Why do you own a Prado?

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

I find pradopoint very helpful and often entertaining. Reading some of the posts got me thinking, why own a Prado?

I'll start, we bought the Prado to tow our camper trailer and to let me get on the beach for various wter sports. It was a lifestyle decision that we took a long time to make. Nearly 12 months in and it was a great decision, the Prado has had a lot of use, with scratches and wear and tear to mark our travels.

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

I bought the prado because I couldn't afford a 200 series and it also had more bells and whistles than the 200.

I would have gone a 70 series ute or wagon but the girlfriend didn't like it being so 'agricultural' and complained that I already had a ute.

That said, I'm now very happy with the prado, it's a great car to drive, fits in the tightest of car parks, does alright on the farm. I do sometimes yearn for the v8, room, and 3.5t capacity though.

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

Well, we wanted a 4wd, Mrs did not want a huge job like a patrol or cruiser, so it was Prado or Pajero......


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[frederick Member Find all posts View Profile Close frederick]

Why do you own a Prado?

hi Krypto,your reasons are about the same as ours for purchasing the Prado as we tow a 2.2 tonne caravan and are starting our around Australia trip in few months. When you look around there are not many choices of multi purpose tow vehicles, that is vehicles that you can run the grandkids around in comfort, go off road reasonable well and then tow a caravan and have good reliablility, resale value and economy.
Years ago a V8 statemen, fairlane or a chev was the ideal tow vehicle but times are a changing so if you want some off road ability, reasonable towing capabilities and comfort, not much lines up as well as the D4D Prado.

Lets line up some of the competition:

Landrovers; i owned numerous landrovers over the years, series, 1, 2, 2a 3 then gave them up as the later models became unreliable, hard on juice and bloody uncomfortable, they say the new ones are better but i think expensive to service so they are out.
Nissans: seem to make a reasonable vehicle but i looked at a secondhand patrol 3 litre diesel 4 years ,done 50k just had new motor fitted under warranty so i dodged that one. Bad press wherever you want to look on the 3 litre ones.
Mitsubishi: Triton petrols are definately out as my mates one has had one new motor at 60k under warranty and fuel usage is disgusting around 14-16 litres per 100ks running around empty. Myabe the new diesel would be ok but time will tell. Challenger, i owned one of them as well in the petrol version, not a bad truck but limited power wise. The new diesel one seems to be good but as yet unproven. Pajero diesel, has good wrap but the shape has me bluffed as i reckon its an ugly bitch especially the wrap on the front guards so thats out.
Ford maverick, holden colarado, the new mazda diesel are all in the frame now just need to get some history under there belts before i can make a judgement on them.
Jeep: well we will not go there as the petrols are definately out and i do not know anything about the diesels.

As for the other ones, the soft off roaders, i went for a drive with a real estate agent several years ago in a brand new korean 4 x 4 after bashing down several fire trails the front cvs were clacking that hard he took car back to the dealer after 1000ks and swapped for a jeep cherokee.

We are happy enough with the Prado diesel and until something better comes along will stick with it.

Wazza (frederick)

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

We wanted to get into the off-road scene as a few friends have 4WD's so it was time to join the club.

I like the size, value for money, features, reliability, brand name, upgradability of the Prado and it best suited my needs. If I had another $20 or $30k to spend then I would have bought a 200 series.

I've learned a lot about 4WDing over the past year and have pushed the car to its limits, and beyond .

I'm very happy with the vehicle and what it can do for us. We're seeing parts of the state that we never would have seen before and we've had a great time doing it!

VXWesty

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

Because at the time I couldn't justify the expense of a 4.2L GU IV :-(
Close second choice was a 3.4L Hilux, but a wagon suits me better.

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

Because its a Toyota and at the time I figured an 80 series was over kill. Not anymore though. I'm ditching the Prado and I have big plans for 4.5L Petrol 80 series rock crawler.

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

Well the simple answer is............... It does everything that I want it to do.

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

Bought mine because I wanted to get out in the bush but ive gotta drive it to work everyday too. So had to be a wagon or canopied ute but couldn't find any non- thrased hiluxes when buying. Has pluses over a ute anyways, comfier, quieter, wider wheelbase. Minuses too, uses more fuel, have to put down tarps etc in the back before doing tip runs. But now im part of the pp community, part of the 4x4 community and damn proud of my prado!

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

Anything bigger than a Prado feels like driving a bus.
Anything smaller can't carry the kids, their stuff, our stuff, and the dog!

[TimA Member Find all posts View Profile Close TimA]

I want to set it up as a tourer and see as much of Australia as I can, especially off road stuff. As I also drive it to work, I wanted a bit of comfort too. So far, I am very pleased (even though I have a few of the reported problems mentioned on this site).

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

When we moved from Perth to Albany I realized we were going to spend a lot of time running along the beaches of the south coast and the Falcon wagon was not suited. I liked the look of the Prado and bought my first one new in 1998. Being a petrol head there was no way I wanted the slugish diesel. That car went all around and all across Oz and served me well until I bought my 2009 GXL. And, I went for diesel and an auto and have not looked back. THis current one has done all that I have asked for from it without any problems. I drive V8 troopies at work and they are great for the job but my prado is more refined and comfortable. And it looks the part too.

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

Fantastic all rounder, fully capable 4wd, safely seats 8, can tow, 1500km range, drives like a town car, both on bitumen and off road, quality made, excellent reliability, tried and tested, great looks, suits both my wife and I, kids love it, great re-sale, Toyota reliability... etc, etc...

Such an easy decision to make - and the best car decision we've ever made.

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

We had a 2007 Kluger Grande and loved it but wanted to then tow a van and go off road so the Prado was a logical choice...Im sold on Toyota's now I have the Prado Wifey has her new 2011 Kluger Grande (she preferred the Kluger size) she's happy I'm happy. I may look at a 200 Series Sahara next car purely because I like V8's.

I would love a new Jeep grand SRT8 but their no good off road.

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

Fantastic all rounder, fully capable 4wd, safely seats 8, can tow, 1500km range, drives like a town car, both on bitumen and off road, quality made, excellent reliability, tried and tested, great looks, suits both my wife and I, kids love it, great re-sale, Toyota reliability... etc, etc...

Such an easy decision to make - and the best car decision we've ever made.

And what he said....