42

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 15:42

I've only driven one around the block, and I thought it was very good. Far better then the Prado I drove (2001 Prado though).

I know of a couple of guys with them, and very impressed.

FollowupID: 24107

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 16:07

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 16:07

If only the front end wasnt so UGLY! Those wheel arches... I actually really like the older model.

Then theres IFS..
Then theres the price (which goes for all cars from a Daewoo Matiz up...)

FollowupID: 24113

Follow Up By: flappan - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 16:16

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 16:16

Lol . . . Truckster . . . don't recall saying I LIKED the look of them ; )

Mind you . . . the Prado is no earth bleep tering beauty either . . .

As far as IFS goes . . . . well . . . thats the way it is . . . . I why I bought a Patrol : D

FollowupID: 24116

Follow Up By: Rhubarb - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 16:19

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 16:19

Truckster its worse than IFS as it's also IRS.

Mr Bishi has just revised the pricing for Pajero. I think you now you get a whole bunch of goodies (such as traction control which the Pajero really need due to its independent suspension) for free.

FollowupID: 24117

Follow Up By: flappan - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 17:15

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 17:15

My guess is Yota still want your 1st and 3rd born . . . as payment.

My BIL & SIL just bought a new 4.0 GXL . . . . lucky they get a fleet discount . . . .

FollowupID: 24123

Follow Up By: baza - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 08:44

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 08:44

To my surprise, I can get the Prado a fair bit cheaper than the Pajero, looking at the base models (less to smash off in the bush), however Mitsubishi have now added a few more goodies to the GLX - I guess to try and slow the Prado sales. The Pajero motor and transmission have it still in the lead on my list, local toyota is keen to try and change my mind.

FollowupID: 24207

Reply By: Member - Bob - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 17:44

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 17:44

I think Toyota may be the last of the manufacturers in this class to adopt high pressure direct injection technology, which is why the Prado's figures for fuel consumption, power etc are the worst. Jackeroo, Pajero, Discovery, BMW, Benz all have modern engines.Bob

AnswerID: 33626

Follow Up By: srowlandson - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 22:12

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 22:12

I owned a 3.0 ZD30 Nissan Patrol

Bought my 2003 Prado GX 3.0 earlier this year. (day before release

on road, the Prado is WAY WAY WAY WAY in front of nissan. No slower, but handles a lot better.

Lacks a little down low (so did the Patrol). Dtronic for the 120 Series is about to be release, and I have Preordered mine, which will be installed upon release (a month or so away i beleive) which makes are Huge difference.

The Prado isn't that much smaller inside the cabin, but the lighter load etc makes it a pleasure to drive.

The IFS isn't THAT much of an issue offroad. only one point in my whole 4 week Cape York trip i thought the patrol would have been better than the prado

but the other 8900 km's I was glad i was in the Prado not the Patrol.

Mine's off getting a Bull bar this week :) Winch and suspension go on in the next month :D

Steve

FollowupID: 24177

Follow Up By: peter16 - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 17:21

Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 17:21

I am looking at the Prado Diesel at the moment: can you tell me a little about fuel consumption on yours? And (pardon the ignorance) what is a Dtronic, and what does it do?

Peter

FollowupID: 26019

Follow Up By: srowlandson - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 17:25

Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 17:25

I get roughly 1400-1550 km's per 180 litres of diesel , generally 2 people , medium load

The Dtronic is a plug in Engine management system, like the unichip , although specifically for Diesels.

It increases both power and torque, specifically in the low rpm bracket.

www.dtronic.com has all the right info.

For the $1500, you can't beat them for bang for buck performance enhancing for a Prado / GU

FollowupID: 26021

Reply By: harry5 - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 23:06

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 23:06

Baza go the Di-D Pajero it has heaps of power I have had 2 petrol NM but the DID would eat them and the wallet certainly knows the fuel bill is lighter would not even consider that other one PRUDO (sorry cant spell it)

AnswerID: 33676

Reply By: Phil G - Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 22:35

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 22:35

While the Prado's power figure is less, the torque is brilliant, and it picks up from fairly low revs. The 1KZ-TE has been around for 10 years now, and is reliable. Pulls well on the highway.

AnswerID: 33824