New Crusier What to get

Depending on the the existence and age of children you may have, (being able to do up there own seat-belt is the main criteria), don't discount a 5 seat Troopy. Better driving position and much more room and load capacity than all the others.

Good luck

Wayne, FWIW.
Had the opportunity of driving a 76 Series on a track near Arkaroola last year.
Previous Owners: Gaul Boys.
Previous Trip: Canning Stock Route
Featured: Gaul Boys CSR video.
Price: Right.

Worturpa Loop Rd:


Drove it both on a rough track (Arkaroola Mt Jacob Backtrack) and on the highway(Coober Pedy to the Breakaways).
Has some go when you wind it up on the blacktop but a bit slow off the mark.
Bit agricultural as you would expect and I found the seat a little uncomfotable and couldn't move it back far enough for my prefered driving position. Passengers don't have much leg room either.
Pretty hard to lift a wheel on the rough stuff and I did the track in 4WH.
Came across one ticklish spot on soft sand in a river bed that that had a bit of a washaway and had a couple of goes but wasn't sure how far the vehicle would lean before rolling. I managed to get the wheels up on the rocks on the side and straddle the wash away to keep it level and got through OK.

Looks like the 76 series is about to be supersceded as the standard 200 (barn door model) is due out around October. Its a mining special 5 seater, vinyl floors/seats, key start, no KDSS but with the twin turbo V8. Supposedly $10-15K less than a GXL 200 (about the current GXL 76 price). If you do want a 76, there may be some run-out specials on any remaining stock.

Cheers

Captain

I have tried to find a 76 series to look at but no Toyota Dealer has any in stock. They are all saying November Delivery.

One question I need answered is rear leg room!!! We have a 135kg disabled son who comes with us and he needs leg room. That is why I have stayed away from the Dual Cab type units. We use to have a Rodeo and he was a bit cramped in the back of that

Fuel economy looks good on the 76 from what I have read ranging from 11 to 15 lts per 100km when towing.

Cheers Wayne B

Hi Wayne
From previous posts you probably know the Prado and 76 series would be low on my list for saftey reasons , but they are two very different cars so you might need to refine your requirements a little.

I to was surprised recently with an 80 series diesel hardly bettering my 4800 petrol patrol in heavy work.

The 200 series though is a pretty good car but overpriced so I guess if I was in the same position as you are now I would want to know more about the standard series 2000 situation and also wether the GU patrol will come out with another engine variation - I suspect we will know answers to the above by this years end.

After the 80 series Wayne you would find the 76 a bit of a let down in most departments. Legroom is pretty ordinary in the front or back & packing space is less than that of the old 90 series Prado. I found I couldn't even fit my fridge in without having to turn it sideways!
Seats are below average so most upgrade them & for the price you get very few ergonomic upgrades or safety features included. Short rear leaf springs are agricultural & would give far less travel compared to what you have.
Overall it's a mismatch car built from the Toyota spare parts bin to fill the gap left by the end of the base model 100. You don't see many around simply as they were poor value for money.
What to buy new is a tough call at the moment as there is not much to choose from in a full sized wagon at a price you'd take that vehicle offroad. Landrover Defender possibly if you do alot of outback touring or the 150 Prado if looking for a similar sized car to what you have now for both on & offroad use.
I was almost going to suggest an FJ Cruiser until you mentioned your need for a large rear seat as they are possibly the best value 4x4 Toyota have built of late.
Cheers Craig..............

I have a 200 and my son has a 76 GXL.

On the black top sitting on 112kph on GPS the 200 is better fuel economy because of the 6 speed as the 76's 5 peed.

The 200 is larger inside and has better ride and handling.

I would wait for the new 200 with barn doors and spare wheel in the correct place, I hate getting the spare wheel out from under when fully loaded and a rear tyre flat.

Now I'm biased because I have one, but I'd recommend a good look at the 150 series Prado. It has considerably more cabin room than the 90 series (which we traded up from) both in the front and the rear seats, which is one of the reasons we liked it.

The trade-off is that the cargo area is a little smaller, particularly if you get the GXL model or above because of the 3rd row aircon and the 3rd row cupholders. If you are considering a 76 series then I would suggest the base model GX Prado would suit your needs - it has all the technology of the GXL but without the 3rd row seat and some of the shiny bits and with more cargo space.

We completed the Canning Stock Route in our 150 series in June this year and it performed faultlessly. We are a family of four and carried all of our food, drinkls, etc for 3 1/3 weeks. This is without a trailer. We averaged less than 14L/100km for the Canning (diesel).

200 series is a very large, nice, capable vehicle but the price is over the top in my view. I would definitely have considered the forthcoming poverty pack model if it was available last year when I bought the Prado.

Wayne

I have not had any experiences with the vehicles you have listed as interested in, but I think the Prado would be a better tourer as it has 180ltrs capacity (2 x 90litres tanks) where the 76 wagon only has one 90 ltr tank.

Cheers

Paul T

Got a chance to look at a 76 the other day. Its now out of the question no leg room in the back.

I am going to wait for the "POVERTY PACK" 200 with the twin turbo engine

If all else fails I will stick with the 80 and trick it up a bit

Thank you for your advice and comments

Cheers
Wayne B