Hi all, been lurking for quite some time, but this is my first post. I have trawled the forums for this information, but can only find limited components, and often where people have differing requirements to
mine.
Am looking to buy a tow vehicle for my 1.9T van to tow around Aus for around 8 months. I have narrowed the choice to a 100 series (probably between 02 - 05) landcruiser, either V8 or Turbodiesel. Once the trip is complete I will be selling the car.
I am
well aware of the TD's much better consumption - however given the finite time I will be keeping the car, it will be only up to a certain amount. I'm also aware that to buy an equivalent TD at the moment seems to cost over $15k more than the petrol equivalent. Lack of investment income on that $15k goes a fair way to reducing the consumption difference.
The other common discussion point regarding diesel & petrol appears to be where you are travelling to. In our case, we won't be literally travelling around the country, and will more often than not be close to the coast. We are not planning on heading to the remote areas - so in that respect I'm not sure that the extra range (don't mind filling up more often anyway - as we need breaks) or the availability of petrol is an issue.
So here's the rub - I really don't like diesel's too much. I drove a TD and V8 back to back recently. Around town, on the highway - the petrol was sensational - smooth, dead quiet - felt like driving a large
sedan. I couldn't say the same about the diesel though. Whils this thing was
miles ahead of any old diesels I have previously experienced - I still hated the annoying drone every time I accelerated, or even when sitting on constant revs on the highway. It just felt like going back to a truck again (I know - I'm a little soft!).
So ultimately I would prefer the V8 in all respects and think it's appropriate - with one very important possible exception. I can't seem to find much info on how they simply compare for towing (irrespective of all other factors). With higher torque arriving at only 2000 revs, that does seem to make the TD quite attractive - ie: less downchanging, hold a speed easier etc? But is any of this really an issue with the V8, or does it still have plenty of torque to do the job anyway. Going up hills I guess either are going to be revving hard. Presumably the TD simply allows you to sit in o/d a little more often without labouring the engine. Although the V8 still feels excellent running in 4th. At 100km/h in 4th would the petrol possibly be getting closer in torque to the TD in 5th? Ultimately I don't want to be driving something that appears to be struggling - as we will be doing tens of thousands of kms towing, and would like it to be a reasonably pleasant experience.
So am a little unsure at the moment - I prefer the V8, but will certainly bite the bullet if the TD is much more appropriate.
Any advice would be most gratefully received. Thanks.
oh - as an aside - in the TD - is the Sahara much quieter in the cabin than the GXL?