Should I upgrade to a D4d?

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

Hi All, got an 02 3 Lt T/D which has been brilliant so far but now getting up on the K's (184) not a lot for a diesel but I'm tempted by the new engine in the latest Prado, 129 KW is much better than the 90 KW I have now (I pull a 1.5 tonne van), but theres nothing wrong with the one I've got, so what do I do , if I upgrade do I wait till after the new year and hopefullu get a better deal, or do I stick with what I've got ? at the end of the day you cant expect a lot for a car with 184K's even if its a good car, just out of interest would the newer engine fit in my older Prado ?
all advice appreciated,
Dave

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

Re: What to do

G'day Dave

Have a search around and you'll find a thread about one 90 series owner who shoe-horned a new D4D into the old body ... and it goes like a shower of the proverbial.

Cheers
Chippy

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

Re: What to do

Hi Chippy
safe to say I'm a tad jealous, mate thats a lot of car you have there, from the minuet you put the bull bar onwards it completly transformed it, yes I dont know what I'm going to do as mine gets older it depreciates more but as said it's still a great car, think i might stick my head in the sand on this one LOL,
regards,
Dave

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

Re: Should I upgrade to a D4d?

Davy, I've changed your thread title to something meaningful.

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

Re: Should I upgrade to a D4d?

Thanks for that wengnut anything that generates a response as to what to do is welcome thank you,
regards,
Dave

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Should I upgrade to a D4d?

PLease also place your location in your profile as per forum rules.

[IRON-PAWW Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close IRON-PAWW]

Re: Should I upgrade to a D4d?

184,000k on an 02 TD. Well, you'd have to say that the old girl should have a bit of go in it yet. Though it's not a bad idea to hand the "well used" car problems onto someone else if you can wing it. It just depends on what the changeover costs will be and how much more you may need to spend setting up the replacement the way you want it.

The interesting thing in 2009 is going to be the 2nd hand market. You may very well find some good 120's for sale without too much wrong with them. Check out something like carsguide.com and see what Prado's with a similar mileage are selling for. You may well be able to get a reasonable trade in deal in 2009 once the economic slowdown starts to bite, putting some decent rigs in the 2nd hand yard. Added to that, once the new model Prado arrives, we may well see some interesting prices on the "old" 120's. No solid date for the new model yet though.

By going to the D4D yeah you'll have a bit more grunt. But by all accounts the older engine isn't too bad anyhow. Some people have even whacked a better performing chip in it for some decent power gains. I think you either use the 02 till it's dead and then buy new or barely used, or see what changeover costs you might be up for in the next few months. The extra towing capacity of the D4D over the older engine isn't easy to gauge. Really, you'd need to hire a D4D Prado or borrow one to see if it really makes things that much better for you over your usual trips. In theory you should do better, but how much of a difference would you notice in your situation? And is that worth the changeover cost? You'd really need to try and see for the definitive answer to that.

If I was you right now I'd hold it for a few months and keep a close eye on the 2'nd hand market. Get the current rig valued as best you can and be ready to pounce once you find what you're looking for.

If money matters don't concern you then heck just get a good 120 right now. Leave the new model for a generation or 2 before buying it (whenever it arrives... or not) to let the inevitable bugs get ironed out.