First Week with 150GXL

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

First impressions after a week....and coming from a 120.

*Steering is WAY lighter !
*3rd row seating design is woeful! ripping them out for a drawer system, however.. if was going to use them, useless! 2nd row seats dont tumble so access to 3rd row all but impossible!
*Reversing camera screen is an afterthought....way way too small , and as for the pitiful aspect of REPEATING the trip computer readout that you have on the dash between the dials...thats plainly ridiculous..Designers must have thought.." what do you think we shoul dput on the screen when the reversing camera isnt working?....dunno mate... hang on.. lets just repeat the trip computer readout.... great idea..! problem solved in 10 secs.... next? "
*Mudflap issue mentioned elsewhere......
*Push button start and smart entry to my mind in a 4WD isnt smart at all.. and try washing the car with smart key in pocket.. every time you touch a door handle..car locks/unlocks/locks/unlocks....sheeeesh!

Otherwise ..its great!

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

Re: First Week with 150GXL

Hi Massa,
Congratulations on the new 150! I'm still waiting on mine to be delivered, but I have been driving a mates one, so I can make some comments based on experience.

*Steering is WAY lighter !

Can't say as I didn't come from a 120 but the steering is pretty light off-road, but more tighter on road.

*3rd row seating design is woeful! ripping them out for a drawer system, however.. if was going to use them, useless! 2nd row seats don’t tumble so access to 3rd row all but impossible!

I really don't know what toyota were thinking with the 3rd row seats. They should make them an option. As soon as I opened up the back, the amount of space with the seats folded down, to me, seemed like a complete waste!! In regards to the 2nd row seats not being able to tumble, I haven't tried it myself but according to viewtopic.php?f=45&t=9147&p=134543&hilit=tumble#p1 34543 "I know on my KAKA, with the rear seats I couldn't work out why the seat wouldn’t fold forward. After reading and reading and re-reading the owner’s manual I finally worked out myself that they will not fold forward if the head rests are not pushed fully in/ or not extended out." So perhaps give that a go.

*Reversing camera screen is an afterthought....way way too small , and as for the pitiful aspect of REPEATING the trip computer readout that you have on the dash between the dials...thats plainly ridiculous..Designers must have thought.." what do you think we shoul dput on the screen when the reversing camera isnt working?....dunno mate... hang on.. lets just repeat the trip computer readout.... great idea..! problem solved in 10 secs.... next? "!

Totally agree with you on the reverse camera - using it to pick out tree stumps or ditches while reversing in the bush is absolutely impossible. I think its intended use was for suburban terrain. As the GXL already comes with rear sensors, I believe the camera's sole purpose is so you don't run over unsuspecting children - otherwise it’s merely cosmetic. ABR Sidewinder (on this forum) has made a mod so you can switch on the rear cam while driving to check on what your towing - probably the only useful thing you could do with the screen! Also the trip computer dupe is again absolutely cosmetic. I'm not entirely sure what other options/info it displays, but I'd be happy if the screen size was a little bigger and integration with the head unit to display track info etc was available.

*Mudflap issue mentioned elsewhere......

First hand experience with this myself. Took a couple of photos of it from our trip to the Murray this weekend. By no means heavy mud, but there are still some streaks of mud in places where there shouldn’t be! Anyway, someone suggested Hilux SR5 flaps for touring setups as they aren’t that well secured.

Push button start and smart entry to my mind in a 4WD isnt smart at all.. and try washing the car with smart key in pocket.. every time you touch a door handle..car locks/unlocks/locks/unlocks....sheeeesh!

Why would you be touching a door handle at the carwash? Wouldn't having the car unlocked to begin with prevent this? I’ve come from an Aurion zr6 with the smart entry feature - never had this issue at the carwash. If it really bothers you, there might be an option to get your computer flashed by the service dept to prevent auto-locking (when you unlock and don’t open any doors).
I reckon smart start/entry is extremely convenient. You just walk up to the car and pull the handle and press a button to start the car – all without having to take a key out of your pocket! What I don’t like is the paranoia behind leaving your car after you park it. Aside from looking at the doorlocks, how would you double check that the car is locked? Pulling on a handle to check that it is locked will unlock it haha!

Anyway, good to see you’re enjoying the 150. Can’t wait to join the club!
Cheers

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

Re: First Week with 150GXL

Been spending time reading owners manual about all the hi-tech electronics... bit like studying text books at school all over again....ahh well... thats progress i suppose!

After week two with the car..I think i have summarised the differece between the 120 and the 150. The 150 has lots of things that are DIFFERENT to the 120 , but for my purposes...i have yet to find anything BETTER on the 150 than the 120 ! Still looking ...looking...

[dannyson Member Find all posts View Profile Close dannyson]

Re: First Week with 150GXL

:shock: Where shall we start........ engine is much much better (diesel that is) - so much quieter and responsive than the 120. The ride is so much more refined - and going round corners (if you have such things in Aus) shows no 'body roll' compared to the 120..... and the electronics ......wow!! I'm amazed - underfloor lighting just walking up to it ..... and so many gizmos inside ... USB, full sat nav.... I could go on and on the list is almost endless....... as you know...

Now .... maybe the spec. between UK models and yours is different ... as the only down side I feel is the ride is much much firmer than the 120 - especially over badly potholed roads (plenty of those in the UK as we have never learnt how to build roads properly) ... and can sometimes feel almost 'fidgety' - never gets settled - it certainly doesn't glide over pot holes (not that the 120 did either).

In the UK it is of course just referred to as a 'Landcruiser' - the model differentiated as either an LC4 or LC5 (I've got the LC4 - no moonroof or multi-terrain select).....its never been known as a 'prado' / pajero .. or whatever else European or elsewhere refer to them as.....

But I LOVE it .... the best car I've ever had - just wish something equivalent was around when my kids were at home (that I could afford - which of course I couldn't have) as it seems a nonsense to be swanning around with just me in it mostly.... but hey what the heck.....

[dannyson Member Find all posts View Profile Close dannyson]

Re: First Week with 150GXL

Forgot to mention - I was advised to come onto this site by one of your forum members - as I had had little to no response on the UK site as there are very few owners of the 150 here in the UK (we are very poor in the UK so must hold on to our cars for a long time 8) .... :lol: my 120 was 7 years old before I managed to trade it in) - and I'm learning so much about my new car (well ... 10 months old) from this site....... the stuff you like / don't like - so much more open in your thoughts than the UK....(IMO) ... I can' get enough of it - have a look at the UK site if you don't believe me .....

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

Re: First Week with 150GXL

Hi Dannyson and welcome...seems specs on your planet are different to ours.. no sat navs for me..engine is the same except for intercooler down the front.. and in fact it has a flatspot at 2500 that the old one didint! power and torque figures the same. no underfloor lighting for me...and electronic gizmos on a 4WD are rather dubious! anyways..glad you are enjoying it.. my new 150 will no doubt grow on me.. or maybe i am just missing the 120~!

[dannyson Member Find all posts View Profile Close dannyson]

Re: First Week with 150GXL

I'm surprised you miss the 120..... I'm advised the engine in the 150 is the most advanced diesel engine in the world (so I've read). I love all the electric gizmos and the multitude of information available at the touch of a button - compared to the 120 I had before which gave none - not even miles per gallon - just about managed to tell me the o/s temperature. It drives flat around corners with the KDSS, adaptive headlights etc, etc (which I've mentioned before) I certainly don't miss my 120 - I'm amazed how much more advanced this car is in the seven years since the launch of the 120.... amazing - you will love it and won't look back. Its a bit tricky though to tell what Aus. Landcruisers come with compared to UK spec. For example - the UK does not have a rear hang spare wheel option anymore (I had it on the 120) ....

On a slightly different tack - all this fuss about the oem mud flaps being inadequate .... I noted today the Landrover Discovery doesn't have any ..... mind they have horrible plastic sills that takes the worst of it - but the muck still gets up the doors and rear 'bumper'. :?

[Mick081 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mick081]

Re: First Week with 150GXL

Having just finished my first week with my new 150VX TD I have noticed one major fact.......the have finally re-built a 4x4 from the ground up...new dash, console, body shape, bells & whistles.... the only thing they kept was the best 4x4 engine yet D4D!!

[rumy Member Find all posts View Profile Close rumy]

Re: First Week with 150GXL

I don't get what all the fuss is about the third row seats??? They are meant for kids only aren't they, my kids love it in the third row seats. (10 & 7 yrs old) The passeneger side 2nd row seat slides forward to easily let the kids into the back so I don't see the problem?
The reverse camera in the Kakadu is huge and I can see everything easily, I love the sizes of all the displays.

People buy these expensive cars and then get on here and whinge about a whole list of things they hate about it, don't people look before they buy? I am curious and not being smart here, seems like you may not have first viewed the car prior to purchasing because if I had a list of things I hated about a car I am sure I wouldn't buy it?

I know this has probably comes across as a smart arse statement but it's not meant to be like that so sorry if I offend some.

[BNEGXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close BNEGXL]

Re: First Week with 150GXL

Re the third row seats,

For me it's no big deal, just simply a case of personal preference,

If you want them, great, they're there.

If you don't want them and would like to save 45 kgs and increase the available space in the back of your car it would be nice to be able to do that.
I see having the fridge a couple of inches lower as a benefit.

Given that the GX is available with or without, it would be nice if the same option were available across the range.

Looking at some of the comments posted on this Forum it appears it would be a good seller.

If I could buy the "no seat" trim from a GX, I would buy it.

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

Re: First Week with 150GXL

First week with the GXL.... 99.99% happy with it so far. Having come back from a 12hr return trip, that 0.01% is attibuted to the steering wheel. Which genius decided to design the steering wheel like that?? Sure it looks good, but practical? NOPE. I can't seem to find a comfortable position to rest my arm!

[woody50 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close woody50]

Re: First Week with 150GXL

Hi All

Finally picked up my D4D GXL on 25/1 so Australia Day was spent on a drive to Warwick and back 400kms. The roads are knocked around after the QLD Floods etc.

So far very happy - only thing that didn't seem to work was the console tray. Worked at the dealers but when I tried it - no go. Sort that out at first service.

Very comfortable to drive - all the instruments seem good. The Reversing Camera Screen is a bit small and the camera will be a problem to see the towball for hooking up the Caravan. Probably will do a rexie04 to fix the problem.

This is my first diesel so it is a bit different to the 120 V6 I had a few years ago. Seems to get to 100kms without really knowing it is there - had to take the foot off a few times. Also steering seems very light for such a heavy vehicle - Took my 2007 commodore SW to work to day and the steering seemed a lot heavier than the Prado.

The door and the console armrest position are in just the right position for me which doesn't appear the case for others.

The fuel usage came in at 9.4 for this first drive. This could be less as it started at 25 with a full tank from the dealer and averaged down to 9.4. The drive was a mixed bag of speeds due to the poor state of roads and Cunninghams Gap being down to 1 lane in total. Will probably get a scanguage to get a more accurate readout.

The size of the vehicle (height particularly) taking a bit to get used to where other around me are except other 4WDs which I can see.

Mudflaps an issue - as we all know - Will do a temp fix on that until Mr Toyota finally comes to the party.

Long way to go yet but initial impressions - Top Stuff.

Now to get on with the addon's - Where do you start!! - so many great builds and ideas on PP.

My better half is getting sick of me surfing PP.com.
Cheers
Woody

[dannyson Member Find all posts View Profile Close dannyson]

Re: First Week with 150GXL

I too felt the steering way too light at first - put me off a bit ...... but now I don't even think about it.... just right!! .... maybe it has 'learnt' my driving style?? 8)