prado 120 verse 150

Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 07:13

ThreadID: 91438 Views:16998 Replies:8 FollowUps:6

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christo2510

I'm looking to purchase a low km Prado 3ltr with the D4D engine. I tow a Off Road camper but only do infrequent major off-road trips. Any advise regarding whether the 120 series or the 150 is the better vehicle. Also any advise on the Sports Auto transmission verses a 6 speed manual transmission for towing and when off-road. Have driven an 09 150 with the Sports Transmission and love it on the hard stuff. Regards Christo

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Reply By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 07:36

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 07:36

Have not found much difference between them Christo , we have 120 D4D grande in our extended family and when driving a 150 the engine seem to hunt and vibrate a little - but could easily have been tuning on just that engine.
(Preffered the smooth and more powerful petrol myself)

Could come down to value for money.

Robin Miller

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AnswerID: 475953

Follow Up By: patsproule - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 08:56

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 08:56

IMHO, and having driven both, the 150 is just a little bit too heavy for the D4D.

FollowupID: 750969

Follow Up By: Off-track - Friday, Jan 27, 2012 at 15:38

Friday, Jan 27, 2012 at 15:38

Like Robin I too found the D4D to have a slight vibration/hum. I just put this down to 4cyl being inherently rough as opposed to inline 6's. Probably wouldnt notice it if I didnt own a 6cyl TD.

FollowupID: 751143

Follow Up By: Off-track - Friday, Jan 27, 2012 at 15:39

Friday, Jan 27, 2012 at 15:39

...I was other wise impressed with the D4D's performance but the vibe might drive me batty personally.

FollowupID: 751144

Reply By: andoland - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 08:59

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 08:59

I went from a 90 series to a 150 series and there is a huge difference!! But I think you'll find there is not a whole lot of difference from the 120 to the 150, but the 150 probably has more features and technology for a given model than the 120. E.g. my 150 series GX (base model) has cruise control, traction control, stability control, 7 airbags but I'd guess that the 120 series GX does not have all those things.

The 120 series will do what you want it to do and do it well.

Have a look on pradopoint.com where you will find more info and opinions than you can poke a stick at.

AnswerID: 475958

Follow Up By: Steve M1 (NSW) - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 09:08

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 09:08

you do get those features you mention on the 120 GXL

yep, pradopoint is your best source of info - I remember a debate on this very question, which you should find via the search facility

FollowupID: 750971

Follow Up By: Kimba10 - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 10:12

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 10:12

You can also get all this including dual climate air even on the GX 120 there were two option packs but would probably need to do a bit of searching to find one. Traction, stability and down hill assist is not standard on the GXL either, only the VX and the grande has all the safety gear standard including the side airbags, I have series 2 GXL 120 V6 with 5 speed auto and the extra stuff still come as option pack one and two, Downhill assist, traction,stability is now all standard on the 150 GXL. Down hill assist is not available on the manual 120's not sure on the 150's. My mate just bought a 150 and reckons the 120 was a better car ?? personal opinion maybe. Check out website pradopoint.com heaps and heaps of info on there from people who actually own and drive all the different model prados.Notice how many pages there are on issues with the diesels compared to the petrols, huge difference hence why i went petrol this time....................

FollowupID: 750977

Reply By: Steve M1 (NSW) - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 09:03

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 09:03

I don't know much about the sports transmission but the auto is excellent for towing.
I'm sure you know the 150 has a few refinements over the 120 but as far as I can see, none of them really defining, particularly if you go for a 120 with the d4d motor. (07-08) You also benefit from a 180 liter fuel tank, more luggage space and a nice big space under the bonnet for a 2nd battery, which the 150 doesn't have without moving things around. I was very tempted by a new 150 as new cars have that effect, esp with an improved computer to play with but in the end saved a lot of dollars and put it into ARB's account instead. You won't go far wrong with either.

AnswerID: 475960

Reply By: PradOz - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 09:37

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 09:37

definately do some research via pradopoint. you will find positives and negatives for both there. forexample, if you want a steel bullbar there is plenty of discussion now on pradopoint about toyota not wanting to back warranty etc if you go fit one to the 150.

and IMHO if you do any off road stuff, beach etc you will find the auto so much easier than when using a manual. i have seen/heard plenty of "4wd experts" also with this same opinion.

a lot will come down to cost and what you can afford. you may get more for your money that you have available to spend by going the 120 route otherwise you may have to settle for less with a 150 - unless you have 1 of those money trees. i am definately happy in my 120 grande petrol, we have more for our money in the 120 grande and definately would not have that spec model in a 150 with what we could afford.

AnswerID: 475962

Follow Up By: Member - Peter R (QLD) - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 22:38

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 22:38

I have a 2007 D4D (GXL) and tow a dual axle van with ATM of 2400kg.

It tows well and has plently of grunt.

I like the 180 litre fuel tanks which is above the 150 capacity.

My year had problems with injectors, being the initial ones supplied not being appropriate.
Mine were replaced at around the 80000km mark and it was an out of warranty (9 months approx)claim between Toyota and Swan Insurance who had issued extended warranty when I purchased.

The question to ask if you decide on a 120 is, are injectors DLC (Diamond like coating) or non DLC.

Apart from injector issue I am very pleased with the D4D .
No info on the 150 and as others have suggested check out pradopoint.com and do a search under both 120 series and 150 series.

Pedro

FollowupID: 751043

Reply By: Member - Charlie M (SA) - Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 22:05

Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012 at 22:05

Hi
Have had both early and late 120.Later one leaves early one behind in the towing department, extra power makes a lot of difference.

Both were great on dust keeping it out.

Have a mate in our town who has a 150 and he is happy in all departments except the dust, it leaks something shocking through the back door.

All auto's and D4D.

Don't have the sports auto so cant comment

Cheers
Charlie

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AnswerID: 476022

Reply By: christo2510 - Thursday, Jan 26, 2012 at 09:52

Thursday, Jan 26, 2012 at 09:52

Thanks all for the info, think I'm more confused now than before due to the fact that it appears that most of you have the petrol option over diesel. Is this just a power issue, reliability or economy? Also do all the 150 series need work to install second battery? Registered with Pradopoint but am being held up with entrance to the forum.

AnswerID: 476042

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Thursday, Jan 26, 2012 at 23:42

Thursday, Jan 26, 2012 at 23:42

Fuel consumption dropped from 9.3 l/100 (120series) to 8.5 l/100 (150series) for the TD GXL auto.
Thats one reason they made the fuel tank smaller!

AnswerID: 476084

Reply By: Best Off Road - Sunday, Jan 29, 2012 at 11:11

Sunday, Jan 29, 2012 at 11:11

An important consideration is the third row of seats. If you plan to remove them and replace them on a regular basis steer clear of the 150. It takes up to three hours to do.

The seats in the 120 are a five minute job.

Jim.

AnswerID: 476271