MId-2000s Prados?

[StanM3]

Yeh check out www.pradopoint.com

V6 FTW! My parents have a '04 V6. Tows their 2.5 van around the country. 250k kays no worries.

[itsnotagsr]

. It also appears that what you really need is your parents requirements and then you can work out what to buy.

Requirements - something that will not be shit and tow a 2 axle car trailer with a classic car or 3-4 bikes on it.

Price max $25k. Prefer as new as possible.

Rather than just throw up another generic "what tow car" thread, I tried to look at a couple of specific options which seem to fit the criteria. So far that has included Pajero and Prado/Kluger.

Happy to take other suggestions though!

Thanks.

[kedderz]

2.5 pathfinder, r51 series 4 if you can get it oh and get manual as no dpf.

[itsnotagsr]

2.5 pathfinder, r51 series 4 if you can get it oh and get manual as no dpf.

Will need to be manual for my Mum who can't drive a manual comfortably any more.

[perthdrivers.txt]

Not sure if this model is applicable here but apparently there are small numbers of 3-door Prados that used the same engines/running gear as the normal ones but weighed a couple of hundred kg less? Apparently a good thing if you can find one (though not sure about the tow rating)

[MRMOPARMAN]

Will need to be manual for my Mum who can't drive a manual comfortably any more.

lol

[Sturmovik]

yes it was. did heaps of the cunts

Never officially, perhaps a TSB or some such
https://www.recalls.gov.au/content/s...=17&Search.y=5

I know of two people who had to pay for new engines out of their own pocket. Local dealer never hear of the problem before and wasnt interested.

[Fiona]

Not sure how many are left, but I just got a run-out Triton for $28k drive away.

Tows 3000kg, 2.5L Diesel seems to be good on fuel.

Mine came with alloys, metalic paint, and a soft cover for that price.

Might be worth the extra $3000

[260BC]

Why something as big as a Pajero or Prado for two people and light towing? Prado's in your price range are terribly space inefficient and drink petrol like they own an oil well. If the parents are not going offroad then a soft roader should suit and not be as clumsy to drive or as expensive to run as a Prado.

[fatz]

i thrashed a 03 for a few years

good car

auto dont like towing at the limit of 2.5 tones

[Captiva Fan]

Why something as big as a Pajero or Prado for two people and light towing? Prado's in your price range are terribly space inefficient and drink petrol like they own an oil well. If the parents are not going offroad then a soft roader should suit and not be as clumsy to drive or as expensive to run as a Prado.

If they're not going offroad & are only doing light towing, a gerlytruk is like having your teeth pulled, every single day of the week, forever. "Saddam, your pineapple is ready".
However, it sounds like they DO want that towing capacity, and they're willing to live in hell for the sake of the extra reliability they'll get from a Prado c/f a 530d or Chrysler 300.

[MRMOPARMAN]

Never officially, perhaps a TSB or some such
https://www.recalls.gov.au/content/s...=17&Search.y=5

I know of two people who had to pay for new engines out of their own pocket. Local dealer never hear of the problem before and wasnt interested.

it was a campaign. so pretty much a recall. the people you know are pushovers. should have called tracy grimshaw or something.

[MRMOPARMAN]

Why something as big as a Pajero or Prado for two people and light towing? Prado's in your price range are terribly space inefficient and drink petrol like they own an oil well. If the parents are not going offroad then a soft roader should suit and not be as clumsy to drive or as expensive to run as a Prado.

depends how much they are towing. most softroaders tow cap is crappy.

[hgmonaro]

I own a 2006 V6 Auto Prado. It's shorter than a Commodore. Mines done 165K, had a water pump replaced, rear shocks (1 leaked at about 140K) and rear brake pads (yes still on original fronts). Replaced starter battery last year (and just replaced aux battery but can't blame that on Toyota) Other then that it gets 1 service a year which is $300 or so. Has averaged 15.7L/100KM over it's life which is mostly suburban commuting. Have towed our van approx 35K as well. Gets about 15 around town, 10-11 on freeway and 17-18 towing. When I bought mine the D4D wasn't out and I wasn't going to put up with the diesel of the day as it was a complete slug (that's not to say a D4D is a rocketship... father-in-law has one and compared to the V6, it's a slug too!). One thing that is worth checking (via PradoPoint) is around 2005 the Autos went from 4sp to 5sp which apparently makes a big diff to fuel consumption and smoothness. Speaking of which, most people who've never been in a 4WD before are amazed at the quietness in the cabin and ride it manages. It's had 2 recalls issued, one for the Sovereign bullbar (if fitted) mounts and the factory towbar has a habit of snapping/loosening the bolts when used with a WDH. Overall, been a good car IMO.

[nutttr]

BIL has an '04 Diesel Prado and I rate that highly. They live on a farm and use it on rough tracks and a graded dirt highway every day. Now up to 250k, has had 2 full sets of shocks, a few rear windows, a few windscreens, has 3 kids in it regularly and runs on farm diesel 99% of the time.
Considering the conditions it is used in and the number of k's it has done, it is excellent. Newer models are more fussy on fuel though, I believe.

Also the trim on the outside (wheel arches, etc) is held on by plastic clips, when used on rough roads the trim rattles a heap and eventually starts coming off.

[Edit - as mentioned above the old diesel is slow as fuck. IMHO, it's dangerous in some situations it is that slow taking off from a side street on a busy road (think Ryde Rd in Sydney)]