Buying my first 120 series

[Degeko Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Degeko]

Hi all,

I have been lurking on here for a while and after a lot of research decided to get my first Prado.

Decided I wanted a 120 series Grande petrol, went and had a look/drive of a few over the weekend. Narrowed it down to a 05 model with 140,000kms on it with the 5 speed auto. Paint was pretty good with a few knocks and scratches, no cracking of the dash or any rust I could find.

No mods besides a factory bullbar and towbar. only problem is the service history isn't the best, there's no record of it being serviced (in the logbook) between 30k and 100k and owner does not have the receipts from the local mechanic that did it (says they were done). I took it for a drive and it drove fine, got underneath and doesn't look like its ever been offroad.

He is asking 23k for it but just wants to sell it so might get it for 20k if im lucky. Should I give it a miss or take the gamble that its ok?

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

The 4.0L V6 is a strong reliable motor but for me I would want documented service history. Potentially 6 missed services with 2 of them major (40k & 80k).

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

Its a buyers market, especially if you're going for a 120 petrol. I took my time and looked and haggled for nine months before finally driving one home. (2005 VX V6 with 164k kms) I chose this one as it was looked after and has $10k worth of accessories fitted (I priced it out). I got it for $20k.

Its up to you, but I made a lot of offers and I was happy to walk away and keep looking. A lot of owners have ideas of what their vehicle is "worth" without taking into account the high amount that are for sale. Months later they are still trying to sell at their asking price. The value keeps heading south, the rego is burning away, etc...

Thats a big gap in service history and certainly a haggling point. It depends on how much you want it and if you're prepared to walk away. Personally, I would have a discussion around that and if the owner is set on a price thats to high or more than you're prepared to pay, move on. Theres heaps more out there.

[Degeko Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Degeko]

Its a buyers market, especially if you're going for a 120 petrol. I took my time and looked and haggled for nine months before finally driving one home. (2005 VX V6 with 164k kms) I chose this one as it was looked after and has $10k worth of accessories fitted (I priced it out). I got it for $20k.

Its up to you, but I made a lot of offers and I was happy to walk away and keep looking. A lot of owners have ideas of what their vehicle is "worth" without taking into account the high amount that are for sale. Months later they are still trying to sell at their asking price. The value keeps heading south, the rego is burning away, etc...

Thats a big gap in service history and certainly a haggling point. It depends on how much you want it and if you're prepared to walk away. Personally, I would have a discussion around that and if the owner is set on a price thats to high or more than you're prepared to pay, move on. Theres heaps more out there.

Yeah that's exactly what I have been doing, seems in the past two weeks anything half decent is getting snapped up pretty quick. Made a few offers then to have it sold for the asking price the following day. Seems demand has gone up in the past few weeks.

Looked at one yesterday that was supposed to be in mint condition. got underneath and saw seaweed and beach sand all over the place, open bonnet and entire engine bay covered in sand with strong smell of seawater. Didn't bother driving it just walked away.

There are some good deals going if your quick but no luck so far, plenty of high mileage overpriced ones around though.

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

Yeah that's exactly what I have been doing, seems in the past two weeks anything half decent is getting snapped up pretty quick. Made a few offers then to have it sold for the asking price the following day. Seems demand has gone up in the past few weeks.

Looked at one yesterday that was supposed to be in mint condition. got underneath and saw seaweed and beach sand all over the place, open bonnet and entire engine bay covered in sand with strong smell of seawater. Didn't bother driving it just walked away.

There are some good deals going if your quick but no luck so far, plenty of high mileage overpriced ones around though.

I copped a bit of that as well, but it never lasted long. Good luck to those owners that sold them quickly. I was happy to bide my time for the right one at the right price. In the mean time I kept researching the vehicle, accessories and places to go. If you're not in a hurry, time and patience pays off.

I was also very amazed at some of the prices being asked for high mileage vehicles, that have very obviously been well used. The owner tries to use the amount of accessories as a point of value. Thats true to a point, but its all for naught if the vehicle itself is a dogs breakfast. Often the owners remarked that "they hold their value and I will get that price." "Good luck and all the best to you. Not from me you won't."

[Degeko Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Degeko]

I rang the owners mechanic today, he confirmed he services the vehicle and didn't fill out the log book as it was not with the vehicle. All major services were done at toyota and noted in the logbook but not the minor ones

Any way of inspecting the engine to see if it has had regular servicings?

Also noticed the VSC light came on when I put it in low range and locked the diff. Is that normal?

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

VSC which is vehicle stability control will come on when centre diff is locked so that is normal. Surely that mechanic should have it documented some where (computer, paper book) some thing showing evidence of service. Could be a family friend they have sent you to for all you know. Some signs are by checking the dipstick to see if it has any shit sticking to it or really badly stained like a real dark brown. They wont be the bright yellow they were from the factory but should show if oil was changed. Another is to check under the actual oil cap itself for any sludgy shit stuck to the under side of the cap. Also try and have a look down in where the oil is filled (where oil cap screws on) and see if you can check it out. Should be really nice and goldy colour not dark brown or shit cooked on. If its not nice and shiny then walk as the oil changes havn't been done. I personally wont touch a vehicle without books or service history. Its not hard to keep receipt even for parts at least and wack in the log books. Any decent mechanic running a workshop should have it on file some where. They are a great engine BUT if not serviced will/can cost you some big $$$$there not a cheap motor all alloy......Cheers Steve

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Mate where you located ?? Also did you check under the rubber on the sunroof for rust ?? if not, open roof and squish the rubber between your fingers and pull it back just slightly to se under it. It its rusted its a 3g replacement by Toyota drive in drive out, roof alone (glass panel,rubber) $1800 .....Cheers Steve

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Mate where you located ?? Also did you check under the rubber on the sunroof for rust ?? if not, open roof and squish the rubber between your fingers and pull it back just slightly to se under it. It its rusted its a 3g replacement by Toyota drive in drive out, roof alone (glass panel,rubber) $1800 .....Cheers Steve check here http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...oot-Seal/page9

[Degeko Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Degeko]

VSC which is vehicle stability control will come on when centre diff is locked so that is normal. Surely that mechanic should have it documented some where (computer, paper book) some thing showing evidence of service. Could be a family friend they have sent you to for all you know. Some signs are by checking the dipstick to see if it has any shit sticking to it or really badly stained like a real dark brown. They wont be the bright yellow they were from the factory but should show if oil was changed. Another is to check under the actual oil cap itself for any sludgy shit stuck to the under side of the cap. Also try and have a look down in where the oil is filled (where oil cap screws on) and see if you can check it out. Should be really nice and goldy colour not dark brown or shit cooked on. If its not nice and shiny then walk as the oil changes havn't been done. I personally wont touch a vehicle without books or service history. Its not hard to keep receipt even for parts at least and wack in the log books. Any decent mechanic running a workshop should have it on file some where. They are a great engine BUT if not serviced will/can cost you some big $$$$there not a cheap motor all alloy......Cheers Steve

Yeah looked at the dipstick and under the oil filler, looked clean and normal. The oil itself was blackish and was last replaced 10,000km ago.
I'm on the verge of walking as it is, didn't check the sunroof but will if I look at it again. the owner doesn't speak english very well and hard to get info out of.

Not much else around at the moment besides high mileage 03 models with stupid prices (24-30k). I live in sydney but currently in Brisbane for the next month or so.

If it was a 4k car I would take the gamble but 20k is a bit too much.

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

Yeah looked at the dipstick and under the oil filler, looked clean and normal. The oil itself was blackish and was last replaced 10,000km ago.
I'm on the verge of walking as it is, didn't check the sunroof but will if I look at it again. the owner doesn't speak english very well and hard to get info out of.

Not much else around at the moment besides high mileage 03 models with stupid prices (24-30k). I live in sydney but currently in Brisbane for the next month or so.

If it was a 4k car I would take the gamble but 20k is a bit too much.

If someone was describing this vehicle to you as a potential buy, what would you tell them, based on the info provided so far?

It may well turn out to be ok, but so far there a few to many unanswered and potentially very expensive questions. Much better to save your hard earned and find something that won't give you sleepless nights.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

I'm with Beach. If your travelling to and from Sydney etc then just keep your eye out. They come and go. Even after 12k which was my last oil change (I did a few extra klms in 2 weeks) the oil was done 2k over the 10 and was still fairly clean with a gold tinge. There's a certain place here in Sydney that I wouldn't even bother looking or ringing the area, I call it cut & shut city and 9 out of 10 are a piece of shit. I will send you a PM with the area I'm referring to....Cheers Steve

[Prudao Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prudao]

I'm with Beach. If your travelling to and from Sydney etc then just keep your eye out. They come and go. Even after 12k which was my last oil change (I did a few extra klms in 2 weeks) the oil was done 2k over the 10 and was still fairly clean with a gold tinge. There's a certain place here in Sydney that I wouldn't even bother looking or ringing the area, I call it cut & shut city and 9 out of 10 are a piece of shit. I will send you a PM with the area I'm referring to....Cheers Steve

Please can you send me a PM with these area. I'm also after a 120 Prado VX or Grande in Sydney or somewhere close in NSW.
Thanks