$30,000 budget what 4WD would you buy?

[Smithy2]

Howdy,

Just received our new camper trailer ( 1st which weighs weighs 800kg before we load up ) and it is time to upgrade to a 4WD.  Happy to take any advice as I am unsure which way to go? Currently thinking a 2004 or 05 Prado GXL or a Pajero 2005-06, as they seems a good reliable vehicle from what I have read.  Basically the vehicle will be a family car around town through the week and weekends & holidays the escape vehicle to take us away from the rat race.  Like the idea of having 7 seats through the week which we can pull out for extra room when we go camping.

Any info or thoughts would be great on which way you would go.  Cheers 

[jwb]

Pajero diesel would be my choice.

[Diesel Power]

Factory fitted 180L fuel tanks.........Prado.

[Heiny]

Pajero diesel would be my choice.

X2

[Malcur]

Factory fitted 180L fuel tanks.........Prado.

X2

[dazzler]

Prado or Pajero TD.

If you need to use the rear rear seats and have little ones then prado.  Pajero rear seats are not as safe as Prado due to the fold away design (causes the top of the seatbelt to be too high on their shoulders and they slip under it a bit.

Pajero will be a good bit cheaper.

[Prado BB]

Prado or Pajero

[Red Emperor]

We have a 2010 Prado - its a brilliant bus but to be honest too small for our family of 5.

By the time you add prams, sporting gear it gets a tad small - we have now bought a 2005 standard 100 series for $32K with over 17K of "bling".

This will be our camping car and the Prado the "town car"

If I had to choose one the 100 series would win for all round functionality.

Go Toyota all the way - best reliability and resale value bar none.

My 0.02

Red

[Benny78]

I had the same decision to make recently for a trip around OZ towing a camper- however the 4x4 had to be used for me to drive around for work for a year before we went away. I looked around for a while at all options (i was looking at $40K) and drove every 4x4 in that range from new to second hand and bought a 2007 D4D prado for its 180Lfuel tanks, reliability-and resale and just a nice 4x4 if you have to drive it day to day.
The D$D is worth the extra $ if you can but if not they are still a good all rounder.
Im sure most 4x4's are as capable offroad as the next one so just get a 4x4 that suits your needs onroad.

[Prado BB]

where you from Smithy? My brother is thinking of selling his 2005 Prado if you are interetsed, low km and one owner.  PM me if you are interested.

[meimarocu]

If I had to choose one the 100 series would win for all round functionality.

X2

Ian

[WilSurf]

For offroading andtowing?
GU Patrol or 100 series.

For around town?
Prado.

[Bird]

GU patrol. 4.2 only.

[barraboy]

I am into my 2nd Pathfinder Diesel. Went to the cape this year on the my swag trip and didnt miss a beat.Had to be towed accross Nolans by Yogi but this was after both the Pajero and Prado on the trip had got stuck in the middle (both taking on water). They also got towed by the big fella.Fantastic on fuel and plenty of go on the highway. Also a 7 seater and seats fold flat to floor. For a spend of $30k you can get one with less than 80ks.

[WilSurf]

GU patrol. 4.2 only.

If the diesel only came with automatic.....

[Bird]

If the diesel only came with automatic.....

the conversion its been done

[rodsswag]

Factory fitted 180L fuel tanks.........Prado.

x2
Can not go wrong with a Toyota

[WilSurf]

the conversion its been done

Will cost a lot

[Bird]

Will cost a lot

That depends on what you use..

[Smithy2]

Thanks all, by the looks of your comments we're heading in the right direction tossing up between Prado & Pajero.
Leaning towards Toyota for now as we've had a great run with them in the past. Have driven a few Prados, seem to be in good condition but higher km's than we would like but maybe this is just reinforcing the reliability of them???

[deepop]

Consider a petrol.   Better for the engine around town on those short hops and tons of power without needing a turbo (read extra potential problems) to get to the same level.

Including the conversion costs to gas and some bling to make your touring more comfortable you will still be ahead of the game (your budget) by the time you buy a good second hand 100 series or 4.8 GU Patrol.   To go slightly smaller I'd pick the Prado as a first option.

If your towing heavy and touring remote go diesel for the better economy under load.

[Redback]

We have a 2010 Prado - its a brilliant bus but to be honest too small for our family of 5.

By the time you add prams, sporting gear it gets a tad small - we have now bought a 2005 standard 100 series for $32K with over 17K of "bling".

This will be our camping car and the Prado the "town car"

If I had to choose one the 100 series would win for all round functionality.

Go Toyota all the way - best reliability and resale value bar none.

My 0.02

Red

I don't understand this, why would you have a 4WD as a town car

[Alan Loy]

I know its unfashionable but the 3.0 Patrol diesels are great value for money.  There are heaps of autos arround and because of the bad press they are a good price.  I bought a 2 year old CRD DX for $26000 and am very happy with it.  Plenty of cash for mods 

[D4D]

I don't understand this, why would you have a 4WD as a town car

Have you ever tried to cart around a tribe of kids and their gear in a sedan?

[TheOtherLeft]

Plus not everyone can afford to register and feed two cars.