New Member and...why a Prado?

[lndshark Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close lndshark]

Hello everyone. My name is Jim and I come to you from the United States. I was directed to your awesome forum by a friend of mine. As many of you know, we have a variant of your 120 Series badged as a Lexus GX470. My question is just a casual one, not meant to spark any controversy. I really want to know why you selected a Prado over the other offerings. I see a few of the folks here had 70 or 75-Series Land Cruisers. Many years ago, I started out with a Toyota short-bed pick-up (the cool people called them "Hilux" even though the trucks were never marketed as such here with that name) 4x4 with a 22R in 1986. I built that truck into several variants until it wound up as a pretty competent rock crawler on 35" BFG's and 4.1 crawler gears in the transfer. Fast forward several years now (the '86 has been long since sold but not forgotten) and I find myself wanting to get back out and explore, albeit, not in the extreme fashion as I did before.

I think I have my search narrowed down to a 4th-Generation 4Runner (120-based) or a GX470. I really like the cabin height on the GX plus it offers a manual-shift transfer (the 4Runner is electronic). I'm really leaning toward the GX because, well, let's face it, there just aren't many build Lexus SUV's running around here on 32" tires! Granted, the Lexus has many other features going for it and on the used market, the pricing is about the same as the 4Runner.

I arrived at my decision(s) after lengthy research. I had strongly considered a 100-Series but found them a bit too big. Our current and previous generation Tacoma pick-ups (in the Double Cab model) were strong contenders as well but, they REALLY hold their value (the asking price for a 2003 Tacoma on the west coast of the U.S. is ridiculous). I suppose I'm curious what led everyone here to decide on a 120 (or even a 150) Series Prado.

Thank you for your input!

[madmax1982 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close madmax1982]

Hi Indshark, for me the main reason was comfort (Im 6'3"), tested 120 and 150 gen, the last one gives more legroom. Of course, have good ride position, smooth ride and reliability. I know there is other cars with smoother ride but prado felt more robust.

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

We got the 120 because of: number of seats, drive ability and noise dampening compared to a Nissan Patrol or Mistinushi Pajero, and the 180litre fuel capacity and manual not electronic selector (and it was cheaper than the 150)

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

Personally it was longevity but that seems to be in doubt with some Prado's having injector problems and even a couple going bang so my next 4WD will be an Isuzu TWENTY grand less and a five year warranty Toyo should be concerned but its not showing as their still only offering the standard 3 years....................

[Heath74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Heath74]

Jim, in Australia, in that price bracket there are really only 3 options,
Mitsubishi Pajero - IMO build quality is nothing on the Toyota
Nissan Patrol TD- lacks power, and trades off road capability for driveability. Great car for thr bush though.
or the Prado, great in all areas IMO

You guys in the states have far more choice, and availability of aftermarket parts. So Im not sure how the prado stacks up with your options

[Kapitan Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kapitan]

Gx 460

Considering cheap prices for cars in USA consider also Lexus GX 460 (Aussie Toyota Prado 150 series).

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

Toyota in general mainly because you can find spare parts in the remotest of places. As you might know, 90% of our country is remote.


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

I bought a 2014 150 series Diesel GXL for the same reason a lot of people did, Toyota 4x4 Hilux, Prado, Land Cruiser, are all highly respected and with the exception of some of the present day issues are proven to be one of the few vehicles that can handle the Australian scrub, and as said previously you can get parts anywhere.

[lndshark Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close lndshark]

Thanks to all for your input. There seems to be a common theme: size, price, reliability, etc. I've owned several Toyota products over the past 25 years so I'm familiar with the quality. My wife has a 2004 Echo that she refuses to give up for ANYTHING and that car is the quintessential Toyota, in my mind (simple, rugged).

I'm looking at used vehicles so a GX460 is out of my price range. If money were no object, I'd definately consider the 150-based Lexus, or even a 200-Series. But, I need to stick to a budget that will let us buy the truck plus modify it. The only other options in that category are an 80 or 100-Series. Both of those are getting up there in years and miles plus they are huge and use more fuel. The GX is a bit out of the ordinary for trail use...anyone can get a 4Runner here! I think that with a mild lift, some protection in the form of a front bumper and skids and maybe an ARB air locker for the rear, this truck should be able to get us to the camping spots we love on the west coast of the US.

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

Thanks to all for your input. There seems to be a common theme: size, price, reliability, etc. I've owned several Toyota products over the past 25 years so I'm familiar with the quality. My wife has a 2004 Echo that she refuses to give up for ANYTHING and that car is the quintessential Toyota, in my mind (simple, rugged).

I'm looking at used vehicles so a GX460 is out of my price range. If money were no object, I'd definately consider the 150-based Lexus, or even a 200-Series. But, I need to stick to a budget that will let us buy the truck plus modify it. The only other options in that category are an 80 or 100-Series. Both of those are getting up there in years and miles plus they are huge and use more fuel. The GX is a bit out of the ordinary for trail use...anyone can get a 4Runner here! I think that with a mild lift, some protection in the form of a front bumper and skids and maybe an ARB air locker for the rear, this truck should be able to get us to the camping spots we love on the west coast of the US.

Yes couldn't believe how cheap the 4 runners were in the US here you cant get them and they were unbreakable so why they stopped making them I dont know ......................

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

I bought a 120 over a 150 for its looks. If I were in America, the last think I would buy is a PRADO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. You guys have REAL 4wd's with REAL motors and NO stupid restrictions on what you can do to the vehicle.

[REN470 Member Find all posts View Profile Close REN470]

I bought a 120 over a 150 for its looks. If I were in America, the last think I would buy is a PRADO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. You guys have REAL 4wd's with REAL motors and NO stupid restrictions on what you can do to the vehicle.

Yeah but obviously your taste is in you butt so no wonder you like Yank cars - maybe you should have bought a jeep!!

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

Yeah but obviously your taste is in you butt so no wonder you like Yank cars - maybe you should have bought a jeep!!

While your comments may be true there was no need to be mean. I think saying I would like a jeep was uncalled for. ;p

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

While your comments may be true there was no need to be mean. I think saying I would like a jeep was uncalled for. ;p

Was that any meaner than splashing out on a fancy new set of Coopers and then posting in the Bridgestone thread!!
ha ha.

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

For me it was adequately capable, had potential for modest improvements limited mostly by the independent front suspension. The ride is comfortable. The main reason in my mind was reliability. My last car was a landrover and while a bit more capable it required constant attention, (think I became a half decent mechanic). The D4D engine possibly not available in the US turns out to have it's own issues like rocker adjustment every 40 000 km and dodgy injectors but so far reliability has been a real step up on the Landrover.