So... those who know/drive 4x4's?

[~clover~]

I thought about the Hilux... but if I get a ute/tray back, only myself & the kids will fit in the car. My mum can't come anywhere with us, or kids friends.
Ute back could be handy, but I think I need the seats.

[Porsche]

Yeah, I looked at some Prado's. Only thing is dad says I'm better off with a 4.2Ltr diesel, the prado's only came out in a 3.0 diesel. No idea what the difference is though. Will have to ask him tomorrow.

Clover I think the difference is that the 3lt is a 4 cyl and the 4.2 is a 6cyl or even V8 if talking Cruiser?????

We have an 05 Prado and it's an 8 seater. The third row of seats just fold up either side and are removeable if need be.

I believe the new Prado is a 7 seater. I think they did away with the middle seat on the third row.

The Prados have the long range tanks as standard. They hold about 160lt of diesel.

Diesels are terrific if you do alot of towing as they have alot of tourque down low and that is ideal for towing.

Love Love Love my Prado.

[lady_neon]

Yes definitely check the car seats will fit across the row, it is a much slimmer 4x4.

[aussienic]

If you have a lot of car seats or boosters. Then go the bigger 4wd. I can fit 2 car seats and a booster across the middle row of my cruiser. We not just have 1 car seat and 1 booster and no issues obviously

Plus as a long term car you need to think of growing kids and leg room. My almost 13 yr old is still comfortably in our car but he has really long legs and he has to sit in the middle of the middle row otherwise his knees hit the back of our seats.

[Lenny]

Yes, current Prado has only two seats in the back row. And i'm pretty sure they have no ISOFIXs for the back row (but not 100% certain). There's no way a 3rd carseat will fit in the middle - unless it's a super slim one. However it's ok to sit between the two car seats in the middle row. Not sure about older models and their seat configurations.
Some earlier models of Pajero (I think) have the carseat clips in the back of the boot (secured to the floor) which is terrible if you ever need to use the boot space. Make sure the car seats clip to the back of the seat.

[Caz_88]

Yes, current Prado has only two seats in the back row. And i'm pretty sure they have no ISOFIXs for the back row (but not 100% certain).

Definately ISOFIX in the new Prado's! part of the reason we got our new one, other than they are awesome cars

[~clover~]

ISOFIX? Feeling silly asking, but what's that mean?

[~clover~]

ISOFIX? Feeling silly asking, but what's that mean?

[Jennifer13]

Isofix is a way of attaching car seats directly to a bar behind/under the seats themselves. Used in Europe and much safer.

I didn't think Isofix was recognized yet in Australia? Although there are moves to have this changed. Don't think any of our car seats have the right attachments because of this. I hope it changes soon though.

[Caz_88]

Hi Jennifer,

Actually, alot of Australian cars do have ISOFIX. Its something we have really looked into. It is in basically all reasonably new (less than 5 year old) Toyotas, Mazdas, VW's, Audi's and Mercedes, basically most cars manufactured overseas that are big in the US or Europe. Some nissans have them as well, but some models had it removed for the Australian Market. Basically, all Holdens and Fords built here dont have it, and no, it cant be retrofitted as no-one here in Australia has designed the standards, training or testing for that (We looked into it, part of the reason we decided to get rid of our Nissan X-Trail)

ISOFIX is on track to be introduced into Australia at the start of next year..... I'm quietly hopeful that this goes ahead, because I am planning on using it anyway. Most European ISOFIX car seat allow you to use the seatbelt restraint (for cars without ISOFIX) so I will just use that as well. The only part that would be a drawbackis that would mean that you cant use the seats that use a floor prop instead of a top teather, which I think is on of ISOFIX's big advantages

Sorry for hijacking your thread clover

[Jennifer13]

Yeah Caz, I know cars have it, we just don't have any seats to use until the Aust standard changes. I too hope that changes soon!

[Netix]

As an ex-4x4 mechanic shop owner, i can tell you that, in general, the land cruisers and prados have higher parts costs, and often higher purchase price whether new or second hand. Yes, the toyotas are a quality machine, but the elevated cost (from being toyota and a 4wd- rrmember extra driving wheels, more parts, bigger tyres, etc, etc, etc when compared to your commodore) is something you need to keep in mind.
The early 3.0 litre patrols were sucky, hence why we all love the 4.2 diesel (and can they haul donkey!), but have not seen any 3 litre patrols with many issues lately. A gu patrol should cover everything you need, and i would buy one (or even another gq, but only a 4.2) over a cruiser, even though we have had a beautiful 100 series here for nearly the last week. I think i mentioned the parts cost is lower for the 'trol (i'm on my phone, so is pretty impossible to scroll through what I have typed )

I know it might not be your thing, but if you don't really "need" a four wheel drive, maybe look into the all wheel drive people movers. Like tarago (and their grey import counterparts such as estima and lucida), el grande (nissan, runs on the same gear as pathfinder) and is luxury, or the grand voyager. I would avoid the toyota mini vans as we were not happy with their build quality or wearability of the seats, etc. The el grande shouldnt scare you because its a grey imort, its not a hard vehicle to service by a mechanic, and is a passenger designed vehicle, not a commercial vehicle based design. Newer grand voyagers (the squarer ones) have all wheel drive and auto doors, but i dont think they come in a diesel. We nearly bought one, just had to redirect money unfortunately.