VX over Grande?

[6834cc Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 6834cc]

Just been searching while and I'm surprised at how expensive VX's are compared to Grande.. Same price or sometimes more? Why is this? Is it because of sunroof? Or non air suspension?

Thanks

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

I didn't know there was a difference . Mine is a VX with grande badging according to my VIN .

[Ozpat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ozpat]

Just been searching while and I'm surprised at how expensive VX's are compared to Grande.. Same price or sometimes more? Why is this? Is it because of sunroof? Or non air suspension?

Thanks

VX a lot cheaper than grande when new. VXs must be holding their prices better for those reasons. Don't know why anyone would want a sun/moon roof in Oz. Had one in a previous Forester, never ever had it open, except when I bought a couple of trees.

[Graz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Graz]

Depends on what you want it for ?
If its for a Toorak tractor then the Grande.
If off road i would go the VX. Only because of the extra set up costs for lifting the Grande.
The plus sides for the grande would be the self leveling suspension and that fantastic fridge console.

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

Just mere speculation..I don't believe (compared to GXL and Grande) that many were manufactured. The early badges got very hazy..my manual says VX (by initial dealer) but it's a grande (air bag suspension).

I believe they eventually dropped the VX badge and just went for the Grande. However the VX got Traction Control but not the Grande's Achilles heels, i.e Sunroof and air suspension (latter is not that bad really). Consequently when they come on the market they are very popular so get snapped up asap leading to high prices?

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Yet to see any issue with the Sunroof? Airbags? Well yes they are more expensive to replace than a spring, but far cheaper to raise the usual 2". ( $2 of Panel washers plus shocks.)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[6834cc Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 6834cc]

How much would it cost to fix airbags if they are stuffed?

Weighing up whether I wait for a good VX instead of a Grande.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

As used cars, often ppl want them for offroad.
So they want reliability, not airbags.
Also they see traction control as a traction aid, so adds value, it's ok but if it fails 3k$$$$
Gxl is the go, best Prado ever built.

[6834cc Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 6834cc]

Fair enough. I'd never do hardcore offroad, I just want the least issues. The VX seems the best in between.

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

How much would it cost to fix airbags if they are stuffed?

Weighing up whether I wait for a good VX instead of a Grande.

I replaced my bags shortly after I bought my 03 grande - cost a total of $450 for both bags delivered from Amayama - both genuine bags.

The whole misconception of grande's costing more to raise is incorrect.
Front springs & shocks are identical to any other model, and rear you just replace the shocks & add spacers to the sensors.
Im about to do it soon, and im going to add a pair of amts' airbag spacers to stop them from dropping out on funky angles.

So all in all, it costs about the same - unless you are upgrading to airbagman air springs.

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

How much would it cost to fix airbags if they are stuffed?

Weighing up whether I wait for a good VX instead of a Grande.

Here u go: http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...l=1#post519202

They're a fair price over brand new (Aussie sourced).

Not knocking the rear air bags, just to a lot of peeps it does not scream offroad. I guess a lot of folks would perceive them to be a hassle?

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

As a Grande owner I would buy a VX next time. Still have some luxuries without the airbags.

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

Not knocking the rear air bags, just to a lot of peeps it does not scream offroad. I guess a lot of folks would perceive them to be a hassle?

I tend to disagree.
Majority of the feedback I got on rear airbags failing was mainly due to age, not offroad driving.
They are just like any other suspension component, they have a limited lifespan & if you maintain them there isnt any reason for them to fail prematurely just because you take it offroad.

Having said that, if the OP is really concerned about airbags, you can always swap them out & retrofit springs.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Having said that, if the OP is really concerned about airbags, you can always swap them out & retrofit springs.

Or buy a VX

That's what I should have bought in 2005 when I got my first Prado, with the climate control option which we liked but not having the sunroof and airbags which we I wouldn't want. Had I have done that I would likely still own it rather than having bought the second Prado in 2009, would have been miles better off financially........... anyway live and learn.

Cheers Andrew

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

Airbags are $132 each plus freight , rear TEMS shocks $397 each , from parts souq .Airbags last about eight years and are not affected by off-roading . Airbags are no impedance to any sort of 4wding . The airbags come with a 40 mm lift built in , all you do is hit a button .