GXL vs 50th Anniversary

[Fishin_Dan Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fishin_Dan]

Am currently looking at my first Prado after coming rom several other bigger 4WDs (last 2were 60 series cruisers).

I was pretty set (after weeks of reading every thread on here!!!) on a 99-02 GXL, and there are some nice ones around. However there has been a couple of 01 50th Anniversary models popping up lately for around the same price.

When I compare them on spec sheet, there only really cosmetic differences (some chrome bits) and the rear aircon unit... To be honest, chrome isn't my thing, it gets scratched in the bush, and the chrome mirrors are about double the price to replace aftermarket if needed in the future... This pretty much leaves the rear aircon as the only real feature I can see that's useful. Am I leaving anything out? Is there something I haven't noticed?

If the choice was yours, which would you get, and why?

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

50th anniversary 90's also have alloy wheels as standard and GXLs have 16"x7" steel wheels. That said, a lot of GXL's have optional ROH alloys.

Another point of interest is that GXLs didn't come with remote central locking until series 2 were released (MY 2000 from memory)

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

Trim will be different ant there will be some other little extras. The chrome will not scratch, I have the chrome mirrors and they have no marks on them, unlike my last 80 series, with the black mirrors, they were scratched like buggery. The rear aircon is awesome, the vehicle cools down so much quicker with it on in conjunction with the front.

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

I have one and my favourite differences are:
- The rear air con. It's great for improving the ambient temperature rather than just being freezing in the front.
- The general looks. I didn’t care about the chrome but the combination of that and the special colour scheme on the bumpers, as a whole package, it looks much better than the GXL’s in my opinion.

Other differences (I think):
- Velour interior on doors is nice.
- Accessory tray under the passenger seat.
- Spoiler (the better looking outward pointing one)

[Fishin_Dan Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fishin_Dan]

Well I'm glad to hear the chrome doesn't scratch.. That did worry me a bit I will admit. I will be putting on PanelProtect to help stop the paint scratching, but the mirrors where a concern.

And the rear aircon does appeal to me.

I hadn't actually noticed Glen that your's was a 50th Anniversary. Your build up thread was one of the ones I'd bookmarked to show the other half what I wanted to do my fourb..... I mean...... her daily driver! HA HA HA!

Looks like the 50th could be a better option then from the sound of it. And considering the 2 are around the same price, I guess it's an easier decision to make.

Thanks everyone for your info!

[Fishin_Dan Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fishin_Dan]

Well spent the last while looking at varying Prado's. Unfortunately, one of the 50th Anniversary models sold before I got to see it, as did a few nice GXLs. The one 50th Ann. model I looked at.... Well... Lets just say we were wondering if the police were going to turn up and arrest everyone for rebirthing written off or stolen cars... It was dodgy as hell!!!

On a good note, I have now put a deposit down on a very tidy 1999 GXL V6 Manual Prado! The kms are fairly high (320K), however the price was VERY right, and everything seemed in fantastic order with it. The motor pulled like an absolute monster, with no bubbles in the radiator or blow by/suction in the head. It was cheap enough that I should be able to fit a 2" lift (OME), snorkel, new BFG MT KM2's & a bullbar for the same price as everyone else wanted!!!

Will do up a thread once I have the car (Should pickup Tuesday night), and can start to get stuck into getting it ready for the upgrades... Oh - And sell the Fiat 500 it's replacing too

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

Welcome aboard Dan. You'll not only find the forum is very informative it is also has a fantastic social aspect as well

[Fishin_Dan Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fishin_Dan]

Picked up the Prado tonight and brought it home. Had a little more time to go over things a little better, and found that the truck has been hardly used at all despite the high mileage! The rear bump stops don't even have any wear marks on them, so the flex has never been used... No rust, all clean and straight. The drive home from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast gave me a good run up the highway to test it all properly, and it performed brilliantly. The motor was great, and overtaking was an absolute dream. Even found out that the tyres are already 265/75/16! Just not the M/T versions I've got planned

Will do up a build thread as I start the modifications.

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

Well done Dan. When we were looking we must've inspected 6 or so GXL's & there was ONE manual, which we ended up buying. The rest were all high-mileage autos. Like you, I'm quite impressed with the torque of the smallish V6. Good luck with it.