thoughts on 90 series Prado?

[gazza750]

So my R50 pathfinder got written off last weekend so am now in the market for a replacement .thought I would take a break from Nissan and go to the Toyo.Pro's and cons of the Prado for the casual offroader

[Brett_J]

Junk, buy another R50....

[huggy_b]

Engine options in the 90 series were relatively thirsty from my experience. If I was getting a Prado, I'd try and stretch to at least the 120 series 3L diesel.
But then again from what little I know about the R50, they weren't all that economical either; so maybe go drive a 90 series and see what you think?

[Brett_J]

TBH, I was looking at options on what I would replace my R50 with around the same price, nothing matched them, at best you were going sideways instead of upgrading.
You really need to crack the 10k mark to start getting better options, we eventually went above that, but we wanted a lot newer.
Unless you get a Turbo diesel, you'll suffer the same shit economy the R50 has, but might have a few more bolt on offroad goodies with the Toyota, as you know, there is fuck all for the Pathy, well cheap anyway :)

[gazza750]

ended up with a fuel hog 80 series cruiser. price was right and extras were good.
Don't care about fuel cost if all the other boxes were ticked
but anyone with an R50 pathy need front wheel bearings i got a set i dont need lol

[Buckas]

I've had a 90 series prado with the 3.4l petrol for about 18months and absolutely love it. It gets used for daily duties and touring with the occasional day at the powerlines. It's been with me for a trip up through Karijini, Exmouth and multiple trips to our favourite campsites on beaches and in the bush. It's the first car Ive ever had where I chuck it in 'D,' put the aircon on and just drive. Never had any issues and I've never spent a cent on it other than regular servicing.

I think it'll surprise you offroad. All my mates have built 80 series' and patrols and are surprised by the prado (they hate admitting it). Very good in sand, independent front struggles a bit in ruts from lack of flex. That being said, my mate had to back down a rutted and very slippery steep gravel hill the other week on the way to our favourite campsite. He was in a single cab hilux on 285 muddies and had aired down. I drove straight up it with shitty maxxis 265 AT's at 40psi. I'm not pretending it's the best offroader out there by a long shot. But for a tourer and daily it can keep up offroad. Beats the hell out of the 80 series on the open road and gravel roads.

I got the car as a part trade for my FPV and if I were to buy a 4by now, it'd be either an 80 series or a 120series Prado with the 4l v6 (Would buy something better but i prefer spending the money on the 86). The 3.4 has plenty of grunt with it's nice low range box offroad (tops out at about 40kph) but struggles a bit towing the car trailer and 86. Only other thing which lets it down a bit is it seriously drinks over 110km/h due to a lack of gears with the earlier auto. I average around 15l/100k around the city and 11l/100k touring. Would recommend