97-2000 prado

[~clover~]

Can I ask who has one, how many kms are on it, how it runs for its age & how they are in the boot for space.
I'm thinking about trading my 05 commodore wagon for one, and I know they're great cars, but want to hear it from more people.
If anyone could tell me how boot size compares to the commodore as well that would be even more awesome

[Netix]

Hey Clover, the Man (4x4 mechanic) says to look up on the internet for luggage space (will be in cubic capacity, then you can compare that to the commodore figures). Also, get a turbo diesel, with service history. Don't get a petrol one, as it will cost you more to run than your wagon. Kilometres average 25,000km per year. Country cars are likely to have higher km's, but this isn't necessarioy a bad thing. Country cars run longer, without the wear of stop-start, speed humps, etc, and also more likely to have been in 4wd more, keeping everything 'in service' and used.

Let me know if you need any more help.

[HomeStyleMumma]

What netix said (including dh having a similar job being an engine reconditioner!). I have practically lost count of how many 80series landcruisers we have bought done up and sold over the years, dh basically thinks they are one of the best cars on the road and newer ones just give more trouble, he wants me to have another but I keep saying no now coz it'll be too hard with 5 littlies in car seats What ever you do make sure you DON'T get duel fuel, if you can't afford a diesel straight petrol is much better still. As for boot space I think you'll be fine especially if you get a 5seater.

[Netix]

HSM; Clover has no choice but to get a seven seater, as even her eldest child is still too young to sit in front of an airbag. I would still get the turbo diesel, even if the petrol model was cheaper, Clover will lose that saving with the cost of filling it with petrol over diesel, and the amount of fuel it will use.

[~Raven~]

Are the older Prados bigger in the back than the newer ones? We were considering getting one approx 2009 model but the lack of boot space with the rear seats down put us off.

[~clover~]

It's near impossible to find a diesel, which is what I do want, in my price range. I was looking at a duel fuel 2000, but over 300000 kms. There's a straight petrol 97 with only 240000 for only a grand more. Not even sure I can actually get either of them but I need one. My car isn't made for long distance driving like I do. (60000 k in 2.5 years).
A prado on diesel is a nightmare to start with, but in my price range it's impossible
Would love a 100 series cruiser, but there's no way possible I could do that
And def want a 7 or 8 seater.
Either of your partners ok a pajero? Only thing I can get what I want in my price range unfortunately.

[~clover~]

Raven I don't think there are any cars with much room once the 3rd row seats are down, but I like that in 4wd you can just put 1 down. In my wagon they both go down together.

[HomeStyleMumma]

10 is the legal age to sit in the front even with an airbag, not ideal but of course. I presume her oldest is in the front of her current car as its a wagon and no extra seats were mentioned, anyway. Just living not far from clover I know how expensive they are so just thought I should mention petrol as an option I wouldnt personally ever buy one but lots of people I know flat out refuse to own a diesel for whatever reason. I hope you are able to find what you're after at a good price clover

[HomeStyleMumma]

Ok well the last three posts were done while I'm trying to organize my children (more probably before I post this lol)...
I really doubt my dh would say get a pajero he had had to do WAY to much work on them over the years! Have you looked at a Holden jackaroo? We had one for a while and took it all the way up north off road etc, it never missed a beat or needed work done on it, it was also SUPER comfy and a tad smaller than prado even. Or maybe you could look into a delica? Certainly not the most 'pretty' vehicle around but similar to the jackaroo we took it up north off road EVERYWHERE towing a camper trailer when I was pg with #4 and mechanically nothing wrong with it. We only sold because it was going to be a pain with 4 carseats in it coz I'd have to have the whole back row up (8seater with a 1 1/2, 1 1/2 split in third row). Just some thoughts... To complicate more haha

Btw if you happen to find a vehicle you're interested in in or around Albany I'm sure dh wouldnt mind giving it a once over for you (if he's not in Perth working )

[~Raven~]

Raven I don't think there are any cars with much room once the 3rd row seats are down, but I like that in 4wd you can just put 1 down. In my wagon they both go down together.

That's what sold us on the Chrysler grand voyager because it has a full sized boot behind the rear seats and they split fold 60/40 back and under into the boot. I believe the Kia with the long wheel base is very similar in size in the back. What do you drive ATM?

[megs]

Hi Clover,

I know this isn't a Prado but we recently needed to upgrade to a 7 seater due to having a 4th child. I ended up going with a Nissan Pathfinder as it has a surprisingly large boot. The 3rd row seats are split fold so I have one child (in booster) permanently in the boot. Behind that seat which is up I can fit my pram which then gives me the whole other half of the boot. They have a really good towing capacity 3000 tonne. It is a 4wd but isn't huge so I find it easy to drive when I'm in town. We live on a farm so it has done a lot of km's 45000 in about 1 year and is going strong.

Good Luck with your search

[~clover~]

HSM I do have 7 seats in my car But even with seats folded up there's not as much room as I need. I'm in NSW on holiday at the moment, so looking here for at least the next few weeks. Its impossible to buy a cruiser at all over in WA coz once people get one they don't let go!
Prices are slightly better here too, for the same reasons. More available & not as much demand for them that I can tell.

We considered the Jackaroo back when this car was bought (05 commodore), but we were told they're not a great car. I'm wanting a cruiser or a patrol ideally. And the boot space is more for the long distance driving (WA-NSW-WA) that I do. As well as shopping, but camping trips etc need loads of boot space, plus roof racks! (Will also need to try get one before I head home). Now its just me & the kids we're doing alot of camping trips, so a car that suits all the above is top of my list.

And even though its not ideal, DD1 does sit in the front seat at the moment. Another reason I want split seats in the back. We can't go anywhere except around town with the back seats down.

[Netix]

Sorry, I was sure the age a child could sit in the front (with air bag) was 12y.o.

Umm... sorry, doing all this on my phone, so its nigh on impossible to scroll back and forth (let alone make corrections! ).

Anywho, nsw is the best place to buy a used car from, due to the annual road worthy checks necessary to get registration. Darnit, forgot what was going to say. May I ask why you are set on a Prado? Or 100 series? If it is a 'luxury' thing, look at 'sahara' 80 series 'cruisers. The sahara is rather the luxury cruiser, and 80 series are quite affordable. If its for looks, then a cruiser and patrol can still be made to look 'pretty', while still being excellent tourers (which is what you need). Oh, I think the sahara model is 7 seat standard. Not sure on prices for the cruisers (though are generally dearer than an 'equivalent' patrol), but you could pick up a (7 seat) gu patrol from around 5k.

Pm me if you want the Man to look at a particular vehicle on line, and should you happen to get a car while in nsw, the shop the Man works at is in swan hill, if you're taking the scenic route home and want that roof rack, lol.

[Netix]

Forgot to say, some patrols are quite luxurious too, i think it is the "ti" model. The patrol and cruisers have split third row seats that fold up/down.

[~clover~]

Not too fussed on the 100 series. Just going from an 05 model I don't really wanna go too far back.
I think I want the prado more because its a little smaller, but still higher/bigger than my wagon. And the 4x4 of course. It should be a bit less on petrol/diesel than the cruiser/patrol. But then a petrol prado would probably be similar to a diesel patrol/cruiser.
Diesel at home is cheaper than unleaded.

[~clover~]

And netix, I thought it was 12 too. It's only coz dd is tall for her age I'm kind of ok with her sitting there. And because she legally can if all back seats are taken. Which would be case in a 5 seater.

[Netix]

Sorry Clover, I also forgot about the condition if all back seats are taken.

I will ask the Man today about prices for the cruisers and patrols compared to the prado. For budget, are you just working with trade in value for your car? Could you maybe pm me what your budget is and what options you prefer (auto/manual, etc), and we shall see what we can find for you? If you want to. I don't think you should have any problem comfort wise in a patrol or cruiser. Probably more patrol, as the toyotas are almost always a bit dearer. Our (earlier model) gu has all electrics, air cond, carpet, etc, it is a lovely machine to cruise around in.

[Netix]

Just spoke to the Man, and he asked what your price range is. Also, look at 3lt turbo disel gu series 4 onwards, and turbo diesel or petrol pajero. He says the pajero idrives more car like than prado, hands down, and is also very very comfortable. He said a lot of horse people use them as they are so comfortable, but also how the turbo diesels go anywhere. Look as later model as possibdle for your budget.