Comments on: 2007 Toyota Prado GX Turbo Diesel Road Test

By: Maree

Maree — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:09:25 +0000

Has anyone used Nulon HP Diesel Engine Treatment in their Prado, their is now 36,000 klms on the clock. And was wondering if this product is any good?

By: crusin

crusin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:32:31 +0000

Did anyone buy a Prado under fleet/corporate pricing? Would anyone like to list the prices they paid and options they got?

By: yoosh

yoosh — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:43:21 +0000

All new Toyotas are under a capped service fee for the first 3 years or 60,000km which ever comes first. Our GX service fee is capped at $180. But watch out have read from other bloggers that some dealers need to be ‘reminded’. And then after that I have read servicing prices from one end of the scale to the other. Call around and find a mechanic you trust.

Just baptised the GX the other day how sweet it is!

By: crusin

crusin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:26:11 +0000

Can anyone please advise service/maintenance costs of the prado? Thanks

By: Wendell

Wendell — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:53:05 +0000

I have two prado’s, only because I was so impressed by the first one. (1998 2.7 petrol auto) The wife and I then purchased a 2005 3.0L turbo diesel. Great car, but don’t ever put Goodyear Wrangler tires on it. Road holding becomes seriously compromised. The car tracks with the contours of the road. Best stick to the original Dunlop tires for on road driving.

By: yoosh

yoosh — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:47:48 +0000

We are in the process of purchasing a new 2009 Prado GX Turbo Diesel Manual. Living in the bush we needed a vehicle that would fit a large family, handle the 400km round trip grocery shop and satisfy everyones need to hit the beach in summer and go more bush when work and school get too much. After months of research the Prado seems to be the one to offer a good balance and Toyota resale value is definately a plus. The best help has been found on posts like this where the real drivers share their real life experiences. Thanx
Cant wait to get it covered in red dirt!

By: Fred

Fred — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:01:14 +0000

Hi Paul S.

Congrats for your recent purchase ; Concerning the new model for Prado,check out here for info :

http://www.pradopoint.com/view.....e1c061c0a7

/Fred

By: Paul S

Paul S — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:41:19 +0000

Greetings from Melbourne Australia! What a great site. I’ve been reading all of the comments with interest. I have just placed an order for the Prado GXL Turbo Diesel Auto. and take delivery mid August. The dealer informed me that production of the current model ceases at the end of July 2009. Production of the new model commences late August with the launch taking place in November. Has anyone heard what changes will be made for the new model?

By: D4D RATTLE

D4D RATTLE — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:29:20 +0000

The D4D engine has a fault at approx 10,000 ks you will start to hear rattling in the morning when cold due to faulty injectors. Toyota still have not found a fix for this issue. Effects Hilux and Prado D4D engines.

By: Gary

Gary — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:57:27 +0000

I have owned a prado TD since December 2001. It has towed a 1.3 tonne camper trailer across most of the desert tracks of Australia and has been to Cape York and the Mitchell Plateau. The only modification to the suspension I had was putting Poly Air Bags in to take the extra load on the back end. I have never had a bar in the 200000km I have done and have hit a number of emus and kangaroos on the back tracks and the standard bumper allows them to live while popping back into shape. I must admit I generally do not drive at night. Referring back to nifty who had a rattle on start up. Occassionally mine does that on cold mornings and a mechanic friend said “nothing to worry about” — this was 140000km ago so he was right. The poly air bags had to be replaced at 180000km and the I replaced the shockies at 170000 with aftermarket foam cell ones but would go back to the originals as the aftermarkets make the car feel like the back end is going to fall off. I have been happy with reliability, comfort, economy, fuel range and power. Am looking at purchasing a new prado soon and looking forward to even better comfort, power and economy.

By: bill

bill — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:26:34 +0000

Well, it’s been 15 mths since I purchased my Prado GXL D4D.
I’ve travelled 28,000kms & towed our 16ft caravan for 3,800kms, smooth quiet great economy,.Much better than the 2003 Pajero exceed i had,which was like driving around in a noisy coffee grinder. Also dealers offered me lousy trade-in prices, (So why would you buy another one).It only had 79000kms was like new with heaps of extras .Lucky i sold it privately NEVER AGAIN.

By: Nashville

Nashville — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 09:56:21 +0000

My 3rd Diesel Prado (manual) is now 3 months old, but I\’m wishing I hadn\’t bought it.
The problem is engine coarseness/roughness when pulling, a \’beat\’ at low speed something like you used to get with a worn or badly timed petrol engine in the sixties, and a bit more \’diesel rattle\’ than we\’ve come to expect these days. The problem comes and goes and is most noticeable after cruising effortlessly (and smoothly) along the highway, then needing to climb a hill or accelerate after an intersection.
The dealer has checked all the engine management settings and says they are fine.
Has anyone else had this problem?

By: Christopher Howard

Christopher Howard — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:00:57 +0000

HI all, I am fascinated on all your details on Prado, my friend insist on me getting a 96 Land Cruiser 80 2.5 petrol, he reason is it a a tougher vehicle in terms of terrain handling but i hate the dashboard of it. And i would like to asked what is the difference of Prado GX,L and D4D . I love out doors (camping, challenge the terrain, which one is more affordable . What winch and what upgrade i need.

Thanks and by the way i am staying in Malaysia, they have Prado and land cruiser all over the country.

Merry Christmas

By: Bavarian Missile

Bavarian Missile — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 08:18:08 +0000

Tried to answer you comment Paul but it got moderated,know idea why ,anyway Ill try asking where on the head was it cracked ? Near what cylinder ?

By: PAUL

PAUL — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:54:06 +0000

HI ALL, I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD PRADO DIESEL AUTO. IT RECENTLY HIT 120 000KM, HAVING NEVER PUSHED THE CAR TO IT’S MAX, IT,S HEAD CRACKED FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I HAVE HAD A TORRID TIME GETTING TOYOTA TO ADMIT THIS IS A FACTORY FAULT AND HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN TOLD BY THE FACTORY REP THAT THEY HAVE A 4% FAILURE RATE ON THESE ENGINE HEADS. THE DIESEL PUMP ALSO HAD TO HAVE A HOUSING AND BEARING CHANGE, WE WERE TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. IF ANYONE HAS HAD SIMILAR PLEASE LET ME KNOW,AS I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED THIS CAR.

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:50:28 +0000

I just picked up an 08 Prado D4D after never thinking I would change from driving Landcruisers. I can’t falt the vehicle (And I thought I would after being talked into leaving the Cruiser). I live on a rural property with dusty roads and rough tracks and the Prado tackles it daily with ease.

Sure it’s smaller and not as powerfull as the Cruiser but it tows an enclosed dirtbike trailer and or a Jayco van all around South-East Queensland with out a problem. It also takes the kids to school and is big enough to fit two weeks worth of groceries, school bags and my work gear in the back at the same time. The fuel gauge rarely moves (Unlike the Cruiser)

Toyota you’ve got the formula right with this one as the auto seems well suited to the vehicle. It’s practable, well designed and is doing what I thought only my Cruiser could do for alot less.

I still have my Cruiser and do my more serious 4WDing in that only due to the newness of the Prado. I have no doubt now that the Prado will deliver what I need if called upon. Coverted.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 04:44:32 +0000

Nifty,
All those issues (except the fuel blow back have been extensively discussed on pradopoint.com)
My July 2008 D4D Prado has performed perfectly so far. Cape York and Stockton Beach.
Achieved 7.1 l/100km on one leg at 80 kph. Usually 8.3 on a long trip and 10 around town. I’m a convert

By: Thumbs Up

Thumbs Up — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:29:31 +0000

This vehicle is amazing. I use it in the Caribbean, and I’m a member of an off-roading club. It really is an amazing vehicle, both off the road and on the road. Thumbs Up!

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:03:53 +0000

I bought a Prado 3.0 diesel new in 2005 and it has been the best vehicle ever. Live in Botswana with serious off road conditions and this vehicle performs excellent. Good service from the local Toyota Dealership as well. Seriously one of the better cars available today. Can not wait for a new model.

By: Alfred Onyango

Alfred Onyango — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:12:02 +0000

I am a Kenyan businesman seriouly looking for either a good second hand Toyota Prado GX Model or Toyota Fortuner. Please advice on the detail charges up to the Port of Mombasa.