Looking at a new/used land cruiser/prado

[Sted Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Sted]

Hey guys,

Hope you don't mind a pom invading your forum for a bit of info but I was directed here from The Land Cruiser Owners Club UK Forum as I'm told its the font of all knowledge on these beasts!
I have been tempted by a D4 but the all too numerous horror stories led me to my local Toyota dealer who had a couple of these in, sadly I cant afford the top or mid spec (Invincible and Icon models here respectively) but the "Base" model (The Active) seems it could be worth a look, no nav or leather but thats not really a deal breaker if the car is as good as everyone says it is, it is also slightly cheaper than a D4 GS model, though not by much.

My only real questions are:

New or used? New is nice but means basic spec, used means possibly a model up but no facelift front and interior, should that make a difference?

Are they as good offroad as the D4? I won't have the fancy "Terrain Response" thing as its not an option on the base model but the D4 will have the Land Rover equivalent fitted as standard. Do you guys believe it makes any difference? I fully intend on getting my boots as wet and muddy as possible so it does matter!

The reliability is legendary but are there any real maintenance issues with a new/new-ish model? If I elect for a used model is it there any model years that should be avoided?

Thank you in advance for any replies guys, probably unusual to ask you to comment on UK spec vehicles but any comments would be most welcome and appreciated.........except on cricket

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

First off I think we need to understand which models you have available there, and for what years?

In Australia we had the 90 series between 1996 and 2002, the 120 series between 2002 and 2009, and finally the 150 series from 2009 until today. I don't know what you have in UK. In some regions, such as South America, they still make brand new 90 series.

[ratsack Member Find all posts View Profile Close ratsack]

In some regions, such as South America, they still make brand new 90 series.

Smart people!

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

First off I think we need to understand which models you have available there, and for what years?

In Australia we had the 90 series between 1996 and 2002, the 120 series between 2002 and 2009, and finally the 150 series from 2009 until today. I don't know what you have in UK. In some regions, such as South America, they still make brand new 90 series.

I think Europe follow the similar year patterns for models but have weird model numbers 188/190 etc. so go on model years 1996-2003 (our 95 Series), 2003-2009 (120) and 2010+ (150) they got the face lift 150 on 1 December 2014.

What we know as 120's/150's came in 3 trim levels LC3, LC4, LC5. The facelift 150 now comes in 3 Trim levels Active, Icon, Invincible So I am presuming he is referring to the facelift 150? The invincible is equivalent to our Kakadu (I think)


Incidentally the 95 series were called Landcruiser Colorado's until 2003 - so does that mean you drive a supercharged Colorado Glen?

[Black Mamba 2014 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Black Mamba 2014]

Check this out Sted - http://www.productreview.com.au/p/to...0-present.html

The Active model which is a mixture of the GX and GXL model (only difference is LED DRLs instead of halogen and you have an option to have seven seats) has 70% sales here in Australia. http://www.toyota.co.uk/new-cars/lan...r-specs-prices

If you check out the Carsales.com.au, the re-sale value of a second hand Prado here in Australia is phenomenal.

It is my first time owning a Prado, I've drove a number of Prado's at work and this is the reason why I bought a brand new one. I've only had my fourby for two weeks and already done 1800 km's, I could tell you a number of positive and negative (mostly positive) points about driving the car but at this stage I can only listen to people who drives a Prado all their life in relation to reliability.

If you can't afford the top or mid spec, you might as well buy a second hand one that has good service history and comes with a lot or some accessories. In terms of reliability, it is built by Toyota so you won't have any problems. As long as you service it regularly and look after it.

[Sted Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Sted]

I think Europe follow the similar year patterns for models but have weird model numbers 188/190 etc. so go on model years 1996-2003 (our 95 Series), 2003-2009 (120) and 2010+ (150) they got the face lift 150 on 1 December 2014.

What we know as 120's/150's came in 3 trim levels LC3, LC4, LC5. The facelift 150 now comes in 3 Trim levels Active, Icon, Invincible So I am presuming he is referring to the facelift 150? The invincible is equivalent to our Kakadu (I think)

Spot on mate, the specific models I'm interested in are the 150 from about 2010 as you say, the new one is a face lifted 150. The Active is the base model which still seems well kitted with cloth interior, 3.0 D4D, auto, cruise, power mirrors, climate. The Icon is the next level up and had nav, leather, wood trim etc but it is literally 11,000 more which is a huge leap, baffling that there is no interim model, even more baffling is the lack of options available on the base model, I guess UK is a tiny 4x4 market, though you wouldn't think so by the proliferation if Land Rover models on the roads.
I still need it to be a good motorway plugger but I have outdoor hobbies, a large dog to ferry about and work on building sites so my current car, an Audi A6 Avant, is just getting battered!

Thanks for the replies so far guys!

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

You see so many Land Rovers in UK because 'they're British". Get a Prado and be unusual!

I really don't think there is much difference between the two 150 versions beyond tweaked suspension and some additional active safety equipment (trailler sway control, emergency brake signal) and its even uglier. So you can get the earlier model for less, without sacrificing much. Major mechanicals (Suspension, approach angles, engines) are untouched. So unless you like the newer model or need those features I'd save your money and get the higher specced model.

Beyond the D4D injector issue which should have been sorted out by now in Europe (There was a recall on the 120 series in Europe), there's not much to worry about with the good old Prado IMO.

Comparing the Disco to the Prado that's a bit different. They are both very capable vehicles. I'll get shot for saying this, but in stock form, the Landy appears to win out with greater ground clearance (310mm v 220mm or 4inches difference), better approach, break over and departure angles and the same wading depth (700mm). But a relatively cheap suspension upgrade sorts that out. The Landy also is probably a bit more refined to drive. Our Prado's have dual tanks so we have 150-180 liters to play with with makes them more attractive for long outback trips. I only have to fill my truck up about once every two months. You'll only have 80/90 to play with

That said there are many Prado owners here who take their vehicles to places even the manufacturer's think it can't go and it does very very well, and in great comfort. Personally I don't really like the extra electronic jiggery pokery, its just more to go wrong IMO which is why I got a 120 over a 150. (But I've got to make sure my injectors don't do bang!) . Yes the traction aids help, but it also helps you get a lot further into trouble if you don't know what you are doing which makes it harder to get out.

But there's a reason you see so many more Toyota's on the road here in Aus and Africa, and that's purely reliability. Land Rovers can't be trusted away from a mechanic. Which may not be an issue for you, but once you are out of Warranty those bills will mount up. My friend's D3 cost him $9,000 in mechanics bills before he sold it.

I love landrovers, and my first 4wding was done in a Series 3, and my mum used to work for a Landrover dealer, but I would buy a Prado over a Disco. I love my Prado

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

Incidentally the 95 series were called Landcruiser Colorado's until 2003 - so does that mean you drive a supercharged Colorado Glen?

Well I guess so - or a TRD Colorado even?

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

[QUOTE=Sted;458421]my current car, an Audi A6 Avant, is just getting battered!/QUOTE]
Here in Oz, only doctors, lawyers and middle-eastern drug dealers can afford Audis.

[Sted Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Sted]

Beyond the D4D injector issue which should have been sorted out by now in Europe (There was a recall on the 120 series in Europe), there's not much to worry about with the good old Prado IMO.

Comparing the Disco to the Prado that's a bit different. They are both very capable vehicles. I'll get shot for saying this, but in stock form, the Landy appears to win out with greater ground clearance (310mm v 220mm or 4inches difference), better approach, break over and departure angles and the same wading depth (700mm). But a relatively cheap suspension upgrade sorts that out. The Landy also is probably a bit more refined to drive.

Thanks mate, I'll make myself aware of the injector issue prior to any purchase. I think the enhanced clearance of the disco is purely in certain offroad modes and drops to 180mm after 50 kph anyway but I plan to fit bigger tyres anyway if I get one but you are right, the mechanicals are a big worry with the Disco on such a big investment, puts me right off an otherwise very attractive package.

[Sted Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Sted]

[QUOTE=Bushbasher;458522]

my current car, an Audi A6 Avant, is just getting battered!/QUOTE]
Here in Oz, only doctors, lawyers and middle-eastern drug dealers can afford Audis.

Haha! I assure you I'm neither mate, Audi and BMW over here are more common than bloody Fords these days!

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

I visited a mate in Wales back in 97 when he was assigned to an army base in Brecon. He's a true blue Ford and Toyota man having been born and raised in Katanning. And what was he driving over there? A bloody Peugot estate. He reckoned it was the most luxurious, accessorised, economical car he'd ever owned. Estate I protested, frigging station wagon maate. Get it right.