Buying a used 2003 grande pre checks/inspections

[rosco24 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rosco24]

hey guys.

im am buying a used 2003 prado grande from a dealer.

Is there any important checks/inspections to look at the car,like cv joints etc.......?
or should it not be too bad coming from a dealer?

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

Re: Buying a used 2003 grande pre checks/inspections

!!! or should it not be too bad coming from a dealer !!! I just bought a GXL, I can tell you we looked at a few dealers here in western Sydney and some of them were worse then the private ones, hail damage, dented roofs, more dents up the side then Elvis Presley, trim torn, and one I kid you not grande we looked at a dealer ship had the transfer lever case knob chewed off by the previous owners dog (what the dealer didnt notice it before putting on lot ??) As mentioned before in another post about the grande sunroofs 4 out of 4 I looked at had rust either just starting or well on its way, if you read the post on grande sunroof it will tell and show you how to look for it. I loved the grande and the extra features, cliamte air, hill decent, traction control, console fridge etc but the sunroofs turned me off but as you will read in sunroof posts there seems to plenty that dont have it also. You need to do the usual check, get down on your back slide yourself under it and have a good look at everything, climb up on the rear cargo door opening and check over the roof. I have sold 5 4wd's over the years and not one person checked the roofs, The 03 also had a problem on the rear cargo door as they were cracking around the door hinge, modified doors were put on, whole doors not just hinges, the seal on the the skin of the modified door is a lot wider then the original was. Some had issues with water leaking onto the roof lining, this was caused by the roof rail bolts not sealed properly from the factory (this was any model with the roof rails) You will probably get a flutter from the exhaust manifold under moderate throttle (more noticeable with window down) I have an 05 model GXL and is still there but very very slight, they modified the manifolds I think it was in late 04 when the 5 speed auto was introduced. If doing the inspection yourself check all the bolts on the doors, bonnet etc to see if they have been undone, ifso then start checking, the rear cargo door will possibly have obvious paint from the bolts when the door was done, Check your aircon and all controls are working including rear air, check the sight glass under the bonnet for any foam floating through as this will indicate a regass (a slight bit is ok but generally should be clear while the compressor is engaged) Considering the shit boxes we looked at the engines themselves were oil free one had slight weapage at the back of the rocker cover on passengers side, check the hill decent, airbag control, high/low range etc, if unsure of inspecting your self get an inspection done BUT organize it your self not through the caryard.....Good luck finding a good one, we found they were either trashed, kids have killed the interiors, or as we found rust in the sunroofs, or more then what we wanted to spend or over priced, beautiful car to drive and I love the instrumentations look great. Regards Steve

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hey guys.

im am buying a used 2003 prado grande from a dealer.

Is there any important checks/inspections to look at the car,like cv joints etc.......?
or should it not be too bad coming from a dealer?

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

Re: Buying a used 2003 grande pre checks/inspections

Depends on the dealer.

In my experience GOOD new car dealers only keep GOOD quality stock on the lot and wholesale out the rest. You will pay a premium (or the true value maybe) at a GOOD new dealer. The used cars guys buy the rest at wholesale prices.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you get.