prado v's 80 series

Good luck with your looking. I use to own an 80 series on LPG and it was great and the only reason we sold it was because we need diesel for business reasons and also a ute does us so much better even if its hard to get the kids in and out!

We looked at a prado at one stage, they seem to be pretty good. Took a brand newy through the bush a wile ago with green 4wd drivers and it was v. impressive!

Have a good'n'

Laura

Im a Toyota man but have you thought about a Mitsubishi Par ado ?

Good mid sized 4wd for the running around you described & probably cheaper if moneys a concern.

G'day Breedy,

I ummed and ahhhed a long time before getting the 95 series Prado. Lovely Wife was not used to large vehicles and we were moving to a single vehicle only. I go bush frequently but have four kids that need to be easily runabout during the school week. In the end, the smaller and slightly less thirsty Prado V6 won out. 80 series diesel too hard to find in our price range, 80 series petrol too thirsty and lpg not suited to my desert fondness. Prado diesel too hard to find a decent one.
There were so many Prado V6 to choose from and many never taken off road. I did the sums and then waited, then did the sums again and ended up with one of the first Prado models released in Aus, July 95 build. The vehicle has been so reliable, comfortable and capable that I would buy another I reckon. I have considered (eve in dreams) where it was written off and then in reality, I end up choosing that I would buy one again over other alternatives.

A tough and capable car mate.

I have an 80 series and my bro had a diesel Prado. The 80 series has only one thing going for it over the Prado, luggage S P A C E
:))

HI Breedy, I was looking for a turbo diesel 80 series prior to buying the prado. $$$ wise I couldnt afford to buy a turbo diesel 80 series as the later twincam turbo was still up in the 25k + so settled for the 3.4petrol prado. I doubt you will find a turbo/d 95 series prado in your price range as firstly they come out in 2000 unlike the petrol which come out in I think 95. When I was looking at the T/D's there was nothing under 25k and most of them had high klms.The T/d does come in auto. The prado is using around the 15/17L per 100 around town and have got down to 12.2 on the open road.12.8 towing camper. This is sealed surface not sand/dirt etc not in 4wd H/L. I have had it to Stockton beach which jumped it up to around the 20L mark and similiar figures off road in low range fraction higher. They are not the most economical V6 but seem to have fairly good low down power for pulling. For what you are describing your usage, the prado will suit you down to the ground. V6 take your pick heaps around even the grande's. I paid 16k for mine (grande) with 150 on it. Very comfortable to drive. Dont forget the mitsi pajero. I was on the border between the two. Some great pajeros out there with low klms and later models and cheaper then the prado's. If I was looking at rock hopping and heavier type stuff I think the 80 series and the patrols are the only was to go just my opinion. Dont forget LPG as another option. Pradoz had his fitted just before xmas for $2370.Good luck with it all. Try ebay,carsales,trading post,carpoint, just a few to have a search. Regards Steve M

thanks for all your advice,i've heard that the v6 prado's timeing belt needs changeing at 150000 do you know if this is a major job$$$to do as it is with the pajero,won't to factor this into price negotiations as that's about the amount of k's i would like even a bit lower if poss,with the price of fuel lately their could be someone around wanting to offload a low k one,i've posted this question before but in the wrong bit,(not that cluey with these computers)thanks again for all your help...rob