now I'm having second thoughts about what to get.

**stumo** · 17th August 2008, 01:12 PM

As some of you are aware, I am in the market for a new wagon. I have been looking at D2 ES's (or non ES but with ACE and 7 seats) around the 15k mark. The V8 is too expensive for me to run (and expensive/inconvienient to convert to gas), so it needs to be a TD5.

The idea is that we keep the car forever. We only need one car at the moment, so it will be used initially by swimbo for running our young and growing family around. Then when the kids are a bit older I would like to do a bit of offroad adventuring/camping etc. Say in about 5 years time.

By then I hope to be able to afford something for the family with aribags all round etc. and keep the 4WD as a second car and for camping etc. At the moment, I'm pretty much priced out of "luxuries" such as all round airbags, so a big arsed 4WD will have to be our supplementry restraint system until then.

So I got to thinking that a Toymota Prado Grande V6 is in that price range these days. it has dual airbags (and leather seats etc), but more importantly it returns about 15l/100 on petrol round town (it is a good 400kgs lighter than a D2). It also has two big fuel tanks, so when converting to gas (doesn't need vapour injection etiher) you don't loose your range as you still keep a 65l petrol tank.

I know the TD5 wins hands down in offroad ability, but I'm thinking I should get a Prado, then in 5 years time look again at the TD5. They shold be much cheaper by then.

So in summary, do you think for the next 5 years (of general round town use) a Prado or TD5 would be the better option for me? (my head is saying Prado but my heart is saying TD5)

**Xavie** · 17th August 2008, 01:52 PM

I'm not going to get in to the debate of which one because other people here will sort that out but if it were just for around town and very little off road I think you should consider the 4cyl petrol prado. My neighbour has one with 225 on the clock and it does 8-10 litres to the 100 km. However not sure if they come with only 5 seats or if you can get 7. But for economy and city use they have done really well and they still take it bush but not all that often.

Xav

**Sleepy** · 17th August 2008, 02:05 PM

Oh no not a head vs. heart thread again - Last time I did that for a Wrangler vs Defender argument I got hammered!!

Given that this is a Land Rover forum, I think you really want us to talk you into a Td5???

I like the Td5 Disco. They are a nice package and whilst not as full-on as Dirty-Dawgs Defender they do hold themselves well in the rough stuff. (although I would add a Centre Diff Lock if not fitted!)
Mind you I have been off roading with Prados and they are a capable vehicle too.

The Td5 is probably a little more economical.

I would think they would both have potential to be expensive to repair.

They both have electrickery ECU's to make you nervous - although (as seen on other threads) I don't reckon that's a reason not to buy either.

I think it will boil down to which one you like best based on what you are gonna use it for.

(I would have thought you could get yourself a TD5 disco for the $15K mark if you hunt around!)

**ozscott** · 17th August 2008, 03:57 PM

I stand to be corrected but I highly doubt that there is a 400kg difference between a new shape prado and a D2....have you checked that?

My D2 gets 15l/100k in and out from the suburbs to Brisbane - combination of peak hour and out of it. I run mine on LPG, but when I ran petrol thats what I got, week in week out. If I hammered it it didnt seem to do much worse either. Thats a 5 speed manual though.

I reckon despite its independent front end the Pretendo might well out handled by the Disco, even without ACE.

Cheers

**Narangga** · 17th August 2008, 04:54 PM

What is your preference in the Disco - manual or auto?

**ozscott** · 17th August 2008, 05:23 PM

Mate - I have a D1 auto and a D2 manual. I have driven a D2 auto...I love the manual. Its fast, efficient - lets face it it has an extra ratio

I tow a 2 ton boat and I like the manual better for that; and i like the shifting on the fly from low to high range.

Cheers

**ozscott** · 17th August 2008, 05:36 PM

although 90% + are probably auto, mainly because you couldnt get a manual in anything other than the poverty pack from memory when I got mine...so most people will probably like autos.

**Narangga** · 17th August 2008, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by ozscott

Mate - I have a D1 auto and a D2 manual. I have driven a D2 auto...I love the manual. Its fast, efficient - lets face it it has an extra ratio

I tow a 2 ton boat and I like the manual better for that; and i like the shifting on the fly from low to high range.

Cheers

Originally Posted by ozscott

although 90% + are probably auto, mainly because you couldnt get a manual in anything other than the poverty pack from memory when I got mine...so most people will probably like autos.

DOH!

Just realised you were talking to me!

My question re manual or auto was to stumo but like you I wanted the manual for towing. I guesstimated the manuals were 3-5K more than autos when I was looking 6 months ago.

**ozscott** · 17th August 2008, 07:05 PM

No worries matey. Thats interesting because when new they were cheaper by a couple of grand.

Cheers

**Narangga** · 17th August 2008, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by ozscott

No worries matey. Thats interesting because when new they were cheaper by a couple of grand.

Cheers

D2 Autos outnumber Manuals by 8:1 so I assume that is the price difference.

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