about to buy a Prado 2007 3.0 td VX

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Hello everyone,
i'm new here, i've been reading a lot of the topics and i sincerly think it's the best prado forum on the net yet.
it's cool to see people are passionate with their SUVs.
anyways, i have, i think, a good oportunity to buy a 2007 Prado VX turbo diesel full of options, this SUV is very nice and luxurious.
it's a japanese version and seems to be in good shape. exterior has no hits interior has his little things here and there but nothing that can't be fixed.
i went to check it out, and looked at all the details i know about, and it's fine, but when i told him to start it up, it started right away no problem, the motor makes a good diesel sound but i noticed some bit of black smoke coming out when i asked him to accelerate, it's not a lot of black smoke but enough to make me think this way. and then i took it for a ride.
i have then 2 questions: 1_is it normal for a car with supposely 35000 kms to throw black smoke like this?(which didn't show in the rear view when i drove it btw)
and 2_when i drove it it was weird because it felt like it was missing a bit of punch and acceleration. is this model of Prado 2007 a little too heavy for it's diesel engine? so is it normal to have not feel the power out of it?
i remember my old prado that was also diesel and that i gave to my brother, having a much better feel of torque out of it.
i drive now a mitsubishi montero limited it's a 3.8 gasoline engine, much more punchy, but i defenetly want to get this 2007 Prado the ride is awesome metalic grey with dark grey interior, it's beautifull, I WANT IT! so can someone help me to make sure i don't have the wrong idea?
thanks in advance.

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Re: about to buy a Prado 2007 3.0 td VX

MangoTrees, welcome to the forum. Where are you from?

It is unusual for it to blow smoke. Does it have a chip fitted? Best thing to do is go and test drive a few more Prados of the same year and similar milage to compare. Some models (2006-2007) had injector issues and from what you have mentioned, this one may have an issue. However, you may be comparing it to the gasoline version and just expecting too much. As I said, test drive a few more for comparison.

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Re: about to buy a Prado 2007 3.0 td VX

hello, thanks for the quick answer,
i'm originaly from France, but i live in Dominican Republic right now.
well the car has no chip fitted in it for sure, i have a good friend here that owns a garage that told me he is going to check on it and let me know if it has any kind of problem. it's a relief, because he knows a whole lot about jeeps of any kind, he has been checking my montero since i baught it. i'll let him know about the injectors because i red this also about the 2006 - 2007 versions. is it worth it changing them for new ones?or is it too expansive?
there is not much smoke that comes out of it, it's not really dark also, my first idea was that diesel engines always do blow some smoke out especially when you accelerate and on top of things here in DR the gasoline and deisel is not as clean as in europe or the states.
i'm really looking for a deisel engine because all the gasoline used Prados i have seen are in bad shape or have too many miles ore kms. and i do not like the brand new 2010 - 2011 models, plus here with the import taxes you end up paying more than what you suppose to on new cars, used is always a better option.
i've tried quite a few already, and i do like this one a lot, it's the best deal for me.
like i said, the car seems in good shape, it use to be own by a military oficial here and only was driven by his choffer, but it doesn't mean they took good care of it, i came here to double check my opinion about it, i read a lot about PRADOS and there was only one site that said that since the car is heavy the deisel engine didn't feel that punchy, and that you really had to get in the pedal to feel some power, i just want to make sure about that.
but thanks a lot i appreciate, it's always good to learn.

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Re: about to buy a Prado 2007 3.0 td VX

Injectors for the D4D in Australia are very expensive, I belive around $1,000 each (36,780 DOP), so it would be worthwhile checking how much they are to replace in your country.

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Re: about to buy a Prado 2007 3.0 td VX

Hello again Prado BB,
ok thanks for the info, it is indeed pretty expansive, your prado looks fantastic btw! like it could climb and crawl on anything!
i talk to my friend, he said he will defenetly have a look at the injectors.it is part of the complete check up he will do for me.
thanks again i'll let you know how it went down, and if it has problems what are the solutions to share this knowledge with others that are in the same situation.
take care.

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Re: about to buy a Prado 2007 3.0 td VX

Hello,
well bigger disapointment then i thaugt.
the car has actually more miles then it pretended, here in DR there are often problems like this. they changed the entire dashboard to make it look it has less mileage.
my freind from the garage, had a good look at it and said that most probably the injectors were dead and that the car has at least 65000 miles instead of 20000.
so i'll keep on checking for another one, hop i have some luck.
and thanks again for the advices, they help a lot.
take care.