Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
May 1st 2012, 10:38 am
#31
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
It's not flashy inside but is less basic than the Jeep which we didn't like purely on its internal basic-ness (it'll be our only car so needs to be a nice comfy drive on a 2 hour drive to visit rellies etc).
Yeah you can get the basic model for $28 but we'd want some extras, so it'd be a few $k more than that. Which would be fine.
Still not totally sold on it though. A bit less basic would be good, but it's still worth considering due to our needs and the cost of this option.
May 2nd 2012, 2:05 am
#32
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
Thanks for all your suggestions. Here's where we are ATM.
Ruled out the Prados and Pajeros - Pajero don't make a 3 door SWB anymore (they stopped making them in 2009 and although we liked the 2009 one we test drove, we don't really want to buy a 3 year old car) and the 3 door Prado is v nice but very expensive ($60-75k)! The 5 door versions are just too big for us.
Ruled out all AWD's (even though there are some very nice options). We need a proper 4WD with low range option for proper off roading.
Suzuki Grand Vitara - definitely an option. Small enough for us, basic but nice enough inside, proper 4wd (low range), good price (pretty cheap compared to lots of others). Prob looking at $35k.
Toyota FJ Cruiser - didn't like it from the pictures (it's definitely a bit different looking!) but liked it a lot more in the flesh. Drives like a dream (Prado engine) and very smooth drive around town and would be awesome off road. It's funky and a bit alternative, but I think I like it. Looking at $50k.
So at the moment it's between the Grand Vitara and the FJ Cruiser (although we might change our minds again tomorrow!)
Ruled out the Prados and Pajeros - Pajero don't make a 3 door SWB anymore (they stopped making them in 2009 and although we liked the 2009 one we test drove, we don't really want to buy a 3 year old car) and the 3 door Prado is v nice but very expensive ($60-75k)! The 5 door versions are just too big for us.
Ruled out all AWD's (even though there are some very nice options). We need a proper 4WD with low range option for proper off roading.
Suzuki Grand Vitara - definitely an option. Small enough for us, basic but nice enough inside, proper 4wd (low range), good price (pretty cheap compared to lots of others). Prob looking at $35k.
Toyota FJ Cruiser - didn't like it from the pictures (it's definitely a bit different looking!) but liked it a lot more in the flesh. Drives like a dream (Prado engine) and very smooth drive around town and would be awesome off road. It's funky and a bit alternative, but I think I like it. Looking at $50k.
So at the moment it's between the Grand Vitara and the FJ Cruiser (although we might change our minds again tomorrow!)
May 2nd 2012, 7:12 am
#33
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
Would you consider a Toyota Hilux Or a Isuzu Dmax?
A lot more basic than the Prado and FJ but after having a 4wd SUV (Holden)that spent a lot of time off the road (as in the Mechanic). I loved the Hilux as it just gave me no trouble ever.
A Prado or a 2008+ Hilux in white would be my car of choice if money was not a huge factor.
Oh and if you do buy one dont skimp on tyres
A lot more basic than the Prado and FJ but after having a 4wd SUV (Holden)that spent a lot of time off the road (as in the Mechanic). I loved the Hilux as it just gave me no trouble ever.
A Prado or a 2008+ Hilux in white would be my car of choice if money was not a huge factor.
Oh and if you do buy one dont skimp on tyres
May 2nd 2012, 7:16 am
#34
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
Would you consider a Toyota Hilux Or a Isuzu Dmax?
A lot more basic than the Prado and FJ but after having a 4wd SUV (Holden)that spent a lot of time off the road (as in the Mechanic). I loved the Hilux as it just gave me no trouble ever.
A Prado or a 2008+ Hilux in white would be my car of choice if money was not a huge factor.
Oh and if you do buy one dont skimp on tyres
A lot more basic than the Prado and FJ but after having a 4wd SUV (Holden)that spent a lot of time off the road (as in the Mechanic). I loved the Hilux as it just gave me no trouble ever.
A Prado or a 2008+ Hilux in white would be my car of choice if money was not a huge factor.
Oh and if you do buy one dont skimp on tyres
May 2nd 2012, 8:29 am
#35
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
Thanks for the suggestion
May 2nd 2012, 9:12 am
#36
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
Sorry Buzzy, I think we only saw a base model Jeep and it was a couple of years old, so we hadn't actually seen a newer/nicer one. I actually think in hindsight that it might be an option for us, so we'll go and test drive one. If the inside isn't as basic as I thought, it would be great. (I don't really get the soft/hard roof thing though, but I guess that'll be obvious when we go and have a look!).
Thanks for the suggestion
Thanks for the suggestion
BB
May 2nd 2012, 9:53 am
#38
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
There actually is only one interior, unless you get the 70th anniversary edition which is leather. However the 2011 onward models have a very nice cabin indeed. There are 2 specs, the base and the Rubicon. The Rubicon is about 9k more and has diff lockers and auto disconnecting sway bars so it is much more capable off road. But even stock, the Jeep will wipe the floor with almost anything else off road. On road it is the most fun car to drive I have ever driven. I took the hard top off on day 1 and just use the soft top, I even run with no doors in nice weather. Love it!
BB
BB
May 5th 2012, 2:42 am
#39
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
FJ Cruiser .
Jun 1st 2012, 7:35 am
#40
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
Just a little update.
After ruling out all soft roaders, rejecting the (very nice) 3 door Prado on price (and they don't make a 3 door Pajero anymore), finding the Suzuki Grand Vitara fine but a bit too 'beige' it came down to the Toyota FJ Cruiser or the Jeep Wrangler.
I really liked the FJ, but the husband loved the Jeep and the Jeep ticks all the boxes we had, plus it looks a lot of fun. And is $10k cheaper than the FJ, which helps. It's v nice to drive, a lot nicer inside than they used to be, love the hard top/soft top/no roof options, and it'll shit all over what we need to do with it off road. I think for our needs it's perfect.
So thanks Buzzy, you may now step forward and collect your commission from Jeep
After ruling out all soft roaders, rejecting the (very nice) 3 door Prado on price (and they don't make a 3 door Pajero anymore), finding the Suzuki Grand Vitara fine but a bit too 'beige' it came down to the Toyota FJ Cruiser or the Jeep Wrangler.
I really liked the FJ, but the husband loved the Jeep and the Jeep ticks all the boxes we had, plus it looks a lot of fun. And is $10k cheaper than the FJ, which helps. It's v nice to drive, a lot nicer inside than they used to be, love the hard top/soft top/no roof options, and it'll shit all over what we need to do with it off road. I think for our needs it's perfect.
So thanks Buzzy, you may now step forward and collect your commission from Jeep
Jun 1st 2012, 7:44 am
#41
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
As you have no kids to run over I would say go for it. 
Jun 1st 2012, 7:44 am
#42
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
Jun 1st 2012, 7:50 am
#43
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
Jun 2nd 2012, 7:46 am
#44
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)
Pajero over a Prado.
Jun 2nd 2012, 2:09 pm
#45
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Re: Thinking of buying a 4wd (Prado?)